All Forum Comments
Comment by Frogfish posted on Red Kites mid air fighting at 06/03/2011 - 19:42
Nice. Everyone says this is one fantastic lense.
Comment by Frogfish posted on First shot with the DA*200 at 06/03/2011 - 19:05
Thanks Algi - the DA*300 is awesome !
Thanks Stuey - #1 is my personal favourite too. Do you find these Vinous Throated Parrotbills in the UK - I don't ever remember seeing them ?
Thanks Stuey - #1 is my personal favourite too. Do you find these Vinous Throated Parrotbills in the UK - I don't ever remember seeing them ?
Comment by Frogfish posted on First Chinese Bird Shots with DA*300 at 06/03/2011 - 15:46
fatspider wrote:
Is that second one a Ninja Bird
nice work Frogfish, keep it up
Ha Ha - not like those Moorhens in the other thread ! Thanks FS.Is that second one a Ninja Bird
nice work Frogfish, keep it up
Comment by Frogfish posted on First Chinese Bird Shots with DA*300 at 06/03/2011 - 09:37
These are very good Tyr. The only one that doesn't work for me is #3 ... and I wish #1 had a little more fill lower down and a touch less on her face too. Your wife is lovely and very photogenic - especially so with the goth style, love it !
Comment by Frogfish posted on Cactus V5 Model Shoot at 06/03/2011 - 09:36
You battered it into submission ! Wonderful set.
Comment by Frogfish posted on Me versus the Hockley Viaduct - the rematch at 05/03/2011 - 18:15
OK - the guys n gals on Bird Forum have kindly identified these for me, so for anyone interested :-
#1 - Vinous Throated Parrotbill
#2 - Long Tailed Shrike
#3 & #4 - Little Egret
#5 - Amur Wagtail
#6 & #7 - Light Vented Bul Bul
#8 - Common / Eastern / Japanese Kingfisher ( 3 names - same bird).
I also had some poor shots of some Azure Winged Magpies, a Black Faced Bunting and a couple of shots today of a lovely Daurian Redstart !
#1 - Vinous Throated Parrotbill
#2 - Long Tailed Shrike
#3 & #4 - Little Egret
#5 - Amur Wagtail
#6 & #7 - Light Vented Bul Bul
#8 - Common / Eastern / Japanese Kingfisher ( 3 names - same bird).
I also had some poor shots of some Azure Winged Magpies, a Black Faced Bunting and a couple of shots today of a lovely Daurian Redstart !
Comment by Frogfish posted on First Chinese Bird Shots with DA*300 at 05/03/2011 - 18:11
prsjnb wrote:
I'd be feeling 'smug' if I'd taken any one of the set, but #1 is, IMHO, the standout shot. The bird is beautifully sharp and the exposure is spot on. I like the way the bird is 'framed' by the three twigs of contrasting colours which lead the eye to the main subject and the absence of background detail in the rest of the 'frame'. Whilst some might 'down-grade' the shot because of the presence of so much greenery, punctuated with bursts of defocussed yellow, my view is that it adds to the overall visual impact of the shot, showing as it does an exquisite small bird feeding in its natural (or should that be adopted) habitat. I presume the shot was taken with the DA* 300mm, but would be interested to know if it was with or without TC and hand-held or tripod.
I echo the sentiments of Gareth and Mike P regarding the kingfisher. Whilst on holiday in Bretagne last summer I spent a whole day (I kid you not!) stalking and watching kingfishers, convinced that with the benefit of the Sigma 100-300mm EX APO DG and matched 1.4x TC, I couldn't fail but get some good shots. The fact that I've not posted one on the forum, or indeed kept one in my files, is a testament to how shy and elusive these blessed birds can be
Jon
Thank you very much for your kind comments Jon. I'm pleased you like the framing - I always try to create a 'scene' rather than just a crop of the bird itself, if at all possible, so it's very satisfying that you noticed this. that shot has almost no cropping at all.I'd be feeling 'smug' if I'd taken any one of the set, but #1 is, IMHO, the standout shot. The bird is beautifully sharp and the exposure is spot on. I like the way the bird is 'framed' by the three twigs of contrasting colours which lead the eye to the main subject and the absence of background detail in the rest of the 'frame'. Whilst some might 'down-grade' the shot because of the presence of so much greenery, punctuated with bursts of defocussed yellow, my view is that it adds to the overall visual impact of the shot, showing as it does an exquisite small bird feeding in its natural (or should that be adopted) habitat. I presume the shot was taken with the DA* 300mm, but would be interested to know if it was with or without TC and hand-held or tripod.
I echo the sentiments of Gareth and Mike P regarding the kingfisher. Whilst on holiday in Bretagne last summer I spent a whole day (I kid you not!) stalking and watching kingfishers, convinced that with the benefit of the Sigma 100-300mm EX APO DG and matched 1.4x TC, I couldn't fail but get some good shots. The fact that I've not posted one on the forum, or indeed kept one in my files, is a testament to how shy and elusive these blessed birds can be
Jon
I also love that shot - those Venous Throated Parrotbills are very cute indeed. I was lucky for that shot, I had been sitting still & quiet for 15 mins when this little flock arrived and luckily they didn't spot me !
Yes - taken with the DA*300. No TC. I wear a dual Black Rapid with K7 + most useful alternative lense on one side and on the other the K5 & DA*300 on a monopod - which is screwed into the other side of the copy BR. This works surprisingly well - the monopod doesn't get in the way, is always available, and if there is not enough time then I can hold the monopod in my left hand (with camera & lense on top of course) and hold the camera in the right.
Hope your lucky with your Kingfishers in the future - I'm beginning to realise just how lucky I am (my wife doesn't appreciate this - she just thinks I'm crazy going out twice a day to check on them) !
Comment by Frogfish posted on First Chinese Bird Shots with DA*300 at 05/03/2011 - 18:10
Mike-P wrote:
I love the fact its called a "common" Kingfisher.
Over here people would give their right arm to see one of those, they will camp for hours just in hope of a picrure .. and thats if you know there are some nearby to begin with.
White bird is an Egret.
Quite right Mike - it is a Little Egret (see following post). I know of two kingfisher pairs now, one on my doorstep and one 30 mins away but easier to shoot. I hope to get some great shots this Spring / Summer as these, along with Hummingbirds and Owls are my favourite birds.I love the fact its called a "common" Kingfisher.
Over here people would give their right arm to see one of those, they will camp for hours just in hope of a picrure .. and thats if you know there are some nearby to begin with.
White bird is an Egret.
Comment by Frogfish posted on First Chinese Bird Shots with DA*300 at 05/03/2011 - 17:59
That's a tough shot Jon. However you got the bee nice & sharp.
Bright sunlight (good light but overcast are best for macros) means you're fighting to keep the speed up and blown highlights out !
Bright sunlight (good light but overcast are best for macros) means you're fighting to keep the speed up and blown highlights out !
Comment by Frogfish posted on Don't worry - Bee Happy. at 05/03/2011 - 11:51
How much does it weigh ? I'm assuming these were taken on a tripod - making it doubly difficult for BIF shots ?