Small birds
I could sure use some help here. I spent a little time practicing with my long lens. It's a Tamron 200-400mm, f.5.6. I don't think you can put extension tubes on it. I realize now that 400mm is not very long. And f5.6 is not very much light.
I set my tripod up in my kitchen breakfast area a few feet back from the window. (Don't want to scare the little guys away.) I think I need some kind of screen to hide behind.
I put a large branch in a big flower pot on my deck. It took a day for the birds to get used to it, but they started sitting in it this morning. The deck faces west, so it gets pretty bright out there. Most of my shots yesterday were bad. All black silouettes against the bright sky. The light was better this morning.
So, out of about 50 shots, this is the best one. I was about 15ft away and still cropped this down about 1/3.
This was at 390mm, f8.0, 1/400 sec, ISO 400 See Exif here
I tried lots of different settings. Program mode was chosing f9 or f10, so I opened up farther to get more light and fool the camera. That's why I picked ISO 400. At least I didn't get the dark shadowed birds like I did yesterday.
Any pointers would be appreciated.
#2 This is full frame at 390mm, (I didn't realize I didn't have the lens out all the way) f5.6, 1/1250sec, ISO400 See Exif here
I wanted a fast shutter speed because the branches were bouncing in the breeze. I can't believe these settings are needed on a sunny day. Is my lens hood blocking the light? What's the story here?
I set my tripod up in my kitchen breakfast area a few feet back from the window. (Don't want to scare the little guys away.) I think I need some kind of screen to hide behind.
I put a large branch in a big flower pot on my deck. It took a day for the birds to get used to it, but they started sitting in it this morning. The deck faces west, so it gets pretty bright out there. Most of my shots yesterday were bad. All black silouettes against the bright sky. The light was better this morning.
So, out of about 50 shots, this is the best one. I was about 15ft away and still cropped this down about 1/3.
This was at 390mm, f8.0, 1/400 sec, ISO 400 See Exif here
I tried lots of different settings. Program mode was chosing f9 or f10, so I opened up farther to get more light and fool the camera. That's why I picked ISO 400. At least I didn't get the dark shadowed birds like I did yesterday.
Any pointers would be appreciated.
#2 This is full frame at 390mm, (I didn't realize I didn't have the lens out all the way) f5.6, 1/1250sec, ISO400 See Exif here
I wanted a fast shutter speed because the branches were bouncing in the breeze. I can't believe these settings are needed on a sunny day. Is my lens hood blocking the light? What's the story here?
"A wise man will make more opportunities than he finds." - Francis Bacon
Susan Appel Photography My Blog
Susan Appel Photography My Blog
0
Comments
Our lenses are never long enough for us. 400mm should do you for most of your shots. 5.6 is not a fast lens but it should do OK in good light. Part of your problem might be because you are shooting in program mode.
In program mode the camera is going to set the aperture and shutter speed based on an averaged reading of the whole scene. In your shot the subjects, the birds, were darker than the average of the scene and they came out shadowed.
It would be better for these type of shots to shot in aperture priority or shutter priority and make EV adjustments. In these shots I would guess that an EV adjustment of +.7 (2/3rds of a stop) would make the subjects clearer and less shadowed. If your subject is lighter than the average of the scene you would amke a negative EV adjustment.
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!"
Thanks for the help Harry. I appreciate your time. I was shooting in AV mode here. I just put it in program to see what the camera would choose. When it chose f9 or f10, I chose f8. As I said, I knew I had to fool the camera. The day before, I may have shot some of those in program mode when I got the dark birds or I just set it wrong. But, look at these settings. ISO 400, f5.6 a sunny day - really surprising. I do need a fast shutter speed because of the quick movements of the birds and the breeze blowing the branches. Maybe I should try shutter priority. Would 1/1000 or 1/800 be fast enough? Of course, if I try this, the camera may not have an aperture wide enough and just blink on me.:D That happens sometimes in low light.
Susan Appel Photography My Blog
I think your main problem here is the light appears to be coming from behind the bird instead of from behind you and on to the bird. A good way to think of it is to try and always have your shadow pointing towards the bird. Does that make sense?
