I was out today with members of the Etobicoke Camera Club. At the Riverwood Conservation Area in Mississauga.
Captured with a Nikon D200, 70 - 300 VR lens
F6.3, 1/80s, aperture priority, ISO 280, -.7EV
focal length 260mm.
Finished with Capture NX2, sharpened, adjusted brightness, saturation, converted from RAW and cropped
The cheeks look a bit blown out to me. I could have wished for him to look toward me and it would have been nice if I could have been at an angle so that the branch didn't cut across the body. But I can't keep holding back images because I think I can see everything that is wrong with them.
Thanks for looking. Clive
Good stuff, I assume pattern metering. Well done over all. Two things to review: You are right images are not always perfect but there are a few standards that will significantly strengthen the picture.
1. Head angle parallel to lens with sharp bright eye.
2. Sharp details, need good light, use flash, open-up aperture, higher ISO move around to get better position. Most BPN members will tell you to try and have the shutter speed at least equal to the focal length (1/260, in this example)
Not sure about whites, check histogram, if anything is clipped probably is the checks. Several options to save whites if you wish - see education forum. This is a nice capture, small bird that never stays in one place very long - well done.
Last edited by Jeff Cashdollar; 10-17-2009 at 08:37 PM.
Hi - Yes, The HAP probably will issue you a citation for this one :)
Jeff has given some very good advice, the capture angle is a little steep and the specular highlights in the BG a little distracting,
You are right in your observations - posting is the best way to go - everyone is here to learn.
Looking forward to seeing more :)
Hi Clive,
I agree with the techs. and fine advise given by Jeff and Mr. Peters, when photographing these little guys, you must be patient and wait for the best possible angle, and always looking at the background, and foreground elements. Composition is the key...looking forward to your next one...:cool:
Clive don't be afraid to post, you will never learn. Somebody might see something that you don't. Think it would have been improved with a head turn and a less steep angle of capture. Keep them coming!
Agree with all the great advices give. One thing about sharpening is that it tends to bring out the artifacts in the OOF background, that's where selective sharpening will help.
Chickadee
