Harv said:Mute Swan.....
Thanks for looking.
Stunningly beautiful portrait Harv. The pose is perfect and the light is amazing. I would put this on my living room wall.
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Show your Bird Portraits
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Stunningly beautiful portrait Harv. The pose is perfect and the light is amazing. I would put this on my living room wall.
serendipidy said:Harv said:Mute Swan.....
Thanks for looking.
Thanks a lot.
Stunningly beautiful portrait Harv. The pose is perfect and the light is amazing. I would put this on my living room wall.
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Hi Folks.
I have been working my way through this topic admiring some of the fabulous pictures and working up the courage to post some of mine. I Still haven't got to the end yet, too many excellent pictures.
I know mine are not great, but the story is not too bad.
We have had high tides and winds driving them, causing flooding. I thought I would go take some pictures of the flooding but these guys thought I was there to take their pictures (or feed them?). The juvenile thought he should get a close up, every time I moved back a bit he advanced! I don't think I managed to get him far enough back to be outside MFD. Whilst I was photographing the mature swan the juvenile was pulling on the glove on my left hand, not helping to get steady pics. Did I mention it was raining sideways dull and overcast hence the low shutter speeds.
I shoot jpeg and raw but have never managed to get to grips with raw processing but realise that I could improve my images if I knew what to do! I have tried DPP and UFRaw for GIMP, but have no idea what to change or by how much! :-[ :-\
All taken with 7D Sigma 17-70mm exp+1/3 Jpegs straight from camera, see reason above!
Img 3588 F4.0, 1/60 ISO-400 @ 70mm
Img 3595 F5.0, 1/100 ISO-400 @ 17mm
Img 3600 F5.6, 1/200 ISO-400 @ 58mm
Cheers Graham.
I have been working my way through this topic admiring some of the fabulous pictures and working up the courage to post some of mine. I Still haven't got to the end yet, too many excellent pictures.
I know mine are not great, but the story is not too bad.
We have had high tides and winds driving them, causing flooding. I thought I would go take some pictures of the flooding but these guys thought I was there to take their pictures (or feed them?). The juvenile thought he should get a close up, every time I moved back a bit he advanced! I don't think I managed to get him far enough back to be outside MFD. Whilst I was photographing the mature swan the juvenile was pulling on the glove on my left hand, not helping to get steady pics. Did I mention it was raining sideways dull and overcast hence the low shutter speeds.
I shoot jpeg and raw but have never managed to get to grips with raw processing but realise that I could improve my images if I knew what to do! I have tried DPP and UFRaw for GIMP, but have no idea what to change or by how much! :-[ :-\
All taken with 7D Sigma 17-70mm exp+1/3 Jpegs straight from camera, see reason above!
Img 3588 F4.0, 1/60 ISO-400 @ 70mm
Img 3595 F5.0, 1/100 ISO-400 @ 17mm
Img 3600 F5.6, 1/200 ISO-400 @ 58mm
Cheers Graham.
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Hi Folks.
A few more pics, this gull had just been part of a feeding frenzy. I was leaning aginst the sea wall for extra stability, and edging towards him a foot at a time, he was very tollerant and allowed me to close up by several feet.
I have tried to AFMA the lens, but I think from these images that it is still front focusing, focus was on the eye each time. I guess focus on the wall and tweak is not that good!
This set was taken using ISO 3200 to see what sort of results I would get after reading so many posts saying that they wouldn't risk going past ISO 800 or 1600 etc, now I have the experimental images as I mentioned above I have no idea how to PP them! :-[ :
All Taken with 7D and Sigma 150-500 OS. +1/3 stop
Img 3219 F6.4 1/200 ISO-3200 @ 500mm Are you sneaking towards me?
Img 3228 F6.4 1/320 ISO-3200 @ 500mm
Img 3230 F6.4 1/250 ISO-3200 @ 313mm You are getting closer aren't you?
Img 3236 F5.6 1/250 ISO-3200 @ 267mm I moved again and he left, I guess I found his comfort level.
Cheers Graham.
A few more pics, this gull had just been part of a feeding frenzy. I was leaning aginst the sea wall for extra stability, and edging towards him a foot at a time, he was very tollerant and allowed me to close up by several feet.
I have tried to AFMA the lens, but I think from these images that it is still front focusing, focus was on the eye each time. I guess focus on the wall and tweak is not that good!
