Actually, I have almost always shot in manual. I have been experimenting lately to see what (if anything) shutter/aperture priority would do for me. I've found that I only like Tv if it is relatively dark and I am handholding to make sure that I keep my SS high enough to avoid motion blur. If I had been shooting manual here, I probably would have cranked my SS even higher and opened up my aperture a bit to f/7.1 or so.
Okay. The f/10 first got my attention and I was about to go on about usually we go for a wider opening to make sure the background is out of focus, but when I noticed the Tv I figured there was something else behind this :)
Thanks, P.A. I appreciate the comments. I agree - I usually have my aperture at 7.1 or wider for birds. After a few days of experimenting in auto exposure modes, I think I prefer manual (although I can see some times when auto could be useful). I find that aperture priority, if I'm not careful, often slows my SS down too much if I'm not paying attention and leave my ISO low. I usually prefer to handhold this lens and need to be very aware of SS to avoid motion blur. I've messed with auto ISO a bit, but have come back to manual there as well. I figured, now that I'm pretty comfortable with the 7D in manual mode, that it would be worthwhile to try the various options the camera has to offer.
I'm curious -- do you think I should evict the blade of grass by the leg? I thought it added a little interest.
After the f/10, that's the second thing that caught my attention! And to be honest, I do not know. I have to admit that it does catch my eye a bit, but I can't tell that I don't like it. If it was away from the bird then I would probably suggest that you remove it, but being there, right under and near the leg, I don't consider it much of a distraction and it does add a little something different.
On the other hand it might not be easy to remove because of the reflection and the ripple on the water.
Nice back and forth on exposure,... TV for freezing action and AV for DoF is the general theme and pure manual if you want to control both. I know a pro who used manual 90% of the time and meters on a med gray tone, sets the exposure baseline usually in the middle of the range and then manually makes adjustments on a 1/3 scale. The key here is to make the adjustments without thinking - it should become automatic.
The grass was my first thought but then again it gives the image a slightly different look and the removal process would take some time. The image has solid detail and colors tones are nice. With a better HA the mage would be stronger otherwise the composition could be improved to make it unique or original. Thanks for sharing and keep em coming.
Hi Ian...yes I like his attitude as well and would leave the grass blade myself. I too have experimented with priority modes and have come back to manual
Spotted Sandpiper
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