Results 1 to 23 of 23

Thread: Av Mode???

  1. #1
    Publisher Arthur Morris's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    Indian Lake Estates, FL
    Posts
    32,506
    Threads
    1,433
    Thank You Posts

    Default Av Mode???

    Attached Images Attached Images
     
    These lion cubs were photographed on the Tanzania Summer Safari with the Todd-Pod mounted Canon 600mm f/4L IS II, the 1.4X III TC, and the EOS-1D X. ISO 800. Evaluative Metering +1/3 stop: 1/400 sec. at f/10 in Av mode. ISO 800 Evaluative metering +1/3 stop: 1/400 sec. at f/5.6.in Av mode in soft morning light.

    One sensor below the central sensor/AI Servo Surround/Rear Focus AF on the face of the closest cub active at the moment of exposure. Click here if you missed the latest version of the rear focus tutorial.

    In situations where I happen to be in Av mode and I am absolutely sure of the correct EC (exposure compensation), it is faster and easier to continue working in Av mode than it is to switch to Manual mode. That was the case here as I knew that +1/3 stop would be perfect. It was. As always, getting the right exposure has nothing to do with what shooting mode you are in.

    Central sensor (by necessity)/AI Servo Surround Rear Focus AF on the face of the closer cub.

    Av mode? I thought that real photographers and all professional photographers work in Manual mode all the time. Not.... I work in Manual mode most of the time, but.... To find out when and why I occasionally work in Av, Tv, or even--gasp--Program mode, check out my Sunday afternoon blog post "At Long Last, As Promised: the Greatest, Most Educational Blog Post Ever? Manual… Av… Tv… Program… Which is The Best Shooting Mode?" by clicking here.

    As for the image, don't be shy; all comments welcome.
    Last edited by Arthur Morris; 12-23-2013 at 08:17 AM.
    BIRDS AS ART Blog: great info and lessons, lots of images with our legendary BAA educational Captions; we will not sell you junk. 30+ years of long lens experience/e-mail with gear questions.

    BIRDS AS ART Online Store: we will not sell you junk. 35 years of long lens experience. Please e-mail with gear questions.

    Check out the new SONY e-Guide and videos that I did with Patrick Sparkman here. Ten percent discount for BPN members,

    E-mail me at samandmayasgrandpa@att.net.










  2. #2
    Lifetime Member Rachel Hollander's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2010
    Location
    NYC
    Posts
    14,320
    Threads
    929
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Hi Artie - nice cuteness factor and the expressions/eye contact is priceless. Great light too. I love that you can see all their spots. It seems a little red to me but it may have been due to time of day. Looks like they are on a slope either approaching a waterhole or going into a dry riverbed, the rear bank looks straight. I might be inclined to clone or lessen the effect of the one taller, bright piece of grass in the lower left corner. Overall, a beautiful image.

    TFS,
    Rachel

  3. #3
    Publisher Arthur Morris's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    Indian Lake Estates, FL
    Posts
    32,506
    Threads
    1,433
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Thanks Rache. I left that one tall one as it sort of balances the composition. Or not :).
    BIRDS AS ART Blog: great info and lessons, lots of images with our legendary BAA educational Captions; we will not sell you junk. 30+ years of long lens experience/e-mail with gear questions.

    BIRDS AS ART Online Store: we will not sell you junk. 35 years of long lens experience. Please e-mail with gear questions.

    Check out the new SONY e-Guide and videos that I did with Patrick Sparkman here. Ten percent discount for BPN members,

    E-mail me at samandmayasgrandpa@att.net.










  4. #4
    Lifetime Member Rachel Hollander's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2010
    Location
    NYC
    Posts
    14,320
    Threads
    929
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Artie, personally it drew my eye away from the cubs.

  5. #5
    Publisher Arthur Morris's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    Indian Lake Estates, FL
    Posts
    32,506
    Threads
    1,433
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Horses for courses :)
    BIRDS AS ART Blog: great info and lessons, lots of images with our legendary BAA educational Captions; we will not sell you junk. 30+ years of long lens experience/e-mail with gear questions.

    BIRDS AS ART Online Store: we will not sell you junk. 35 years of long lens experience. Please e-mail with gear questions.

    Check out the new SONY e-Guide and videos that I did with Patrick Sparkman here. Ten percent discount for BPN members,

    E-mail me at samandmayasgrandpa@att.net.










  6. #6
    BPN Viewer Tom Graham's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2010
    Location
    Southern California, Orange County
    Posts
    1,116
    Threads
    33
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    I didn't notice the oof grass on left on first viewing.
    I like showing the overall environment, helps to make the cubs seem small as they are.
    But might be tempted to crop like this-
    Let's hear some replies regarding comparing the composition with/without cropping (this crop or other crops)..

