Show your Bird Portraits

[Don Haines]

I suppose there are people who think we are crazy. Heater, now that's a great idea but what if it catches fire?

Don, I'm sure the turkey provided at least a bit of a thrill, it's very nice.

Now I have to see if they have that chair in stock right now. I'm thinking heater, tripod, tracker and night sky, in comfort!

Jack

Warm boots are very important.... when you are walking around everything stays warm from body heat, but when you sit still you don't generate as much internal heat and it's the feet that feel it first... I have a pair of -80F rated sorrels left over from when I worked in the high arctic, they are too warm to use down south except if you are just standing around..

 

[Jack Douglas]

First day of trickery. They love my stump!

I chose 300 X1.4 and 1250th and ISO 800 F5.6 typical

Jack

 

[Skatol]

First day of trickery. They love my stump!

I chose 300 X1.4 and 1250th and ISO 800 F5.6 typical

Jack

Very cool. Think I'll have to try something like this. At least my wife wouldn't have to worry about me being away from home all weekend.

 

[Jack Douglas]

Skatol, a friend and I just sat on the deck for 1/2 an hour talking and got lots of shots. Now I'm thinking I'd like some different backdrops so I guess that's the downside of this approach. And the results tend to look a little "sanitized". If it's sunny tomorrow I'll try the bare 300. However, so far there are only 4 models that are volunteering for the shoot, so this could get a little boring in the long term!

Guess prospective models will need to be paid more!

Jack

 

[jrista]

First day of trickery. They love my stump!

I chose 300 X1.4 and 1250th and ISO 800 F5.6 typical

Jack

Very cool. Think I'll have to try something like this. At least my wife wouldn't have to worry about me being away from home all weekend.

Don't forget, you can create setups out in nature as well. I get a small selection of Colorado's 400+ bird species in my yard. I have to go elsewhere to photograph a greater species diversity. Alan Murphy has a bunch of tricks for setups in nature as well. I keep meaning to try a setup to get some good photographs of the local Pheasants (which are notoriously difficult to photograph as they are always hiding in the grass and brambles.)

 

[jrista]

Skatol, a friend and I just sat on the deck for 1/2 an hour talking and got lots of shots. Now I'm thinking I'd like some different backdrops so I guess that's the downside of this approach. And the results tend to look a little "sanitized". If it's sunny tomorrow I'll try the bare 300. However, so far there are only 4 models that are volunteering for the shoot, so this could get a little boring in the long term!

Guess prospective models will need to be paid more!

Jack

Backdrops aren't a downside, they are the upside. Your setups should be mobile. Move them to wherever you want them, with whatever kind of backgrounds you need!! You can even create backgrounds by setting up things at a distance behind (and even in front of) your setup. When it comes to bird setup photography, the possibilities are almost infinite.

Regarding your shots. Looks like you are exposing for the sky. Don't do that. ;P Expose for the bird. It's ok if the sky is blown, the sky isn't your subject.

 

[Jack Douglas]

Great comments jrista. So you'd say my subjects are a little underexposed I take it. Yes, the posibilities are great with some creativity as you've suggested. Again, thanks for the encouragement!

Jack

 

[Click]

Skatol, a friend and I just sat on the deck for 1/2 an hour talking and got lots of shots. Now I'm thinking I'd like some different backdrops so I guess that's the downside of this approach. And the results tend to look a little "sanitized". If it's sunny tomorrow I'll try the bare 300. However, so far there are only 4 models that are volunteering for the shoot, so this could get a little boring in the long term!

Guess prospective models will need to be paid more!

Jack

Beautiful Jack. Nicely done.

 

[jrista]

Great comments jrista. So you'd say my subjects are a little underexposed I take it. Yes, the posibilities are great with some creativity as you've suggested. Again, thanks for the encouragement!

Jack

Aye, underexposed a bit. You should ETTR, expose to the right. In just about every exposure except those of overall low-key scenes that only contain darker tones, your histogram should always reach about half-way to two-thirds into the rightmost vertical bar. If your image is higher key, then the bulk of your histogram will bunch up towards the right (but, it shouldn't actually ride up the right hand edge unless you are purposely blowing some highlights, like the sky).

If you want to learn exposure from the absolute best, buy Art Morris' book "The Art of Bird Photography". His chapter on exposure explains it better than anything I've ever read, anywhere. His techniques for pre-setting exposure before you actually start taking pictures are exquisite. After reading his book (even after just reading that one chapter), you'll have a whole new idea of how photography works.

(NOTE: You want to buy the original BOOK, not the eBook. The newer eBook has some good content, but it is the old classic book that actually has the good information on exposure. At the moment, to my knowledge, the only place you can buy this book is on Art Morris' web store.)

 

[Jack Douglas]

Jon, thanks my good man, I will be following your advice! That's exactly what I need to learn. In this day and age we are so fortunate to have so many good sources at our finger tips. I get so enthused at all the possibilities that are out there.

I got my star tracker today via UPS, what a well thought out precision unit! There is too much for me to wrap my head around in a short time, but at least I'll never be bored in my retirement.

Jack

 

[Jack Douglas]

Thanks click, I try my best!

Jack

 

[candc]

bald eagles gather here in the winter because there is open water below the dams and the fishing is good and they like to roost in the bluffs

 

[Click]

Very nice picture candc. Well done.

 

[candc]

Very nice picture candc. Well done.

Thanks
I love watching and taking pictures of all the birds but the eagles seem special to me. If anyone is in the area (Wisconsin) it's a good photo op time for eagles

 

[Skatol]

Very nice picture candc. Well done.

Thanks
I love watching and taking pictures of all the birds but the eagles seem special to me. If anyone is in the area (Wisconsin) it's a good photo op time for eagles

Agreed candc, it's wonderful to see the comeback of these powerful birds. Most have moved on from our area (PA/MD) but a few are still around.

 

[Jack Douglas]

Found another shot from today that is pretty cute. Gotta love these little guys - dee dee dee.

Jack

 

[Rienzphotoz]

First day of trickery. They love my stump!

I chose 300 X1.4 and 1250th and ISO 800 F5.6 typical

Jack

Congratulations Jack ... your investment is paying off, that too pretty quickly.
Wish you many more awesome birds posing for you on that stump.
I have no knowledge of these kind of setups, but does anyone know if it helps in getting birds of prey if you put a dead rat or some meat?

 

[Northstar]

bald eagles gather here in the winter because there is open water below the dams and the fishing is good and they like to roost in the bluffs

Beautiful shot!

 

[Sashi]

Owl munching on a frog.....
........I think it's a frog

 

[candc]

Owl munching on a frog.....
........I think it's a frog

great photo, looks like smeagol.