This is my set of pics (be gentle)

[nuttybulldog]

This is my first month bird watching and decided today that i would try and take some pics. "How hard can it be" i thought to myself....turns out that is very hard to get a decent picture. Anyway here are my first attempts.

This is the view out of my kitchen window (excuse the neighbours washing). The hedgerow at the back runs along a 4 mile cycle track that also runs through a little nature reserve so its very very easy to koax bird into my garden. The other side of the cycle track is miles and miles and miles of open fields trimmed with little woods and rows of trees that is great for owls.
82916

and now the first attempts at pics.

the local sparrow hawk
82917

one of my favs, mr magpie
82918

a little robin
82919

and just when i thought i had a great pic set up, the little blighter flew off as i hit the button, you can see his blur to the left
82921

please give advice on how to get better with just a normal 6 megapixel digicam

[Dave B Smith]

Welcome to the frustrating but rewarding hobby of bird photography! Start simple - keep the sun behind you and lighting the subject, get close to the bird (at feeder, window,etc.), find a good subject that will sit fairly still (good luck with this part, again at a feeder is a good start), and practice, practice, practice. Best of luck.

[Euan Buchan]

Great shots

[Lisa W]

Agree with Dave, it is a frustrating hobby, but when you get that "perfect" picture what a feeling you get. And just watching the birds is rewarding.

[4getmenot]

Just had to reply to this thread as I have just started taking pics myself and am having similar problems! ;-) But mostly it was your comment about Magpies. I also love these birds although they have some nasty habits ;-) I have had a family of 7 in my garden every year for the last 4 years and they are in very good condition! Maybe one day soon i'll manage to make them more than just a dot in the middle of greenspace with my camera! ;-)

[Sue Wright]

Hi nuttybulldog and 4getmenot,

I have to agree with Dave and Lisa as it is an extremely frustrating hobby at times. Much depends on your cameras and lenses as well, but practice is the main thing you need. Try using a tripod or monopod (just the 1 leg) as either helps steady the camera for you. Why not go to the Photography boards and see if you can pick up some tips there, you'll always find people more than willing to help there to.

Good luck to you both.

Sue.

[littlejchester]

i sometimes sit close to the feeder, after a short while the birds flock back. have some super pictures but i don't know how to make file size smaller.
good luck
carol

[Sue Wright]

i sometimes sit close to the feeder, after a short while the birds flock back. have some super pictures but i don't know how to make file size smaller.
good luck
carol

Hi Carol and a very warm welcome to Bird Forum, I hope you soon come to love it here.

The best and quickest way I find, is to click on the photo (or more than one, if you have (say) 4 together) you wish to make smaller then select "e-mail this/these files". Then get ready to send them to yourself, but select the option to make them a smaller size, then send. When they come back in your In Box right click on each and save to a folder in "My Pictures" you'll find they are much smaller and just right for putting some on the Forum or into "My Gallery" (yours!) if you wish to put them on for everyone to see. (Click on my name and select "see this users gallery" and you'll see what I mean.)

Try the sending of them to yourself and see how you get on, put one or two here as a test to see how you get on. If you have any problems or need more help then by all means please click on my name again and choose to send me a PM (private message). You're most welcome.

Good luck Carol, I hope it works.

Sue

[littlejchester]

hi sue
many thanks for your help, have now put 3 pictures in the gallery. i did as you said and it worked first time.... would still be trying to convert the images. Will have to find some nice birds now, had gold finches and a bull finch in the garden this week, so we are hoping they will be back. camera set ready at the window.

carol

[Sue Wright]

Hi Carol and well done!

I've seen them and thought the Starling shot was a real beauty. I'm so pleased it came together, especially the first time. Now you can practise away to your hearts content and show us some super shots, good luck with the Gold and Bullfinches. I look forward to seeing more!

Good luck.

Sue.

[Dr Manjeet Singh]

This is my first month bird watching and decided today that i would try and take some pics. "How hard can it be" i thought to myself....turns out that is very hard to get a decent picture. Anyway here are my first attempts.

This is the view out of my kitchen window (excuse the neighbours washing). The hedgerow at the back runs along a 4 mile cycle track that also runs through a little nature reserve so its very very easy to koax bird into my garden. The other side of the cycle track is miles and miles and miles of open fields trimmed with little woods and rows of trees that is great for owls.
82916

and now the first attempts at pics.

the local sparrow hawk
82917

one of my favs, mr magpie
82918

a little robin
82919

and just when i thought i had a great pic set up, the little blighter flew off as i hit the button, you can see his blur to the left
82921

please give advice on how to get better with just a normal 6 megapixel digicam

You know something you are not bad for a beginer..my first attempt a bird picture was recieved by Birdforum..and all of them collopsed laughing..one picture only the tail piece was there and the other i took of a feral pigeon..even i collopsed laughing..you are doing well..all i can say(from a bumbling birder and photographer-me)..keep trying..and take pictures and the people on Birdforum kept saying..keep taking pictures Manjeet..well know i do put some decent pictures some times..as for help..the people here in the forum are the Best..and always helpfull even tho they collopsed laughing while telling me what to do..:'D,:'D..regards:clap: B (:

[Sue Wright]

Oh Manjeet! I am shocked!

How could you say that. Now just how many of us would laugh at you Manjeet! You know I wouldn't don't you? DON'T YOU??? :'D o:D I may need the help of a very good Doctor some day, so I would only say good things about you....unless of course you take any more photos of Birdless tails, then I may collapse laughing :'D :'D but only for a week or so!!!!o:D ;)

He takes great photos now nuttybulldog, see his gallery by clicking on his name.

Take care Manjeet and continue to keep us smiling.

Sue.

[nuttybulldog]

thanks for the replies people

i will take all this help in and use it to get some better shots

[Chkm8]

With bird photography I find the biggest problem is getting close. When I started I used a feeder to attract the birds then an old fishing umbrella draped with cheap camoflouge as a hide sat in side and using a fast shutter speed caught some pretty respectable shots (eventually)

John.

One of the early ones and a bit soft. Made the mistake of using multi-focal option which concentrated on the feeder and the bird wasn't as sharp as I would have liked. Still they get better.