Hi all, new poster here.
I'm recently getting into Wildlife and really enjoying the challenge of bird photography.
I've spent a few trips to Richmond park trying to get a good shot of the kingfishers, and starting to get the hang of being in the right place.
I'm only just earning some of the species, and looking forward to spending some time on here, getting inspired from your great photos.
Anyway here's a little opening pic from me of a Wren.
I'm struggling with PP, I have cropped here to about 50% and lightly adjusted levels/contrast/noise/sharpening.
C&C appreciated.
Canon EOS 1DMKIII | EF400 f/2.8 + 2.0x |1/640s|f/5.6|ISO 2000
Posted by Dave Courtenay on February 16, 2009 at 12:01 PM
Hi Richard
Welcome to the forum, The wren is a difficult bird to get as they flit around so well done there,I would try to get a lower position if possible so that you just get the perch and not the log in the shot as it distracts,The composition is good and the image looks well exposed and sharp,PP looks fine to me on my laptop,You have some good gear there so would try to get as close as possible so as not to need too much cropping,Also when using the 2x i would stop it down abit say F8-11 to get the best image quality from it,Looks good for ISO 2000 as well although i wouldnt try to shoot that high if i could help it especially if cropping is needed
Thanks for critique,
I was trying to maintain a good Apeture/shutter speed balance, that little bird is very jittery (not to mention small!),the MKIII handles high ISO nicely which helps!
When I shoot motorbikes, 400+2.0 is F11 all the way!
We were in a group of 4 in the woods, so didn't want to move in too close and ruin anyone elses chance, especially as they were only at 300mm!
I am looking into various methods for hiding incl. camo clothing/netting etc. hopefully I can improve on range. For a first time it's really challenging to know how close to get, and I'm relishing the next outing!
Posted by John Robinson on February 16, 2009 at 12:48 PM
Welcome Richard. Good attempt !
There will be times before long when you wish you had never started !!
Cheers
JohnR
Assuming the white end, is part of the perch, if so then darken it down, mud would do, if not and is for example suet, then it needs to be hidden from the camera.
I’ve read in another post, that you intend to go to Bushy Park, if this is the case then take along some bread, seed and for the Wrens small Mealworms, and don’t forget a shallow container, it works for me, particularly in the woodland gardens.
Good luck, and as I said a nice shot and excellent first posting.
I assume this is a 'grab' shot, if so not much you could do about the perch.... as Ray alludes to, a lot comes down to planning...
I actually like the size of the bird in this image... if it were mine I would crop to a panoramic format, excluding the log at the bottom and some off the top.... the hot end of the perch can be toned down by some low opacity cloning....
An extremely difficult bird to image so a brave first post and I am looking forward to more.
If you include as much as you can about the processing then I'm sure you will receive as much help as possible..
Thanks for all comments, this was a grab, we had put soem food down on one log, but this little bird appeared behind us and was hopping around, the only bird we say in range that session was a tree creeper, another tricky fella!
I find it interesting to read here and in other threads about cropping. I'm terrible for trying to drop as tight as possible, feeling it's what people want to see (in general forums, not specifically wildlife) I do actually like some space for the animal to look into, although it can be at cost of detail.
Posted by Graeme Lee on February 17, 2009 at 6:05 PM
Welcome Richard, I haven't many shots of these and I like the size of the wren in the frame.
Posted by Philip Kirkham on February 18, 2009 at 4:34 AM
Welcome.
Phil
Posted by Magnus Hird on February 19, 2009 at 2:07 PM
All nits covered Richard but a nice shot to start with. Also like the size in the frame. Keep 'em coming
Discussion
14 repliesI'm recently getting into Wildlife and really enjoying the challenge of bird photography.
I've spent a few trips to Richmond park trying to get a good shot of the kingfishers, and starting to get the hang of being in the right place.
I'm only just earning some of the species, and looking forward to spending some time on here, getting inspired from your great photos.
Anyway here's a little opening pic from me of a Wren.
I'm struggling with PP, I have cropped here to about 50% and lightly adjusted levels/contrast/noise/sharpening.
C&C appreciated.
Canon EOS 1DMKIII | EF400 f/2.8 + 2.0x |1/640s|f/5.6|ISO 2000
Welcome to the forum, The wren is a difficult bird to get as they flit around so well done there,I would try to get a lower position if possible so that you just get the perch and not the log in the shot as it distracts,The composition is good and the image looks well exposed and sharp,PP looks fine to me on my laptop,You have some good gear there so would try to get as close as possible so as not to need too much cropping,Also when using the 2x i would stop it down abit say F8-11 to get the best image quality from it,Looks good for ISO 2000 as well although i wouldnt try to shoot that high if i could help it especially if cropping is needed
Look forward to more
Dave
I was trying to maintain a good Apeture/shutter speed balance, that little bird is very jittery (not to mention small!),the MKIII handles high ISO nicely which helps!
When I shoot motorbikes, 400+2.0 is F11 all the way!
We were in a group of 4 in the woods, so didn't want to move in too close and ruin anyone elses chance, especially as they were only at 300mm!
I am looking into various methods for hiding incl. camo clothing/netting etc. hopefully I can improve on range. For a first time it's really challenging to know how close to get, and I'm relishing the next outing!
There will be times before long when you wish you had never started !!
Cheers
JohnR
Robert
nice first shot, welcome
have fun,
Bertl
Assuming the white end, is part of the perch, if so then darken it down, mud would do, if not and is for example suet, then it needs to be hidden from the camera.
I’ve read in another post, that you intend to go to Bushy Park, if this is the case then take along some bread, seed and for the Wrens small Mealworms, and don’t forget a shallow container, it works for me, particularly in the woodland gardens.
Good luck, and as I said a nice shot and excellent first posting.
Tricky little birds to get at times.
Major.
I assume this is a 'grab' shot, if so not much you could do about the perch.... as Ray alludes to, a lot comes down to planning...
I actually like the size of the bird in this image... if it were mine I would crop to a panoramic format, excluding the log at the bottom and some off the top.... the hot end of the perch can be toned down by some low opacity cloning....
An extremely difficult bird to image so a brave first post and I am looking forward to more.
If you include as much as you can about the processing then I'm sure you will receive as much help as possible..
Phil