There is a question attached with this picture. In fact there is 2.
1) what do you think of this kind of composition? Is there too much branches? Is the dark background too dramatic?
2) what would you consider the minimal shutter speed in order to have the head sharp while the sparrows sing? At 1/320s I feel that I see motion blur on the head.
1/320 s
f/8
ISO 400
420mm
fill flash at - 1 2/3 with BB
-2/3 EV
1. Al always says, composition is about feel, IMO the branches overwhelm the little guy, I like the BG.
2. The general rule is 1/FL = in this case 1/420 (320 to slow) - this is a general rule only.
Now lets talk flash, Al/Artie might have to help me out here. TTL will help, but High-Sync (HS) will not freeze images (if it was enabled) The theme of HS is, it emits many impulses of light while the shutter is open to help with high shutter speeds. Being on the entire time the shutter is open prevents it from freezing action. Hence, if you want to freeze action use manual and use the proper GN number or use TTL w/o high sync. I will ask Artie/ Al to review my statements on flash. Hope this was helpful.
Last edited by Jeff Cashdollar; 06-27-2009 at 10:56 PM.
Hi Jeff .... you need to write a book on flash :) ... as a matter of fact might change you form Beep to Flash B ... B For Beep :)
When you engage HS sync it allows you to shoot at higher shutter speeds with the penalty of loosing some light .. at twice the camera sync speed you loose half the light.
Now if you use flash not as fill but as main then it would freeze the action on its own independent of the shutter speed since ambient light does not come into play.
Rene its a well though out image and I like the perch Wish the bird was not covered as much but do like it. Excellent singing pose, good head angle and well exposed. btw what was the bg Not sure how it got dark?
Shutter speed wise it all depends on the movement .. if the bird is sitting still can be sharp at 1/320 I did no see the camera you were using but don't hesitate to raise the ISO A little noise you can deal with later in PS but nothing much you can do with motion blur !!!
Nice image and very informative responses.
I'd just add that the black BG is fine with me.
It is not flat black, there's a hint of green that makes it OK IMHO.
signing Song Sparrow
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