Tree Swallow in Flight

Birders and Photogs,

I have not posted for a while. So many people's efforts are so good that I have not felt ready. But I thought i would give it a go.

I love the action of this one. The reflection too. But it is too noisy.

I'm in for improvement with thick skin. Suggestions welcome.

The action/pose/posture you managed to capture Greg is very interesting to say the least. It looks like this Swallow is taking a bow
Your main subject is a tad dark relative to the water. I know, I know, it's tough in this particular circumstance to get the main subject brighter against that glare. Focus on the subject is also a bit soft, although you managed to freeze any significant motion blur.
Don't be shy about bringing us some more as there's almost always someone willing to help. I hope I have.

I don't think I have any Swallow photos, so I would be happy just getting one in the frame! That is neat to see his reflection in the water!

Thanks Sandy and Steve for your comments. Yes, Steve, very helpful.

It was completely overcast so I was running the compromise between ISO and shutter speed. It ended up slightly blurry and too much grain. I think still fun to see foraging in freeze frame. Probably more a birder than photog shot.

Well captured fast bird Greg. Probably a bit more exposure would help the noise levels, any underexposure is a killer for noise on digital, but a tough trade-off with shutter speed when trying to freeze something fast. Might help if you gave us your EXIF details.

Hi Lester,

I was using Shutter Priority, 640shuttrer, f13, ISO 1250. Upon Review, I could have kicked up the shutter speed more and sacrificed aperture.

Greg_8 wrote in post #17590397
Hi Lester,

I was using Shutter Priority, 640shuttrer, f13, ISO 1250. Upon Review, I could have kicked up the shutter speed more and sacrificed aperture.

I would start at 1/1000, 1/2000 if you can, lens could be much more open f/4 to f/8 if you have plenty of light.

Thanks again to Steve and Lester. Since this post back in June, I''ll only use Shutter Priority for BIF at not less than 1/2000 and I'm getting better results.