Quote Originally Posted by conropl


Here is another from today. There are a lot of Sand Cranes in the fields this year, but it has been difficult getting a decent shot.


7D, 100-400L. f/7.1, 1/320 sec


Edit: Looking at this post, I did not like the bokeh with the Sand Cranes... so I spent some time in PP to clean up the background, and re-posted. I think I like this much better. I am have a lot of problems with AF and Bokeh with my 100-400L when shooting birds in corn fields. There is so much clutter in the background that it confuses the AF and the picture turns out so cluttered. If anyone has any suggestions, I would be glad to here from you.






Hi Conropl,



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I think the background looks fine. The main critique that I would say is to try and not cut the feet off. Their head is in the Sun, and their body is in the shade, so that also makes it a difficult shot. The eyes are not that sharp, so you could try and steady your camera with a monopod, and/or use a higher shutter speed and ISO, if they are not standing still.


If you're finding it difficult to AF, you could try and lock AF with the center point (there may be different techniques available to you depending on what body you are using) on the red and white portion of their head to create an easier contrast point for the AF system, and then recompose.


Rich
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