That kingfisher shot... in only 720, 000 attempts?

[JDuding]

The last couple of days have seen this story and it's images go somewhat viral across the internet.


http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3330286/Photographer-takes-perfect-picture-diving-kingfisher-six-years-4-200-hours-720-000-shots.html
(Couldn't find a better link. Not sure if this is the original article.)


There seems to be some good copies of the images to view on tumblr.
Might be a bit of hype over some bird pics... but I'm impressed.

[tandeejay]

How many shutters did he wear out with 720k clicks?

It isn't a perfect pic. He chopped of the birds tail in the reflection :D

So now we know. That sort of photo is a 1 in 720000 shot. If someone complains that they can't get that perfect bird photo, ask them if they've taken 720k photos yet :lol2:

I've only got about 714000 clicks to go before I get a perfect bird shot... I better get out there clicking...

[Mark L]

Not sure why the first image in the article is the first image in the article? Is that the perfect picture? where's the rest of it's tail? There is better photos later in the article IMHO.
And some tell me to get a life.;)

[farmmax]

I don't know why he has chosen the first photo in the article as his perfect one, but certainly many of the other photos are well worth a look at and I wouldn't mind owning them.

[Glenda]

One reason I'll never be an awesome bird photographer - I don't have that sort of patience and dedication.

[Steve Axford]

It seems that it is popular in some circles to train kingfishers to dive into fish tanks which are stocked with, you guessed it, fish. I would guess that to get the most natural shot, you would then sink the tank in a pond at just the right spot. This makes figuring out where the bird will dive quite a bit easier. There are a lot of these photos on the net. Kingfishers seem to be very common all of a sudden.

[Steve Axford]

For those who are interested, here's a link on how this sort of thing is done, and it's from the Daily Mail as well. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1350369/Amateur-photographer-spends-YEAR-capturing-kingfisher-catching-lunch.html

[Mark L]

^ mmm, just imagine if Noel was a serious photographer.
mmm, just imagine if Noel cared about the birds (and minnow).:confused013

[robmj65]

yes, patience is essential, I didn't have so much, but got lots of good bird images when in Africa

[Mark L]

yes, patience is essential, I didn't have so much, but got lots of good bird images when in Africa

I'd like to see some of them African birds.:nod: (please)

[rookie]

720000 well he was using a nikon :D

[Bennymiata]

Could have been a frozen bird stuck in the ice!
There isn't much of a splash from its beak.

Seriously though, a great catch.