BIRD IN FLIGHT ONLY -- share your BIF photos here

[CarlTN]

You're welcome, and that figures...I thought you were going to say that the egret was sweeping in to catch a fish or something...lol!

Nice osprey...where was that shot?

Nope, just taking off, but I was happy with the shot - particularly how close to the water the feet are...and the osprey shot was taken in my usual haunt, St. Marks NWR down here in the Florida Panhandle. She (I think) was perched on the lighthouse for a long time, but my patience paid off when she swooped down to hunt in the shallows and went right over my head. I'm pretty sure the shot is either uncropped or just slightly cropped. I have a 20"x30" print of it and the detail is really amazing.

That's fantastic, did you do the print yourself with an inkjet, or did you have it done?

 

[mackguyver]

You're welcome, and that figures...I thought you were going to say that the egret was sweeping in to catch a fish or something...lol!

Nice osprey...where was that shot?

Nope, just taking off, but I was happy with the shot - particularly how close to the water the feet are...and the osprey shot was taken in my usual haunt, St. Marks NWR down here in the Florida Panhandle. She (I think) was perched on the lighthouse for a long time, but my patience paid off when she swooped down to hunt in the shallows and went right over my head. I'm pretty sure the shot is either uncropped or just slightly cropped. I have a 20"x30" print of it and the detail is really amazing.

That's fantastic, did you do the print yourself with an inkjet, or did you have it done?

I had it done at Aspen Creek Photo, who I can highly recommend for prices and quality (they have sales every weekend). I use them and Bay Photo for all of my personal and commercial work and have yet to be disappointed with either.

 

[CarlTN]

You're welcome, and that figures...I thought you were going to say that the egret was sweeping in to catch a fish or something...lol!

Nice osprey...where was that shot?

Nope, just taking off, but I was happy with the shot - particularly how close to the water the feet are...and the osprey shot was taken in my usual haunt, St. Marks NWR down here in the Florida Panhandle. She (I think) was perched on the lighthouse for a long time, but my patience paid off when she swooped down to hunt in the shallows and went right over my head. I'm pretty sure the shot is either uncropped or just slightly cropped. I have a 20"x30" print of it and the detail is really amazing.

That's fantastic, did you do the print yourself with an inkjet, or did you have it done?

I had it done at Aspen Creek Photo, who I can highly recommend for prices and quality (they have sales every weekend). I use them and Bay Photo for all of my personal and commercial work and have yet to be disappointed with either.

That's nice to know! I've considered Bay Photo. I got a coupon back before the holidays for Nations Photo Lab...got a fantastic deal on 16x20 metallic prints, so I ordered like 17 to display some of my work at a festival. They're superb, and based on my experience I plan to use Nations Photo again. I've also used a local lab, CPQ, and they're great too.

Did you let them do the final image prep, or did you give them a scaled image? If so, was it at 300ppi?

 

[mackguyver]

Did you let them do the final image prep, or did you give them a scaled image? If so, was it at 300ppi?

I was a graphic artist in a former life, so I always do the final prep on my photos (resizing, color correction, etc.) and send the best quality file I can for printing. I usually send 300dpi unless the lab recommends something else and usually print on matte or Pearl papers. I've done some large canvases at 150dpi with great results, however as that media is less demanding.

Also, to avoid hijacking yet another thread (sorry Dylan), here's another BIF:

 

[CarlTN]

Did you let them do the final image prep, or did you give them a scaled image? If so, was it at 300ppi?

I was a graphic artist in a former life, so I always do the final prep on my photos (resizing, color correction, etc.) and send the best quality file I can for printing. I usually send 300dpi unless the lab recommends something else and usually print on matte or Pearl papers. I've done some large canvases at 150dpi with great results, however as that media is less demanding.

Also, to avoid hijacking yet another thread (sorry Dylan), here's another BIF:

Thanks, nice pelican! Sorry about being a hijacker, I guess I'm doing it for the rewards in the afterlife!!

 

[Vern]

A somewhat smaller bird. 5DMKIII, 300 2.8II w 25mm ext tube, 4 flash units set to 1/128 power, f11, 1/250.

 

[IslanderMV]

First Photo is a Black Skimmer juvenile, learning how to "skim" the second is an Oystercatcher passing by.
Both birds are now nesting on Martha's Vineyard, MA. Normally these birds nest further south.
Some think it is a sign of climate change.