If you don't mind me posting an example from my own shots. This came to mind immediately after reading your post. I was trying to get photos of a Sora. They are very difficult to get out in the open. I was able to get a couple shots, but only with it in the shadows.
Example:
You can see how dull the bird is, no catch light in the eye, kind of a "dull" shot. This second image is of a similar bird taken a few minutes after the Sora but out in the sun.
Image #2
IMO, this image is leaps and bounds better than the first. Mainly because the bird is lit by the sun with a nice catch light in the eye.
Unfortunatley, 400 mm is probably just going to be barely enough reach to get shots of the little ones. I have a 500 +1.4TC= 700mm and I still have a hard time getting close enough to the little ones.
When I do shoot Sparrows/Finches in the back yard I get a spot near a tree that I know they frequent at a distance that will yield good shots. You may have to work your way closer over several days. I try and stay low and move very slowly and just sit and wait. A comfy low to the ground chair and good book is helpful sometimes.
I hope I didn't ramble too much.
My Photo gallery- rohirrim.smugmug.com
Selective Sharpening Tutorial
Making a Frame for your image (Tutorial)
Thanks for the help, Steve. Your tips are just what I was looking for.
That second shot is really super.
The idea of the chair in the yard is a good one. I have a spot where this might work. I just need more patience.:D
I'm pretty new to this stuff so I got a "not so expensive" lens to give it a try. I was surprised that a 400mm didn't give much more enlargement than a 200mm. Doesn't seem like double the magnification.
I have lots of birds on my deck (near bird feeder) so it seems like a good place to practice. The only time the light is "on the subject" is in the early morning when the sun comes from the east. Winter light is good though. The south sun is low and cool.
Sometimes we see hawks hovering near the deck, hunting on the slope. I'm hoping I can catch a shot of one of these. I'd be facing west with the light from the south. They should be a larger target even though they will be a bit farther away. I should get a faster lens and a teleconverter I guess. Just don't know if I want to invest the money in that yet. Have to learn more. I'm learning on a small scale, but the basics still apply.
I like to shoot at the zoo too. So a long lens would make sense for me.
Thanks again for the post. I appreciate the help.
Susan Appel Photography My Blog
I don't usually shoot small birds, they are not in my backyard and are so difficult as they flit here and there. I sometimes do and don't post them.
That was this winter, Dec or probably Jan, I was trying to get an eagle. This was the best of the bunch, finally got around to working him up, etc.
That was with my 400, AV priority (that is standard, too, everyone will say to use AV, this was on F 16, don't know why, but I figure I can get the depth of field on a large bird at f8 or f11. Maybe these guys were flitting so much and with my trouble catching them, I upped it to f16 so I could kind of shot gun them, but that doesn't often work. None the less that is what my exif says).
I use center point focusing, AF but center point. I almost always use it since I found it a long time ago. Also, do you have the option of like Ai (or Al) don't know which, Servo?? I could not get birds to save my life if they moved even a tad til I found that setting. It only focuses in the center, locks on to say a bird and you follow the bird with that center point on the bird in the center. (then you have to crop to reframe).
The exif was f16, 400ISO, 400mm, 1/320 sec. And that was like noon.....I had been looking for the damn eagle all morning. The sun is right on the bird.
I, too, was thinking that you needed to be shooting at a diff time of day or something, when the sun is on the bird. Will be so much easier. I mean a gazillion times easier. Those plus numbers, they don't work well for me. (of course I don't use a Nikon, smile) I up them, but there is a point at which I lose all contrast...............just isn't worth it to me. Side lighting is fine, back lighting, well I can like it sometimes with a big bird, but trying to make back lighting look like front lighting just doesn't work for me.
