Female Blue Wren

Allann

Hi all,

New here and to SmugMug and digital photography in general, but thought I'd show you a couple of shots I took this morning of a small female blue wren that was flying around my backyard. Please comment and offer any suggestions and feel free to drop by my site and add comments on how I can improve my technique.


1/320sec @ f6.3 250mm on 55-250mm lens ISO 200 on Canon 300D Rebel (not cropped)


1/800sec @ f6.3 250mm on 55-250mm lens ISO 200 on Canon 300D Rebel (slightly cropped)

Thanks
Allan

Maestro

Welcome Allan. I'm not a professional either, far from it. In fact, I call myself a pre-amateur.

To really help, you need to post the EXIF data for the pics. The shutter speed, aperture (F-Stop) and ISO settings are the bare minimum if you want some suggestions on the settings. Having said that, it looks like you shot this wren in some tough light. I see harsh shadows behind and harsh light coming in from the left side. If you were shooting in automatic, I bet the camera metered the light based on the background causing the front of the wren to be overexposed. I'm not sure. If not, you need to be careful with that white plumage. You could dial back the exposure value on your camera commonly known as the EV. Most DSLRs make it very easy to do this if not all. Exposure is always a game of Aperture and shutter speed and having that sweet light.

Wrens are small birds as you know and your bird is a bit small in the frame. You could crop a little more but in this case that might not work. Bird photography requires a lot of ninja type stealth work. The closer you can get the better unless you have something like a 400mm or greater lens, but even then, it's never enough. When focusing on your subject, try to get the eye in focus. To me, this is important. Other parts can be out of focus depending on your depth of field but if the eye or facial region in general is soft, it detracts from the photo. Nobody has taught me this, but IMHO, if it is true. It looks like you achieved focus on the bird, but the eye is so small and dark, there really isn't a lot of detail. It goes back to getting closer and better exposure again.

Anyhow, I am glad you have joined DigitalGrin. There are a bunch of savy guys and gals around here to help you out. I've learned a ton here.

Oh and if you have any squirrel images, the magnimous mod, Harry, has a particular obsession with them.

Edit: I checked out your website. You have some great photos there of birds. The crimson rosella is amazing!

Allann

Thanks

Maestro wrote:

To really help, you need to post the EXIF data for the pics.

I'll keep that in mind thanks. And I'll go back and edit the post and include the details.

Maestro wrote:

The closer you can get the better unless you have something like a 400mm or greater lens, but even then, it's never enough.

I know what you mean. 250mm is the longest I have atm. Ordered a 500mm mirror lens and waiting for it to turn up. Can't afford anything else atm.

Maestro wrote:

When focusing on your subject, try to get the eye in focus. To me, this is important. Other parts can be out of focus depending on your depth of field but if the eye or facial region in general is soft, it detracts from the photo. Nobody has taught me this, but IMHO, if it is true.

This is valuable... I suppose I knew it, but being told just reinforces it. Thanks. Now it'll be in the forefront of my mind so might go "ninjaing" this arvo see what I can find.

Maestro wrote:

Oh and if you have any squirrel images, the magnimous mod, Harry, has a particular obsession with them.

Sorry, squirrels are few and far between in Qld, Australia... maybe a kangaroo?

Ric Grupe

Maestro wrote:

I call myself a pre-amateur.

Good advice from one so challenged! D

I would add that catch-light in the eye is extremely important.

Allann

Thanks

Ric Grupe wrote:

Good advice from one so challenged! D

I would add that catch-light in the eye is extremely important.

Thanks Ric, by catch-light, I assume you mean the little reflected light in the eye?

Maestro

Ric Grupe wrote:

Good advice from one so challenged! D

I would add that catch-light in the eye is extremely important.

How about I change it to novice amateur? And yes Allan. The catch-light is always a very nice touch.