 

[Viper28]

A somewhat smaller bird. 5DMKIII, 300 2.8II w 25mm ext tube, 4 flash units set to 1/128 power, f11, 1/250.

Superb shots - 4x flashes!

 

[Viper28]

A couple of shots of Canada Geese

 

[candyman]

A somewhat smaller bird. 5DMKIII, 300 2.8II w 25mm ext tube, 4 flash units set to 1/128 power, f11, 1/250.

Beautiful! What was your distance towards the subject when you took the photo?

 

[chauncey]

some little ones...followed by some larger ones.

 

[Vern]

A somewhat smaller bird. 5DMKIII, 300 2.8II w 25mm ext tube, 4 flash units set to 1/128 power, f11, 1/250.

Beautiful! What was your distance towards the subject when you took the photo?

Here's a photo of the set-up. Looks like ca. 2-2.5 meters from image plane to the flower vase lure. I'll post another one with them at the flower.

 

[Loswr]

A somewhat smaller bird. 5DMKIII, 300 2.8II w 25mm ext tube, 4 flash units set to 1/128 power, f11, 1/250.

Superb shots - 4x flashes!

That's often the best way to shoot hummingbirds and other superfast subjects. With Speedlites, the flash tube has just one power level - on. The flash intensity is controlled by the duration, so lower power settings mean a faster flash, down to a bit faster than 1/30,000 s at the lowest power setting (1/128 power). But…at that low power, there's not much light so multiple flashes are often needed.

 

[Vern]

Two more hummers: first one is w the flashes to stop wing motion w set-up described above; second is a natural shot w 600mm II + 1.4XTC + fill flash using better beamer and high-speed synch at 1/1000 and f8 - doesn't quite stop the wings. The first technique requires a lot of patience and sitting (the camera is manually focused on the lure and you just push the remote when a bird visits), while the second is dependent on rapid AF and framing a fast moving subject.

 

[mackguyver]

Two more hummers: first one is w the flashes to stop wing motion w set-up described above; second is a natural shot w 600mm II + 1.4XTC + fill flash using better beamer and high-speed synch at 1/1000 and f8 - doesn't quite stop the wings. The first technique requires a lot of patience and sitting (the camera is manually focused on the lure and you just push the remote when a bird visits), while the second is dependent on rapid AF and framing a fast moving subject.

Great shots and very impressive to get so close to them. I like the 2nd shot a bit better - I think the blurring shows the motion and gives the shot more feeling. I'd be very happy to get either photo

 

[Dylan777]

Two more hummers: first one is w the flashes to stop wing motion w set-up described above; second is a natural shot w 600mm II + 1.4XTC + fill flash using better beamer and high-speed synch at 1/1000 and f8 - doesn't quite stop the wings. The first technique requires a lot of patience and sitting (the camera is manually focused on the lure and you just push the remote when a bird visits), while the second is dependent on rapid AF and framing a fast moving subject.

Great shots and very impressive to get so close to them. I like the 2nd shot a bit better - I think the blurring shows the motion and gives the shot more feeling. I'd be very happy to get either photo

+1

 

[Vern]

Two more hummers: first one is w the flashes to stop wing motion w set-up described above; second is a natural shot w 600mm II + 1.4XTC + fill flash using better beamer and high-speed synch at 1/1000 and f8 - doesn't quite stop the wings. The first technique requires a lot of patience and sitting (the camera is manually focused on the lure and you just push the remote when a bird visits), while the second is dependent on rapid AF and framing a fast moving subject.

Great shots and very impressive to get so close to them. I like the 2nd shot a bit better - I think the blurring shows the motion and gives the shot more feeling. I'd be very happy to get either photo

Thanks Mackguyver. I tend to like the more natural one better too and the technique is a little more engaging for the photographer. I just wish we had more than ruby throated hummers in NC - very jealous of the folks further west and south.

 

[candyman]

A somewhat smaller bird. 5DMKIII, 300 2.8II w 25mm ext tube, 4 flash units set to 1/128 power, f11, 1/250.

Beautiful! What was your distance towards the subject when you took the photo?

Here's a photo of the set-up. Looks like ca. 2-2.5 meters from image plane to the flower vase lure. I'll post another one with them at the flower.

Thanks for sharing it.
You must put some effort to get a really good photo and it is worth it!

 

[bjd]

Here's one.

A Sparrow trying to land.

Cheers Brian

 

[bjd]

Here's another one.

Sparrow holding pattern....

Cheers Brian