I really have a question for all the experienced photographers here.
I want to know, if there is any kind of rule, what size in the frame a subject needs to have to be sharp .
This means: if I have a small bird in a far distance and can not get closer when is it worth to make the image? If I have to make a heavy crop to have the bird big enough in the final image, what is the maximum to reach enough quality?
If I take a 100% crop for example, it does not look good when printed. If I have 25% crop, it will work well, when I look at it on the sceen or in a not too large print.
I know, that it depends, what I want to do with the image (slideshow, print, web...).
But I want to know what you think, when is it worth to press the shutter?
When I look through the view finder, what size should the bird have in the frame to get a good result?
The image I show here, is a typical image for my question. It is a small Tree-Creeper and although I used the 500 mm lens (eventually with TC) the bird is so small in the frame, that it is not possible to get a good final image.
I hope, that you can understand my question (and my english...) and can give me any advice?
Thank you a lot,
Rosl
If it is a rare bird or one I haven't photographed, I would take my chances anytime. For web presentation you can get away with a relatively heavy crop, not so for prints. Some people think 50% of the frame is the limit. In the end it really depends what you want to do with it. If the light and exposure are good you might have a better chance to make a somewhat usable image.
Thank you for your answers so far.
I just want to mention, that it is not about this special pictures. (The whites are blown out too...). I just took that picture to demonstrate my problems with the objects size.
Question about the sharpnes and the subject size
