Osprey in Flight

[Barbara Ponder]

Not technically perfect but I was pretty pleased with the shot as I have been trying to catch this guy in flight for a week now. This is the best so far but I will keep trying for perfection. Shot using 300mm with 2x converter. I have an official new name according to my Son. He now calls me "The Bird Nerd"

[selig1656]

Lovely, but for some reason I had a hard time focusing on the subject, slight blur on the head of the bird or maybe the background through me off . I not sure and this could be simply cob webs in my brain . Thanks any way for the good capture that I enjoyed.

[andrewaxford]

Hi Barbara
I'm no expert to speak about bird photography on here as we have some awesome photographers for that but the two things I would consider here are to level the water if possible, it will balance the photo better and when I try using my telephoto lens I use my mono pod or try to rest on a jacket or something to minimise vibrations. We look forward to your next shot.

[Geoff F]

After levelling, I wonder about a crop to a different size ratio, maybe 4 x 5 or possibly square, to reduce some of that distracting background?

[Shadowman]

Nice effort for a tricky subject.

[Benjy]

Well done Barbara,A Belter.....

[flashback]

Years ago when working as a field biologist and doing observations on local Osprey population, I would have killed for a shot like this. You've set the bar pretty high for yourself. And for me at least, the background is fine but maybe see if you can tone it down a bit so it doesn't compete as much for the eye.

[Barbara Ponder]

Thank you all for your suggestions and for taking the time to look.

[Dave Humphries]

Nice capture Barbara,

The extender seems to have a bit of an effect on the bokeh ('quality' of the out of focus background), which is what I think is upsetting Raymond's eyes. I sometimes see a similar effect with my 70 - 300mm (even without a 2x extender) with exactly that kind of background (bg). The only thing you can do is selectively sharpen the subject (instead of all the image) and perhaps even selectively decrease the contrast of the bg - but that's something for later in your 'career' here.

I'd be very pleased with a shot like that of such a subject, well done - perseverance pays, as all our wildlife experts say (not that I consider myself one).

I am undecided about 'levelling' the water, it would make the post lean significantly more to right and there's no way for us to know which is correct; post, water line or neither

Cheers, Dave

[Barbara Ponder]

Years ago when working as a field biologist and doing observations on local Osprey population, I would have killed for a shot like this. You've set the bar pretty high for yourself. And for me at least, the background is fine but maybe see if you can tone it down a bit so it doesn't compete as much for the eye.

Jack you are sweet! Osprey are an such a fascinating bird. Studying them must have been interesting. I have seen this one or at least I guess this one, way off in the distance several times but today he was close enough to at least try with the 2x teleconverter. I got distracted and he flew off, I was so mad at myself that I just walked away. On my way to the car I saw he was again perched on his stick. This time I refused to leave until he flew. I made the mistake of taking an SD card that was not fast enough that coupled with the limitations of the 2x converter allowed only got 3 shots. This is the only one that was of any quality. I will see what I can do about the background but still working on those PP skills.

[Barbara Ponder]

Nice capture Barbara,

The extender seems to have a bit of an effect on the bokeh ('quality' of the out of focus background), which is what I think is upsetting Raymond's eyes. I sometimes see a similar effect with my 70 - 300mm (even without a 2x extender) with exactly that kind of background (bg). The only thing you can do is selectively sharpen the subject (instead of all the image) and perhaps even selectively decrease the contrast of the bg - but that's something for later in your 'career' here.

I'd be very pleased with a shot like that of such a subject, well done - perseverance pays, as all our wildlife experts say (not that I consider myself one).

I am undecided about 'levelling' the water, it would make the post lean significantly more to right and there's no way for us to know which is correct; post, water line or neither

Cheers, Dave

Dave, thank you I am going to try and play a little with it tonight and see if I can improve this image until I can capture a better one. I hope to have more opportunities to photograph one as I find them so beautiful.

[Bobobird]

Congrats on getting a near perfect shot of my favourite bird.
Being a first do spend the time trying to fix it but personally I would just go to the location more often and get more shots. Just remember that it is very easy to kill a great shot due to blown highlights of its chest. But you need to pay particular attention to the white top of the head. Getting the exposure right on the chest does not mean it will prevent the top from blowing.

Underexposing to counter the problem could lead to loss of detail in the dark parts (and possibly excess noise).

But thumbs up on taking up perhaps one of the more challenging birds out there.

