Egrets, pelicans, avocets, and blue herons

erich6erich6 Registered Users Posts: 1,638 Major grins
edited May 31, 2005 in Wildlife
I caught these at the Bolsa Chica Reserve in CA last January. I found it difficult taking shots of birds. They were either too blurry or couldn't get enough dynamic range. These were all taken handheld.

15676355-L.jpg

15392454-L.jpg

15676353-L.jpg

15676356-L.jpg



How do you guys do it other than using the more expensive L-series telephotos?

Thanks,:confused

Erich

Comments

  • BigAlBigAl Registered Users Posts: 2,294 Major grins
    edited May 30, 2005
    The pelican is great thumb.gif

    I've just bought a monopod, and find that I probably need it for more than I originally thought.

    regards
    alan
    Birds
    Bugs
    Spiders
    Flowers
  • MuskyDudeMuskyDude Registered Users Posts: 1,508 Major grins
    edited May 30, 2005
    That second shot is tack sharp, nice composition. Love the light... thumb.gif



    AJ
    http://northlight.smugmug.com/
  • GREAPERGREAPER Registered Users Posts: 3,113 Major grins
    edited May 30, 2005
    The pelican is Wonderful. Excellent protrait.

    The others aint bad either.

    I cant speak for anyone else, but I take a LOT of bad ones to get the few good ones I get, and I work at it contantly.
    http://dehmphoto.smugmug.com/

  • AllenAllen Registered Users Posts: 10,013 Major grins
    edited May 30, 2005
    The pelican shot is prime!clap.gif

    I keep returning the the 3rd one with the sandpipers?. The lighting on them is really mystical.
    Al
    Al - Just a volunteer here having fun
    My Website index | My Blog
  • jwearjwear Registered Users Posts: 8,013 Major grins
    edited May 30, 2005
    the pelican is clap.gifthumb.gif did you shoot this on the wooden bridge ?? nice set of shots
    Jeff W

    “PHOTOGRAPHY IS THE ‘JAZZ’ FOR THE EYES…”

    http://jwear.smugmug.com/
  • pathfinderpathfinder Super Moderators Posts: 14,708 moderator
    edited May 30, 2005
    MuskyDude wrote:
    That second shot is tack sharp, nice composition. Love the light... thumb.gif



    AJ

    The late afternoon sunlight on the pelican is great - warm, soft, subdued. Very nice. Sharp image - lovely.

    As for shooting birds without good teles - think patience, slow approach, feed them something, luck, persistence. If you do this long enough, L glass begins to look less expensive rolleyes1.gif:D:D
    Pathfinder - www.pathfinder.smugmug.com

    Moderator of the Technique Forum and Finishing School on Dgrin
  • KhaosKhaos Registered Users Posts: 2,435 Major grins
    edited May 30, 2005
    Fantastic lighting on that pelican. Primo!
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited May 30, 2005
    Good set Erich. The pelican shoot is outstanding. clap.gif I've been shooting birds for around a year now. The secret is to shoot and shoot and shoot. Experience is the best teacher.

    Harry
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • erich6erich6 Registered Users Posts: 1,638 Major grins
    edited May 30, 2005
    Thank you all for the comments and the vote of confidence. I think patience is the key here as well as lots of practice. I remember every time I thought I had a shot the excitement level would go up and it just didn't feel right when I pressed the shutter button...almost like I was hurried. I can see that with patience (and time) shots would turnout better just from relaxing (I think this would reduce camera shake too).

    Since birds are in motion tripods don't seem to be a viable solution. I have a monopod but I can't seem to get much benefit in speed from it. It seems that I still end up with camera shake.

    Do you guys use a remote shutter trigger instead?

    Erich
  • erich6erich6 Registered Users Posts: 1,638 Major grins
    edited May 30, 2005
    jwear wrote:
    the pelican is clap.gifthumb.gif did you shoot this on the wooden bridge ?? nice set of shots
    Actually, I shot these on the trail on the northern end of the marsh. The pelican I shot on the cement bridge on the North end.

    Erich
  • jeff lapointjeff lapoint Registered Users Posts: 1,228 Major grins
    edited May 30, 2005
    erich6 wrote:
    Actually, I shot these on the trail on the northern end of the marsh. The pelican I shot on the cement bridge on the North end.

    Erich
    sweet seriesthumb.gif is this where you usually shoot wildlife? please share any other locational gems in the LA area!
    www.lapiz007.smugmug.com


  • erich6erich6 Registered Users Posts: 1,638 Major grins
    edited May 31, 2005
    jeff lapoint wrote:
    sweet seriesthumb.gif is this where you usually shoot wildlife? please share any other locational gems in the LA area!
    There are some nice trails in Malibu Canyon as well.
Sign In or Register to comment.