The birds they mock me
Discussion
we got lucky on Skomer this week, the summer residents arrived early - many thanks to the fellow photographer who lent me her 100-400 for this one (did not take mine for some extremely strange reason?)
this one taken by my 12 year old son (with 24-105) - he did get a few odd stares with an expensive camera and lens!
the birds really are not afraid of humans!
this one taken by my 12 year old son (with 24-105) - he did get a few odd stares with an expensive camera and lens!
the birds really are not afraid of humans!
Pesty said:
rubish compared to your pics but you have to start somewhere
Yep, and they are not bad at all for a point and shoot limited situation.Setting something up (like the tame robins) to give you a better chance and closer might be worthwhile.
Alternatively, and a bit off the wall, if you have a telescope or binoculars you could try shooting through them. People have presented some quite remarkable shots talen that way, though of coourse it can be tricky and quality may be limited and elusive. Still, worth a try?
Right first ever shots with a DSLR. shooting from inside door open everything on full auto. its a bit dull outside and I was shooting from inside where it was darker I assume this is not ideal. Think I definitely need a longer zoom lense. This was with 18-70mm wound full out
after spendings loads of cash I took better pics with the £60 point and shoot
check me out my first ever crop I belive you call it
after spendings loads of cash I took better pics with the £60 point and shoot
check me out my first ever crop I belive you call it
Edited by Pesty on Tuesday 27th April 14:56
Good work for posting!
I usually just suggest people take a few weeks worth on auto when they get their first DSLR... but with this shot, try putting it into 'speed priority mode' and setting the speed at at least 1/500th of a second. If it's bright, you'll be able to get even faster than that before the lens won't let enough light in. With a fast shutter speed, birds (who move BLOODY quick) can be captured without blur. In auto mode on a dull day the camera won't select a fast shutter speed, so no matter how close you get, the bird will probably be blurred.
I usually just suggest people take a few weeks worth on auto when they get their first DSLR... but with this shot, try putting it into 'speed priority mode' and setting the speed at at least 1/500th of a second. If it's bright, you'll be able to get even faster than that before the lens won't let enough light in. With a fast shutter speed, birds (who move BLOODY quick) can be captured without blur. In auto mode on a dull day the camera won't select a fast shutter speed, so no matter how close you get, the bird will probably be blurred.
Edited by GetCarter on Tuesday 27th April 15:33
We get a fair few birds at our table but so far I've failed to get any 'decent' shots of them. This chap on the otherhand appears so infrequently I never thought I'd catch him but was (reasonably) pleased with this.
Focus isn't quite right but it's a start
Canon 400D with canon EFS 55-250mm, leaning out of a window.
Focus isn't quite right but it's a start
Canon 400D with canon EFS 55-250mm, leaning out of a window.
Couldnt help playing with my new lense even though light was poor.
This time I set the camera to the little running man setting see how technical I am. had it in fast shoot mode took loads most were blured even though subject was still . I guess its the shutter speed getcarter mentioned above. Will have to read how to speed up the shutter and next time shoot when its bright.
This time I set the camera to the little running man setting see how technical I am. had it in fast shoot mode took loads most were blured even though subject was still . I guess its the shutter speed getcarter mentioned above. Will have to read how to speed up the shutter and next time shoot when its bright.
Edited by Pesty on Friday 30th April 19:13
Thanks.
Need to do a bit of pruning though. think I will snap that bit of twig off near its head spoiled a lot of shots because camera focused on that instead of bird.
So next step do a bit of manual reading for how to set fast shutter speed.
wait till a sunny day then fill feeder full of juicy worms
Need to do a bit of pruning though. think I will snap that bit of twig off near its head spoiled a lot of shots because camera focused on that instead of bird.
So next step do a bit of manual reading for how to set fast shutter speed.
wait till a sunny day then fill feeder full of juicy worms
Edited by Pesty on Friday 30th April 19:22
Ok I'm learning my way around the camera now sorry some more boring robin pics very similar to the last ones I promise I will move onto other things soon
1/500 shutter priority everything else auto
so with a faster shutter speed less light goes in thats why they are a little dark?(it was still dull outside just wanted to play with the shutter priority)
Other than wait for a brighter ter day how do I let more light in with a fast shutter speed?
that one twig removed that covered robins head last time on its favourite perch
guess 1/500 was not fast enough for this shot
The bait
1/500 shutter priority everything else auto
so with a faster shutter speed less light goes in thats why they are a little dark?(it was still dull outside just wanted to play with the shutter priority)
Other than wait for a brighter ter day how do I let more light in with a fast shutter speed?
that one twig removed that covered robins head last time on its favourite perch
guess 1/500 was not fast enough for this shot
The bait
Pesty said:
so with a faster shutter speed less light goes in thats why they are a little dark?(it was still dull outside just wanted to play with the shutter priority)
Other than wait for a brighter ter day how do I let more light in with a fast shutter speed?
Less light is let in because the shutter is open for a shorter length of time, but with your camera set on shutter priority it will adjust the aperture and (if set to auto) the ISO to compensate. Your shots are a little dark probably because at 1/500th of a second your camera was at its widest aperture already and therefore underexposed due to it being a gloomy day. Bird photography is very tricky in low-light.Other than wait for a brighter ter day how do I let more light in with a fast shutter speed?
As for letting more light in a have already kind of answered that, your camera will do it for you on shutter priority. Personally i would take ISO of auto and set it to about 800 if its really gloomy (or even 1600 but i dont like doing it). To be honest your best off waiting for a sunny day
Another thing, do you post process your images? if not you might want to try brightening them up, or using a tool like photoshop "shadows and highlights" adjust.
One of a Robin i took earlier (in the sun)
ETA, changed the pic for one i didnt blow the highlights on in editing
Edited by jimmy156 on Monday 3rd May 16:36
Edited by jimmy156 on Monday 3rd May 16:45
Pesty said:
Thanks for that info. will read up on the ISO settings.
excellent shot. Now thats nice bright colour.
No my pics are as they came off the camera card no processing
Thanks excellent shot. Now thats nice bright colour.
No my pics are as they came off the camera card no processing
Edited by Pesty on Monday 3rd May 16:39
Its definitely worth processing your images afterwards, film would always be processed in a way to enhance the images when printed, and to get the best out of digital you should do the same. Photoshop elements can be had for somewheer between £50 and £80, and will be one of the best things you ever buy. Hope you dont mind but i gave one of your shots a 30 second edit, and i think it does improve it.
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