Squabbling terns
I have spent the last few days out taking sea birds in flight, trying to get some technique happening. It is very hard (or I found it very hard!).
Anyway, these terns were flying about and arguing so I have them but the day was very dull and I don't have as much detail as I would like.
Taken on a Canon 30D, f13, 1/500 (+1), ISO400. Tv metering. Handheld. 85mm on an EF 24-85mm lens.
Hi Hilary - Looks a little under exposed on my screen - use your histogram to check out your exposure - I like to push it as far right as possible without getting any over exposure warnings.
Some of your blacks are blocked here (No detail) I set a white point in Photoshop and adjusted the mid tones just a little.
Does this look any better to your eyes??
Some fill flash maybe have helped here - would like to be able to see the eye on the top bird. Like the action and inter-action
PS - A couple of dust bunnies evident that need cleaning up :)
Dust bunnies? You must be looking at my house! I did have quite a bit of sensor dust after changing lenses a few times down on the foreshore and must have missed a few.
I like your repost better, thanks. Never thought about flash for BIF. It was a big step for me to actually get a BIF with wings and head all together, let alone 2 together!!! :D
I have some others which I am doing some PP on. None are really fantastic but it is all about learning.
Thanks Lance, much appreciated.
:) - We never stop learning :)Originally Posted by Hilary Hann
My advice is to Practise,Practise, Practise - Understand some exposure theory, Know how to interpret your histogram and turn on your highlight warning. Then just go out and practise on anything, choose a white subject against a dark background and see what the camera does - and how you can tell the camera to get the result you want.
Arties book contains a wealth of info (Great study material) you can get it from www.birdsasart.com.
:)
Repost definitely is better. Great interaction between the birds. Like the wing position of the top bird. Good catch !
Nice behavior shot. I like the open tails and beak. Good catch at 85mm - was it a large crop?. I find these guys hard to get in flight unless they are hovering. I'm sure we could both benefit from Lance's advice and Practicex3.
Hi Hilary Under those conditions try exposing + 2 2/3 ... will blow most of the sky but the birds will be exposed properly. They do take a different look but is best going with the flow.
Fill flash is also a possibility but usually not enough output !!
I had to crop from left and right quite a bit, but only a small amount top and bottom. The trouble was that I was out on a pontoon looking at fish so hadn't brought along anything other than the camera and smaller zoom not expecting birds. It was an opportunistic shoot with the terns but the scout motto "be prepared" was never more needed!
I should have increased my compensation more than the +1 I had, but I'm not working fast enough going from one angle to another. I possibly could have used fill flash as they were pretty close but of course, I didn't think of that.Under those conditions try exposing + 2 2/3 ... will blow most of the sky but the birds will be exposed properly.
Thanks all for the helpful advice.
Hi Hilary,
I like capture, agree with the image being a little under exposed...Mr. Peters' repost puts it over the top...you have fine details and its framed just right...good show...looking forward to your next one...:cool:
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