Puffins.

simpbow · 26-06-2008, 19:23

Gonna try something different to see how i go, in a couple of weeks time Puffins are coming in to this part of the coast so i wouldn't mind giving it a try, what way would i go about doing it lens, settings etc,? grateful for any help.

silkstone · 26-06-2008, 20:24

Aaah - I love puffins.

And they can be very easy to photograph, so even I can do it...

f/11 1/250 ISO400 180mm

f/8 1/320 ISO200 300mm

f/11 1/160 ISO200 300mm

f/11 1/250 ISO400 300mm

f/8 1/320 ISO200 300mm

I'm not sure if the ones coming to a cliff near you will be as tame as these on the Isle of Lunga, but often they don't worry to much about people. Most of those shots were taken from less than 5 metres away, and you can get much closer if you're careful.

The EXIF data should be in the pics, but there really wasn't much need for anything unusual.

EDIT/ Just looked through the details and most of those were taken at 300mm, so maybe a little more than 5 metres but still pretty close.

simpbow · 26-06-2008, 23:11

Cheers Silky thanx for that

, I've heard that to that you can get very close to them, ill look through your data for tips

don't have 300mm only 210mm but am hoping it should be enough, beautiful birds with great color looking forward to it already.

simpbow · 26-06-2008, 23:15

How do i get the EXIF data to show Silky?

silkstone · 26-06-2008, 23:23

Basically I think I tried to keep the speed above 1/250 ('cos even though it's an IS lens, puffins move

), aperture at around f/8 or f/11 (DoF can be an issue), and ISO at 200 or 400 as it was an overcast day.

If you want to catch them in flight, you'll need to use a faster speed and compromise on ISO or aperture, depending on how bright it is.

Watch for a blown red channel - use the RGB histogram on review - the colours are quite strong although...

... the breeding season is April/May and I'd be interested in why they turning up in your patch now. In Scotland they arrive April, stay until August and then spend the winter out at sea. Anyway, the colours may not be as intense now as they've stopped trying to attract mates. Probably.

EDIT/ Sorry simpbow - you posted while I was typing. What browser do you use? On Firefox, just install the FxIF pluging and EXIF will show on any image if you right-click and choose Properties. There's a similar thing for Windows I think. Otherwise I'll just edit the post and put the EXIF data in. Let me know.

simpbow · 26-06-2008, 23:29

They nest at Horn Head in Donegal [NW Coast] from about the start of July that's all i know, if i find out anymore I'll let you know.

simpbow · 26-06-2008, 23:35

Cheers Silky, have to ask the young fellows to do this, not the brightest bulb on these things.

silkstone · 26-06-2008, 23:40

Thanks.

I've edited the post with the pics to include the settings.

orangepeel · 27-06-2008, 08:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by silkstone

Aaah - I love puffins.

And they can be very easy to photograph, so even I can do it...

Ye on the ground! Try them flying... wee buggers can shift. You need lots of patience and fast AF to get them in the air...

simpbow · 27-06-2008, 10:24

Have to be still for me OP.

orangepeel · 27-06-2008, 11:18

and me

went to the farne islands last year and musta fired off at least a 100 shots of em in flight. they are all, to a frame, bucket jobs

I got one decent shot all day out of a grand total of 200 I came back with. That's after deleting the utter garbage after previewing them on site.

I actually wanted to catch one, stuff it and mount it. Then my AF might have been able to keep up

IMO the money shot has to be one in flight with a beak full of eels... gl tho

simpbow · 27-06-2008, 13:14

Looks like its gonna be a long day then for me OP

.Cheers for the tip.

simpbow · 27-06-2008, 13:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by silkstone

Basically I think I tried to keep the speed above 1/250 ('cos even though it's an IS lens, puffins move

), aperture at around f/8 or f/11 (DoF can be an issue), and ISO at 200 or 400 as it was an overcast day.

If you want to catch them in flight, you'll need to use a faster speed and compromise on ISO or aperture, depending on how bright it is.

Watch for a blown red channel - use the RGB histogram on review - the colours are quite strong although...

... the breeding season is April/May and I'd be interested in why they turning up in your patch now. In Scotland they arrive April, stay until August and then spend the winter out at sea. Anyway, the colours may not be as intense now as they've stopped trying to attract mates. Probably.

EDIT/ Sorry simpbow - you posted while I was typing. What browser do you use? On Firefox, just install the FxIF pluging and EXIF will show on any image if you right-click and choose Properties. There's a similar thing for Windows I think. Otherwise I'll just edit the post and put the EXIF data in. Let me know.