I wouldn't put an extender on til you get this pretty much down. You really don't need it. Like someone said, sit in a chair and read, smile. Of course, when you reach for your camera, or put it to your eye, the birds will all scatter, but they will be back sooner as they will be used to your smell. I read that with birds it takes 15 minutes for them to accept you. I have not found a specific time limit. Some places, I understand, the birds are like pets, they are very used to people, other places, the Carolinas being one, the birds have a lot of room to wander, and they are not fond of people. If I see one, I sit down and wait for awhile, take a shot and wait. Or if I know they are around, I sit and wait. A lot like hunting.............(nuff said on that, I guess, smile).
You are on those small birds, you and Steve and a few others. Gorgeous things, but if you ever do a bird with a nest, ahaha, I had a lot more luck with birds with eggs and/or babies. Both sexes sit and they are easier to get. Some people have more luck when feeding them. I don't have a feeder, my backyard is miniscule and I have 3 dogs, so my experience with these things is limited.
That is the full extent of my knowledge of these small birds.
I think you did fine except your lighting was against you from the beginning. If you can figure out a way to get the lighting on the birds, it will make a world of difference.
Lucky you with the hawks. I just gave up............am letting everyone else shoot them,
I like your challenge entry a lot. Super and right on the subject!
ginger (I got a red fish with a black/blue huge eye, I love it, even thought of making it into a card to give people my info. The feedback is that people seem to hate it. cry)
Lots of good tips here. Yes, those settings sound about right. As Harry points out, F5.6 is kind of slow and you were trying for fast speeds. So yep, ISO400, F5.6 and 1/1250 is about what I get on a decent day
Harry's point about using EV comp is super. It is so easy to use EV Comp in Av mode. Just turn the main dial clockwise to add some positive EV Comp. It may lighten the sky to the point of blowout, but you will better expose the birds. Front lighting or side lighting
Good luck and keep shootin' those birds
Steve
Unless you want to get insane like a few of us and go for the 500mm.
My Photo gallery- rohirrim.smugmug.com
Selective Sharpening Tutorial
Making a Frame for your image (Tutorial)
If I may add
try always with birds (all animals really) is to shoot when there is light in the eyes (catchlight) it always adds life to your shot, expecially on the little ones.
My Galleries
Flicker
G+
I would just add that these little guys like to move and you need a fast shutter speed - you are better off trying to shoot wide open and make sure your focus point is where you want it - the head or feet or whatever - and you are better off using higher ISO and getting faster shutter speed than trying to avoid noise at all costs. You also have to be careful to avoid too much backlighting - which makes it difficult to get details without blowing out the background (see the finch shot below)
I've used a 400mm to great effect near a feeder - even through my kitchen window (though I do have to clean off my kids palm prints from time to time....
Here's a couple of samples of little guys....Regards...Keith
His comments about shooting with the sun at your back are also quite important. Backlit birds yield blownout highlights surrounding the bird.
A Better Beamer can be used to add a catchlight in the eye of the birds and to decrease the contrast of the image by shooting in AV and using the Beamer as fill flash.
Another way to get closer to the little fellows is by using a Blind. They can be found in the Cabelas or Bass Pro catalogs and cost far less than a new lens.
Welcome to shooting small birds - it can be challenging, but it is a blast also.
Moderator of the Technique Forum and Finishing School on Dgrin
Wow! Thanks all! Pathfinder, Keith, Ben, Steve, Steve, and Ginger, I just read all of your replies. Such great tips.
I may have to set up a blind in my breakfast room. My windows go down almost to the floor and expose me quite a bit. I can't move at all or the birds fly away. I will try to get out on the south side of the house and shoot back towards the North. (Maybe wear camouflage of some sort:D) I think I can find some birds out that way. I'm still hoping for a hawk.
Unfortunately it's supposed to rain on Saturday and Sunday.:cry I'll keep my fingers crossed for a little good weather on Monday, President's Day holiday.
At least I'm getting used to using my tripod. I'm lazy and hate to carry it around. I also have unsteady hands so I get lots of blurry pictures. What is it they say about "squeeze" the trigger? I think I have a heavy trigger finger. I can see an improvement in the number of sharp shots with the tripod, even with small flitting birds.:D So, it's a good habit to develop (using the tripod).
Thanks for the help. I'll keep you posted on my progress.
Susan Appel Photography My Blog