Twist, Shake and Roll

Image Critiques Avian Critiques
1

Twist, Shake and Roll
Twist, Shake and Roll1382×1728 371 KB

This is a Forster’s Tern after a strike. This one missed his meal and prior to his next shot, had to shake off the water or else become waterlogged.

Specific Feedback Requested

I did this as a vertical because I wanted the viewer to see the length of the water droplets both above and below but I wonder if it is more superfluous than functional for showing his behavior.

Technical Details

Is this a composite: No
These are quite small birds and they fly fast and to us viewers, a bit erratically. I likely made over 70 shots before I managed one this clear and crisp.

D500, 200-500 @500mm, f/5.6, 1/2500, ISO 400.

Normal ACR tweaks then did both a lights and darks mask to push the water droplets up and to take down the “water” shine off the whiter part of his belly.

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Excellent job on the detail and exposure. These Terns don’t quite make it to Puget Sound where I live but we do have the considerably larger Caspian Terns. They are fun to watch but rarely come close enough for a detailed image.

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My uncle owned a resort up on the Hood Canal and my brother lived in Friday Harbor so I am quite familiar with the Puget Sound area. Washington has so much to offer in both wildlife and vistas.

4

HI Chris
The vertical framing work. I have photographing Common Tern and it mostly a point and fire process. This frame is really cool. Nice work.
Peter

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5

Perfect timing to catch the twist motion, especially when turned toward the camera!

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