Photo was taken with Canon 50D, Canon 400 f/5.6 @f/8 and ISO 800. Exp Comp +1/3. Camera on tripod, prefocused on area in front of nest box.
I set aperture to f/8 because I wanted DoF (my depth perception seems to leave a lot to be desired).
I like the position of the wings, but I don't like so much the extent that they're blurred. I have other images shot at 1/1000 and that is still not fast enough. I had a flash with a Beamer on it, but it didn't recycle fast enough to flash for this image. But even when the flash worked, it did not make substantial difference in improving wings. I had the flash set at high speed sync and -1 1/3 comp.
I always appreciate the sound suggestions I receive from the members. thanks so much.
Kent,
I like the pose you've captured here, with the outstretched wing position. The body and head seems a little soft to me though. Having the light behind you would've also been preferred, as the shadow from the wings on the head is quite dark. Perhaps they could be lightened up a little in PS.
Lot's to like here, BIF photography is challenging for me, but I love it. Like a video game for adults. I am alright with the f8 and ISO 800 but the trade-off is shutter speed.
When I do BIF, I set a different standard for the image. Moreover, it can be more challenging to capture a clean eye or sharp detail opposed to bird on a stick image (IMO anyway). I try to illustrate the beauty of flight or the activity as you did here.
That being said, I love the background and belly view. I wish the harsh shadow on the head (under eye)could be eliminated. Maybe mask and lighted in CS4. Nice work you caught the bird at a good position, almost too late, nice work.
Hi Jeff - You are using high speed sync flash - the advantage you can use any shutter speed with a corresponding drop in flash output .
The disadvantage is what you dont like above - the blurred wings, normally flash will freeze motion - because of the single flash of light - high speed sync works differently - put simply it emits multiple flashes of light continuously whilst the shutter is open - you loose the ability to freeze motion.
Great advice above - looking forward to seeing more :)
Hi Kent,
I like the capture...the techs. have been covered along with some very good sound advise...I would open up the area around the eye and selective sharpen it...looking forward to your next one...:cool:
Thanks for the feedback. Very useful and much appreciated.
It's evident that my grasp of the use of flash is weak.
I want to avoid the "flash look" and have the background be reasonably well exposed. I'd also like --at least some of the time -- to freeze action on the wings. So could I accomplish this using fill flash but not High sync speed? Or does my goal require the use of multiple flash units (tho I don't know how I could illuminate the BG since its far, far away). Or do I just need a completely different set up? All of the above Yikes!
No doubt past due to re-read ABPII.
Thanks again. BTW, I started to play with this image as pseudo HDR. Very noisy, but it did get the head lighter. But that's a whole different set of lessons.
For the flash check the distance to subject and look at the flash for coverage Once you go past 500 there is not much range !!! In this case you probably needed to set at one to one !!
For capturing the birds sharp I would take my chances with the lens in hand If the bird is half way predictable just set up and shoot. Blur wise it will be tough to stop the action Would probably use lens wide open and max the shutter speed. If you end up with some noise remember Topaz is doing well with the 50D ... Noisewear looks mighty fine also Just looking into it now !!! When you bump the ISO remember you need to nail the exposure !!
I found a cool article on flash that talks about stopping motion. Just like Lance said, Hi-Synch is not as effective in freezing motion b/c the pulses of light last the entire time the shutter is open. As opposed to regular flash that hits faster and shorter.
And thanks to everyone who responded, especially with the detailed suggestions. Yuns guys will make a photographer outa me yet -- maybe not a good photographer, but a photographer anyway. :-)
Eastern Bluebird
Yikes!
