The world's fastest bird

[FlyingKiwiGirl]

the New Zealand Falcon or Kārearea is critically endangered and rarer than the kiwi.

Basically my main question is does this work with the eye dead centre? I've tried cropping left(no negative space in front of the bird, or very little) and right(takes too much of the bird's shoulder away plus the bird is then too big for my liking. This size is SOOC.

Also the focus is a little soft isn't it? I just can't seem to nail pin sharp. And I feel it's a little over exposed especially around the bill.
And one more, does the bit of meat on his beak detract from the shot?



Exif data
Camera Sony DSLR-A350
Exposure 0.004 sec (1/250)
Aperture f/6.3
Focal Length 250 mm
ISO Speed 100

[FlyingKiwiGirl]

Here he is in full;

[FlyingKiwiGirl]

Somebody?....... Anybody?........ Nobody Pretty please

[Bruce A]

I think the focus is okay on the important bits - eye and beak and considering your remarks the comp is fine - rules can be broken. The bit of meat on the beak tells the carnivore story so I think that is fine also. I like the dof and comps in both shots although in the second image his head gets a little lost in the background. I know I'm no expert, but I think you should be happy with these. Great shots Shellie!

PS - it does seem difficult to get comments here these days

[scootermcq]

Originally Posted by FlyingKiwiGirl

Basically my main question is does this work with the eye dead centre? I've tried cropping left(no negative space in front of the bird, or very little) and right(takes too much of the bird's shoulder away plus the bird is then too big for my liking. This size is SOOC.

Also the focus is a little soft isn't it? I just can't seem to nail pin sharp. And I feel it's a little over exposed especially around the bill.
And one more, does the bit of meat on his beak detract from the shot?

I like the eye dead centre

Image is quite sharp, a little sharpening in post will really bring it out.

Yes it is over exposed on the bill, but correctable with burning

I like meat...... hmmmm yum.

I hope you don't might, just to show an example, I brought down the exposure on the bill and sharpened a little, which are your two biggest concerns and came up with this. If you are offended, I will delete this from the thread. It will immediately be deleted from my PC

I really like the image

[3bayjunkie]

the bit of meat does distract but who cares. how often do you see one of these things anyway!

[A&L]

i ran a high pass filter over it in gimp

[jingles]

great DOF!

[Hill Country Hack]

I like the comp of both shots and do not find the meat distracting. Maybe if you could have wiped it's beak.

[FlyingKiwiGirl]

Originally Posted by Bruce A

I think the focus is okay on the important bits - eye and beak and considering your remarks the comp is fine - rules can be broken. The bit of meat on the beak tells the carnivore story so I think that is fine also. I like the dof and comps in both shots although in the second image his head gets a little lost in the background. I know I'm no expert, but I think you should be happy with these. Great shots Shellie!

Thanks Bruce I knew you would perform! I have a few more of the 2nd shot with just blue sky behind so I'm covered on all bases.

Originally Posted by scootermcq

I like the eye dead centre
Image is quite sharp, a little sharpening in post will really bring it out.
Yes it is over exposed on the bill, but correctable with burning
I like meat...... hmmmm yum.

I hope you don't might, just to show an example, I brought down the exposure on the bill and sharpened a little, which are your two biggest concerns and came up with this. If you are offended, I will delete this from the thread. It will immediately be deleted from my PC

I really like the image

No problems at all with doing an example Scooter, I appreciate that you've taken the time to play with it. And yes I can see a big difference now I have just got to learn a bit more on my PSE9. I am picking it up little by little. I shall do a little research about burning, I think I've followed a tutorial on that awhile ago. Trouble is, retaining it! Thanks for your comments.

Originally Posted by 3bayjunkie

the bit of meat does distract but who cares. how often do you see one of these things anyway!

Quite right bayjunkie! Hardly ever in the wild, these ones are in a recovery centre. Some are unable to be released due to various injuries, other are released when well again, some are used for breeding and their chicks are returned to the wild. Some are also being released near vineyards, it helps keep the smaller birds away from the grapes. The problem is, like many NZ native birds, they nest on or very near the ground and are targeted by introduced pests; stoats, weasels, ferrets, wild cats, harrier hawks etc.

Originally Posted by A&L

i ran a high pass filter over it in gimp

Thanks for doing that A&L, I can see the difference as well.

Originally Posted by jingles

great DOF!

That's what I like about a whole lot of my captures from the day jingles. I love shallow DOF!

Originally Posted by Hill Country Hack

I like the comp of both shots and do not find the meat distracting. Maybe if you could have wiped it's beak.

Well now that you mention it HCH, that is exactly what this falcon is doing. Wiping his beak on a visitor! Thanks for your compliments too.