Swan and pond setup

1D2n, 600mm f4 is, 1/1250s, f5.6, iso 200. Low morning sunshine.

This is the last of the series, at least for a while. The swans have proved the most difficult to shoot. They are so large, it is hard to get them in the right position whilst still being able to blur the background. Also, exposure is a real pain! Finally, they forever sit right in front of the lens and block the view of the whole pond! This one obliged for once and it’s full frame.

Larger version here:
http://www.naturephotographers.net/imagecritique/largephoto.cgi?ref=116472

I’ve had lots of enquiries about how I get so low, so I’ve posted a shot of the pond setup below.

Here’s a wide shot of the pond I sit on the rocks or even a stool – I don’t even get wet!. It’s a public area and it’s not uncommon to get an inquisitive dog sniffing at the lens! You can just see the water beginning to flow over the outlet on the right side. After rain, water flows over the cobble path and this means that the axis of the lens can be exactly at water level. That however makes autofocus impossible so an inch or so above is better. Although the flash is on its bracket, I rarely need it.

This was taken on a very grey day. When the sun shines, the water and reeds come to life and the background can look like a forest fire (as above). It helps that the outlet faces southwest, so it is possible in winter to get the sun very low in the sky directly behind the camera. All I need to do now is to steal some nice birds from someone else’s pond.

These are lovely images Ian - the lighting is sublime and the simple background and foreground just show off the subjects to best advantage. The lighting on this swan is theatrical - very dramatic. Lighting is all! And of course being prepared to sit in a drain all evening! Excellent work.

Very nice shot always difficult to get the exposure right on Swans


And in the second picture some git has pinched your camera






Regards


Ian

Loverly pix Ian , have you thought of using an anglers bait catapult and feed into the area you want the birds, air up wind so that the bait and birds drift into view. Carp angling mates tell me that ducks and swans are a pain , all ways steeling their floating bait.

Bob.

Lovely shot Ian of these underrated bird, I admire your efforts to get the shots you want.
Well done

Great images both this and the mallard. The light is just lovely.

Cheers

Terry

Ian

A very informative post thanks for sharing.

Barry

Hi Ian,

It's great to see the area where you are taking such magnificent images, very interesting.

Cracking shot of the Swan, thanks for sharing

Regards

Rob

What a awesome location .

Another great shot

Hi Ian,
Another excellant image and thanks for sharing the shot of your set-up. It's always interesting hearing a bit of background info behind the image and gaining an insight into how it was made.

An excellent shot, and well worked.

A far more comfortable shooting position than is usually the case, i.e. window mount or beanbags. Keep them coming.

i really like the image. beautiful lighting and exposure on the swan.

i'm loving the hide, although it must be quite a pain getting all those rocks in the back of your car

Another cracker and thanks for showing the set up - have been curious about it for a while!