Show your Bird Portraits

[Renegade Runner]

Cattle Egret

Rebel
f/5
1/250
iso 800

[Renegade Runner]

African Pink Backed Pelican

Rebel
f/5.6
1/250
iso 200

[Renegade Runner]

Mute Swan

Rebel
f/5.6
1/500
iso 100

[revup67]

Hi guys, Took this picture of a crow a few months ago. Would love some feed back!

The photo lacks definition especially on the breast of the crow.  We are unable to see any detail of the plumage and the lighting on your subject is not optimum.  Since this bird is difficult in the first place to properly photograph and has very reflective shiny feather properties, its best not photo'd in any direct sun but more even or shaded light.  I would also avoid using B&W processing with this subject as it buries it even more into the limited 256 gray colors that are available in your image.  Stick with color.

[Meadowfresh]

Hi guys, Took this picture of a crow a few months ago. Would love some feed back!

The photo lacks definition especially on the breast of the crow.  We are unable to see any detail of the plumage and the lighting on your subject is not optimum.  Since this bird is difficult in the first place to properly photograph and has very reflective shiny feather properties, its best not photo'd in any direct sun but more even or shaded light.  I would also avoid using B&W processing with this subject as it buries it even more into the limited 256 gray colors that are available in your image.  Stick with color.

Thank you for the feed back. I will try to hunt them down on a more overcast day! As you said the direct sunlight washed out the reflective properties on its feathers which is why I converted to BW sine the background green was rather over powering, or at least I thought so when I looked at it. This fellow was very play full but unfortunately I had limited time to take photos due to having to stand in the middle of a tax stand/round about.

[rpt]

RPT - Serendipidy is correct..the settings are on the Flickr site under Actions / View EXIF data

They are:  Canon 5D Mark III and 400mm 5.6 L - 1/1000 @ 5.6 ISO 640, +1/3 EV, Tv Setting about 15 feet away - thanks for the inquiry.  Normally these Finches fly away but this one was so busy prying into the Prickly Pears it could care less about my presence.

Thanks Serendipity and revup67. I was using the EXIF data plugin in chrome. I should have gone to the flickr site...

I have been trying to snap birds that size around my garden with absolutely no luck. I will need to set up a more alluring device. 15 feet is really close. It must have been really hungry

Not to fret. I did get the hawk yesterday! Yay!

[revup67]

After 35 years one of these birds has returned to Orange County (apparently there are a few in San Diego I was just told).  Today was most interesting.  After being on this site for about two years I had the pleasure of meeting for the 1st time another Canon user and a true gentleman.  His moniker here is LSV.  I had admired his photos of the Yellow-crowned Night Heron which has not been seen in southern Cal since 1977.  One was recently spotted at the Bolsa Chica Reserve.  I drove there today (near Huntington Bch area) and contacted LSV as he had offered his cell phone for when I arrived for further assistance.  There is no way - no how would I have ever located this bird as a)the Bolsa Chica Preserve is several acres of wetlands b)this bird was not in an obvious place at all.  Hidden under a leafless tree, in the water and well shaded off a dirt trail.  LSV showed me the precise location and wallah..there was the Yellow-crowned Night Heron. 

Here's one of 10 excellent shots that I was able to snap off.  Note the blown out background was necessary as the bird was almost black due to the excessive shade and well lit background.


Yellow Heron by Revup67, on Flickr

[revup67]

Also taken today about 15 feet away from this American Kestrel--simply amazing detail at close range with the 400mm 5.6 L on the 5D Mark III.  It was astonishing to be able to get so close without this bird flying away.


American Kestrel by Revup67, on Flickr

[serendipidy]

revup67,

Absolutely gorgeous shots. Your quest for the Yellow-crowned Night Heron shot reminded me of a movie I watched last week...

[Kernuak]

Hi guys, Took this picture of a crow a few months ago. Would love some feed back!

The photo lacks definition especially on the breast of the crow.  We are unable to see any detail of the plumage and the lighting on your subject is not optimum.  Since this bird is difficult in the first place to properly photograph and has very reflective shiny feather properties, its best not photo'd in any direct sun but more even or shaded light.  I would also avoid using B&W processing with this subject as it buries it even more into the limited 256 gray colors that are available in your image.  Stick with color.

Corvids certainly aren't easy to photograph in dierect sunlight, but it can be done. I would crop for composition on the right, but you do have an interesting pose, showing a little personality. Here's one I took a couple of years ago in sunlight.


Carrion Crow by Kernuak (avalonlightphotoart.co.uk), on Flickr
Thank you for the feed back. I will try to hunt them down on a more overcast day! As you said the direct sunlight washed out the reflective properties on its feathers which is why I converted to BW sine the background green was rather over powering, or at least I thought so when I looked at it. This fellow was very play full but unfortunately I had limited time to take photos due to having to stand in the middle of a tax stand/round about.

[LSV]

White-faced Ibis at Huntington Beach Central Library iridescent in afternoon sunlight.

[Renegade Runner]

Canada Goose

Rebel
f/5.6
1/2500
iso 1000

[Renegade Runner]

Little Pied Cormorant

Rebel
f/5.6
1/200
iso 1600

[revup67]

LSV..that's an amazing shot..don't think I have been to that location.  excellent contribution of the IBIS!

[revup67]

revup67,
Absolutely gorgeous shots. Your quest for the Yellow-crowned Night Heron shot reminded me of a movie I watched last week...

Thanks so much for the kind words !  it was well worth the 45 minute journey..can't wait to return there. Thinking about now buying a tent again, well almost

Here's that same Kestrel as a BIF


American Kestrel by Revup67, on Flickr