mmmmmoooore photos of flight, Raptors and Wake Boarders.

[AlexN]

Went out in the boat today, took the trusty 70-200 F4L + 350D

Heres a few shots...

[Dennis]

Hi Alex

Those are mighty fine shots for a mere 200mm – the bird must have been buzzing you! It also looks like the Brahminy Kite is eating on the wing in #6?

A couple of the shots have a slightly “plastic” feel that I often get with the 400mm F5.6 when the bird only occupies a small part of the frame. I wonder if this is a result from using only a small number of pixels? The “plastic” look I get on those photos where the bird only fills a small part of the frame, sometimes reminds me of posterisation, where there are insufficient tones, leading to a banding effect.

Cheers

Dennis

[AlexN]

thanks Dennis...

the plastic feel might come from my slight overprocessing... as they were circling our boat due to the amount of fish bait that was around... at one stage, I couldn't fit the wingspan in frame at 135mm... they were VERY close..

Yes, in pic #6 its eating a piece of pilchard that we threw out onto the water... unfortunately I missed the picture of it scooping it up...

[Dennis]

Hi Alex

Sounds like you had a nice day out! You’re a brave fella taking “L” glass on the water; I assume it must have been a large boat?

I should have been more specific with my comments. The only 2 photos affected were #2 at the top portion of the white head/neck and #3 to a lesser extent, which look a little too smooth, (on my LCD panel), hence the “plastic” comment. Otherwise, the tones in the wings and details/texture in the feathers are excellent.

I won’t praise you regarding the sharp focus, as I naturally expect it from you!

Cheers

Dennis

[AlexN]

Yeah, at 4.75m long, its not the biggest of boats, although, we were only out in the river, so no MAJOR risk of spray/rough waters..

All my photography equipment (and astronomy for that matter) is fully insured...

I see what you mean about the plasticy smooth look... I looked at them on my laptop and its fairly apparent, not so on the high res images, and definitely not so on my 52" LCD..

I dont expect sharp focus from myself.. but my 70-200... thats another kettle of fish! I expect almost the world from it, and am very rarely let down.

[Striker]

Nice shots Alex,

It would be nice to able to get close to predatory birds like this.

I cant even get close to a pigeon.

[RB]

I like these raptor shots Alex, well done.

:thumbsup:

[AlexN]

Thanks Andrew.

Alex.

[ving]

fantasmagorical alex!!!!

very good shots all!

and for non crops! well good on ya mate :D

[Matty P]

Lovely images Alex once again. :thumbsup: Very sharp.

I have got to get myself some L glass.

:)