Slowly getting my way through 2200+ photos from my travels around the Canadian Maritimes. When we arrived in PEI I came across a fox on the way to our accomodation and thought wow their must be more of these guys around here. We only had two ful days so on the last evening I headed into the local town (North Rustico) where I had seen them the previous night hanging around the local dunes. Turns out there are a few packs living in dens under abandond buildings and at about 7.30pm they came out and played around an old swimming pool. It looked like typical bonding before they ventured out on the prowl for garbage so I hung around and eventually they decided it was time to go out an explore. I managed to get myself flat out on the grass and this little fella was very curious of me. I have another photo of him stalking me and we are both looking at each other low to the ground. After a while he just settled in front of me and this is the first in a series of yawning shots but it's a clear favourite.
I would like some tips and advice on taking and editing low light photos.
Thanks
Jamie
Techs...
Shooting Date/Time 19/06/2010 8:15 PM
Camera Model Canon EOS 7D
Lens EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM
Shooting Mode Aperture-Priority AE
Tv( Shutter Speed ) 1/1250
Av( Aperture Value ) 4.0
ISO Speed 800
Focal Length 200.0mm
AF Mode AI Servo AF
AF area select mode AF Point expansion
I did some basic editing using CS5 trial version and this is also a crop.
Last edited by Jamie Douglas; 07-01-2010 at 01:56 PM.
Very cute shot & it's nice that he interacted with you like this. :) Just can't go wrong with fox kits!
C&C: I think he needs moved off center. In this case, a higher shooting angle might have helped to get the building out of the BG (if you wanted a more natural looking setting). If you wanted a higher f-stop, you can go higher on ISO - 7D still looks great at 1250 (I haven't done much above that yet, but Lance says go higher! :)). The kit looks a bit dark and might benefit from some selective + exposure
Hi - like this a lot - would crop some from the LHS and the bottom - Id add a little fine sharpening to the fox and lighten the left eye a little.
Low light is not really difficult - use a ISO high enough to provide the minimum SS that you KNOW you can get a sharp image at - and allow a little extra.
As you increase the ISO becomes increasingly important to get your exposure as close as possible - push your histogram to the right as far as possible whilst having no blinkies.
Any under exposure at high ISO'S introduces more noise - especially if you have to adjust the exposure after the fact in PP.
Noise can of course be handled in PP - ALWAYS selectively on usually only on the BG (And on a separate layer)
That said I use the lowest ISO I can to get the SS I want!!
Meesh - Thanks for your comments. This kit was the boldest of a pack of 4 and the rest kept their distance. I wanted to keep an urban feel to the photo as these foxes live in a urban environment, and had to keep very low in order for this little kit to approach me. I tried getting a little higher but he wasnt comfortable unless I was flat on the ground. Also, at this angle I had to keep in mind the placement of the kits ears without having the grass or step directly behind the kit.
Lance - Thanks again, I took on board your suggestions to crop and fix the left eye so it looks much better now. I have to say the 7D is impressive, upgraded from my xti last christmas and being able to push the ISO higher is comming in really handy. I was probably a little conservative with my settigns for this shot but its new ground for me and I didnt want to be disappointed when I got back from my vacation and reviewed my images.
Forgot to mention one other factor and that is to keep an eye out for fox droppings when your rolling about on the ground in their habitat. I had a near miss :)
Last edited by Jamie Douglas; 07-01-2010 at 02:00 PM.
Hi Jamie , I like the low angle along with the head on pose. Good advice given by Lance on exposure. Agree about cropping a bit off the bottom.
Regarding the urban environment the backround certainly doesn't help the image. It might relate a place to you but the viewer will simply look at it as a house. Most people relate to foxes as being in a natural environment...
Appreciate your comments Dave. It was pretty difficult circumstances given that I was lying flat on a slope looking up at them and if I had stood up for a better angle he would have fled. It was a case of making do with the situation I was in. The light was also fading fast and I was 30 minutes overdue to get back and start the bbq :)
Hard to define a fox's natural habitat though when they live on city streets and under houses, living off human garbage but I agree that a better BG would have been a bonus.
Prince Edaward Island Fox cub