This set was taken using ISO 3200 to see what sort of results I would get after reading so many posts saying that they wouldn't risk going past ISO 800 or 1600 etc, now I have the experimental images as I mentioned above I have no idea how to PP them! :-[ :
All Taken with 7D and Sigma 150-500 OS. +1/3 stop
Img 3219 F6.4 1/200 ISO-3200 @ 500mm Are you sneaking towards me?
Img 3228 F6.4 1/320 ISO-3200 @ 500mm
Img 3230 F6.4 1/250 ISO-3200 @ 313mm You are getting closer aren't you?
Img 3236 F5.6 1/250 ISO-3200 @ 267mm I moved again and he left, I guess I found his comfort level.
Cheers Graham.
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It gets boring if only the same folk contribute so keep posting and working at improving. You're doing well.
Most people are more advanced here using Photo Shop but I've only worked with Canon DPP.
If I can be of help email me a private message and I can guide you with what I've learned about DPP in my almost one year using it. It allows basic adjustments to raw images and some tweaking of sharpness based on the lens used, etc., and is worthwhile.
Jack
Most people are more advanced here using Photo Shop but I've only worked with Canon DPP.
If I can be of help email me a private message and I can guide you with what I've learned about DPP in my almost one year using it. It allows basic adjustments to raw images and some tweaking of sharpness based on the lens used, etc., and is worthwhile.
Jack
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Valvebounce said:Hi Folks.
A few more pics, this gull had just been part of a feeding frenzy. I was leaning aginst the sea wall for extra stability, and edging towards him a foot at a time, he was very tollerant and allowed me to close up by several feet.
I have tried to AFMA the lens, but I think from these images that it is still front focusing, focus was on the eye each time. I guess focus on the wall and tweak is not that good!
This set was taken using ISO 3200 to see what sort of results I would get after reading so many posts saying that they wouldn't risk going past ISO 800 or 1600 etc, now I have the experimental images as I mentioned above I have no idea how to PP them! :-[ :
All Taken with 7D and Sigma 150-500 OS. +1/3 stop
Img 3219 F6.4 1/200 ISO-3200 @ 500mm Are you sneaking towards me?
Img 3228 F6.4 1/320 ISO-3200 @ 500mm
Img 3230 F6.4 1/250 ISO-3200 @ 313mm You are getting closer aren't you?
Img 3236 F5.6 1/250 ISO-3200 @ 267mm I moved again and he left, I guess I found his comfort level.
Cheers Graham.
if I may offer an opinion. yes, these images are a slightly out of focus, maybe a bit front focused, but part of the problem is that the sigma 150-50 is not too sharp at 500mm and f6.3. check out this link to the digital picture lens image quality database...it gets noticeably better at f8. this is something you should keep in mind with this lens.
most here like to read the description about you got the shot and your settings...thanks for doing that! (i could just visualize you inching along the sea wall towards the bird camera at the ready)
keep posting!
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx?Lens=683&Camera=453&Sample=0&FLI=5&API=0&LensComp=687&CameraComp=453&SampleComp=0&FLIComp=3&APIComp=0
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Hi Folks.
Click, Serendipidy, thanks for that, I really like the pics that you guys have posted over the time, and love the Harry fishing story!
Jack, I really like your pics especially the tall furry bird that forced you off your seat! Thank you for your offer, expect to hear from me at some point! ;D
Northstar, I just recently read a post stating the same, possibly by you, unfortunately I already had the ISO up to 3200 and believed this was as high as I should risk to get any kind of keeper pics! So to have any chance of getting a picture I didn't dare reduce the speed any lower, already well below the 1/focal length even taking in to account a couple of stops of OS. I will be taking the F8 on board but it always looks to me from image history like I will be in the high ISO range, which is the best trade off, ISO noise lens sharp or less ISO noise lens less sharp?
How do you all post? Attach reduced size images to posting, hyperlink from personal website or link from Internet based storage service, which service, read too much about loosing rights on certain sites, got confused and, put bluntly, quit!
All do I need to have a colour calibrated monitor (colour monkey or similar) to even start to edit or is the basic colour calibration provided by monitor software following the instructions manually close enough?
Will try to find some more bird pics later, I don't have many worthy of showing!
Thank you folks for a morale boost, I needed it, I do have feelings but am not easily offended by constructive criticism so feel free to offer it up.
Cheers Graham.
Click, Serendipidy, thanks for that, I really like the pics that you guys have posted over the time, and love the Harry fishing story!
