Bluejay

[Fred Bourque]

Hello all, sorry I havent posted in a while, work has kept me quite busy. Finally shipped hardware to KSC for the next flight. So I was able to spend some time in the backyard. Here is a Bluejay at one of my feeders. If I may ask, how can I improve my bird photography. I am looking for that clean look, am I getting close? Any suggestions?
50D, 150-500MM Sigma on a tripod. Not sure of the rest, I am thinking F8 and a ISO of 800 or so.

[Axel Hildebrandt]

I like the soft light, pose and eye contact. The bird needs a bit more sharpening and I would prefer a natural perch. Keep them coming!

[Fred Bourque]

Thanks Axel for the comments. A bit more sharpening would have been better. I was cautious to not over do it. I used USM filter. What would you suggest as the amount to use.

I like the soft light, pose and eye contact. The bird needs a bit more sharpening and I would prefer a natural perch. Keep them coming!

[Axel Hildebrandt]

Thanks Axel for the comments. A bit more sharpening would have been better. I was cautious to not over do it. I used USM filter. What would you suggest as the amount to use.

In PS I use 'smart sharpen' and normally a value 120-140, 0.3 radius and 'lens blur'.

[Fred Bourque]

Great, thanks, Lens blur?....... Wouldnt that kinda undo the sharpening? I havent combined the two before.....Hmmm something to try.:D

In PS I use 'smart sharpen' and normally a value 120-140, 0.3 radius and 'lens blur'.

[Axel Hildebrandt]

Great, thanks, Lens blur?....... Wouldnt that kinda undo the sharpening? I havent combined the two before.....Hmmm something to try.:D

No, it corrects lens blur in the sharpening tool.

[Fred Bourque]

Well I be....Ill give it a go.
Thanks

No, it corrects lens blur in the sharpening tool.

[Axel Hildebrandt]

If not absolutely necessary, don't use noise reduction on the plumage.

[Fred Bourque]

Got ya, I did apply some NR and was dissappointed how it softened the feathers on the back. Still in the process of learning CS3. I do recall in Scott Kelbys 7 points system there is a tutorial for noise reduction on the background. Ill have to find it again and refresh my memory on how its done.
Thanks a bunch for the insite
Fred

If not absolutely necessary, don't use noise reduction on the plumage.

[Daniel Cadieux]

Not sure of the rest, I am thinking F8 and a ISO of 800 or so.

The rest reads 1/250s., f/8, ISO 1600. Your exif data is intact and readable with an exif viewer:)

Good points and advice by Axel. The first thing I noticed, apart from the un-natural perch, was the smoothed out plumage from NR - but it looks like you've already found that out.

You could find yourself some beautiful natural perches and place them close to your feeders. In no time they will start percching on them momentarily before hopping onto the feeder...and sometimes stay longer to wait their turn if the feeder is too crowded. Blue Jays love peanuts...you can wedge some into some perche crevices and watch them pry them out thus affording you some great photo ops.

[Fred Bourque]

Daniel, thanks for the advice. I have moved the feeder to an area that is conducive to a natural look so hopefully I can achive some more natural shots.
How can I get the viewer, that would be a good thing to have.

The rest reads 1/250s., f/8, ISO 1600. Your exif data is intact and readable with an exif viewer:)

Good points and advice by Axel. The first thing I noticed, apart from the un-natural perch, was the smoothed out plumage from NR - but it looks like you've already found that out.

You could find yourself some beautiful natural perches and place them close to your feeders. In no time they will start percching on them momentarily before hopping onto the feeder...and sometimes stay longer to wait their turn if the feeder is too crowded. Blue Jays love peanuts...you can wedge some into some perche crevices and watch them pry them out thus affording you some great photo ops.

[Daniel Cadieux]

My pleasure Fred. Opanda is a good free exif viewer - that is the one I use.