Sparrowhawk

[Roy Churchill]

Camera: 7D
Lens: 300/2.8 + 1.4 tc
Shutter Speed: 1/1000
Aperture: f8
ISO: 400
Metering Method: Spot + 2/3
Support: Tripod + Gimbal

DPP > CS4

I was snapping some finches in the garden when this bird pitched about 5 yards away - too near to get the whole bird in the frame so snatched a few shots before it was off. I got about 3/4 of the bird in the frame but thought this crop would look best. Looking at the shot now I think that maybe the BG could do with some more NR.
Look forward to your critique.

[Lance Peters]

Hi Roy - Spot Metering??

Sharp as a tack and loads of detail - Love the eyes - BG could use a little more NR.
Not usually a fan of things coming out of the corners of the frame - Artie does do it.
Crop is a little different and not sure about showing so much of the back - but seems to work - eye is on about a ROT.
Nice work!!

[Don Hamilton Jr.]

Wow, Sharp as a tack, i'm just learning about crops, so lance, i too wasn't aware of the suggestion. Good idea though!
Roy, what a thrill, to fill the viewfinder; You nailed it! Was your heart pumping???:eek:
Don

[arash_hazeghi]

sharp an nice with good eye contact, well done. crop could go a bit tighter on the left and bottom

[Roy Churchill]

Hi Roy - Spot Metering??

Sharp as a tack and loads of detail - Love the eyes - BG could use a little more NR.
Not usually a fan of things coming out of the corners of the frame - Artie does do it.
Crop is a little different and not sure about showing so much of the back - but seems to work - eye is on about a ROT.
Nice work!!

Thanks for the Critique Lance. Yea a know about the spot metering bit:o I was playing around with metering modes becuse the Finches were in and out of the shadows so my usual Manual method was ineffective - never had time to change when this guy popped up, in the circumstances it did not work out too bad.
BTW what does ROT mean?

[Roy Churchill]

Thanks for your comments Don and Arash - I appreciate it.

[Lance Peters]

Thanks for the Critique Lance. Yea a know about the spot metering bit:o I was playing around with metering modes becuse the Finches were in and out of the shadows so my usual Manual method was ineffective - never had time to change when this guy popped up, in the circumstances it did not work out too bad.
BTW what does ROT mean?

ROT = rule of thirds

[Mark Young]

Lovely Roy, nice close up of this bird. Love the detail and exposure.