Australian Kestrel (now with a repost on page 2)

[Ákos]

I was photographing this beauty and it flew about 200m behind me, but fortunately into this tiny shrub on the edge of the road at the turf farms near Richmond. So I reversed carefully (hardly any traffic on these country roads) and gently pulled up just next to the shrub. I wish I had full frontal lighting, but could not enter the property unfortunately, plus I figured I'll take a few from the car, then if she is still OK, I'll get out and slip under the fence for a better light angle. I took five images and she got upset and flew welll into the property.

Camera Model Name
          Canon EOS 30D
Shooting Date/Time
          7/27/2008 12:16:24
Tv(Shutter Speed)
          1/3200Sec.
Av(Aperture Value)
          F5.6
Metering Modes
          Evaluative metering
Exposure Compensation
          +1
ISO Speed
          800
Lens
          EF300mm f/4L IS USM +1.4x

Used fill at +1 stop with BB, still no match for the midday sun. Never mind, I'll be back. This area is one of the best for raptors in western Sydney. Image is almost full frame (vertical).

[Ákos]

No cloning or healing of anything. BG is as it was. 

[Rodders]

Nice
Why Iso800? given the light is soo bright?
By the way the flash output using highspeed sync is way less at 1/3200 than it would be at 1/500 or so

[Ákos]

Nice
Why Iso800? given the light is soo bright?
By the way the flash output using highspeed sync is way less at 1/3200 than it would be at 1/500 or so

I have been photographing in changing light conditions earlier and don't mind ISO800 in fact I usually start at that then if light allows and I remember I change to 400.

I don't know much about technical flash stuff, but if I dial in zero compensation or -1 or +1 or whatever, my thoughts tells me that the flash will vary the output depending on what compensation is dialled in relative to shutter speed, aperture and ISO selected? Perhaps I should learn about flashes.

[Big Pix]

...... very nice as usual...... it would help to just darken the top 2 corners a tad to make your subject stand out more

[Ákos]

Thanks Bernie, I just got a few tips on BPN regarding how I can balance the lights and darks a bit better. I will try as I really like the pose. I am spewing about the non-frontal lighting though.

[Rodders]

"I don't know much about technical flash stuff, but if I dial in zero compensation or -1 or +1 or whatever, my thoughts tells me that the flash will vary the output depending on what compensation is dialled in relative to shutter speed, aperture and ISO selected? Perhaps I should learn about flashes. Smiley"

Yes the automation bit works fine. The point I was making is this if you are using a EX550 then the guide number (ISO100)(Power) at shutterspeeds less than the sync speed (1/250) is 55.

At shutter speeds higher eg in High Speed sync mode the max output falls off dramatically typ about 1/3 (37 or less) as the flash has to fire a series of pulses to cover the sensor as the slit in the shutter passes. You commented that the midday sun was too bright for the flash this is one of the reasons.

Heres a link about Canon Flashes all you wanted to Know but were afraid to ask.
http://photonotes.org/articles/eos-flash/#fp

[Ákos]

Thanks Rod. Luckily these Kestrels are quite common so having another shot at them  here will not be that hard.

[Big Pix]

quick and easy way to vignette >in PS> go filter>distort>lens correction>vignette>set the amount and midpoint....... done

I use this when I have plain backgrounds to add more interest onto the subject

[Rod Warnock]

Akos I like the image but to my tastes is far too light overall.

Best regards
Ro Warnock

[Sar NOP]

Rodders is right about the fall-off of flash power at high speed synchro.
Using fill flash (with BB) at speeds over the synchro flash (with large aperture) is fine when the subject is quite close, otherwise is useless (especially with big f/stop).

Here the image looks a bit pale on my screen and the contraste seems hard to work in PP. Otherwise, this is a great capture with an intense stare !

[Gerard]

I love the pose Akos. I think you still have a wonderful image considering the unfavourable light. I'll have to add the turf farms to my itinerary next time I head west.

Gerard

[Ákos]

I love the pose Akos. I think you still have a wonderful image considering the unfavourable light. I'll have to add the turf farms to my itinerary next time I head west.

Gerard

MAte,
It is an awesome area. Just slowly drive along the roads and keep your eyes peeled for action.

[Dan40D]

Very Nice Akos,
She has a nice pose here and looks like she had been having brekky. I had a similar experience on the weekend, the was a Kestrel sitting on a fence so i drove up and parked right beside her (she was less than 1m from the passengers door), as i raised the camera to my eye she took off, Bugger!!

Cheers,

[MountainMan]

very difficult light conditions Akos but you have done very well. Congrats