Posted by jack chapman on September 23, 2008 at 4:29 PM
from after i returned from my trip, hoping to get a bit of seasonality in the shot i arranged some blackberries, so obviously won't be repeating this shot till next year
very hard getting the perch set up looking right and not falling down, then getting the bird on it for long enough (particularly at this time of year) and then also getting the background clean. Spent most of the day, trying and then the sun started coming up which gave the shot too much contrast so i was going to give up when a cloud appeared and the bird turned up at just the right moment,
the great tit could be sharper and it could have had it's head a little lower to get more of the hawthorn in, but by that time i was ready to head home
looking to know whether this looks very plausible and authentic, or have i missed something, looking to do more of this type of elaborate set up shots this winter so any input, critique, adviced would be greatly appreciated
40D + 300mm F4L + 1.4 extender
1/250 @ F5.6
ISO 640
FULL FRAME
Posted by John Robinson on September 23, 2008 at 4:50 PM
Hi Jack.
There is always a problem with this winter set up bird stuff. The knack is getting the material you use to "hang " right. Possibly your berries are a little too upright, but many people wouldnt notice if its a pretty picture. I,ve been doing it for years and still find it dificult.
The bird is a little near the top for me, with perhaps too much greenery in, but evryone to their own taste. I feel the bottom bramble leaf and the hawthorn could be cropped out.
Good stuff though. I ll soon be doing my Autumn set ups and there's plenty of scope for all sorts of set ups. Some don't like the idea but it relieves the boredom-(and its nice and warm shooting through the windows ! )
I akways drop the camera contrast for great Tits by the way.
Drill a hole in the stump (out of view ) and put some pastry mix in. They love it !!
Cheers
JohnR
Posted by Rob Howard on September 23, 2008 at 5:47 PM
Hi Jack,
I'm really not that keen on the silver birch stump for a perch, it looks really untidy and artificial. Why not use a Bramble branch as a perch or a holly branch. It's a difficult one to decide what to use, but the stump does not look right. Sorry to sound a bit harsh but IMO, the stump has to go!
I have tried this in the past with other birds & to be honest I found it really difficult as i just couldn't make it look quite natural enough. I think the Silver birch is a bit too contrasty, I think though however it does set the bird out. Otherwise it's pretty good attempt !
Drew
Posted by Paul Inglis on September 24, 2008 at 8:01 AM
Hi Jack,
I like this shot other than it subject is a wee bit too close to the top of the frame for my taste though.
A really good try, this sort of set up is never easy... the subject here is a liitle bit awkwardly close to the top of the frame... the idea and the execution are great so is the pose from the bird, you really have to be meticulous with the setting of the props, perhaps the master of this style is Alan Murphy, an ex pat now in the States..
An enjoyable image to view.
Posted by keith mitchell on September 24, 2008 at 3:49 PM
Hi Jack.
Very good attempt,worth a try and the best way to learn.
Cheers Keith.
Posted by jack chapman on September 24, 2008 at 4:43 PM
cheers all, thanks for the responses all, i didn't think it was quite there but couldn't quite put my finger on what was wrong
Posted by Danny Green on September 24, 2008 at 6:29 PM
Discussion
8 repliesvery hard getting the perch set up looking right and not falling down, then getting the bird on it for long enough (particularly at this time of year) and then also getting the background clean. Spent most of the day, trying and then the sun started coming up which gave the shot too much contrast so i was going to give up when a cloud appeared and the bird turned up at just the right moment,
the great tit could be sharper and it could have had it's head a little lower to get more of the hawthorn in, but by that time i was ready to head home
looking to know whether this looks very plausible and authentic, or have i missed something, looking to do more of this type of elaborate set up shots this winter so any input, critique, adviced would be greatly appreciated
40D + 300mm F4L + 1.4 extender
1/250 @ F5.6
ISO 640
FULL FRAME
There is always a problem with this winter set up bird stuff. The knack is getting the material you use to "hang " right. Possibly your berries are a little too upright, but many people wouldnt notice if its a pretty picture. I,ve been doing it for years and still find it dificult.
The bird is a little near the top for me, with perhaps too much greenery in, but evryone to their own taste. I feel the bottom bramble leaf and the hawthorn could be cropped out.
Good stuff though. I ll soon be doing my Autumn set ups and there's plenty of scope for all sorts of set ups. Some don't like the idea but it relieves the boredom-(and its nice and warm shooting through the windows ! )
I akways drop the camera contrast for great Tits by the way.
Drill a hole in the stump (out of view ) and put some pastry mix in. They love it !!
Cheers
JohnR
I'm really not that keen on the silver birch stump for a perch, it looks really untidy and artificial. Why not use a Bramble branch as a perch or a holly branch. It's a difficult one to decide what to use, but the stump does not look right. Sorry to sound a bit harsh but IMO, the stump has to go!
Regards
Rob
I have tried this in the past with other birds & to be honest I found it really difficult as i just couldn't make it look quite natural enough. I think the Silver birch is a bit too contrasty, I think though however it does set the bird out. Otherwise it's pretty good attempt !
Drew
I like this shot other than it subject is a wee bit too close to the top of the frame for my taste though.
A really good try, this sort of set up is never easy... the subject here is a liitle bit awkwardly close to the top of the frame... the idea and the execution are great so is the pose from the bird, you really have to be meticulous with the setting of the props, perhaps the master of this style is Alan Murphy, an ex pat now in the States..
An enjoyable image to view.
Very good attempt,worth a try and the best way to learn.
Cheers Keith.
Danny