BIF Training School

stevehapp

I tried practicing my BIF technique today. Not so sure how I am going.
I took the 400mm off the monopod and tried it handheld.
Location: Stockton Sandspit, Newcastle, Australia.

1. Eastern Curlew


2. Pied Oystercatcher


3. White-faced Heron


4. Caspian Tern


C&C and advice gratefully accepted.. :deal

Giphsub

Not bad captures Steve. It looks pretty dark. Was it low light? or overcast? It can be tough shooting when it is. I like the pied oystercatcher for composition and pose. You could try some EV adjustments next time to brighten up the images a bit.

stevehapp

yes mike , it was overcast and yukky today.
I will try +2/3 ev next time.
I used to do it on the p&s...
cheers, mate..

Ric Grupe

Shooting BIF's is quite a challenge. Keep practicing by trying to concentrate on front lit subjects. Ignore those shots that aren't to start with...the camera can't capture what our eyes can see.:cry

stevehapp

thanks rick, i was thinking the same thing about the front lit idea..
Maybe try early in the morning with the sun behind me..
cheers mate..

Ric Grupe

stevehapp wrote:

thanks rick, i was thinking the same thing about the front lit idea..
Maybe try early in the morning with the sun behind me..
cheers mate..

I just noticed what lens you were using. The 400 5.6 correct?

Not having IS and starting at f/5.6 means you just plain need more light. That's a great lens...just more difficult to use in low light than some faster ones.

Giphsub

Ric Grupe wrote:

I just noticed what lens you were using. The 400 5.6 correct?

Not having IS and starting at f/5.6 means you just plain need more light. That's a great lens...just more difficult to use in low light than some faster ones.

Yep, the same problem I have with the Bigma. It loves light, but hates late avo/early morning/overcast days...

jonh68

Sometimes the best light is early morning or late afternoon because the sun is shining directly on the side of subjects instead of above them. You just have to position yourself take advantage of the light.

You will also have to bump up your ISO some with that lens as well for some of the bad lit situations.

Ric Grupe

jonh68 wrote:

Sometimes the best light is early morning or late afternoon because the sun is shining directly on the side of subjects instead of above them. You just have to position yourself take advantage of the light.

You will also have to bump up your ISO some with that lens as well for some of the bad lit situations.

Good advice, here! Keeping that shutter speed over 1/250 at the absolute minimum with that lens.

stevehapp

excellent advice , guys,
thank you very much..