alainmauviel
FollowSomewhere in New Orleans, LA. Several male wood ducks were flying around. I happened to be there with my 500mm lens!
Somewhere in New Orleans, LA. Several male wood ducks were flying around. I happened to be there with my 500mm lens!
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Behind The Lens
Location
This photo was taken in Audubon Park, New Orleans, Louisiana. Several male wood ducks kept flying above the ponds in search of females in late April. They gave me great opportunities to take several flight shots.Time
This picture was taken in the middle of the afternoon of an overcast day.Lighting
The clouds attenuated the contrast from the strong afternoon sunlight.Equipment
Canon 7D MKII + EF 500mm f4 IS. Handheld, ISO800, 1/2500, f5.6Inspiration
Male wood ducks exhibit fantactic colors. It was my very first encounter with this species as i live in Europe where they do not exist. After i saw them during a first stroll in Audubon Park, i went back to my hotel to get my gear and returned to the park to shoot them as they were frantically flying around, trying to impress females.Editing
No post-processing, no cropping.In my camera bag
I always travel with my Canon EF 500 f4 IS L USM, a 1.4X Extender and two camera bodies, one full frame and an APS-C (Canon 7D mark II) that allows for extra reach, very useful for bird photography. The Canon 500mm lens boasts a super fast autofocus and is very sharp wide open. While quite heavy, i can still handle it handheld for flight shots but often use a monopod for support. When possible, the bag is also loaded with the Canon EF 100-400mm v2 zoom and a 24-70mm IS L. For macrophotgraphy, i alternate between the Canon 100mm F2.8 IS L and my old Sigma 180mm f3.5 which allows for larger distance from the subject and is very sharp when focused properly.Feedback
Photos of birds in flight require adequate handheld technique. Besides the necessary adequation between photographer's strength and equipment weight, a critical issue is to use continuous tracking AF and to perform the panning action properly: the panning movement and focus tracking should follow the bird and should not be interrupted or its direction altered when the shutter is released. Ideally, a camera body capable of taking several frames per seconds should be used in order to maximize your probability to get a good shot. Practice with a light 300mm or 400mm lens before trying heavy weights like a 500mm f4 prime lens!!!