More Birds

dod · 04-01-2006, 22:51

Not really been taking many shots lately but managed a few again today. Before anyone else says it, I agree, the bokeh on the third is just plain weird.

Not PS'd though apart from a slight crop, taken with the 100-400. Might also get rid of the OOF branch on the first and that thing at the bottom if I get the chance.

IanC_UK · 04-01-2006, 22:58

Wow 3 and 4 really hit you in the face dont they ! superb shots !

Venomator · 04-01-2006, 23:04

These I like Dod - yeah they can be criticized but hey, they are wild creatures and these are superb stills of them !

100 - 400 you say ... three legs or VR ?

Boon · 04-01-2006, 23:28

absolutely cracking shots dod, to say these are wild birds, in the wild, brilliant stuff, would like to see the upper branch on 1 (blackcap/tit) cloned out.
stevannie

Venomator · 04-01-2006, 23:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevannie

absolutely cracking shots dod, to say these are wild birds, in the wild, brilliant stuff, would like to see the upper branch on 1 (blackcap/tit) cloned out.
stevannie

'tis a Blue Tit = Parus Minor !

Boon · 04-01-2006, 23:49

thanks Ven, nice to know there's someone who knows what their on about.
Lovely shots, once again.
stevannie

Venomator · 04-01-2006, 23:52

Quote:

thanks Ven, nice to know there's someone who knows what their on about.

Birds I know ... photography is why I am here ! Appreciate the sentiment Stev !

And yes they are great pics !

***Steve*** · 05-01-2006, 09:05

All good shots but I think the crop is wrong on the first shot. I would have gone more for a landscape shot leaving some space for the bird to look into, that way it would also remove some of the other branch clutter.

I also altered the contrast slightly and applied a tad more sharpening to bring out more feather detail.

Hope that helps?

barrymoir · 05-01-2006, 09:17

wow stunning stuff, i love these, there does seem to be a funny thing happening with the background in a couple of the shots, shots 2 and 3 have a strange look to the background. Is that normal ?

Matt · 05-01-2006, 09:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by barrymoir

wow stunning stuff, i love these, there does seem to be a funny thing happening with the background in a couple of the shots, shots 2 and 3 have a strange look to the background. Is that normal ?

Its caused by vibration when the shutter is activated.
The technical term for it is,'Camera Shake'.

When shooting with long lenses you need to make sure you keep the whole lot steady. This can be achieved by resting the camera on a solid surface or sturdy tripod. Using your spare hand to push down on the lens, you also need to make sure you push your face into the back of the camera applying a bit of preasure.
You also need to get a high enough shutter speed to eliminate the effect of camera shake.

barrymoir · 05-01-2006, 09:30

ahh thanks for that Matt, id have thought the shake would have thrown the whole picture out slightly not just the background though.

P-E · 05-01-2006, 09:41

Yes I am getting a weird look to some of the backgrounds that I wouldn't have thought was camera shake.

CT · 05-01-2006, 10:17

The 100-400L can sometimes produce donut oof highlights, which are typical of a mirror (cat) lens, and some of those oof highlights in Dod's robin shot seem to be just verging on becoming donuts.The effect seems to be a random, occasional thing, but is probably caused by a combination of chosen focal length, the nature of the background, and even the aperture. It's an effect not common to the 100-400L either, other zooms can produce the effect. It's certainly not camera shake as the bird and the twigs in the foreground are sharp.

You ideally shouldn't be touching the camera at all when you take shots on a tripod - that's the whole purpose of using a tripod, so release the shutter with a remote release, rather than touch the camera and induce camera shake.

The technique Matt describes for pressing down on the lens etc. are all accepted techniques when tracking birds fliitting about and not keeping particularly still, when you really need the 'hands on' approach to have any chance of being able to manouevre the camera and get a sharp shot when the opportunity presents itself, but wherever possible use a cable release.

Ribby · 05-01-2006, 10:20

That 4th picture is really great, and I much prefer Steve's crop of the first one.

dod · 05-01-2006, 10:55

Thanks for the comments

Steve, you're right as usual, that is a better crop. I was a bit worried about going to far with the sharpening but I think you've proved it could stand it.

Venomator, what do you mean VR? These were either on the monopod or handheld after the head broke on the monopod

SammyC · 05-01-2006, 11:27

I think VR is Nikonese for Canon IS?

Rich · 05-01-2006, 11:29

As i said on the other forums (tm) great shots!

Number 3 is by far my favourite, cracking sharp shot!

Marianne · 05-01-2006, 15:16

lovely bird shots...I like the crop that Steve did but find the sharpening a bit too much. The last shot is the best in my opinion.....

