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Comment by Blaze posted on My first zoo visit in France at 10/10/2011 - 21:16
I have another one of the lioness - she posed beautifully.
On some of the photos I took, I zoomed in too much in my enthusiasm - the problem of rushing.
On some of the photos I took, I zoomed in too much in my enthusiasm - the problem of rushing.
Comment by Blaze posted on My first zoo visit in France at 10/10/2011 - 10:00
This zoo specialises in endangered species and has a fabulous setting. Big cats can be viewed through glass (rather dirty unfortunately) or wire netting. The netting is too small to poke a lens through ! We were on an organised visit, so I was in more of a hurry than I would like to have been.
I took my K-x with the DL 55-300 as I was particularly interested in getting head shots of the animals and birds.
(I cropped a little too much here ...)
I'm hoping to make return visits next year so any comments about photographing zoo animals and birds would be most welcome!
I took my K-x with the DL 55-300 as I was particularly interested in getting head shots of the animals and birds.
(I cropped a little too much here ...)
I'm hoping to make return visits next year so any comments about photographing zoo animals and birds would be most welcome!
Comment by Blaze posted on My first zoo visit in France at 10/10/2011 - 08:46
Fabulous shot!
I shot one that was posing fairly recently, but to catch one on the wing is amazing!
I shot one that was posing fairly recently, but to catch one on the wing is amazing!
Comment by Blaze posted on Dragonfly in flight at 28/08/2011 - 11:16
Nice collection, Charlotte. I like the sharpness in # 1 ...... and the white van shot below the dam!
Comment by Blaze posted on I've fallen in love with ..... at 26/08/2011 - 16:52
Chloe - there's no such thing as cheating if you're learning something at the same time!
What is worth doing is to look at the setting used for each shot in action mode and making a note of these and what the light was like at the time : sunny, bright with no sun, cloudy .....
The you can try the same thing in a non-automatic mode using the same settings and see if it works.
If you have a Flickr account, you can check the settings used/Exif data (ask away if you don't understand this). Not all photo handlers let you see this.
iPhoto also shows settings.
What is worth doing is to look at the setting used for each shot in action mode and making a note of these and what the light was like at the time : sunny, bright with no sun, cloudy .....
The you can try the same thing in a non-automatic mode using the same settings and see if it works.
If you have a Flickr account, you can check the settings used/Exif data (ask away if you don't understand this). Not all photo handlers let you see this.
iPhoto also shows settings.
Comment by Blaze posted on What settings to take Action shots with KX at 25/08/2011 - 08:05
I don't think I put it very well
I've got an arm on my tripod so I can follow the lateral (?) motion of the horse.
Of course not everyone moves when they press the shutter
I've got an arm on my tripod so I can follow the lateral (?) motion of the horse.
Of course not everyone moves when they press the shutter
Comment by Blaze posted on What settings to take Action shots with KX at 24/08/2011 - 18:31
Chloe - I bought my Kx in April and it is the most wonderful camera and you'll have a lot of fun with it.
I think it's a good idea to practise first and see for yourself what the different settings do. There are so many variations - I'm still trying to get to grips with it all myself and I've taken a lot of photos (mostly bad ones ). But it's all part of learning.
The best time to practise with your daughter is when she's not competing. You can try out the suggestions above and it won't be the end of the world if they aren't perfect.
The other thing I would strongly recommend is getting a tripod. If you are watching someone jumping, it's extremely difficult not to move as you press the shutter as you will also be anticipating the jump !
Don't be afraid of looking silly with a tripod - it can make all the difference between a good sharp shot and a blurred one. Once you have got to grips with the right settings, all you have to do is focus on the spot where you want to catch your daughter (when an earlier competitor goes round, for example). Then you can take several rapid shots from take off to mid point.
If you really hate the thought of a tripod, just make sure you have a good strong support for your elbows.
Good luck !
(and there's loads of good advice and help to be had here )
I think it's a good idea to practise first and see for yourself what the different settings do. There are so many variations - I'm still trying to get to grips with it all myself and I've taken a lot of photos (mostly bad ones ). But it's all part of learning.
The best time to practise with your daughter is when she's not competing. You can try out the suggestions above and it won't be the end of the world if they aren't perfect.
The other thing I would strongly recommend is getting a tripod. If you are watching someone jumping, it's extremely difficult not to move as you press the shutter as you will also be anticipating the jump !
Don't be afraid of looking silly with a tripod - it can make all the difference between a good sharp shot and a blurred one. Once you have got to grips with the right settings, all you have to do is focus on the spot where you want to catch your daughter (when an earlier competitor goes round, for example). Then you can take several rapid shots from take off to mid point.
If you really hate the thought of a tripod, just make sure you have a good strong support for your elbows.
Good luck !
(and there's loads of good advice and help to be had here )
Comment by Blaze posted on What settings to take Action shots with KX at 24/08/2011 - 10:47
Wonderful.
The Jumping Spider (#6) seems to have eyes everywhere.
The Jumping Spider (#6) seems to have eyes everywhere.
Comment by Blaze posted on Garden safari at 23/08/2011 - 08:15
Dr O - definitely not possible to get down to rhino level : they are in a huge open dug out area (some of the zoo site is in a former quarry). Same for the big cats - difficult enough getting close to them (!) and the fence had o be high enough to stop them getting out !!!
The vast aviary was the best place : a lower level of small gorges and canyons. Then there were steps up to a higher level so it was possible to get very close to the birds .... including the vultures !