Blue Dawn

[a_guy_named_guy]

OK, so it's a corny name. This was taken at one of my favorite photo spots..... Mattamuskeet Lake. Not as sharp as I'd like, but the little duck paddling by just begs to be seen somewhere besides my back room. This was taken with a Canon 30D and a Canon 70-200 2.8 lens. Shutter speed was 1/400 with 3.2 aperture at ISO 100. I selected the AF point on the far right (topmost with camera tilted) to focus on the top of the tree. For some reason, it never seems to focus properly unless I use the center AF point. Suggestions welcome....

Thanks

Guy

[rpk717]

Guy, Interesting shot. I like the composition, a lot going on. I think the duck is actually a coot, dark body and light colored bill the giveaway. The center focus point is different that the others, able to focus in lower light levels. I usually switch to manual in this situation, AF not up to the task. I would have gone at least to ISO 400 for this shot, and change the aperture to at least f/8 to give better DOF.

Thanks for sharing.

[debrown]

Nice shot! The bird in the tree is actually the subject that draws my focus. After I read your comments my focus was then drawn back and forth between the two!!

[a_guy_named_guy]

Funny, the bird in the tree was what caught my eye in another small snag. I shot a few pics of it, and when I moved on, the bird moved on and lit in this tree to have it's picture taken some more !! Thanks for your comments.....

[a_guy_named_guy]

Thanks for your comments. Yes, I believe it is a coot. I was composing the picture when the little fellow swam by. I got off two quick shots and then realized I would have a shallow DOF. Found out later the focus was a smidgen off. I'll try to remember MF with low light....it's just soooo easy to let the camera do it all the time. Thanks again.