boberic Loc: Quiet Corner, Connecticut. Ex long Islander

Now you know why I don't shoot BIF

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MtnMan Loc: ID

It will take practice. You might start with not shooting into the sun and correcting white balance.

This one can be improved with post processing. You might try posting in that forum.

Shellback Loc: North of Cheyenne Bottoms Wetlands - Kansas

Overall - not a total loss - that's a tough shot as the camera focused on the branch (I hate it when they do that)... The bird is still pretty good. I suggest that you convert it to a black and white photo and I think you will be pleasantly surprised...

JCam Loc: MD Eastern Shore

"...the camera focused on the branch..." That's why I normally use spot focus. I want to know exactly what should be the most in focus part of the shot. Doesn't always work, but the percentage is a lot better than when the camera is free to focus on either the largest or nearest thing, or worse average them.

Mustanger Loc: Grants Pass, Oregon USA

Awesome encounter! Love the Bird & I bet you can save this pic into a good one! Go ask the pros here for help! I want to see it in black & white too!

oldtigger Loc: Roanoke Virginia-USA

thats a good lookin bird, let the PP boys work it over.
Those are some lethal looking drumsticks.

Treepusher Loc: Kingston, Massachusetts

I agree--you can save this one in post. Not a bad shot at all, and quite dramatic!

Meives Loc: FORT LAUDERDALE

Your camera data appears to be OK. I agree the sun was on the wrong side.

lloydl2 Loc: Gilbert, AZ

I like your capture and I also love post processing so I took the liberty of downloading your photo and fixing the white balance and removing most of the branches over the wing. I didn't want to post it back without your permission but it's yours and I'd be glad to either post it or send it directly to you.. It turned out really nice!

sailorsmom Loc: Souderton, PA

Well, I'd be thrilled to get a shot like that! I haven't mastered BIFs yet!

Kookuck Loc: Cleveland Ohio0

This is not that bad. It could be better, but it is not a complete failure. Birds in flight are some of the hardest shots to get. B & H has a couple of hour plus long talks on bird photography posted on You Tube I would suggest you check them out. The people who do this for a living use fast frame rate camera and shoot long bursts to get birds in flight.When I was training at the Naval school of Photography the thing I heard over & over again f 8 and be there. Watch birds and get an idea of their behavior. When they take of & land it is always into the wind. Pay attention to where the sun is and keep shooting. I guarantee your 100th attempt will be better than your first. Your 1,000th will be better than your 100th. Give yourself some credit for posting it. The thing that has improved my photography more than anything else is experience. The more you do anything the better you will get.

boberic Loc: Quiet Corner, Connecticut. Ex long Islander

Sorry it took so long to reply, but I was traveling and there was no wifi at the location. If anyone want to have a go at improving any image I post go for it. I will take all the help I can get. here is the shot in B&W. It's still a touch OOF and the wings are still clipped. BTW it is shot spot focus. Truth is the bird was perched on the in focus branch, and suddenly took off. I was not prepaired for this shot. Never refocused. Thesoft focus is probably camera movement

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Kookuck Loc: Cleveland Ohio0

Just a different version. I boosted the contrast, lighten the image and cropped it a bit. The more rectangular and less square your image is the better it will look. This is just my vision. I am not saying I am right. When you convert from B & W you will often have to boost contrast as many different colors will convert to the same shade of gray. I would suggest you check out a magazine called "Birds & Blooms" You don't have to subscribe, just check your local library. Your choice of a raptor was a good one. Their movements tend to not be as quick and they are big birds and they look spectacular. That helps to fill the frame also. If you have the time I would widen the shot out a bit to include the whole bird (or a least more of it). I have yet to take the "perfect photo". I just keep trying. Keep Shooting!
P.S. I would also say your original shot was under exposed by at least a stop. I am sure that could not be helped in the moment, but in the future keep that in mind. Sky will give you a darker exposure because it is brighter than the bird or the plants around it. Your choice of spot metering was wise. I know time was a factor, but bracketing your exposure will give you a better chance at a good exposure.

boberic Loc: Quiet Corner, Connecticut. Ex long Islander

Many thanks, this is a better rendering. As I said I was not ready for the hawk to fly. This is an image prior to the take off

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Kookuck Loc: Cleveland Ohio0

This is much better. The only thing I would criticize is again the exposure. The greenery in the background is well exposed but he hawk is in shadow. Film in the old days or sensors today don't have near the range the he human eye does. In shots like this it is apparent. the more you shoot the more you are going to know what to do to render the scene as close to the vision you have with your eyes. When I started most cameras did not have built in light meters and the ones that did did not set the exposure. That was still your job. Things have changed a lot for the better, but it still requires interpreting what the meter is tell the camera to do. Animal subjects don't realize this LOL.