04-01-2006, 22:51	#1 (permalink)
dod Feet under the table Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Nairn Posts: 1,911	More Birds Not really been taking many shots lately but managed a few again today. Before anyone else says it, I agree, the bokeh on the third is just plain weird. Not PS'd though apart from a slight crop, taken with the 100-400. Might also get rid of the OOF branch on the first and that thing at the bottom if I get the chance.

05-01-2006, 10:17	#13 (permalink)
CT Feet under the table Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: West Mids UK Posts: 3,500	The 100-400L can sometimes produce donut oof highlights, which are typical of a mirror (cat) lens, and some of those oof highlights in Dod's robin shot seem to be just verging on becoming donuts.The effect seems to be a random, occasional thing, but is probably caused by a combination of chosen focal length, the nature of the background, and even the aperture. It's an effect not common to the 100-400L either, other zooms can produce the effect. It's certainly not camera shake as the bird and the twigs in the foreground are sharp. You ideally shouldn't be touching the camera at all when you take shots on a tripod - that's the whole purpose of using a tripod, so release the shutter with a remote release, rather than touch the camera and induce camera shake. The technique Matt describes for pressing down on the lens etc. are all accepted techniques when tracking birds fliitting about and not keeping particularly still, when you really need the 'hands on' approach to have any chance of being able to manouevre the camera and get a sharp shot when the opportunity presents itself, but wherever possible use a cable release. __________________ Canon 1DMk2N/ EF 50mm 1.4/ EF 17-40L/ EF180L Macro/ EF100-400L Canon 20D /17-85 EF-S 580EX Flashgun/ Gitzo Explorer

04-01-2006, 22:58	#2 (permalink)
IanC_UK Feet under the table Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Northampton Posts: 2,137	Wow 3 and 4 really hit you in the face dont they ! superb shots !

04-01-2006, 23:04	#3 (permalink)
Venomator Forum Regular Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Hertfordshire Posts: 922	These I like Dod - yeah they can be criticized but hey, they are wild creatures and these are superb stills of them ! 100 - 400 you say ... three legs or VR ?

04-01-2006, 23:28	#4 (permalink)
Boon Forum Regular Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Robin Hood County Posts: 523	absolutely cracking shots dod, to say these are wild birds, in the wild, brilliant stuff, would like to see the upper branch on 1 (blackcap/tit) cloned out. stevannie

04-01-2006, 23:49	#6 (permalink)
Boon Forum Regular Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Robin Hood County Posts: 523	thanks Ven, nice to know there's someone who knows what their on about. Lovely shots, once again. stevannie

05-01-2006, 09:05	#8 (permalink)
*Steve* Pixalo Crew Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: An Englishman living in Germany Posts: 16,144	All good shots but I think the crop is wrong on the first shot. I would have gone more for a landscape shot leaving some space for the bird to look into, that way it would also remove some of the other branch clutter. I also altered the contrast slightly and applied a tad more sharpening to bring out more feather detail. Hope that helps?

05-01-2006, 09:17	#9 (permalink)
barrymoir Been here a while Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 369	wow stunning stuff, i love these, there does seem to be a funny thing happening with the background in a couple of the shots, shots 2 and 3 have a strange look to the background. Is that normal ?

05-01-2006, 09:30	#11 (permalink)
barrymoir Been here a while Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 369	ahh thanks for that Matt, id have thought the shake would have thrown the whole picture out slightly not just the background though.

05-01-2006, 09:41	#12 (permalink)
P-E Loves the place Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Sheffield, S.Yorkshire UK Posts: 7,502	Yes I am getting a weird look to some of the backgrounds that I wouldn't have thought was camera shake.

05-01-2006, 10:20	#14 (permalink)
Ribby Been here a while Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 293	That 4th picture is really great, and I much prefer Steve's crop of the first one.

05-01-2006, 10:55	#15 (permalink)
dod Feet under the table Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Nairn Posts: 1,911	Thanks for the comments Steve, you're right as usual, that is a better crop. I was a bit worried about going to far with the sharpening but I think you've proved it could stand it. Venomator, what do you mean VR? These were either on the monopod or handheld after the head broke on the monopod

05-01-2006, 15:21	#19 (permalink)
daveyuk

05-01-2006, 11:27	#16 (permalink)
SammyC Forum Regular Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Bristol Posts: 1,466	I think VR is Nikonese for Canon IS?

05-01-2006, 11:29	#17 (permalink)
Rich Getting Comfy Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 152	As i said on the other forums (tm) great shots! Number 3 is by far my favourite, cracking sharp shot!

05-01-2006, 15:16	#18 (permalink)
Marianne Been here a while Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Cambridgeshire Posts: 326	lovely bird shots...I like the crop that Steve did but find the sharpening a bit too much. The last shot is the best in my opinion.....