prcb1949 Loc: Ex Zimbabwe - Now UK

Just a few odds and sods. Comment invited critical or otherwise.

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UTMike Loc: South Jordan, UT

A very nice set!

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

A few points to consider.

1, Most of the images are not in the sharpest focus on the eye / face. The EXIF data is incomplete, so I'm unsure of the AF configuration to add more actionable feedback on how to better track a moving subject.

2, You have spot metering, where for the second juvenile gull from the top, you have blown-highlights on the bird's head. You'd be better served with the Nikon Matrix metering, shooting in RAW, exposing to the right, and adjusting in post. Consider this approach against these spot-metered results that failed to meter the critical 'spot' in the birds head, failing to assure these bright areas were not over-exposed.

3, Several of the images are oddly cropped. Typically, you'll leave 'room' for the bird to 'fly into'. I'm not against unusual positioning. But still, leaving some room around the bird, if planning to show the full body, is beneficial. The swan taking off from the image-right could be better positioned in the frame, say with more space to the top and right, and the head positioned along the bottom 1/3 guide, possibly with the eye-drawing orange falling exactly along the frame's vertical center line.

4, When you really hit the sharp focus, consider closer crops to harvest those details. I'd rather see a close crop of this take-off swan than any of the other slightly unfocused results. That is, you're only as good as the weakest image you share. Find your best, delete the rest.

5, The final family of swans is too dark, possibly under-exposed in the original. The histogram falls to the left, documenting this visual assessment.

6, Skip the rear-views of animals. These rarely work. You won't have to make these hard <Delete> decisions on these frames if you just don't capture them while out shooting / practicing.

Keep practicing!! Also, look at the pixel-level details as you cull and edit the results. Hopefully, you have regular access to this high-action location to consider the ideas above in practice.

kpmac Loc: Ragley, La

A fine set.

tcthome Loc: NJ

Very nice captures. The last is pretty cute!

joecichjr Loc: Chicago S. Suburbs, Illinois, USA

Beautiful, and that last shot is adorable 🤍🤍🤍

prcb1949 Loc: Ex Zimbabwe - Now UK

As I read your comments I could see the sense behind your comments even if some of the tech jargon left me behind a bit - so thanks will have a closer look and see how I can improve!!

prcb1949 Loc: Ex Zimbabwe - Now UK

Thanks kp

prcb1949 Loc: Ex Zimbabwe - Now UK

Thank you Mike.

prcb1949 Loc: Ex Zimbabwe - Now UK

Thanks.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

No1. I would clone out the strange back round. As mentioned cropping could be finer tuned in several . No. 6 can and should be brightened a bit in post while still retaining proper white feather details . Under exposing a bit is safest protocol for white feather birds - especially if shooting JPEG. 8-)

prcb1949 Loc: Ex Zimbabwe - Now UK

Thanks for your advise all welcome!

jdtonkinson Loc: Red Wing, MN

Very nice set. I see you have already received some advice

prcb1949 Loc: Ex Zimbabwe - Now UK

Thank you and yes I have and all very welcome.

Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis

Great set!!!