First post - C&C Please

Having looked at these forums for a while and being totally humbled, I am posting a couple taken. I seem unable to get the pin sharp and punchy photos many of you get, please help!!
Taken with 40d, 100-400, with fill in flash
Thanks
John

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I think that's a pretty nice shot.

I'm no expert, but I think you might be more pleased with your work if you used different software for your post-processing. Do you have the software that came with the camera?

Are you shooting in RAW? That helps as well.

When I used the 100-400, I found it helped to shoot at about 380 rather than 400.

What mode are you shooting in?

I really like the picture.

Some shot details would help in analysis.

1/80 shutter speed would explain what happened. I'm not familiar with using fill flash and if it "freezes" the action but most birds tend to flitter about so a higher shutter speed would be in order for these little buggers.

Welcome to the site and keep posting. I've learned a lot just posting my images, asking for advice and reading advice in other topics.

To begin with, it's a nice pose.

Personally, I'm not a big fan of flash with birds. However, a lot of good photographers use it really well.

You would need to dial in exposure compensation of minus 1 1/3 when using flash to avoid the 'hot' look, ie. feet.

Use the rule of 1/3 in your composition rather than cropping it as shown.

Use a noise reduction software.

You're off to a good start, just start working on the post camera work. It will come.

for me

- you need some more room around the bird, not a lot but a little so its not touching the edges, especially in front of the bird
- looks like the shutter speed is to low which is why the pic is blurry / not sharp
- as others mentioned shoot RAW if your not doing so already
- I am not sure how well the built in flash works I have never tried it but my guess is it does not work well, usually for external flash I dial down -2 to avoid blowing out the pic

also don't be afraid to use a tripod / monopod that will help out as well

You're off to a very good start.