    Name:  am cubs 1.jpg
Views: 209
Size:  141.9 KB

    (It was rather tricky to crop without centering the cubs too much).

    Tom

  7. #7
    BPN Member Andreas Liedmann's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Location
    Dortmund / Germany
    Posts
    10,906
    Threads
    1,196
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Attached Images Attached Images
     
    Hi Artie,great expression of these two cubs with that cute look over the shoulder, as Rachel said priceless .
    I am fine with the overall comp but would loose the one piece of earth on RHS, Image is well balanced would not go for a crop. Or a really large crop , but then you would loose all the IQ, i feel , if you go really tight.
    I just think it is overall a bit thin in tones, so i tried to push it , not everybody's cup, but i like it with more deeper tones.
    WDYT?

    TFS Andreas

  8. #8
    BPN Viewer
    Join Date
    Aug 2013
    Location
    UK / RSA
    Posts
    407
    Threads
    38
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Gorgeous image of the 2 cubs Artie. Great to see their markings so clearly. Many people don't realise that lion cubs have spots (florets)
    I prefer the original crop, despite there being a lot of empty space to the left. However I do find the OOF grass on the left foreground a bit distracting.

    BTW, I really enjoyed reading your post on exposure - very useful thank you.

  9. Thanks Arthur Morris thanked for this post
  10. #9
    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Location
    Somewhere in the world
    Posts
    20,551
    Threads
    1,285
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Hi Artie, my first question is, why do you have to sets of Exif data, or as Xmas gets closer, are the festive beverages beginning to sink in and I have totally lost the plot until the new Year?

    Regarding the image, well I'm feel the OP is bang on the money, cropping just reduces IQ and you are just throwing away valuable info, plus it's good to give subjects room to breathe and incorporate some of the environment, something I am very guilty in not always doing. I love the cub looking over the other cubs back with that cheeky grin, they are just so adorable at this age. I also prefer the slightly lighter, softer tones which also reflect the light conditions, Andreas I know where you are coming from, but for me it looks a tad too contrasty.

    Well worth embedding the link on Manual exposure, a good read. Personally I like AV for Wildlife and rarely do BIF, but the insight to why you should choose M mode is a case very well put, especially when time is of the essence. I think 2014 will be re assessing my camera approach and how I work especially for Avian, thank you for enlightening me Artie.

    Have a great Xmas Artie.

    TFS
    Steve
    Post Production: It’s ALL about what you do with the tools and not, which brand of tool you use.

  11. #10
    Forum Participant edwardselfe's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2013
    Location
    South Luangwa, Zambia
    Posts
    701
    Threads
    26
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Hi Artie,

    I also questioned the two sets of exif as I was surprised at the relatively large depth of field when using a 600mm + 1.4x at f5.6.... So I guess the 1/400s at f10 is correct?

    I also think it looks a bit thin and that you could get more out of it as per Andreas's suggestion. It's such a lovely image with the cubs looking great, but I wonder if there is just too much empty space. I think you are right in needing something to balance the cubs on the other side, but it possibly needs to be more substantial than the piece of grass. For the image you have, I think you did a great job, but without cropping a lot I think the composition is going to be difficult.

    Happy Christmas.

    Ed

  12. #11
    Publisher Arthur Morris's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    Indian Lake Estates, FL
    Posts
    32,506
    Threads
    1,433
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Tom Graham View Post
    I didn't notice the oof grass on left on first viewing.
    I like showing the overall environment, helps to make the cubs seem small as they are.
    But might be tempted to crop like this-
    Let's hear some replies regarding comparing the composition with/without cropping (this crop or other crops)..

    (It was rather tricky to crop without centering the cubs too much).

    Tom
    Though I am not a fan of boxy crops this one works for me. The original post was a small crop. Oftentimes you can create many pleasing versions of the same image. And oftentimes there will be a very wide range of opinions. See here for example: http://www.birdsasart-blog.com/2013/...r-helpopinion/. I will be following up on that one soon.
    BIRDS AS ART Blog: great info and lessons, lots of images with our legendary BAA educational Captions; we will not sell you junk. 30+ years of long lens experience/e-mail with gear questions.

    BIRDS AS ART Online Store: we will not sell you junk. 35 years of long lens experience. Please e-mail with gear questions.

    Check out the new SONY e-Guide and videos that I did with Patrick Sparkman here. Ten percent discount for BPN members,

    E-mail me at samandmayasgrandpa@att.net.










