Taking flight...

[SoCal69]

A couple of the better shots I snapped off while at a local park. I would like to hear thoughts about these, especially from those of you who shoot these types of photos regularly. Thanks everyone.

http://images.fotopic.net/?id=1045592&outx=600&noresize=1&nostamp=1

http://images.fotopic.net/?id=1045594&outx=600&noresize=1&nostamp=1

[barnold999]

um the bird seems to be overexposed... I like the first better, but the full reflection would of been nice (panning down should of gotten the whole thing) but yes moving this are difficult to photograph.

The bottom needs some of the left cut off... and you can cut some off the right even (right up to the bird) so it seems like it is flying in to endlesness... it would make a better vertical pic.

But you caught a great moment.

Hope I helped

[SoCal69]

Thanks Brent. Yes, it helps. I noticed the overexposure and the fact that a full reflection on the first shot would have been nice. Unfortunately, while I was taking these, I was also being yanked along by my dog, so they were taken one handed and on the fly (no pun intended :) ). I hadn't really thought about a vertical crop, but now that you mention it, I may have to try it.

Thanks again for your input.

[henkbos]

Good capture and great focus, but:
#1: composition could be better (include reflection) and bird is over exposed. Remove dirt spots.
#2: bird too far off and over exposed.

Read some articles about exposure and you will find out why you have to UNDERexpose if you want to shoot a white bird in a situation like this.

[SoCal69]

Thanks Henk. I understand why I need to underexpose. Like I said earlier, I didn't really have the time to compose and prepare for the shot (the camera was on "P"), so if that and the lack of a full reflection are the only major problems here, I am pretty happy overall! I will have to go back one day without the dog and really take the time to concentrate on the shots.

Thanks again for the input.