Dipper

Taken last month in Derbyshire. I did like the setting.
50d 400mm f5.6
1/250"
Aperture priority
ISO 400
-1.33EV
Evaluative
C & C welcome

The setting is a beauty but the bird doesnt look critically sharp to me-still better than what i have of this lovely bird

Dave

Kim
Like Dave says - the bird could stand a bit of sharpening , but I agree - great setting.
Love the moss !.
Cheers
John

Good pose, great bg, nice picture. I agree that a little selective sharpening may improve it even more, but still very good.

Yes, it is a nice setting Kim, shame about all the 'traffic' it gets, especially with people who should know better.

Good to see them, and that they are still there considering ALL that they have to put up with.

Steve

Thanks for the comments, I agree about the sharpening, but am always afraid of over doing it!! Suprised at your traffic comment Stephen - I spent quite some time at this place and never saw a single person. It was rather cold and dull - but I was totally alone for about 4 hours

Hi Kim, it was earlier in the year with hikers etc and both Graham and I had been there for quite some time patiently waiting etc when a whole family (with dog) played around and along the water where the dippers were nesting, ensuring NO photography. However I am pleased that you had a successful time.

Steve

Lovely image Kim,a tad more sharpening to the eye,but no big deal,the Dipper is close to my heart and I am trying to come up with some new signs/design for this area 'Have you got control of you dog' etc as dog's and children in the water is a massive problem,keeping the intrest going from my 'Dipper Of The Dales'article I had printed in Oct issue of birdwatching magzine about this very problem just trying to do my bit alongside the governing bodies that run this area.Some days like you though you do not see a sole and it's great then on the others it's to busy with little thought for the wildlife, sorry to divert away from your lovely image and if I am there please feel free to say hello, as I go must other weeks, well done on this though

Many thanks Craig for your interest, , am amazed you all recognise the site! I did not know you had an article in Birdwatching - will try and get hold of it.When I went there there were a couple of guys from English nature at the beginning of the walk - who downloaded loads of stuff onto my mobile!!

Hi Kim,

I don't really want to rain on anyones parade, the setting and the composition are very nice indeed and you have presented the image very pleasantly, but it just is not sharp, I think it is motion blur... where you hand holding?.... I know this is going to sound harsh but no amount of selective sharpening is going to help here.

Being a Southerner I am not aquainted with the area (I do know it is well known) but I would imagine a good quality bean bag would be of great help in providing a steady support.

I am also a bit bemused by the -1.33EV, would like to know why you decided on that level of compensation rather than simply increase the ISO...?

Hope I don't come across too harsh here, trying to help...

Phil

Hi Craig, if you can prevent the abuse to the Dipper site with new signs and liaising with the local Governing bodies, then you deserve all the credit. Hopefully by doing so it will ensure that others will experience the good times rather than bad!

Steve

A very nice setting Kim. Agree the image could be a little sharper.

I agree dogs need to be kept out of the water at this location but so do certain photographers

Thanks again - Phil - I was lying flat in nettles and weeds and mud! Unfortunately on my visit the Dipper did not go to his usual place om the rocks by the fall. The light was not good - I used a variety of settings -because the light kept changing constantly; it just so happened that this one turned out better than most of the others because of the placing of the bird, Most of the others had an unattractive background.
Again many thanks to all for the suggestions.

Think PhilH is right re motion blur as the main subject lacks any degree of sharpness. You didn't state Kim if it was hand held or not?

Major

It was hand held Major but resting on the ground in front of me. From a POV point of view it would not have been possible to use a tripod. Perhaps next time it would be wiser to wait for it (the bird) to become more accessible!!

Hi Kim...

Get a bean bag for situation like this, will support the camera low and reduce the possibility of any motion blur.....

All the best

Phil

This would be a lovely capture if it were sharp Kim, agree with Phil re the bean bag, you can buy some very light weight one's that are water proof too, very handy bits of kit, especially when doing that long walk to this site.

Andy...

Andy Phil - Have a bean bag - did not have it with me though because I had so much other stuff including tripod etc. Am still grateful for all the suggestions though. Thanks again

One of my dipper shots looked similar when I went over board with the noise reduction, it took out all the sharp detail, don't know if that helps you out or not.