  13. #12
    Publisher Arthur Morris's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    Indian Lake Estates, FL
    Posts
    32,506
    Threads
    1,433
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Andreas Liedmann View Post
    Hi Artie,great expression of these two cubs with that cute look over the shoulder, as Rachel said priceless .
    I am fine with the overall comp but would loose the one piece of earth on RHS, Image is well balanced would not go for a crop. Or a really large crop , but then you would loose all the IQ, i feel , if you go really tight.
    I just think it is overall a bit thin in tones, so i tried to push it , not everybody's cup, but i like it with more deeper tones.
    WDYT?

    TFS Andreas
    Thanks Andreas. I like it. The image seems to hold up pretty well even to a large crop.
    BIRDS AS ART Blog: great info and lessons, lots of images with our legendary BAA educational Captions; we will not sell you junk. 30+ years of long lens experience/e-mail with gear questions.

    BIRDS AS ART Online Store: we will not sell you junk. 35 years of long lens experience. Please e-mail with gear questions.

    Check out the new SONY e-Guide and videos that I did with Patrick Sparkman here. Ten percent discount for BPN members,

    E-mail me at samandmayasgrandpa@att.net.










  14. #13
    BPN Viewer
    Join Date
    Aug 2013
    Location
    Wemmel, Belgium
    Posts
    21
    Threads
    1
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Hi Artie,

    I preffer to original post over the suggestion from Andreas. You also mentioned "don't be shy" on comments to the image, did you ever thought about flipping the image vertically ? and go in a little bit thighter from the LHS ?

    TFS
    Gert

  15. #14
    Publisher Arthur Morris's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    Indian Lake Estates, FL
    Posts
    32,506
    Threads
    1,433
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Steve Kaluski View Post
    Hi Artie, my first question is, why do you have to sets of Exif data, or as Xmas gets closer, are the festive beverages beginning to sink in and I have totally lost the plot until the new Year?

    Regarding the image, well I'm feel the OP is bang on the money, cropping just reduces IQ and you are just throwing away valuable info, plus it's good to give subjects room to breathe and incorporate some of the environment, something I am very guilty in not always doing. I love the cub looking over the other cubs back with that cheeky grin, they are just so adorable at this age. I also prefer the slightly lighter, softer tones which also reflect the light conditions, Andreas I know where you are coming from, but for me it looks a tad too contrasty.

    Well worth embedding the link on Manual exposure, a good read. Personally I like AV for Wildlife and rarely do BIF, but the insight to why you should choose M mode is a case very well put, especially when time is of the essence. I think 2014 will be re assessing my camera approach and how I work especially for Avian, thank you for enlightening me Artie.

    Have a great Xmas Artie.

    TFS
    Steve
    YAW and thanks for your kind words. The +1 1/3 was simply a typo; I don't drink :).

    Ditto on the holiday good wishes.
    BIRDS AS ART Blog: great info and lessons, lots of images with our legendary BAA educational Captions; we will not sell you junk. 30+ years of long lens experience/e-mail with gear questions.

    BIRDS AS ART Online Store: we will not sell you junk. 35 years of long lens experience. Please e-mail with gear questions.

    Check out the new SONY e-Guide and videos that I did with Patrick Sparkman here. Ten percent discount for BPN members,

    E-mail me at samandmayasgrandpa@att.net.










  16. #15
    Publisher Arthur Morris's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    Indian Lake Estates, FL
    Posts
    32,506
    Threads
    1,433
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Attached Images Attached Images
     
    Quote Originally Posted by GertOoms View Post
    Hi Artie,

    I preffer to original post over the suggestion from Andreas. You also mentioned "don't be shy" on comments to the image, did you ever thought about flipping the image vertically ? and go in a little bit thighter from the LHS ?

    TFS
    Gert
    Hi Gert, I did just what you said. Is this what you had in mind?
    BIRDS AS ART Blog: great info and lessons, lots of images with our legendary BAA educational Captions; we will not sell you junk. 30+ years of long lens experience/e-mail with gear questions.

    BIRDS AS ART Online Store: we will not sell you junk. 35 years of long lens experience. Please e-mail with gear questions.

    Check out the new SONY e-Guide and videos that I did with Patrick Sparkman here. Ten percent discount for BPN members,

    E-mail me at samandmayasgrandpa@att.net.










