The photographer has shared comprehensive information about their intent and creative vision for this image. Please examine the details and offer feedback on how they can most effectively realize their vision.
Self Critique
This picture was taken in a hide with bait in an aquarium. Still, given the light conditions, shutter speed and focusing were challenges. Of course, I would like to see and capture the same in a natural setting.
I was quite pleased with the result and with the amount of blur. But give me your view on this. I am quite interested in other ways to do this.
Creative direction
Kingfishers are wonderful gems. Their speed is the main challenge for BIF picture. Capturing that requires some blur, but then again not too much.
Specific Feedback
Feedback on technical aspects, such as exposure, color, focus, reproduction of colors and details, processing, and print quality
Technical Details
Canon Canon EOS R6
ƒ/6,3
1/1250
258 mm (RF 200-800mm)
12800 ISO
Description
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Critique Template
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Hello Xavier
Catching this very image is many nature photographer’s dream. I do see some motion blur and that would be because of the shutter speed. For a kingfisher in action I would normally use 1/4000s. Given that you can’t increase your aperture, I would try this with the 12800 ISO that you have in this photo. The white will come out more detailed and you can then lift the shadows to your liking.
Hope you are going to try for this excellent moment again!
Grt, Ingrid.
Hi Xavier, intriguing image with the action taken at a great moment. I agree with Ingrid on using a faster shutter speed to eliminate much of the motion blur and to help exposure for the whites.
Do you use the latest noise reduction software for high ISOs? Something like noise reduction in Adobe Camera Raw or DXO PureRaw 4? These can help greatly in processing at high ISOs.
Love seeing the water splash in this image and the capture of the fish. A specialized technique well executed.
I know very little about bird photography, but I know what I like, and I like this. The colours here pop beautifully. They’re bright but not over-saturated. The moment you caught is just perfect and I love the pattern of the water droplets throughout the whole image. While I love the motion blur on the bird’s wings (it shows the bird’s movement nicely) I do wish that the head was a little bit sharper.
Beautiful image at a critical moment, Xavier. While there’s a touch of motion blur, in some ways I like that in this image, though others have given you great advice on eliminating it. I don’t think I’ve ever heard of anyone getting this moment without some kind of setup. I believe there are places in Britain where they do it in a stream or pond by enclosing an area and baiting it. Theoretically you could do it without that restriction, but you might have to sit in the blind for several years before you caught it. With my reflexes it would probably be several decades and I don’t have those left, so I’d settle for this methodology.
Nice capture of a very dynamic moment, Xavier. I enjoyed learning about how you made this image and admire the effort that went into it. Congrats on getting this image. I would like to see a little less blur and have at least the head of the kingfisher sharp. Composition and exposure look great, and the trailing droplets from the fish add an unique element this image.
This just jumped right out at me - overall I love it! Personally I think the wing motion adds to it and I love the water droplets. Ideally maybe the head would be a little sharper, but I think it is stunning!
A nice action shot, Xavier. While I agree with what’s been said about shutter speed to get the head sharper, the splashes might not have been so dramatic then. I really love these. And she caught a fine fish at a good angle here.
Thank you Allen, for your extensive reply.
That day, I had invited 2 other ‘colleagues’ to join me in the hide. We all had very good kit, but there simply was not enough light. Zooming in and thus closing the aperture was not an option. I tried, but got almost black results (and a lot of cut off birds of course). So, this is not only a high ISO shot but also quite a crop. The only solution is to go back on a bright and sunny day. But since the place is quite popular, I do not know when that will happen.
Many thanks to all the other ‘writers’. I appreciate your answers very much.
‘See’ you soon. Xavier