Some info for you Silky if its any use,http://http://www.birdwatchireland.i...3/Default.aspx
Cheers Simpbow [wont get me till Sunday again]

26-06-2008, 19:23	#1 (permalink)
simpbow Feet under the table Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: N.Ireland Posts: 2,623	Puffins. Gonna try something different to see how i go, in a couple of weeks time Puffins are coming in to this part of the coast so i wouldn't mind giving it a try, what way would i go about doing it lens, settings etc,? grateful for any help.

26-06-2008, 20:24	#2 (permalink)
silkstone Feet under the table Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Silkstone Common, Yorkshire, UK Posts: 3,643	Re: Puffins. Aaah - I love puffins. And they can be very easy to photograph, so even I can do it... f/11 1/250 ISO400 180mm f/8 1/320 ISO200 300mm f/11 1/160 ISO200 300mm f/11 1/250 ISO400 300mm f/8 1/320 ISO200 300mm I'm not sure if the ones coming to a cliff near you will be as tame as these on the Isle of Lunga, but often they don't worry to much about people. Most of those shots were taken from less than 5 metres away, and you can get much closer if you're careful. The EXIF data should be in the pics, but there really wasn't much need for anything unusual. EDIT/ Just looked through the details and most of those were taken at 300mm, so maybe a little more than 5 metres but still pretty close. __________________ "I believe in equality for everyone, except reporters and photographers" - Mahatma Gandhi Last edited by silkstone : 26-06-2008 at 23:39.

26-06-2008, 23:11	#3 (permalink)
simpbow Feet under the table Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: N.Ireland Posts: 2,623	Re: Puffins. Cheers Silky thanx for that, I've heard that to that you can get very close to them, ill look through your data for tips don't have 300mm only 210mm but am hoping it should be enough, beautiful birds with great color looking forward to it already.

26-06-2008, 23:15	#4 (permalink)
simpbow Feet under the table Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: N.Ireland Posts: 2,623	Re: Puffins. How do i get the EXIF data to show Silky?

26-06-2008, 23:23	#5 (permalink)
silkstone Feet under the table Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Silkstone Common, Yorkshire, UK Posts: 3,643	Re: Puffins. Basically I think I tried to keep the speed above 1/250 ('cos even though it's an IS lens, puffins move ), aperture at around f/8 or f/11 (DoF can be an issue), and ISO at 200 or 400 as it was an overcast day. If you want to catch them in flight, you'll need to use a faster speed and compromise on ISO or aperture, depending on how bright it is. Watch for a blown red channel - use the RGB histogram on review - the colours are quite strong although... ... the breeding season is April/May and I'd be interested in why they turning up in your patch now. In Scotland they arrive April, stay until August and then spend the winter out at sea. Anyway, the colours may not be as intense now as they've stopped trying to attract mates. Probably. EDIT/ Sorry simpbow - you posted while I was typing. What browser do you use? On Firefox, just install the FxIF pluging and EXIF will show on any image if you right-click and choose Properties. There's a similar thing for Windows I think. Otherwise I'll just edit the post and put the EXIF data in. Let me know. Last edited by silkstone : 26-06-2008 at 23:42.

26-06-2008, 23:29	#6 (permalink)
simpbow Feet under the table Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: N.Ireland Posts: 2,623	Re: Puffins. They nest at Horn Head in Donegal [NW Coast] from about the start of July that's all i know, if i find out anymore I'll let you know.

26-06-2008, 23:35	#7 (permalink)
simpbow Feet under the table Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: N.Ireland Posts: 2,623	Re: Puffins. Cheers Silky, have to ask the young fellows to do this, not the brightest bulb on these things.

26-06-2008, 23:40	#8 (permalink)
silkstone Feet under the table Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Silkstone Common, Yorkshire, UK Posts: 3,643	Re: Puffins. Thanks. I've edited the post with the pics to include the settings.

27-06-2008, 10:24	#10 (permalink)
simpbow Feet under the table Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: N.Ireland Posts: 2,623	Re: Puffins. Have to be still for me OP.

27-06-2008, 11:18	#11 (permalink)
orangepeel Feet under the table Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Edinburgh Posts: 1,507	Re: Puffins. and me went to the farne islands last year and musta fired off at least a 100 shots of em in flight. they are all, to a frame, bucket jobs I got one decent shot all day out of a grand total of 200 I came back with. That's after deleting the utter garbage after previewing them on site. I actually wanted to catch one, stuff it and mount it. Then my AF might have been able to keep up IMO the money shot has to be one in flight with a beak full of eels... gl tho __________________ Last edited by orangepeel : 28-06-2008 at 07:56.

27-06-2008, 13:14	#12 (permalink)
simpbow Feet under the table Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: N.Ireland Posts: 2,623	Re: Puffins. Looks like its gonna be a long day then for me OP.Cheers for the tip.

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