  17. #16
    Publisher Arthur Morris's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    Indian Lake Estates, FL
    Posts
    32,506
    Threads
    1,433
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    ps: I think now that you meant "flip horizontally." That being correct, left to right or right to left never bugs me.
    BIRDS AS ART Blog: great info and lessons, lots of images with our legendary BAA educational Captions; we will not sell you junk. 30+ years of long lens experience/e-mail with gear questions.

    BIRDS AS ART Online Store: we will not sell you junk. 35 years of long lens experience. Please e-mail with gear questions.

    Check out the new SONY e-Guide and videos that I did with Patrick Sparkman here. Ten percent discount for BPN members,

    E-mail me at samandmayasgrandpa@att.net.










  18. #17
    BPN Viewer
    Join Date
    Aug 2013
    Location
    Wemmel, Belgium
    Posts
    21
    Threads
    1
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Arthur Morris View Post
    ps: I think now that you meant "flip horizontally." That being correct, left to right or right to left never bugs me.
    You're right! I meant flip horizontally. (I was just mislead by the popup tags on the buttons from the plugin in my chrome browser. If I put my pointer on <-> button it pops up 'flip vertically'.) Sorry.

  19. #18
    Publisher Arthur Morris's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    Indian Lake Estates, FL
    Posts
    32,506
    Threads
    1,433
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Hi Gert, Thanks for understanding that I was trying to be funny :).
    BIRDS AS ART Blog: great info and lessons, lots of images with our legendary BAA educational Captions; we will not sell you junk. 30+ years of long lens experience/e-mail with gear questions.

    BIRDS AS ART Online Store: we will not sell you junk. 35 years of long lens experience. Please e-mail with gear questions.

    Check out the new SONY e-Guide and videos that I did with Patrick Sparkman here. Ten percent discount for BPN members,

    E-mail me at samandmayasgrandpa@att.net.










  20. #19
    Lifetime Member Markus Jais's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    Bavaria (Germany)
    Posts
    1,677
    Threads
    82
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    This is a fantastic shot. I like the eye contact and the one cat looking over the other's back. Very cute.

    Markus

  21. #20
    BPN Member Anette Mossbacher's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2012
    Location
    Switzerland
    Posts
    1,818
    Threads
    95
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Hi Artie,

    love the two cute chaps. The OG post does it for me. I do not mind the LHS grass. The light is great and two Exif is outstanding for me, compliment :)

    Left or right, for me it looks tad on in OG. I did not read yet your posts about AV... etc. but will after finished writing. Wildlife I shot 60-70% in AV, I'm just faster with it. It also depends what I see through the camera :)
    Will see where your post will bring me. :)
    Wish you a Happy New Year

    ciao Anette
    Last edited by Anette Mossbacher; 12-28-2013 at 08:58 AM.

  22. Thanks Arthur Morris thanked for this post
  23. #21
    Story Sequences Moderator and Wildlife Moderator Gabriela Plesea's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2013
    Location
    South Africa
    Posts
    7,738
    Threads
    455
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Hello Sir Arthur,

    I really enjoyed viewing your post and had a great time reading all comments-love your sense of humour! I do prefer the OP, the upside down version made me wonder whether I had too much whisky…Love to see the landscape and environment and the cubs are just gorgeous, great capture and I like the processing!

    Kind regards,
    Gabriela Plesea

  24. #22
    Publisher Arthur Morris's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    Indian Lake Estates, FL
    Posts
    32,506
    Threads
    1,433
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Gabriela Plesea View Post
    Hello Sir Arthur,

    I really enjoyed viewing your post and had a great time reading all comments-love your sense of humour! I do prefer the OP, the upside down version made me wonder whether I had too much whisky…Love to see the landscape and environment and the cubs are just gorgeous, great capture and I like the processing!

    Kind regards,
    Thank you Lady Gabriela :)
    BIRDS AS ART Blog: great info and lessons, lots of images with our legendary BAA educational Captions; we will not sell you junk. 30+ years of long lens experience/e-mail with gear questions.

    BIRDS AS ART Online Store: we will not sell you junk. 35 years of long lens experience. Please e-mail with gear questions.

    Check out the new SONY e-Guide and videos that I did with Patrick Sparkman here. Ten percent discount for BPN members,

    E-mail me at samandmayasgrandpa@att.net.










  25. #23
    BPN Member Morkel Erasmus's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2009
    Location
    South Africa
    Posts
    14,858
    Threads
    1,235
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Artie - lovely image in great light. I agree on sticking to your original framing for the reasons Steve mentioned.
    Had to smile when you posted the upside down version LOL

    Happy Holidays to you!
    Morkel Erasmus

    WEBSITE


  26. Thanks Arthur Morris thanked for this post

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
Web Analytics