Northern Gannet - Request Cropping Comments

[Paul Guris]

Yesterday I ran a pelagic birding trip out of Delaware. I had my new camera, lens, and tele, and was loaded for ID level shots of alcids. We ended up having a great gull and Gannet show in the chum, and the 420mm on a DX sensor was a often too long for the distance. Several Gannets were coming in close so I decided to go for some in flight headshots. So now I've got this shot I'm happy with (several in fact), but I'm not sure of the most effective way to crop it.

I'm going to post the original first with just some sky cropped off the right. I plan on posting several other crops. I apologize in advance if I go overboard (no pun intended).

Nikon D7000, Nikkor 300mm f/4D IF-ED
ISO 800, f/6.3, 1/1250, +1.0EV, 420mm (630mm equivalent)

[Ulli Hoeger]

For me the first one (almost original) has the most impact and working composition.
The tighter crops show great details, but I am missing something.....

Ulli

[Lance Peters]

Hi Paul - love these guys - techs look solid - like the use of the +1 Compensation, SS/DOF was not quite enough to get the bill sharp and in focus - not bad as it is - but do think having it in focus/sharp would have improved it a little.
Like the water drops trailing off the beak - whites look good.

Probably at the limit as far as ISO goes with the D7000 so not a lot you could do to get more DOF/SS.

Good show :)

[annmpacheco]

Hi Paul, I love gannets, but yet to see one. I would like to see a crop of just the head with those fine water droplets. Funny, I just bookmarked your site over the weekend and made the connection just now.
Bet I'll be meeting up with you perhaps in the Spring. TFS ann

[Peter Farrell]

I love the sleek look of these birds. I think I woullike some cropped off the bottom and more on the top.
Sure is up close and personal.
Peter

[Paul Guris]

Here's a crop that is mostly just the head. On this one I might be able to extend the canvas above. I just have to figure out how to do it in Aperture. Ann, is this what you were thinking of or were you talking about a true head only shot?

[Paul Guris]

Hi Paul - love these guys - techs look solid - like the use of the +1 Compensation, SS/DOF was not quite enough to get the bill sharp and in focus - not bad as it is - but do think having it in focus/sharp would have improved it a little.
Like the water drops trailing off the beak - whites look good.

Probably at the limit as far as ISO goes with the D7000 so not a lot you could do to get more DOF/SS.

Lance, I'm actually finding that I can shoot the D7000 comfortably at ISO 1600, so I could have definitely pushed it more. I've had it for less than a week but so far I'm really loving this camera!

Unfortunately, I just wasn't prepared for this guy since I was set up for far away alcids (for records shots) and more distant gulls. When I want to concentrate on the Gannets and gulls on some future trip, I'll ditch the TC to get myself down to 300mm. I was actually shaving off wingtips left and right. The chum keeps the birds really close to the back of the boat, and with the boat in forward motion they don't hesitate to come right in.