Ruddy Turnstone
I took this shot early morning last week. I have been getting experience with the EF 500 and converters. C&C are most appreciated.
Ruddy Turnstone (7856)
9:00 AM
Howard Park, Tarpon Springs
500mm F4 IS UISM
Canon EOS 7D
EF500mm f/4 IS USM + 1.4x
700mm
AV Mode
F9.0
1/1250
Evaluative +.33
ISO 400
Photoshop CS5 Fill Light, Levels, Curve, NR, Unsharp Mask
Thanks
John Tillard
John, a few things to think about in this image... The exposure is just a tad over, using the metered exposure probably would have worked well as the +1/3 put the peak whites in the toasty range. The environment is very busy, and the f/9 actually brought out some detail that you didn't need. The sun was getting pretty bright at 9am, and you ended up with a very contrasty image, as evidenced by your use of fill light to bring out the blacks. There really isn't a good exposure strategy for this kind of light, you will always end up overexposing the whites and underexposing the blacks. Best to shoot very early or very late in the day. You have placed the bird in an odd area of the frame - would be much stronger in the lower third. Eye is very dark and the image lacks detail overall. Were you hand-holding for this capture?
"It is an illusion that photos are made with the camera... they are made with the eye, heart, and head." - Henri Cartier Bresson
Please visit me on the web at http://kerryperkinsphotography.com
John,
The first thing I see is the strong shadow. Strong contrast for early morning light, but it does happen. The image is tight IMO, needs more room to breath. Looks a bit soft too. At 700MM (not to mention the 1.6 crop factor of the 7D), must use great field techniques. I am assuming a tripod was used. Check out the Education Forum for a thread on tripod techniques by James Shadle, nice read. I might try a wider aperture to get a faster shutter speed to help promote sharp images with feather detail. The limited DoF will help mute the background too. Controlling the frame is critical, this means ensuring the background complements the subject. Keep em coming, we are all here to learn and the best way to get better is practice and post.
Last edited by Jeff Cashdollar; 10-08-2011 at 10:25 PM.
Thanks for the Comments and Suggestions
Kerry, Jeff
Thanks for the tips and you made good points that I had not taken into consideration and will try incorporate in the future. I did use a tripod for the shot, and will include that information on future submittals. I will read James article on tripod use also, thanks. I have been concentrating on getting into the field at first light and doing what I can before 9-10am to take advantage of the light. Thanks again for the comments and I do appreciate your time.
John Tillard
John,
You are on the right track, morning light, practice, tripod and post=better photography.
I also benefited from a couple of books written by Artie Morris:
The Art of Bird Photography and Digital Basics.
Ruddy Turnstone
Jeff
Thanks again for the remarks. I have Arts DVD "Art of Bird Photography II" and have been through it several times for enlightenment. I attempt to put his instruction into practice with varying degrees of success. I have come a ways from where I was a couple of years ago and will keep plugging away at it. I have a couple of more pictures I want to post for comment and since the weather is now improving I plan to get out again on Wednesday. Again, thanks for the comments and they are appreciated.
John Tillard
John,
You sound like me, getting better with time. I was initially surprised at how much time it takes to be a good photographer. I spend hours weekly and incrementally improve. Hang in there my friend, it is fun and has opened the world to me through the lens.
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