Aerobatic Challange Cont.

[Vinam]

full day of shooting today ... many miles hiked carrying the new backpack, covered quite a few favorite locations, and while taking a break under a shady tree, I noticed a bunch of Barn Swallows whippin around a field near me.. so I set up for fast panning , having a little bit more experiance since my last effort..



it was just after midday and there was harsh sunlight, and although it washed out some of the details, I was able to use it to slow down my shutter a little bit... so I traded off noise for blowout ...



this is extremly fast shooting and takes alot of timing to lead them in the VF .. so getting about 5 keepers from 50 shots is a pretty good ratio for me.. this time they are a little better then a few weeks ago .. all I can ask is to improve slightly with each session.

so, what do these guys actually look like ? funny you should ask.. I have a shot of them just hanging out ( for all of about 20 seconds )



they are amazing to watch fly, it's hard just to keep your eyes on them, nevermind capture them in a photo.. I've been using them to increase my skill and knowledge, it's fun and rewarding and it's excellent muscle memory practice for fast moving targets !

I always say " Hello " to people I meet and pass while out shooting, especially if they are carrying a camera..( it probably comes from me riding a Harley and always waving at fellow riders ) .. but I can't help it .. Since I live in New York, it's not always assumed a greeting will be returned, since it's just the nature of people here to mind thier own business .. However, my new thing now is anyone who does not say hello when I'm out shooting... gets shot !!!
I'm taking candids of all these people who give me permission by being unfriendly !

this young lady is the first, I smiled and stopped walking as we passed eachother, said " Good afternoon, how's the shooting going ? " and she kept walking, not saying a word !!
and in my favorite park too !!



she's obviously not a student here @ DPS and did not read " how to hold your DSLR correctly .. elbows in, spread your feet, bend your knees a little .. and why she was shooting into the sun I don't know !.. I could have steered her to some much better things to shoot HA !

thanks for taking a look !

[fstopMike]

We have some birds in the neighborhood that I think are like your barn swallows. they have that forked tail, fly about 90 MPH, pretty low, and snag flying critters in midair, moving very erratically, much like bats. I don't quite know how you manage to snag a shot of one. You've go to be pretty quick on the trigger, so my hat is off to you! That lady should have said hello. she could learn a lot from you. I know I have. You need to come down South---we'll say hello!

[amberskies]

cool shots, and not easy to get!

[FDCPR]

So that's what these guys really look like, good catches. And I do mean catch! They are fast, I keep trying but no success. You have a good week, I'll be back around here after a week of hiding.

[lindyannajones]

I adore barn swallows and although this is probably not true, they seem to out zoom even hummingbirds. It is an absolute treat to see them shot with this much detail, Vin--those on the wing and those on the wire. As for your unfriendly fellow photography, she sure missed a treasured moment! Her loss, our gain.

[Hayward Taylor]

Vin - always in pursuit of perfection ... with you determination and strive, you will get the photo you're after .. they are beautiful, nonetheless

[FromtheBackofaHorse]

However, my new thing now is anyone who does not say hello when I'm out shooting... gets shot !!!
I'm taking candids of all these people who give me permission by being unfriendly !

Aha! You have an ornery streak in you. I like that! LOL

You are doing much better at shooting birds than I. I am just so impatient. I want to shout..."Sit still, dang it"

[Chip]

Very nice photos, Vin. Good job capturing fast-moving subjects.

As for your fellow photog, impolite and bad technique - - what a combination!

[jakethepig]

I just love this series with the barn swallow Vin. All of them are excellent but the second one does it for me. The way you got him coming right at the lens. Great panning shots and I know how difficult this is to do. Those guys are so fast. Well done buddy.

Dave.

[Chewys Dad]

I applaud your efforts at capturing these little speed demons Vin! I've watched them fly and they really are like dancing bullets. I like the 1st 3, but You've stumbled onto something with the last one, "Impudent Lady in Red" Great Capture.
Thanks for Sharing these
Michael.