Black Tailed Gnatcatcher

Gallery: AvianPosted December 15, 2011124 views5 comments

It was a really cloudy day. My exposure was off...the entire photo was really gray so I had to lighten it. I had to crop this to about 25%. I used a 5D Mark 2 and a Canon 100-400mm lens, I am wondering what is the cutoff for an acceptable crop amount? This is usually always an issue for me when trying to photograph tiny birds with only 400mm but that is all I can carry/afford! Comments, suggestions welcome.

ISO 320, f11. 1/500

Comments

5 comments

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on December 15, 2011 at 7:37 PM

Welcome to NPN. Nice perch and I like the placement of the bird on it. Generally I'm not a fan of bright backgrounds but this one works for me. There is no "cutoff" for crop amount but personally I try avoid going below 50% - just too much loss of IQ and increase in noise when it's done. Which brings me to posted image size - this 429 x 640 pixel image is just too small to effectively critique IMO. Even a huge crop like this one can look pretty good at a small size. If you really want critique on your images I'd strongly suggest posting the smaller image at the full 720 pixels on the long side AND posting the optional "larger photo" at 1200 pixels. Then if you post often and regularly comment on the images of others you'll learn a lot here. Good luck. Oh, and I'd also strongly suggest that you include more techs (shutter speed, aperture etc) and the amount of your crop (as you've done here) for better feedback from others.

Registered on March 30, 2007, 437 Posts, 10915 Comments

Comment posted by Eirini Pajak on December 15, 2011 at 8:07 PM

Registered on December 13, 2011, 216 Posts, 1671 Comments

Comment posted by Eirini Pajak on December 15, 2011 at 8:12 PM

I could not figure out how edit the post to include the 1200 pixel photo, but the I just posted the 720 pixel version. Thanks for your help!

Registered on December 13, 2011, 216 Posts, 1671 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on December 15, 2011 at 8:29 PM

It's likely that the reason you couldn't "figure out" how to post the 1200 pixel image is because you don't have that option with a repost. It can only be done in the original post - where you have the option at the very bottom of the page to "post a larger photo". Thanks for the 720 version.

I'd say your image held up to the very large crop reasonably well. But I suspect that a 1200 pixel version would be another story.

Registered on March 30, 2007, 437 Posts, 10915 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on December 15, 2011 at 9:48 PM

First: welcome to NPN Avian. I hope you will continue to post here and actively participate in the comments as well.

Ron has given excellent input. I agree with all his recommendations.

You are already on the right track by recognizing the disadvantages of excessive cropping.

400mm on a cropped sensor DSLR isn't a barrier to doing some good avian photography, but you'll definitely have to work harder than those fortunate enough to have a 500 with 1.4x or 600mm lens. ON the positive side you have a lot more mobility with the 100-400 than those with bigger/heavier gear.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 1031 Posts, 12705 Comments