First bird shots

controldcontrold Registered Users Posts: 146 Major grins
edited November 13, 2006 in Wildlife
*** Ooops - just realized I put this in Field/Street instead of Nature - if you can moderate to the right forum I'd appreciate it! Thanks.

I am concerned that this will turn into an addiction - based on my observations here. :D Nothing special about this one - but since it's my first intentional bird shot I thought I'd throw it up.

As well, they were damn far way and the day was cloudy and grey - but is there anything I should be doing with this shot to improve it, or is that about as good as it gets with the raw material? Thanks for any comments.

110121706-M.jpg

- Mike
http://mikeapted.smugmug.com/

Canon 30D | 10D
Canon 10-22 | 28-135 f3.5-5.6 | 70-200 f4L | 100-400 f4-5.6L
Canon Speedlight 580EX
Kenko Extension Tubes

Comments

  • PhyxiusPhyxius Registered Users Posts: 1,396 Major grins
    edited November 13, 2006
    Mike, nice clear birds :) I'm for sure no expert on bird shots but, you could clone out the beak just in the frame on the left. :)

    I really like how they're all in different stages of flight too. Good geese!
    Christina Dale
    SmugMug Support Specialist - www.help.smugmug.com

    http://www.phyxiusphotos.com
    Equine Photography in Maryland - Dressage, Eventing, Hunters, Jumpers
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited November 13, 2006
    Excellent for your first try and you're right it can be quite addicting. You did pretty good considering the lousy lighting you had. You might try setting a black point to give it more "oomph" and try shadows/highlights to bring out some detail.
    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!"
  • controldcontrold Registered Users Posts: 146 Major grins
    edited November 13, 2006
    Harryb wrote:
    Excellent for your first try and you're right it can be quite addicting. You did pretty good considering the lousy lighting you had. You might try setting a black point to give it more "oomph" and try shadows/highlights to bring out some detail.

    Thanks Harry! Is this closer to the ideal? Thanks...

    110214048-M.jpg

    - Mike
    http://mikeapted.smugmug.com/

    Canon 30D | 10D
    Canon 10-22 | 28-135 f3.5-5.6 | 70-200 f4L | 100-400 f4-5.6L
    Canon Speedlight 580EX
    Kenko Extension Tubes
  • Brooks PBrooks P Registered Users Posts: 190 Major grins
    edited November 13, 2006
    That looks real good to me, especially the PP'd version.

    You say they were at quite a distance, what lens were you using?

    About the only geese around here are dressed out and in the frozen foods section of the super-market.mwink.gif
  • Dick on ArubaDick on Aruba Registered Users Posts: 3,484 Major grins
    edited November 13, 2006
    Great capture!!! This promise a lot of good to come.

    Thanks for sharing.

    Dick.
    "Nothing sharpens sight like envy."
    Thomas Fuller.

    SmugMug account.
    Website.
  • David TaylorDavid Taylor Registered Users Posts: 146 Major grins
    edited November 13, 2006
    Mike, your second effort is better IMHO. It almost looks like you've composited the same bird at different stages of flight. Keep going thumb.gif
    David

    www.davidtaylor.smugmug.com
  • dbaker1221dbaker1221 Registered Users Posts: 4,482 Major grins
    edited November 13, 2006
    awesome shotthumb.gif
    **If I keep shooting, I'm bound to hit something**
    Dave
  • controldcontrold Registered Users Posts: 146 Major grins
    edited November 13, 2006
    Brooks P wrote:
    That looks real good to me, especially the PP'd version.

    You say they were at quite a distance, what lens were you using?

    About the only geese around here are dressed out and in the frozen foods section of the super-market.mwink.gif

    Thanks for the comments all...

    The shot was done handheld with a Canon 100-400 f/4.5-5.6 L with the following exact details:

    Aperture: f/5.6
    ISO: 400
    Focal Length: 390mm
    Exposure Time: 0.0003s (1/3200)
    Exposure Program: Aperture priority

    The image is a heavy crop of the original too - so that gives you an idea of how far away they were!

    - Mike
    http://mikeapted.smugmug.com/

    Canon 30D | 10D
    Canon 10-22 | 28-135 f3.5-5.6 | 70-200 f4L | 100-400 f4-5.6L
    Canon Speedlight 580EX
    Kenko Extension Tubes
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