bird advice from bird Photographers
Posted 26/03/2011 - 12:01
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First of all, don't be so hard on yourself: the shot of the dunnock is superb!
Bird photography in the wild is not easy and requires oodles of patience and good field craft. An high quality long lens of 300mm or more is a real advantage and if bird photography is more than just a passing interest obtaining one with a maximum aperture of f4 or less should be top of your list. This will represent a major investment, however if you choose wisely, and treat with respect, it will retain a high proportion of its value. The lens need not be new and well cared for examples do appear on this forum from time-to-time. The choice between prime or zoom depends on what else you might use the lens for, but, with some noteworthy (and expensive) exceptions, the former will have the better IQ. A quality tripod or monopod is, IMHO, a necessity, although I know many will disagree in this regard.
In the meantime, you should try getting closer to your subjects, try a small portable hide and/or use a tripod with remote (wireless)release, and take full advantage of the KX's high ISO performance to obtain the optimum combination of aperture/shutter speed and remove any filter to squeeze the last ounce of IQ from your 55-200mm. If your not already doing so, my advice would be to shoot in RAW format.
As far as PP is concerned, your images would benefit, IMHO, from increased contrast, a tad of vibrance, a little noise (mainly luminance) reduction and some careful sharpening/masking.
Disclaimer: I am no expert but merely an interested party who shares your desire to photograph birds in their natural habitat and is slowly ascending the steep learning curve
Jon
Bird photography in the wild is not easy and requires oodles of patience and good field craft. An high quality long lens of 300mm or more is a real advantage and if bird photography is more than just a passing interest obtaining one with a maximum aperture of f4 or less should be top of your list. This will represent a major investment, however if you choose wisely, and treat with respect, it will retain a high proportion of its value. The lens need not be new and well cared for examples do appear on this forum from time-to-time. The choice between prime or zoom depends on what else you might use the lens for, but, with some noteworthy (and expensive) exceptions, the former will have the better IQ. A quality tripod or monopod is, IMHO, a necessity, although I know many will disagree in this regard.
In the meantime, you should try getting closer to your subjects, try a small portable hide and/or use a tripod with remote (wireless)release, and take full advantage of the KX's high ISO performance to obtain the optimum combination of aperture/shutter speed and remove any filter to squeeze the last ounce of IQ from your 55-200mm. If your not already doing so, my advice would be to shoot in RAW format.
As far as PP is concerned, your images would benefit, IMHO, from increased contrast, a tad of vibrance, a little noise (mainly luminance) reduction and some careful sharpening/masking.
Disclaimer: I am no expert but merely an interested party who shares your desire to photograph birds in their natural habitat and is slowly ascending the steep learning curve
Jon
Posted 26/03/2011 - 13:15
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One thing to remember is that you have three, and only three, variables to influence exposure. If you want higher shutter speeds, and smaller apertures, you must change the third variable, ISO, to suit the situation. Otherwise you need more light, or better quality lenses that perform well at wide apertures.
That's it in a nuthatch (nutshell) really.
Being in the right place, at the right time, with the right light, and the right gear, and the ability to use it is all you need. I seldom manage it.
Your shots are very good. Perhaps over cropped so you either need a longer focal length lens, or get closer. Some extra PP work will rescue them, I'm sure.
That's it in a nuthatch (nutshell) really.
Being in the right place, at the right time, with the right light, and the right gear, and the ability to use it is all you need. I seldom manage it.
Your shots are very good. Perhaps over cropped so you either need a longer focal length lens, or get closer. Some extra PP work will rescue them, I'm sure.
Peter E Smith - flickr Photostream
Posted 26/03/2011 - 13:33
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Birds make up a large part of my photography and my technique has been improving gradually since I started photography again about 3 years ago.
I could take the easy route, set up feeders and wait for the little blighters to flutter in, but I much prefer the challenge of photographing them in their natural habitats. Unfortunately, these habitats can often be hard to access, full of brambles, nettles and beasties and rarely well lit!
I did start out with a 300mm which, while superb, was still a little short for many instances. I then went for the Sigma 150-500mm and this added greatly to the keeper rate and overall enjoyment. Another thing that is just as important as the equipment is understanding the wildlife. Often, just sitting in the same spot for a while will put the birds a bit more at ease and they'll gradually come closer. Cocealment can help too but it's more to lug into the field if you intend to use a hide, something I have considered and will look into more when I find a suitable location I can put one and leave it for a while.
I am also toying with the idea of placing the camera - suitably hidden - pre-focused on a baited position, then retreating a distance and firing the shutter with a remote (full tethering functions would be nice - Pentax take note!).
I'd love a 500mm or 600mm prime (wouldn't we all) but the cost right now is just too prohibitive and choices limited for Pentax mount. As an alternative I am looking at perhaps a manual route using a refractor astro scope suitably adapted for photography. Fixed aperture, manual focus and another learning curve but have seen some amazing bird photos taken using these scopes. Take a look here:
http://www.birdforum.net/forumdisplay.php?f=657
Am I waffling now?
I guess getting better bird photos comes down to several factors, including a lot of trial and error in settings, equipment and technique (fieldcraft) being the most important.
I could take the easy route, set up feeders and wait for the little blighters to flutter in, but I much prefer the challenge of photographing them in their natural habitats. Unfortunately, these habitats can often be hard to access, full of brambles, nettles and beasties and rarely well lit!
I did start out with a 300mm which, while superb, was still a little short for many instances. I then went for the Sigma 150-500mm and this added greatly to the keeper rate and overall enjoyment. Another thing that is just as important as the equipment is understanding the wildlife. Often, just sitting in the same spot for a while will put the birds a bit more at ease and they'll gradually come closer. Cocealment can help too but it's more to lug into the field if you intend to use a hide, something I have considered and will look into more when I find a suitable location I can put one and leave it for a while.
I am also toying with the idea of placing the camera - suitably hidden - pre-focused on a baited position, then retreating a distance and firing the shutter with a remote (full tethering functions would be nice - Pentax take note!).
I'd love a 500mm or 600mm prime (wouldn't we all) but the cost right now is just too prohibitive and choices limited for Pentax mount. As an alternative I am looking at perhaps a manual route using a refractor astro scope suitably adapted for photography. Fixed aperture, manual focus and another learning curve but have seen some amazing bird photos taken using these scopes. Take a look here:
http://www.birdforum.net/forumdisplay.php?f=657
Am I waffling now?
I guess getting better bird photos comes down to several factors, including a lot of trial and error in settings, equipment and technique (fieldcraft) being the most important.
Posted 26/03/2011 - 13:44
Link
Yes that is the situation. I have had to adopt an Iso of 1600+. To get 500th sec shutter speeds. Without this, im failing to capture my subjects still. Hopefully some sunnier weather will bring this more into my reach.
I am waiting for a 55 - 300mm Dal lens to arrive. Bought on this forum so I hope that will increase my chances.
Jon, thanks for pointing out the Dunnock. I've been calling it a Sparrow all week...
As you can see i'm not a bird person. But I found it quite enjoyable and will have some further attempts, and hope to grow my skill level.
I am waiting for a 55 - 300mm Dal lens to arrive. Bought on this forum so I hope that will increase my chances.
Jon, thanks for pointing out the Dunnock. I've been calling it a Sparrow all week...
As you can see i'm not a bird person. But I found it quite enjoyable and will have some further attempts, and hope to grow my skill level.
K-1Gripped K-1 ungripped K-5ii K7 Various lenses
Stuart..
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