Critique Redkite - Hope this is better than my past attempts

[Gav.]

Hi all

We had a few Redkites in the area today as the farmers were making hay, so I had another bash at in fight shots with bright skies, the light was very bright but a few dark clouds kept changing light levels.

400+ shots and one very bored partner later, I think I have a few keepers, these were the first to get picked as they have the bird which was closest to me.

Happy to hear any Crit or to be told to just give up

Thank you for looking

This one was the bird gaining height under a bright cloud, after eating a catch in a field. (I did aim for some wing movement to add a sense of action, is this a done thing?)
1/800 - ISO 320 - f6.3 - 600mm - EV +2 - Affinity RAW edit

Redkite by Gavin Wickham, on Flickr

This one was under a clear sky as it glided back to the 'group' for more.
1/800 - ISO 320 - f5.6 - 600mm - EV +2 - Affinity RAW edit

Redkite (2) by Gavin Wickham, on Flickr

 

[Gav.]

Couple more for fun,

Redkite (3) by Gavin Wickham, on Flickr

Redkite (4) by Gavin Wickham, on Flickr

 

[Nikon f1.8]

always love a Red Kite shot, such a beautiful bird.
If number 3 had not had blown highlights it would have been perfect.
Is there no way you can recover the whites on the wings/tail ?

 

[Gav.]

always love a Red Kite shot, such a beautiful bird.
If number 3 had not had blown highlights it would have been perfect.
Is there no way you can recover the whites on the wings/tail ?

I'll take another look, I will see if I managed anymore like this too

 

[Phil-D]

Gav, I've just opened the 3rd shot in ACR with highlight clipping warning on, I think for a backlit shot, its just about perfect.

Very little blown highlights, less than I would've expected with that much detail in the shadows, over all, a decent set

Screenshot open in ACR, I've done no editing, any blown highlights show as red

 

[Gav.]

Gav, I've just opened the 3rd shot in ACR with highlight clipping warning on, I think for a backlit shot, its just about perfect.

Very little blown highlights, less than I would've expected with that much detail in the shadows, over all, a decent set

Screenshot open in ACR, I've done no editing, any blown highlights show as red

View attachment 356833

Thanks Phil

Thanks for looking and checking it out

 

[woof woof]

Hi all

We had a few Redkites in the area today as the farmers were making hay, so I had another bash at in fight shots with bright skies, the light was very bright but a few dark clouds kept changing light levels.

400+ shots and one very bored partner later, I think I have a few keepers, these were the first to get picked as they have the bird which was closest to me.

Happy to hear any Crit or to be told to just give up

Thank you for looking

haha!

It's a difficult balancing act isn't it, photography v partners boredom

At least you got these results. Excellent pictures. I'm happy for you

 

[Gav.]

haha!

It's a difficult balancing act isn't it, photography v partners boredom

At least you got these results. Excellent pictures. I'm happy for you

it's all a fine balance... she lets me know when it's time she is very patient

Thank you Alan