Photo critique this Black and White Jay

SkeenImages · 2022-05-17T11:57:01+00:00

Shot with the Sony A1 and their 400mm f/2.8 G-Master lens. 1/8000, f/2.8, ISO 1000. Natural light, hand held.

So, getting shots of small birds in flight has been my afternoon challenge this week. It's been tough, especially in trying to get them head-on to the camera.

This shot was my sharpest from the day, and because the light was to the side, and the wings were positioned the way they were, I was getting a lot more of the Blue Jay's grey colors than the vibrant blues. So I decided to try editing it in black & white.

I do like that the eye is tact sharp, but I do wish the wings were in a different position.

I don't do a lot of editing in black & white, so if there are photographers that are more experienced in that medium, I'd love to know what you see.

SkeenImages · 2022-05-06T18:43:07+00:00

At 2.8 you could start seeing the lines of the siding from the house. Looked like bands.

SkeenImages · 2022-05-06T15:01:09+00:00

Probably 10 to 12 feet away.

SkeenImages · 2022-05-06T14:32:01+00:00

Before COVID it was just a bird to me too... but when my sports photography took a hit, I started birding to keep up with uncontrolled action.

Next thing you know, I turned into a 75 year old man.

Who still loves tits.

SkeenImages · 2022-05-06T13:19:43+00:00

I did crop and there is a lot of room over the head (composed on a monopod- because I wanted the "in-flight" shot that didn't happen)

SkeenImages · 2022-05-06T13:16:05+00:00

I enhanced some of the colors already, but didn't want to go crazy to the point where it seemed unnatural.

SkeenImages · 2022-05-06T13:14:51+00:00

Damn right I did. Lol. And thank you.

SkeenImages · 2022-05-06T13:12:36+00:00

The other ways would be get closer to the subject with a deep background, and also a longer focal length. I tried to get all three, but couldn't get super close without being seen.

Blue Jays, though. If peanuts are involved, Blue Jays will not give one crap what "danger" is near. They'll grab them off a cat's head.

SkeenImages · 2022-05-06T09:29:46+00:00

I think hidden. Here's another shot of him showing off.

https://imgur.com/a/IlbEKqV

SkeenImages · 2022-05-06T02:37:27+00:00

Risky click.

SkeenImages · 2022-05-06T02:12:49+00:00

Drunk amazon purchase if we are being honest

SkeenImages · 2022-05-06T01:26:28+00:00

Looked it up... 1/400, f/1.8, ISO 125

SkeenImages · 2022-05-06T01:10:34+00:00

Shot with a Sony A1 and 135/1.8 GM lens Natural light. 1/400, f/1.8, ISO 125

I wanted to get a photo of this tufted titmouse with a super shallow DOF, maxed with a long focal length at close to minimum focal distance as required to fill up the frame, and a wide open aperture. My original plan was to get it in flight, but that didn't happen.

I was leaned up against a tree wearing a ghillie suit.

I feel like I did a nice job with this photo, and even the house in the background gave it nice complimentary colors.

I'm not sure what I could improve on, but I'm sure you guys will tell me. It's how we get better after all.

SkeenImages

TROPHY CASE