Here is a so-so one of mine to keep you motivated. hehe
https://500px.com/photo/90106159/tak...m=user_library

[Barbara Ponder]

Congrats on getting a near perfect shot of my favourite bird.
Being a first do spend the time trying to fix it but personally I would just go to the location more often and get more shots. Just remember that it is very easy to kill a great shot due to blown highlights of its chest. But you need to pay particular attention to the white top of the head. Getting the exposure right on the chest does not mean it will prevent the top from blowing.

Underexposing to counter the problem could lead to loss of detail in the dark parts (and possibly excess noise).

But thumbs up on taking up perhaps one of the more challenging birds out there.

Here is a so-so one of mine to keep you motivated. hehe
https://500px.com/photo/90106159/tak...m=user_library

Thank you for all the tips. Your photos are wonderful. Do do natural or composite?

[NorthernFocus]

Congrats on your osprey BIF, Barbara. I though the bird was a bit blurry until I opened it in the light box. It's actually pretty darn sharp. That kind of grass makes for a tough BG but we take what we get. Judging by the pole you looked to be fairly verticle. Waterlines that are close by like this often run at angles but most people expect waterlines to be horizontal. Too many competing geometries in here to cheat so you did pretty well. The bird and his perch which are the in focus elements look OK so call it a win. I like the fact that you left the perch in the frame. The bird's positon obviously indicates he just took flight so it works well. And doing so more or less dictates leaving space in front of the bird. So overall the composition is nicely done as usual for your images. Based on the fluffed head on the bird he was angry at/about someone/something. DId you notice another bird in the area?

Bird Nerd, huh? Well based on how rapidly you are improving you shoud wear the name proudly. I hope you realize that at this rate you may soon become one of the few people who can honestly say they are equipment limited. That gets expensive. Christina was there a while back and upgraded her gear and is almost there again already. It's tough being good. Some of us have to get by simply playing the odds

[Stagecoach]

Well done Barbara !

You have set yourself a good benchmark and it is not going to be easy to beat

Putting it into PS I believe there is scope there for additional sharpening (it's not bad now) especially with the original.

[Barbara Ponder]

Congrats on your osprey BIF, Barbara.

Thank you!

Based on the fluffed head on the bird he was angry at/about someone/something. DId you notice another bird in the area?

Yes there were a lot of other birds around, a kingfisher, egrets a flock of gulls, a flock of Ibis and some Herons thrown in for good measure. It was a weird morning, cold, and we have really been having it mild. I think they were all in one place to stay warm or maybe thats where all the fish were. [B][/B]

Bird Nerd, huh?
I can think of worse I have been called


That gets expensive.
I am already working on the hubby for a longer/better lens, we shall see. He has been good about getting me what I want but don't know if I can get him to go for the cost of the lens I really want!

[Barbara Ponder]

Well done Barbara !

Thank you!

You have set yourself a good benchmark and it is not going to be easy to beat

But think of the fun I will have trying! Photography is my outlet, with a teenager I need that!

Putting it into PS I believe there is scope there for additional sharpening (it's not bad now) especially with the original.

Still not able to do the PS but working towards it unfortunately taking baby steps.

[Dave Humphries]

Still not able to do the PS but working towards it unfortunately taking baby steps.

"Baby steps" should give you a good foundation for years to come, no need to apologise for it

Barbara - when replying, if you type after the /QUOTE tag, it will look like my reply does.
This helps separate what you're saying from the original poster, although I note you've now started using bold on your bits, which helps somewhat. You can always trim out the non-relevant bits of the post your comments address, I use the "~" when I do this

[John 2]

Looks sharp enough to me Barbara, particular in light box as someone has already mentioned. My only thought would be to subdue the BG. Its brightness is a bit distracting. Something like:



All I have done is added a slight vignette and darkened the left third and the right third of the image on a gradient using a very useful but inexpensive bit of software called PhotoKit 2. I have also manually dodged the highlights on the birds head. I think it allows the bird to stand out more. (Hope you don't mind - I will delete if you do)

[IzzieK]

Nice edit John...

I am more left wondering about how different this bird looks like compared to some others already posted here before. I think it is the expression of the bird that caught me off guard...that look -- looks angry. Very good shot ....Your son is right, we must call you bird lady. Shame on you stalking those birds! (I am really envious you have good materials there where you are... we have nothing here at this time of year but Canadian goose near shopping mall!!)