Black capped chickidee

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11-06-2010, 05:27 PM
Christopher Marek

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Black capped chickidee

Camera Model: Canon EOS 30D
Date/Time: 2010:11:06 12:56:35
Shutter speed: 1/40 sec
Aperture: 8
Exposure mode: Manual
Flash: Off
Metering mode: Spot
Drive mode: Single frame shooting
ISO: 1600
Lens: EF180mm f/3.5L Macro USM +1.4x
Focal length: 252mm

Austin Texas
11-06-2010, 06:16 PM
Ákos Lumnitzer

Nice pose, maybe the image is a bit dark. The pose is nice and a little NR would not go astray. Would love to know how you get to shoot such little bird with a macro + TC. care to share? :)
11-06-2010, 06:24 PM
Christopher Marek

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Ákos Lumnitzer

Nice pose, maybe the image is a bit dark. The pose is nice and a little NR would not go astray. Would love to know how you get to shoot such little bird with a macro + TC. care to share? :)

This is how I get close. It is easy this way.
11-06-2010, 06:33 PM
Ákos Lumnitzer

That's great man! Thanks for the info. :)
11-07-2010, 01:01 AM
Craig Brelsford

Backyard birding at its best. Nice shot of the chickadee, and a very instructive photo of your backyard world.
11-07-2010, 09:04 AM
Jim Crosswell

I like the pose and photo of your set-up situation. Can you get a darker BG?
11-07-2010, 10:42 AM
Christopher Marek

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Crosswell

I like the pose and photo of your set-up situation. Can you get a darker BG?

This is in the back of the apartment I am in. It is in the shaded side. So I am working in shade on blue sky days. That is why I am using such extreme camera settings such as I posted. I have always had a problem trying to photograph these birds while trying to keep the black parts of their heads from being lost against the background (if the background is too dark). Its a real balancing act. I am living out of an apartment right now on a temp contract job in Austin Tx. I live in Dallas Texas so I have minimal control. There are all kinds of background problems (kid toys, potted plants, barbeques, dogs and cats running around etc of my neighbors.) But there is a nearby forested area and all kinds of cool birds that come to my backyard water drip. What a tease this is.
11-07-2010, 02:21 PM
Daniel Cadieux

Beautiful perch, great BG, and a cooperative bird...good mix! I realize your lighting predicament but find your bird and perch dark...some fill flash could be an option for you. I also find the subject a bit tight in the frame, I'd prefer it smaller with more room in front. Still, with what you have to work with this is pretty darn good:cool:
11-07-2010, 02:51 PM
Christopher Marek

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daniel Cadieux

Beautiful perch, great BG, and a cooperative bird...good mix! I realize your lighting predicament but find your bird and perch dark...some fill flash could be an option for you. I also find the subject a bit tight in the frame, I'd prefer it smaller with more room in front. Still, with what you have to work with this is pretty darn good:cool:

After I made the shot, I shot additional frames all around the bird so that I could stitch together the extra frames and create a less tight photo later. When I have time I will repost that result.
11-07-2010, 04:29 PM
Christopher Marek

1 Attachment(s)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Christopher Marek

After I made the shot, I shot additional frames all around the bird so that I could stitch together the extra frames and create a less tight photo later. When I have time I will repost that result.

Here I added some pieces from other photos I took immediately after the prime shot. (the corners are missing)
11-07-2010, 04:32 PM
Christopher Marek

1 Attachment(s)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Christopher Marek

Here I added some pieces from other photos I took immediately after the prime shot. (the corners are missing)

Then I tried filling in the missing corners. Then I tried to sharpen and lighten the image. But I am at the limit of my photoshop powers here. Wish I could have just made the shot in good light to begin with.