Breakfast Captured

[Mark Theriot]

Had some really great weather last weekend - even blue skies! (not very common for us up here!)

All C&C most welcome!

Mark

700mm
f/6.3
1/2000
ISO 400
+2/3ev
50% crop

[Lance Peters]

Hi Mark - like the action - might open up the mid tones just at tad.
Like the eye contact - I d be tempted to add just a t=ouch more sharpening to the bird - had a bit of a play around with it - just a touch, not much.
Techs look solid.
Good show :)

[Alfred Forns]

Hi Mark Agree with comments, can add would select around the face and lighten just a bit !! Sure wish that bird had the wings all the way up or down but sure captured a nice image !!!

When shooting up like that if the sun is not bright can go safely one full stop since your shooting the shaded side of the bird !!!

[Kerry Perkins]

Mark, nice action shot with difficult light conditions! I would maybe bump the saturation up just a tad. There is a slight blue cast in the shadow areas. Well done!

[VinceRossi]

I don't understand some of the comments her. Not being critical or contidictive. BUT how much time is one affording in these cases to get a shot like this. I would have given anything to get as good a shot as this.

[Mark Theriot]

Thanks guys, I'm going to take a stab at post processing with some of your suggestions. I struggle with these birds on exposure - not blowing out the tail or head.

Hi Vince, I certainly hear you! (and thanks on the compliment!) Here's what I've found works for me. When I'm getting reviews from a bunch of great photographers - I can certainly get discouraged with a laundry list of all possible defects - all at once! But here's what I take from it:
1: I do this as a hobby and plenty of the feedback I agree with and strive to improve. Sometimes I don't agree as I like a different look in some cases - personal taste. A picture is done for me when I love it - and no one else has to like it! And looking back I've had some pretty crappy pictures that I've loved! Usually it's because it was my first chance to catch something I haven't seen before and I'm just down right excited!!

2: This is the big one, I remind myself not to get overwhelmed - I try to improve incrementally and focus on one thing at a time. I'll spend a couple weeks gradually learning one issue at a time - and have fun doing it! I've had hobbies in the past that I've ruined by getting too serious and stressed out looking for rapid and continual improvement all the time - I'm not going to let that happen again!

Mark

[Anita Rakestraw]

Mark, really appreciate your sharing your philosophy with us! We all learn and get results from our knowledge at different rates. Sometimes it seems we should progress faster than we do and it can be discouraging sometimes. On this site, we are comparing ourselves to some very very accomplished photographers, and it's wonderful to have their expertise and encouragement. You have a very healthy outlook and I'm going to remember what you've said here. Thanks!

[VinceRossi]

Thanks for your response Mark. I appreciate it.