Jack, I really like your pics especially the tall furry bird that forced you off your seat! Thank you for your offer, expect to hear from me at some point! ;D
Northstar, I just recently read a post stating the same, possibly by you, unfortunately I already had the ISO up to 3200 and believed this was as high as I should risk to get any kind of keeper pics! So to have any chance of getting a picture I didn't dare reduce the speed any lower, already well below the 1/focal length even taking in to account a couple of stops of OS. I will be taking the F8 on board but it always looks to me from image history like I will be in the high ISO range, which is the best trade off, ISO noise lens sharp or less ISO noise lens less sharp?
How do you all post? Attach reduced size images to posting, hyperlink from personal website or link from Internet based storage service, which service, read too much about loosing rights on certain sites, got confused and, put bluntly, quit!
All do I need to have a colour calibrated monitor (colour monkey or similar) to even start to edit or is the basic colour calibration provided by monitor software following the instructions manually close enough?
Will try to find some more bird pics later, I don't have many worthy of showing!
Thank you folks for a morale boost, I needed it, I do have feelings but am not easily offended by constructive criticism so feel free to offer it up.
Cheers Graham.
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Graham, you will see shots here from folk that really know what they are doing and get fabulous results and you'll see shots from beginners like me who are dogedly persistent and luck out from time to time. The part I like is that in the last year I'm steadily lucking out more often. 
I got some good advice from a friend - find a place where you know the birds frequent and go there and just remain stationary, and they'll come. No doubt there are exceptions to this rule but it really works. I was still as a mouse catching the odd warbler with 300 X2 when right at my feet out comes this baby muskrat who proceeded to eat for maybe 5 minutes giving me some wonderful shots and a great feeling that lasted a week! One of the few times I wished I had 300 X1.4, same with that moose - and it came to me not vice versa. Often creatures are more curious than we realize.
And so far I haven't even used anything close to a blind. On the other hand there are birds I won't get without a blind so maybe this year that'll be in the works. What a way to enjoy retirement.
Hey everyone remember to add the information as Northstar suggests! It makes it more interesting, including what was transpiring during the shot and hopefully ID of the bird.
Jack
I got some good advice from a friend - find a place where you know the birds frequent and go there and just remain stationary, and they'll come. No doubt there are exceptions to this rule but it really works. I was still as a mouse catching the odd warbler with 300 X2 when right at my feet out comes this baby muskrat who proceeded to eat for maybe 5 minutes giving me some wonderful shots and a great feeling that lasted a week!
One of the few times I wished I had 300 X1.4, same with that moose - and it came to me not vice versa. Often creatures are more curious than we realize.And so far I haven't even used anything close to a blind. On the other hand there are birds I won't get without a blind so maybe this year that'll be in the works. What a way to enjoy retirement.
Hey everyone remember to add the information as Northstar suggests! It makes it more interesting, including what was transpiring during the shot and hopefully ID of the bird.
Jack
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Don Haines said:
Lol. It does look like he was trying to fly away with it. Good thing it was securely fastened. ;D
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Some more Harry shots from 2 days ago. 5D3, 100-400L @ 400mm, handheld, 1/1250, f/6.3, 640 ISO.
Harry the Heron, my fishing partner by EricJ777, on Flickr
Harry the Heron, my fishing partner by EricJ777, on Flickr
Harry the Heron, my fishing partner by EricJ777, on Flickr
Harry the Heron, my fishing partner by EricJ777, on Flickr
Harry the Heron, my fishing partner by EricJ777, on Flickr
Harry the Heron, my fishing partner by EricJ777, on Flickr
Harry the Heron, my fishing partner by EricJ777, on Flickr
Harry the Heron, my fishing partner by EricJ777, on Flickr
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I hope Harry has a long life cause it could be devastating if not! I imagine he's as close as a pet dog. Just one Harry??
Jack
Jack
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Jack Douglas said:
Hi Jack,
Well, there is another smaller (younger, maybe female) Heron that has been hanging around my house for several months. It's the one Harry chases off if she gets too close or crosses the street to his fishing spot. Harry has the territory across the street and this new arrival (I'll name her Harriet) stays on my side in a tree in my yard. She has watched me fish with Harry and now wants to do it too. When I walk out of my house now, Harriet calls to me (something Harry never does...he's the strong silent type). I have used several loaves of bread with Harriet, but she has not caught one fish with me yet. She also was more afraid but is getting more used to me and bolder. It's funny, but they both now will break up the bread with their beaks and re-arrange the pieces in front of them to entice the fish.
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