For long the Common Goldeneye has been one of my favourite birds. During wintertime they can be found all along the Dutch coastline and larger lakes. While they are normally not that easy to get close to, the frost period helped me a bit. Large flocks of birds gather in the ice-free parts of the lakes, which makes photography a lot easier. And finally I was able to photograph one of my favourite birds while taking a bath.
Love the splashing, the COMP. and the tail-up posture. I think that toning down the whites with a linear burn would improve it. All in all: spectacular.
How did you focus? (and thus avioid sharpest focus on the water droplets)?
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Thanks for your comments. In situations like this I always lock down my continuous AF right before the action begins...So first I have the focus running continuously on the eye...and when I think the action begins I lock it, and fire away. That way you avoid the focus to be on the droplets. The drawback of this method is when the birds head moves towards or away from the camera....
Thanks Jasper. Got it; we are on the same page.... i.e., there is no perfect answer.
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Check out the new SONY e-Guide and videos that I did with Patrick Sparkman here. Ten percent discount for BPN members,
A really fun picture. It is great that with all the flying water, the eye itself still came through beautifully, which makes it for me.
I use AF -0n on my Nikons, so it will only focus when you are mashing the AF button. If you are anticipating clearly, just let off the AF button at the critical moment, and the camera will not change focus onto the flying water.
Of course, you are at risk for the bird moving off!
Hi Randy, thanks for your comments. I use the same technique, although the other way around. I use the shutterbutton to AF, and use the AF-on button to lock my focus.
I have tried it both ways, and find the AF-ON only works best for me. I like that I can focus on the bird, release the AF button, recompose the picture quickly and fire without having to move the active sensor in the finder. But, lots of opinions on this one, and what you are doing obviously works well for you!
Goldeneye
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