Egret: First Post
New member and this is my first post. The title of this forum fits me well, "eager to learn."
Canon 40D
Sigma 50-500mm @ 500
Tamron 1.4 extender
f 5.6
580EX II @ -1 with Better Beamer
Tripod mounted
iso 1600
1/200
Spot Metering
I removed some of the out of focus limbs, camera left, in PS.
Hi Bob - a big warm welcome to the BPN Family - sure you will enjoy it here, don't hesitate to jump in and comment on other peoples images - best way to learn!!!
I am going to with hold my comments for the moment - lets see what our brothers and sisters have to say :)
Nice composition! There are problems that relate to two major factors. Primarily noise, and lack of image detail. ISO 1600 is problematic, and if there is a compelling reason to use such a high ISO it may be necessary. I can't see it here. Use of a tripod, and a flash, could certainly allow a much lower shutter speed, and you could retrieve some ISO and consequently have less noise. Use of a tele-convertor , especially with a Sigma50-500, is likely to decrease image quality considerably as well, and the F5.6 recorded in the EXIF, can't be right unless your Sigma is a F3.5. Bottom line: loose the teleconvertor, shoot at a lower ISO which will be easier since the teleconvertor reduces light, and I look forward to your next image! regards~Bill
Bob,
Welcome, nice shot,...let's talk exposure. First, a general rule to keep in mind is shutter speed = 1/focal length. This is just a point of reference but you are 1/200 over 1/700 I think,..anyway this can result in soft images and retard detail.
Is the f/5.6 before or after the 1.4 TC? How does histogram look, white bird with white background and you used TTL -1 flash to remove shadows. I like the thinking but wonder if the image has any hot spots? Do you have highlights turned on to spot things of this nature. Nice first post on a challenging exposure. Did you use any EV compensation? Keep in mind hight ISO, TC's and low shutter speeds can produce low quality images - you have a nice head angle, clean eye and nice composition.
ps,..I have a 40D and cannot get a quality shot with ISO this high, nice job?
Last edited by Jeff Cashdollar; 11-10-2009 at 11:46 PM.
Jeff: Bob was using a tripod. The shutter speed recommendations you made are absolutely correct...but for hand holding the camera to account for camera shake. regards~Bill
Bill is correct, with tripods slower speeds can be used, if you have good technique. Shooting at a FL of 700MM with 1/200 requires some practice. I would suggest considering the "general rule" mentioned above,.. around 1/focal length. This picture needs a tad bit more detail and a faster shutter would have helped.
Bob, have you purchased the "Art of Bird Photography II". It has a nice section on techniques to help with sharp images using tripods. For example:
support lenses with the hand
press camera against face
balance equipment
This will be the best money you ever spent and it is not expensive.
Last edited by Jeff Cashdollar; 11-11-2009 at 12:39 AM.
Like the pose, the composition and how you include the environment. Also like your idea of using flash to help with shadow. Nice job with removing OOF limbs too.
The whites on the body are not blown so you can recover some details, however with noise some details will be lost. Hopefully you don't mind me reposting your image, here I tried to bring out some details on the white (using curve) and run noise reduction.
Jeff and William already gave good suggestion. One thing I like to add is that don't be afraid to use high ISO and TC, but use them only when necessary (which I still trying to do too).
Last edited by Thanaboon Jearkjirm; 11-11-2009 at 07:30 AM.
Thanks all... for the welcome and the input. Let me answer a few of the questions:
EV was -1/3
No hot spots, the image was actually a bit underexposed and raised in ACR
5.6 would not include the effect of the T/C
I hadn't played with the T/C for quite a while... I'm beginning to remember why. ;) Back into storage it goes.
For folks familiar with the 40D, how high of an iso are you comfortable with before detail loss and noise becomes an issue? 1250? 1000? 800?
What are you using for noise reduction, what's built into PS or a plugin?
Thanaboon: I don't mind at all. Thanks.
Jeff: I'll definately look into that book.
Everyone: Thanks again.
Bob,
On my 40D I do not exceed ISO 400, but that's me.
TC,s are very helpful just practive and use good technique - do not put it away.
If you used spot metering and an EV of -1/3, what was your metering mode AV and what did you meter off? Now I see why it was underexposed, probably should have added light. Notice, everthing is bright/white and this will force your meter to underexpose the image, the counter is to add light (e.g., +1? as an off set). Exposure theory is covered in APBII as well. I learned the basics there.
I use Topaz NR as a plug-in to CS4.
Last edited by Jeff Cashdollar; 11-11-2009 at 09:46 AM.
Thanks Jeff.
I metered on the bird, hence the negative EV. Light was changing rapidly... setting sun. I don't recall what esposure mode I was in. I shoot AV, TV and Manual dependent upon mode, goals and conditions. I'm usually fairly decent at exposing white subjects... I've been shooting weddings for sevearl years. ;) Birds are much more difficult subjects than brides, BTW.
Thanks again for the input. I love shooting this stuff but find it very, very challenging to get results I'm satisified with.
Great advice from everyone - well done - you guys sure learn fast :)
The only other thing I would add is - Thta lens is probably not at its sharpest at F6.3 from memory you probably want to get down to F8 before it is at its best.
BTW - you are correct BOB - Bit different to shooting brides!!
Nice image! The first thing that came to my mind is: "I would make turn it into a Chinese painting."
Big Welcome, Bob! I love your composition and agree with Desmond that it has an Asian feel to it...I think it's the white space and the pine needles. Lots of good advice here and just want to let you know that I shoot with a 40D and use ISO 800 alot...I don't seem to have too much trouble with noise and usually just handle it with PS although I'm getting more familar with Topaz. Again, Welcome!
Bob, what does histogram look like, if you were underexposed it is b/c of the -1/3 EV. When using spot metering on whites, I have always added light - hence the right bias in you histogram. Practice on white subjects and add + 1/1.5 or so and send me a PM. I think you will like the results better - buy the book - contact me if you need anything.
I bet you were shooting in AV, call it a hunch.
Originally Posted by Jeff Cashdollar
I'll repeat the shoot in the near future. This is a popular roosting area for Great Egrets this time of year. There's consistently about two dozen there this time of year.
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