GREAT EGRETS DOING ACROBATICS 002

Dave, you have a good eye. You just need to get some tips on technique to get sharper images. First, you list your bodies (50D which is now use, and now a 7D) but no info on lenses? What lenses are you using for shots like this? I see it was taken at over 300mm, but what optics is it? The glass has more to do with sharp images than the body does... by far! The 7D is one of the best crop sensor bodies out there, but the image has to get through good glass first. You need to raise your ISO ratings as well to shoot faster shutter speeds to freeze these shots. I almost always shoot ISO 400, but the 7D can shoot even better high ISO's and still look good. When shooting wildlife, I set my body to enter spot metering to measure light only on the subject I want. The 7D's focus system is SICK GOOD, so panning is incredible there. So no need to change that. Get your ISO's up unless shooting stills, and maybe set the camera to Aperature priority to hold that to the widest setting of the lens (or a stop or 2 down if needed for better sharpness, if you have enough light) so you can get faster shutter speeds. This could solve so many issues of blurred images. Hope I'm helping you with all this. If not, tell me, and I'll shut up. Thx!

Dave, after all the criticism, I forgot to say what was good about this. Actually really good. The exposure is perfect here. It's tough to get exposure right on egrets because of being all white, but you did. You can see all the feathers nicely. The bird is also frozen at the perfect spot in flight. I love it's pose. I would suggest cropping out a little of the bottom. I find taking out of the reflection of the splash remove a distraction for me. What do you think?

Trying to get egrets in more unusual and acrobatic poses. Also trying to

show the plumage well.

All C&C and ratings are quite welcome. As a hobbyist trying to

improve, I appreciate any ideas on how this shot would be better. Will

try to return the favor. Thanks

Hi Dave,

You will see improvements by shooting your lens wide open. It is that simple.

No doubt, if your had the Canon 300 F/2.8 L lens at F/2.8 , the results would be very difficult to improve upon.

However, most long lens always provide better imaging characteristic shot wide open. DOF is not an issue at longer ranges.

Best Regards,  Mike

The pose is brilliant, a well caught moment that is different and entertaining to view. As for the technical aspects, I think Kenneth and Mike covered all the bases, but Aperture Priority at the widest aperture and exposure compensation control for light adjustment is a combination I find that works in most wildlife situations. Experimentation is the key. I think the composition works well here too, but I wonder if theres anything to be gained by including the full reflection of the bird?

Best Regards

Alf

Ken, Mike and Alf - I really appreciate your suggestions and will try each one as I think they are all good. Wish you all great shooting, Dave

Dave, you hit the nail on the head there. All our perspectives back and forth are good things, but let's just all meet next week hmmmm.... at the Everglades in Florida and shoot! We'll all rent Canon 500mm F4's and capture the world!