Peregrine Falcon

[dng]

shot this one today while at the driving range. Used a 70-200 f2.8 with 1.4x TC and a 20D. Got a question though how do you guys take pictures with shuch good clarity and sharpness, is this done with photoshop? I cant seem to get tact sharp photos, even with my 70-200 f2.8? please help

[Scottes]

This isn't too shabby dng. I'd guess that you cropped it a bit since a 200mm is usually too short for a pole-sitter like this.

Looking at the shot I'd guess that you used ISO 100. Don't be afraid of higher ISOs to get the shutter speed up. If it seem too noisy (200 shouldn't, 400 might) the try some light noise removal.

Practice holding the lens rock-steady. Good hand-holding technique can steady a lens quite a bit, like a full stop with practice. And use anything around you to steady things. Lean against a pole or wall, rest on anything available.

With birds, focus on the eyes. The breast looks more in focus here, but since a viewer's attention is generally drawn to an animals eyes it makes sense to get them in focus.


I'm guessing here - still learning to ID hawks and falcons - but this isn't a peregrine. Looks more like a Red Tailed Hawk to me, which means that it could also be a Red Shouldered. (Or, quite possibly, something else. :-) )

[LazyPhotographer]

That's a great shot, especially for using a TC!

It's a Red-tailed Hawk... the "belly band" is a clue. If his feathers weren't blowing, you'd know what that means.