variable oystercatcher

[Martin Wallis]

Probably not ideal having the birds merge like this, but I kinda liked it when I saw it on my screen. Any comments?
canon 40D
100-400mm IS L lens
1/400 @ f11
ISO 250

[Bob Pelkey]

The fourth leg would be better seen in the shot. Nice detail in the blacks. What's the OOF object in front of the bird at right?

[Martin Wallis]

Hi Bob, I also would have liked the 4th leg to be there. The OOF object is just kelp washed up on the beach.
Cheers

[Tony Whitehead]

Great to see some NZ birds, Martin. More of the 4th leg would have been nice but there is a hint of it visible. The bokeh is giving this image quite a painterly feel. Focus look good on the eye of the main subject and your aperture choice has kept the bill in focus but there does seem to be a loss of fine detail. Is this a fairly big crop?

[Martin Wallis]

Hi Tony, the crop is less than around 10%. I have no explanation for the lack of detail:( Back to the drawing board.
Cheers

[Tony Whitehead]

Hi Tony, the crop is less than around 10%. I have no explanation for the lack of detail:( Back to the drawing board.
Cheers

May be a SS issue - 1/400 may be a bit slow for focal length 640mm equivalent - nudging ISO to 400 would buy you a touch more speed. I often use a monopod which may also be an option to consider to gain some stability, though I'm guessing you were lying down to get this one.

[Martin Wallis]

May be a SS issue - 1/400 may be a bit slow for focal length 640mm equivalent - nudging ISO to 400 would buy you a touch more speed. I often use a monopod which may also be an option to consider to gain some stability, though I'm guessing you were lying down to get this one.

Yes I agree. While the birds were further away I was getting a faster SS with ISO 250, as they got closer and there was more black in the frame the SS dropped to compensate. I should have raised the ISO. And yes, I was lying down getting a cramp in the neck as even my chin was nearly on the sand:)