Messages

1

Lenses / Re: What can tilt-shift lenses do that post-production cannot?

« on: May 12, 2013, 02:44:02 AM »

So I guess one really should use a tripod with  TS for optimal results. How would one work as a walkabout lens?
Cheers brian

It works fine if you don't mind manual focus -- they're also a bit bulkier/heavier than non TS lenses.  Shifts can also be done handheld and tilts for miniature effects too.  It's when you need to precisely aline the focal plane with live view precisely that tripods are necessary.

Tilt-shifts can work fine without a tripod.  I use the setting on my 5D3 that allows me to see leveling info in the viewfinder by pressing one of the AF buttons.  Before I do that I verify focus using Live View.  The following shots were taken with a TS hand held.


JSC_2110_HDR.jpg by CalevPhoto, on Flickr


JSC_0562_HDR-Edit.jpg by CalevPhoto, on Flickr


Siena Gardens by CalevPhoto, on Flickr

OK, great to hear. They're nice shots.
Cheers Brian

2

Lenses / Re: What can tilt-shift lenses do that post-production cannot?

« on: May 11, 2013, 08:53:20 AM »

So I guess one really should use a tripod with  TS for optimal results. How would one work as a walkabout lens?
Cheers brian

3

Animal Kingdom / Re: Show your Bird Portraits

« on: May 11, 2013, 06:21:10 AM »

Click on image for full size

More on :
http://www.wildlife-photos.net
http://www.birdpix.nl/album_search.php?search_type=pic_username&search=Edward+van+Altena

Fabulously sharp and great colours,  I assume you had plenty of light. Would you mind sharing the EXIF data and which equipment you used please?
Cheers Brian

If you click on the image it will open the images on my website.
All exif information is underneath the image.

Greetings ,

Edward.

Edward, duuh I guess I could have though of that. Fabulous shots on your web site.
Thanks
Brian

4

Animal Kingdom / Re: Show your Bird Portraits

« on: May 11, 2013, 06:19:09 AM »

Willets, Western variety, at Cherry Creek State Park:






(See more full size images at my site)

Great shots, I think the first two really do it for me. I think its the colours that I like, and thats spoilt a bit by the sand at the bottom of the third one.  But please don't take that as criticism.
Cheers Brian

5

Animal Kingdom / Re: Show your Bird Portraits

« on: May 11, 2013, 06:15:56 AM »

jrista.....by the power not vested in me, you are hearby awarded the photographers Purple Star for injuries sustained in the line of duty

-edit-

I think this would make a cool thread..."What I had to go through to get the shot"

I would like to wade and make my way through all that stuff to get the shot but I'm always worried about these...

I saw one grab a huge Great Blue Heron a few weeks back and in one fell swoop, it was gone!

Make sure you take a macro Ken, then you can get some real close up shots...........Apparently you just need to stare them down. I've heard.

6

Animal Kingdom / Re: Avian Pox and other Illnesses

« on: May 11, 2013, 06:12:17 AM »

Here's another ill Greenfinch, Vet confirmed Trichomonosis.
I actually put it out of its misery about an hour after taking this photo, its hard
to just sit there and watch them flapping around and falling over etc.
Cheers Brian

7

Animal Kingdom / Re: Show your Bird Portraits

« on: May 11, 2013, 06:01:24 AM »

Just the thrush from our garden who chose to build her nest in the shed, at head level, directly across from the shed door.
She's sat on 4 eggs at least. Unfortunately there's not too much light there, so this was taken at
ISO 25600.
Cheers Brian

8

Animal Kingdom / Re: Show your Bird Portraits

« on: May 08, 2013, 02:17:30 PM »

Click on image for full size

More on :
http://www.wildlife-photos.net
http://www.birdpix.nl/album_search.php?search_type=pic_username&search=Edward+van+Altena

Fabulously sharp and great colours,  I assume you had plenty of light. Would you mind sharing the EXIF data and which equipment you used please?
Cheers Brian

9

Animal Kingdom / Re: Birds with attitude

« on: May 08, 2013, 02:13:03 PM »

The common grackle with an uncommon attitude.

Probably tired of being called "Common"! He looks ready to pounce. Nice shot.

10

Animal Kingdom / Re: Show your Bird Portraits

« on: May 05, 2013, 05:42:30 AM »

Krob78, Mr. Otter, Barrfly, digital paradise and all you other photogs....very beautiful and inspiring shots. Looking at your work keeps me interested in pursuing this hobby and trying to make photographs like you can

Some I took at dusk today in my yard. This young heron has been coming around for about a month when I feed the fish in the canal, but he was never able to catch a fish in several dozen tries....until now. This tilapia was large and it took him several minutes to finally swallow.

Taken with a 7D and 100-400mm L @ 400mm. Almost dusk and was very overcast (started to rain as I took the last shot), so I used a 580 on camera flash with a better beamer. I am a total noob when it comes to flash since I never use it and haven't yet learned. I think these were overexposed and so I had to try and fix it with DPP. Constructive advice welcome. Thanks.

I'm jealous that you can get so close, our local Herons will fly off when I'm about 50 meters away. I think the last three are overexposed, how díd you meter? I just got a better beamer and have yet to use it outside, so I'm not sure how to advise yet, if at all. I would have thought spot metering on the white of the bird and the automatic should take care of the rest, I assume its just normal fill-in flash techniques.
Some other BB users are bound to know.
Cheers Brian

11

Animal Kingdom / Re: Avian Pox and other Illnesses

« on: May 05, 2013, 05:35:12 AM »

Here's a greenfinch thats not doing too well, probably got Trichomonosis

Cheers Brian

And here's a video of the poor thing.

http://youtu.be/_UPLlbnkTT0
	Small | Large

Cheers Brian

12

Animal Kingdom / Re: Avian Pox and other Illnesses

« on: May 05, 2013, 01:16:06 AM »

Seems like nature is sorting things out. Only this Great Tit with Avian Pox left now, this is in the early stages.
I assume it will pass it on to its offspring whilst feeding them.
Cheers Brian

13

Animal Kingdom / Re: Show your Bird Portraits

« on: May 04, 2013, 04:57:11 PM »

Osprey~ f/9 - 1/800 sec - ISO 200

#2: f/11 1/1600 sec - ISO 1250

Ken, I assume you've been using the old trick?
You know, the old fish on your head and then keep very still....

Indeed!     My girlfriend doesn't appreciate the smell of my hair particularly but I come home with some decent images from time to time!   

It doesn't look to be "from time to time". Keep them coming.

14

Animal Kingdom / Re: Show your Bird Portraits

« on: May 03, 2013, 03:12:47 PM »

http://danielo.zenfolio.com/

Nice. These little ones are hard to track

Thank you everyone!

Actually, this photo was pretty hard to take. This bird takes off fast as lightning. I had to press the shutter button before the bird takes off

What Camera? I have a Canon 5D3 and AF does not work at all for me for birds of that size and speed,
so its all planning and manual settings. As you say they are off in the blink of an eye. I try to anticipate
what they are going to do, thank goodness for high-speed continuous shooting.
Cheers Brian

15

Animal Kingdom / Re: Show your Bird Portraits

« on: May 03, 2013, 12:42:55 PM »

Osprey~ f/9 - 1/800 sec - ISO 200

#2: f/11 1/1600 sec - ISO 1250

Ken, I assume you've been using the old trick?
You know, the old fish on your head and then keep very still....