Bigma and birds in flight

[LoveT]

Hopefully, I'm starting to make some progress with the Bigma at last, when taking photos of birds in flight (not had chance with butterflies etc. - see my post on Bigma tips - not seen any butterflies for a start !)

This photo was taken at the weekend at the Hawk Conservancy:



I know it's a non-native species (but I love these birds), and I also realise it's not dead centre of the frame - which for me adds to the photo (I'm odd like that ). I also know I clipped the bottom of the wing off, so I cropped it slightly to make the top wing match.

Any comments/critique are, as usual, appreciated.

Thanks

Thea

[Brocker]

Lovely pic, Thea. You are right. Beautiful bird. Very graceful but at the same time, powerful.
The image itself is great. Focus is great. In fact, pretty much spot on. There is a great deal of skill involved in capturing a flying bird of any size. Just a couple of very small points for me, and this is purely personal as technically this is spot on. I would have boosted the saturation slightly, which would bring out the blue sky and enhance the birds coloring. Also I would tip the bird at a 45 degree angle but keep it on the right hand edge of the frame as you have done. These really are small points as the image is a great one. Well done.

[glsammy]

I like this one a lot. The bird is spot on. Don't worry about clipping the wings, it's not always necessary to get the whole bird in. That's my excuse anyway!

[DavyG]

Nice pic and well captured Thea.

It looks like you're getting the hang of the Bigma.

Dave

[pressld2]

Hi Thea,

That's a very good shot - focus and exposure look spot on and there's remarkably little noise for 800 ISO. I agree with Brocker that having the bird at an angle would improve it slightly as diagonal lines tend to make more dynamic images whereas verticals and horizontals are more calming. Not easy when the bird is coming at you fast and furious though!

Originally Posted by LoveT

I also know I clipped the bottom of the wing off, so I cropped it slightly to make the top wing match.

I've done that, more than once!

Dave P.

[deer boy]

Nice shot Thea

[LoveT]

Thanks all for the comments:

I'm very interested in changing the angle slightly to add impact - silly question I know, but which way? Towards it being (slightly) upside down, or the other way? I would have said towards the upside down angle as this would give it even more impact, but I've been wrong sooo many times before!

Thanks

Thea

[Oy]

Nice shot! Definitely rotate it! Which way? Try both and let us see

[Chas]

Can someone just tell me what a "Bigma" is?

[pressld2]

Hi Chas,

It's a Sigma 50-500mm zoom lens. Don't have one myself but it's very popular with a lot of WABbers and they do get some great shots with it.

Dave P.