Greetings my fellow FMers I was going through some old files and I came across these somewhat stale captures, I hope you'll like it as always C & C is welcomed. The first 2 captures may need less sharpening what you guys/gals think?

1- 1DMK2 and 100-400L combination, F6.3, 1/800, 200 ISO at 400mm

These are not stale! I like your series!!! Very nice Garen!!!

You posted some fine shots Garen, they may be stale to you but I don't they are to us! I would agree 1&2 are a bit over done. 3 is a great catch, these guys usually don't get in that deep. 4 is nice behavior, needs a bit of CW rotation. Love the feel to 6.

Tim

Garen,
"Old and ordinary I think!" I hope that isn't a personal description?
Just kidding buddy, nice series.
Did you get anything good on Sunday?

Tim

Nice series Garen
The last two would be my pics
I think the first two are a bit over sharpened
Really like the colors on 7
Great exposure on the whites on 8....oops I may have to change that you shot that one with a Nikon

ant

Garen -
Way to go in getting the Egret capture. I've never seen them go that deep before.
- Ken

Nice series Garen. Like the sparrow having its bath and the hummer but the top pic for me is the last one for its simplicity and low angle shot.
Martin

Maybe it's just me since i'm a detail junkie but 1&2 don't seem oversharpened to me
My fav. would be #4,7 & 8. specially last shot...sweet control on the whites
whites in #3 are really blown though.

Cool series Garen. Here are some suggestions that i think would make your shots even better.

1) Good clean perched shot. I would have tried to leave a bit more room around the tail. Also I would back off on the sharpening. I also prefer #1 over #2

3 Cool fishing shot. Keep an eye out for horizons and try to level them in post processing. Also remember to check your histograms when shooting, espcially a white bird in bright light. It is very easy to blow out your whites. I struggled with this for a long time but I have gotten into the habit of always checking my histogram after a couple of shots inorder to make adjustments for better exposure.

4) Cute shot. Again keep on eye on the horizon and try to level them out in post processing. Also go easy on the sharpening.

5) Awesome hummer shot. I really like this shot the best out of your series. If you have room, I would have cropped it tighter around the hummer so that you have less of the flower in the shot. In my opinion the flower seemed to take up too much of the whole composition. I would also move your signature/copyright to the lower left so that it does not cover the hummer's tail.

6) Keep an eye on the level. Also I would try shooting this shot from the lowest angle possible.

7) Cool flicker shot. I have never seen one before let alone get a photograph of one. Congrats! Maybe a tighter crop?

8) This was your best exposure shot. All the white appear well protected and there are alot of nice details on the feathers. The head turn worked out great giving the viewer nice eye contact. Awesome shot.

best regards,

- Hung

Garen:

A mighty fine series and variety. I really like the first two images and #6. Thanks for sharing.

Ted

Good looking series Garen, I see a lot of equipment in use here. I feel at home as I have a trunk with some Nikon also.
Lou

Brenton Biggs wrote:
These are not stale! I like your series!!! Very nice Garen!!!
Thanks Brenton,

Garen

Tim Kuhn wrote:
You posted some fine shots Garen, they may be stale to you but I don't they are to us! I would agree 1&2 are a bit over done. 3 is a great catch, these guys usually don't get in that deep. 4 is nice behavior, needs a bit of CW rotation. Love the feel to 6.

Tim
Thanks Tim for the suggestions.

Garen

tfoltz wrote:
Garen,
"Old and ordinary I think!" I hope that isn't a personal description?
Just kidding buddy, nice series.
Did you get anything good on Sunday?

Tim
Hi Tim,
I do have some good stuff from Sunday, hopefully I'll get to it in the next few days.

Garen

anthony whitmo wrote:
Nice series Garen
The last two would be my pics
I think the first two are a bit over sharpened
Really like the colors on 7
Great exposure on the whites on 8....oops I may have to change that you shot that one with a Nikon

ant
Thanks Anthony for the suggestions.

Garen

fwyflyr wrote:
Garen -
Way to go in getting the Egret capture. I've never seen them go that deep before.
- Ken

Hi Ken,
I guess when we are not looking they do their secret stuff .

Garen

Martin Good wrote:
Nice series Garen. Like the sparrow having its bath and the hummer but the top pic for me is the last one for its simplicity and low angle shot.
Martin
Thanks a lot Martin,

Garen

Nello Milanese wrote:
Maybe it's just me since i'm a detail junkie but 1&2 don't seem oversharpened to me
My fav. would be #4,7 & 8. specially last shot...sweet control on the whites
whites in #3 are really blown though.

Hi Nello,

Thanks for looking and D2Xs does not do well with highlights, although it looks fine at full resolution.

Garen

Hungtran10 wrote:
Cool series Garen. Here are some suggestions that i think would make your shots even better.

1) Good clean perched shot. I would have tried to leave a bit more room around the tail. Also I would back off on the sharpening. I also prefer #1 over #2

3 Cool fishing shot. Keep an eye out for horizons and try to level them in post processing. Also remember to check your histograms when shooting, espcially a white bird in bright light. It is very easy to blow out your whites. I struggled with this for a long time but I have gotten into the habit of always checking my histogram after a couple of shots inorder to make adjustments for better exposure.

4) Cute shot. Again keep on eye on the horizon and try to level them out in post processing. Also go easy on the sharpening.

5) Awesome hummer shot. I really like this shot the best out of your series. If you have room, I would have cropped it tighter around the hummer so that you have less of the flower in the shot. In my opinion the flower seemed to take up too much of the whole composition. I would also move your signature/copyright to the lower left so that it does not cover the hummer's tail.

6) Keep an eye on the level. Also I would try shooting this shot from the lowest angle possible.

7) Cool flicker shot. I have never seen one before let alone get a photograph of one. Congrats! Maybe a tighter crop?

8) This was your best exposure shot. All the white appear well protected and there are alot of nice details on the feathers. The head turn worked out great giving the viewer nice eye contact. Awesome shot.

best regards,

- Hung
Hi Hung,
Thanks a lot for the suggestions.

Garen

Ted ellis wrote:
Garen:

A mighty fine series and variety. I really like the first two images and #6. Thanks for sharing.

Ted

Thanks Ted,

Garen

lbuscher wrote:
Good looking series Garen, I see a lot of equipment in use here. I feel at home as I have a trunk with some Nikon also.
Lou
Thanks Lou, it feels good to know I'm not alone.

Garen

Lovely series Garen

Lil - - recovering from Sylmar wildfire storms.... so I'm not doing picks

Lil Judd wrote:
Lovely series Garen

Lil - - recovering from Sylmar wildfire storms.... so I'm not doing picks
Hi Lil,
Thanks for the look and I'm sorry to hear that you were impacted by the fires, looks like this year is been very tough on you as far as fires are concerns, I hope everything will workout for the best for you.

Garen

Very nice series. Seems every one has their opinion on "sharpness" shuld be. #s 1&2 are my favoriites for that reason. Suggests a 3D look.
Bill