A Couple for Comment (1 Viewer)

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Richard G

Well-known member

• Jan 20, 2011

• #1

I've mentioned in a couple of threads that it's my intention this year to go back to basics & learn how to use my camera & lens properly & try & get the best out of some limited kit.

So, here're my first 2 efforts so far. A couple of Waxwing shots taken yesterday lunchtime. The shots are untouched aprt from resizing for the forum.

I realise they're probably not at the best angle, that's one criticism I have of them. Any other comments most welcome.

Richard

 

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Ecuadorrebel

Writer, Photographer, Guide

• Jan 21, 2011

• #2

The first thing that you need to consider when taking photos of birds against a bright sky is that you need to adjust the exposure value (EV). The meter in the camera will try to expose for the sky and the bird, which is shaded, will be underexposed. By giving the EV an adjustment of +.3, it would brighten the bird slightly. It will, of course, brighten the sky as well so you need to experiment to get a good balance.

Hope that helps.

 

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Richard G

Well-known member

• Jan 21, 2011

• #3

Cheers for the pointers Steve. Just the sort of thing I'm looking for.

Richard

 

Cristian Mihai

Cristian Mihai

• Jan 21, 2011

• #4

There are some twigs between your camera and the bird - this is not good. If the second shot was taken without a tripod, an exposure of 1/200 at 400 mm it isn't good too. Use a larger aperture (f6.3, for example) and try to get something around 1/600. By the way, using a positiv compensation (as suggested above) will increase a little bit more the exposure time...

 

Last edited: Jan 21, 2011

avwh

Well-known member

• Jan 26, 2011

• #5

You generally want to get as close as possible to the subject bird, but you also want a pleasing angle, and ideally eye contact with the bird (as you've already noted).

In both of these, it looks like you were very close, but so far under the bird that the angle made it impossible to "show off" the bird's head/eye/face.

here's an example of a cedar waxwing (this flock showed up just twice, over the fence behind our backyard):

 

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