This was my first attempt at a BIF shot. I have recently moved from manual focus to auto focus so I've refocused to yet another skill set in photography. This angle shows off the white wing patches and reminded me of an Elvis jump suit moment. Yes I know, no head, so very poor head angle.
How would you shot a magpie to get the tail and wing feathers to show their blue and still get a good head angle?
This is a black billed magpie who was being feed illegally in the national park. I took a few shots as I pulled in behind the fellow then felt obligated telling him not to feed the birds.
I learned right away to keep both eyes open, and pan smoothly. The light was extremely poor, so this is a high iso shot on a snowy day, and its a 60% crop as well. Took out the guys car. Its very noisy and is below my usual standards but I've never seen a shot like this posted so I wanted to see what everyone thinks.
Hi Jared Can give you a couple of pointers for bif First trying one without AF is insanity In the old days we would get maybe one out of fifty? Maybe not even that and I'm talking about easy birds !!!
When using the AF first select the proper range, pre-focus at a distance the bird will be traveling, try getting the center point on the bird before depressing the shutter and pan faster. The reason for not pressing the shutter is avoid the hunting by the AF If the point is right on the bird it will focus very fast and will stay in focus.
If you want keepers avoid photographing in mid day. With your presented image having a head would have gone a long ways to make it a keeper You did get a beautiful look at the backside. A way to have a good head angle and still show the back side is not difficult You need the have the bird banking with the slight head turn !!!!
Good suggestions by Alfred. Lovely pattern on the wings. I would add that the focus is on the tail rather than near the upper back where it should be. (I would not be shocked to learn that you cropped from the bottom...) In addition, the curb in the BKGR is less than ideal. Best of luck and welcome.
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BIF Shot #1, Magpie Elvis
