Battling Coots

[Doug Brown]

If only we would have had some good light yesterday afternoon! I would have gotten some really good Teals and Shovelers. This Coot fight was taken in the fading light of already overcast afternoon. A little noisy...absolutely. But when the alternative is not getting the image, I'll take some noise. Always fun to photograph with my California friends!



Canon 7D, 600mm, f/4, 1/1000, ISO 3200, +2/3 EC, hand held

[Michael Zajac]

Doug, Very nice action capture. I love the feet flying around. The image looks a bit dark,but understand your situation. Unique image!Congrats.

[Axel Hildebrandt]

Cool interaction, I might try to reduce the color noise and would crop a bit off the top.

[Arthur Morris]

Two great head angles and foot positions. Brightness looks fine from here. Sharpening the heads would improve this. Those three legs are killer!

[Harshad Barve]

Fantastic image Doug , HA and feet position is just too good
TFS

[Doug Brown]

Repost with a bit more sharpening and a crop off the top. Thanks for the excellent suggestions.

[Dan Busby]

Sometimes, the action is the point Doug. Although the noise may be there, I don't "see it" past the action. You showed us in fine fashion the origin of the expression "crazy as a coot".

[Arthur Morris]

Not sure if it's me or if my glasses are dirty. (I just cleaned them.) The faces both look soft, especially the one on the left. Maybe some Eye Doctor work would help, or is it the 7D needs more sharpening syndrome????

What are the rest of you seeing????

[Doug Brown]

I had to do some NR on the image Artie. It was shot at ISO 3200, and it was also shot wide open. Not exactly a recipe for a sharp image, but I really liked the action. Also, I'm processing from my laptop right now. I'll take another look when I get back to my desktop system in a couple of days.

[denise ippolito]

Doug, Really cool action captured especially w/ the legs and feet! Repost looks good. I think just the one on the left could use a tiny bit more sharpening.

[James Salywoda]

That was a great bit of action between those Coots and you sure captured them as best you could considering the crappy conditions we had still a very nice shot Doug.... Things should be good tomorrow.

[Arthur Morris]

I had to do some NR on the image Artie. It was shot at ISO 3200, and it was also shot wide open. Not exactly a recipe for a sharp image, but I really liked the action. Also, I'm processing from my laptop right now. I'll take another look when I get back to my desktop system in a couple of days.

Thanks Doug. That makes sense. A contrast mask on the faces may be the ticket.

[Bryan Hix]

I think coots are kind of goofy to start with and this action makes me smile. Nice job on capturing the action. Agree with the bit of softness, but @ ISO 3200 I think you did a great job. Maybe some more contrast might help?

[arash_hazeghi]

Nice action Doug, love the interaction and the playful mood, ISO3200 is too much for 7D and IQ will not get any better by sharpening but it is the action and having a shot versus nothing as you mentioned. TFS

[Ofer Levy]

Great action captured. I won't consider shooting at 3200 iso but I see what you mean re the light. I prefer the original composition without cropping off the top.