Posted by Rob Howard on October 4, 2008 at 10:32 AM
Canon EOS 1Ds MKII, 600mm f4 IS, 1.4x conv, f5.6, 1/2500, ISO 400, RAW, RSE, CS2, lens on car window ledge, no time for bean bag
Hi All,
This Jay took me by surprise this morning. I was sat looking for Stonechats when the Jay appeared to gather Acorns from the Oak saplings next to me, no time to do anything other than point the lens at it. No time to sort my flash out or change the camera settings as I was shooting into the light. 3 frames rattled off and it was gone, spooked by the shutter noise (amazingly not spooked by me faffing about in the car to get into position ) A lot of work in CS2 to bring this up. At first light tomorrow I will be sat in the right place waiting for them!!!
All comments welcome, especially regarding bettering the exposure/colour as this is what I have had trouble with.
Regards
Rob
Posted by Barry Southon on October 4, 2008 at 11:07 AM
Rob
I take your point, but this is interesting IMHO if I used a flash I would either lose the subject or create a spooked reaction also blow my cover.
Your Jay is a great natural action shot as is. I must admit sometimes I struggle to see the difference in PP adjustments could be my monitor.
Barry
Posted by Paul Inglis on October 4, 2008 at 12:43 PM
Hi Rob,
Very nice grab shot! The subject is a little too central for my taste though. Great pose.
A well seized oppurtunity and a good job of a tricky lighting situation.
Good luck for your next attempt.
You only have to think about photographing them around here and there off in a second.
Posted by Alan Bryant on October 4, 2008 at 2:51 PM
Great shot Rob.
Rob in CS2 go onto the Image-Adjustments-Shadow/highlight and on the "shadow" slider take it to around 30-50%.It really brings out the bird and the leaves from the shadows
Excellent pose for a grab shot! I can sympathise with getting into position with that gear - I nearly gave myself a hernia trying to grab one of an owl I might crop a little from the right.
Posted by David Taylor on October 4, 2008 at 5:19 PM
Great pose. Shows great skill in capturing this. I saw one doing the same thing in my garden a few weeks ago, but far too slow a reaction time to capture anything.
it looks like you've handled the exposure pretty well Rob. My only suggestion is to remove a bit from the right to 'decentralise' the bird, and maybe add a bit on the left too
Matt
Posted by Paula Graham on October 5, 2008 at 5:54 PM
Wonderful arty looking shot, Rob..sure the bird is a bit central but what the heck! I love his pose. Hope you get lucky second time.
Discussion
8 repliesHi All,
This Jay took me by surprise this morning. I was sat looking for Stonechats when the Jay appeared to gather Acorns from the Oak saplings next to me, no time to do anything other than point the lens at it. No time to sort my flash out or change the camera settings as I was shooting into the light. 3 frames rattled off and it was gone, spooked by the shutter noise (amazingly not spooked by me faffing about in the car to get into position
All comments welcome, especially regarding bettering the exposure/colour as this is what I have had trouble with.
Regards
Rob
I take your point, but this is interesting IMHO if I used a flash I would either lose the subject or create a spooked reaction also blow my cover.
Your Jay is a great natural action shot as is. I must admit sometimes I struggle to see the difference in PP adjustments could be my monitor.
Barry
Very nice grab shot! The subject is a little too central for my taste though. Great pose.
Good luck for your next attempt.
You only have to think about photographing them around here and there off in a second.
Rob in CS2 go onto the Image-Adjustments-Shadow/highlight and on the "shadow" slider take it to around 30-50%.It really brings out the bird and the leaves from the shadows
Matt