Show your Bird Portraits
- Thread starter 1982chris911
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Nice shots guys and interesting flash conversation. I guess the fact that I tend to boost the shadows in my raw file 1 or 2 steps suggests that I should consider using a flash. However, I wonder if there is a psychological positive for humans seeing some sunshine created shadow in a shot. I understand, for example the generally accepted premise that portraits are best iutdoors on a slightly overcast day etc., but don't we tend to also like the effect of the sun especially in nature shots. This may sound dumb but my excuse is I'm new to this 
Educate me.
Jack
Educate me.Jack
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Click said:Mr Bean said:Eastern Yellow Robin.
Trying a slightly new technique this weekend, an on-camera fill flash, to give better light in the shadows, without overdoing it. When it works, it works well. The biggest downside is the birds are put off by the flash going off. Oh well....
Nice job with the flash. It's not to much and fill the shadow. Well done.
+1...getting just the right amount is the key.
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Click said:Female Mallard in the morning light / 7D+ 500 f4L 1/400 f8 ISO 200
Really beautiful shot, Click. Nice colors in the morning light.
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That's my thinking and preference. The area I was photographing the robin is a heavily shaded, tall treed environment. In a few months, the bushes close to the ground (prickly current bush) will be laden with berries and these little birds will be in that light, which is more even and better balanced. So, in this case, I'll just go with natural light.Click said:
As the robins were around 3-4m above me, the back-lit sky was causing havoc with the metering. As it was, I had the camera over expose by 2/3 stop, and the fill flash run 1/3 stop under, so it didn't "look" like a flash image. Well, that was my logic of the camera set up.
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After not shooting birds for almost half a year I'm glad to be back to shooting em.
Philippine Nightjar (Caprimulgus manillensis) by alabang, on Flickr
The Philippine Nightjar (Caprimulgus manillensis) is a species of nightjar in the Caprimulgidae family. It is endemic to the Philippines.
Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, subtropical or tropical mangrove forests, and subtropical or tropical moist montane forests.
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philippine_Nightjar
Location: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_the_Philippines_Diliman
Philippine Nightjar (Caprimulgus manillensis) by alabang, on Flickr
The Philippine Nightjar (Caprimulgus manillensis) is a species of nightjar in the Caprimulgidae family. It is endemic to the Philippines.
Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, subtropical or tropical mangrove forests, and subtropical or tropical moist montane forests.
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philippine_Nightjar
Location: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_the_Philippines_Diliman
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I like all the bird postings. Partly that's because I simply love birds and birds themselves are attractive but I'm trying to perceive what makes some shots stand out above others. Sharpness seems to be the big deal in most threads and I won't dispite it's importance but in looking a Steven's shot, I find it warm and appealing. Why? The framing, the sky background, the colors involved? What typically do you guys aim for and how do you know when you've got something that is going to be well received?
Jack
Jack
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Not sure about "well received", but I like a sharp picture. The eye needs to be sharp. And then there is the rule of thirds. The foreground or background should not intrude on the bird.Jack Douglas said:
Now I am going to contradict myself - but in some situations motion blur adds to the picture.
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I'm more on the super sharp (around the eyes and face) type image. However, like rpt, I'll contradict myself by saying that BIF pics I prefer with a bit of blur. A well panned image, body and head sharp, but blur in the wings adds a sense of movement, which is fitting.Jack Douglas said:
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Thanks for the various comments guys.
I'm here sharing shots of birds because i like to contribute positively to anything that is elevating the appreciation folks have for nature. But, more selfishly, I'm looking for feedback from those with more experience and/or a keener sense of quality. In other words I prefer a critique rather than praise, in case anyone has feared saying something critical.
I was rather disappointed this morning with the slim pickings but a couple opportunities presented themselves.
Is the robin ruined by the lighting?
Should the flicker be cropped more tightly and vertically?
Any other advice?
6D 300 X2 640th F5.6 ISO 2500
640th F13 ISO 1250
Jack
I'm here sharing shots of birds because i like to contribute positively to anything that is elevating the appreciation folks have for nature. But, more selfishly, I'm looking for feedback from those with more experience and/or a keener sense of quality. In other words I prefer a critique rather than praise, in case anyone has feared saying something critical.
I was rather disappointed this morning with the slim pickings but a couple opportunities presented themselves.
Is the robin ruined by the lighting?
Should the flicker be cropped more tightly and vertically?
Any other advice?
6D 300 X2 640th F5.6 ISO 2500
640th F13 ISO 1250
Jack
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Click said:Mallard under cloudy sky 7D + 400 mm 1/200 f6,3 ISO 800
Very nice, Click. They are so colorful...looks like he is posing for you.
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