Chickadee

[Al Lemieux]

500mm
750mm (in 35mm film)
1/500 sec, f/13
Mode: Manual
Metering: Multi-segment
Exp comp: -1/3
ISO: 200
White balance: Auto
Flash: Auto
Saturation: Normal
Sharpness: High
Contrast: Normal
Nikon D70

I am metering the sky and setting the camera based on properly exposed sky. I use flash to expose the bird. Don't know if this is right or wrong, it is just how I'm doing it.
If this is not the right way I need suggestions.

[Alfred Forns]

You are doing fine !!! That is one way of setting the exposure Always look at the histogram and make sure you have information in the last box It will give you the best image

The exp looks good You have detail around the eye Maybe just a bit more Here you can also use Av and dial in the comp The flash did not have much effect here Did you use the camera flash?

Image wise I would get rid of the branch behind It would clean up the image Bird placement is very good !!!!

[Al Lemieux]

I don't use camera flash, I use an SB 800 on a bracket.

[Alfred Forns]

At that distance at 1/500 and f 13 probably it did not carry much You will loose half the power by going to HS Sync

[Andrew McCullough]

Sharp and nicely exposed. Wish the branch behind the bird were not there. The bird looks great against the blue sky.