I surprised myself

[simpo two]

Being impressed with the volume and quality of song from this critter, I photographed it for ID on Pie & Piston.

Nikon D70 set to 'P', Nikkor 70-300ED at 300mm and Speedlight SB800 on TTL, which all had a brief natter and opted for 1/60th sec at f5.6. Nailed the sucker first time!

[pic]http://autograph.uk.com/Pix/bird.jpg[/pic]

Can't figure out the shadow on its head though... flash making shadow of bird against slight haze?

[pete]

simpo two said:

Can't figure out the shadow on its head though... flash making shadow of bird against slight haze?

I'd guess it's due to camera shake: 1/60s at 300mm would have allowed an under-exposed blurry bird to be silhouetted against the sky, while the 1/10,000s (or thereabouts) flash exposure is completely sharp.

It's a very striking image though.

Pete

[simpo two]

pete said:

I'd guess it's due to camera shake: 1/60s at 300mm would have allowed an under-exposed blurry bird to be silhouetted against the sky, while the 1/10,000s (or thereabouts) flash exposure is completely sharp.

Fair point; I'd hoped the scene was sufficiently dark for the rest of the exposure to be unnoticeable.

However, I took two photos. The one above was taken in landscape format, so the flash was above the lens:



The one below one was taken in portrait format, so the flash was on the left. As you can see the shadow has moved accordingly:



So I'm thinking it was the flash after all. I expect Mr Brett will be along shortly with the scientific proof

[V6GTO]

If it hasn't been IDd on P&P yet then let me, it's a Song Thrush

Martin.

[simpo two]

V6GTO said:

If it hasn't been IDd on P&P yet then let me, it's a Song Thrush.

Don't worry, P&P took about 2 minutes! I've also realised it's the bastard that wakes me up every morning at 4am making me shut the windows so I suffocate instead

[beano500]

V6GTO said:

If it hasn't been IDd on P&P yet then let me, it's a Song Thrush Martin.

No It's a cheap, old television aerial....