MadMikeOne Loc: So. NJ Shore - a bit west of Atlantic City

Took this image a couple of days ago. I have been diligently working on my BIF technique.

This one is SOOC except for some cropping. The cropping does not make up for the fact that the bird is so far left in the frame that thereis not enough space between him and the edge of the image. It was enough for me that I managed to get his entire body in the frame. Tomorrow is another day and I'll be at it again.

Swamp-Cork Loc: Lanexa, Virginia

Very nice, Mike!

MadMikeOne Loc: So. NJ Shore - a bit west of Atlantic City

Thanks. I hope I can do better today.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

That's a beauty! Great to see you excited about making progress with a particular aspect of photography and enjoying the fruits of your labor. Hope you wear a hat for these straight-up views

As for space to move into, with plain blue sky like this, fairly simple to create more room on the left if you want it. PM or email a larger file if you'd like help.

nikonlad Loc: Venice, FL

If you want to you can add canvas to the left and fill it with Content aware.
An easy way is to select the Crop tool, pull the left edge to the left as far as you would like, make sure content aware is checked, and click
the check mark at the top right of the page.

MadMikeOne Loc: So. NJ Shore - a bit west of Atlantic City

Thanks Linda. Right now I am mainly concerned with my technique as regards getting the image "right in camera" - exposure and shutter speed as well as proper panning. The post processing can come a bit later. Keep in mind that the only PP program I am using at the present time is Photogene 4 for iPads. I will PM you the original file to play with, though. Be my guest and have fun!

Your comment about wearing a hat made me laugh. The other day, I was standing next to a gentleman shooting a rather large flock of glossies flying directly overhead. His mouth was wide open. I told him to close it. He gave me a really nasty look and then realized why I said what I did - he smiled at me and closed his mouth.

Today was not very productive. It was really hot even early AM. The birds were hunkered down in the shade. The photographers called it quits early. Tomorrow will be much cooler, I hope.

"Mike"

MadMikeOne Loc: So. NJ Shore - a bit west of Atlantic City

Thank you for your kind suggestion. I do appreciate it. When I get past working on my shooting technique, I will try it. As many here know, I HATE!! sitting in front of a computer for any reason. Someday, I will get there, though.

Thank you again!

birdpix Loc: South East Pennsylvania

Keep up the good work, Mike! As I have said many times before, shooting BIFs is a skill that takes some practice before you get proficient. One thing that helps me is, when using a zoom lens, you can zoom out to locate the bird in the viewfinder and then zoom in to frame the bird being careful not to frame too tight. That will allow some movement of the bird in the frame without cutting off a wing or tail.

MadMikeOne Loc: So. NJ Shore - a bit west of Atlantic City

Thanks for the positive support, Ed. Coming from you, it means a lot.

I have been using the technique of zooming out to locate the bird and then zooming back in to frame it pretty much from the beginning. My biggest challenge seems to be the part about not framing it too tightly. That feeling of having to fill the frame seems to be a stubborn holdover from my film days. My brain knows that my camera has the resolution to allow me to crop a good deal if needed. Now I just have to get that message from my brain to the hand that controls the zoom!

Tomorrow, I'll be out and at it again. There should be at least four species of BIF to practice on. I'll pick 2 and stick to those.

Thanks again for your suggestions and support. Don't stop. I need all the help I can get!

birdpix Loc: South East Pennsylvania

Ibis's don't change direction or speed very much in flight. They may swing around to come into the wind when landing but that's about it. They can be framed more tightly than a bird like a tern that is likely to be quite erratic. With experience, you will begin to judge how tight to get....just keep practicing!

MadMikeOne Loc: So. NJ Shore - a bit west of Atlantic City

Thanks, Ed. Good info on the glossies. This is the first time I have been able to really concentrate on getting them in flight, so your info about their flight patterns is a big help. Believe it or not, I am fairly adept at getting terns in flight. I have lost count of the number of shots I've taken of least terns in flight with fish in their mouth. Glossies should be much easier!