Ruffled feathers

[Barbara Ponder]

CC welcomed and appreciated.

[Shadowman]

Nicely composed.

[wilgk]

They are very nice feathers, I find myself wanting to see the reflection as well though.

[IzzieK]

Very nice Barbara. You forgot to lower down your shutter speed hence the noise. I was playing with your image in On One and I was able to even down the noise to an acceptable level. Having said that, maybe you can get it right on camera if you just lower your SS instead since you only used ISO 100 here. 1/640 is just too high...choosing Shutter mode means controlling motion. I put my camera to Shutter Priority when I am shooting high powered airplanes at an air show...to compare this to your swan's movement. It is a beautiful shot and a great composition -- I cannot nit on that. Maybe you should have used Aperture Priority instead of Shutter Priority? Or go to Manual for more control...? thinking out loud here...

[FootLoose]

When the opportunity presents itself, go for it. Nice shot, Barbara.

[NorthernFocus]

Whites are nicely handled and great detail. Looks like you may have missed an opportunity with the reflection? Or was there something else down there? Looks a bit off-level. That really bugs some of us...

[Dave Humphries]

Very nice Barbara. You forgot to lower down your shutter speed hence the noise. I was playing with your image in On One and I was able to even down the noise to an acceptable level. Having said that, maybe you can get it right on camera if you just lower your SS instead since you only used ISO 100 here. 1/640 is just too high...choosing Shutter mode means controlling motion. I put my camera to Shutter Priority when I am shooting high powered airplanes at an air show...to compare this to your swan's movement. It is a beautiful shot and a great composition -- I cannot nit on that. Maybe you should have used Aperture Priority instead of Shutter Priority? Or go to Manual for more control...? thinking out loud here...

Hi Izzie,

I'm not sure I understand your points here and we don't want to confuse Barbara.

The EXIF shows 1/640s, f/11, iso100 at 300 mm on a Canon 7D2, shot Shutter Priority Semi-Auto with -5/3 Exposure Compensation.

It is a white subject, in harsh sunlight and it is very well exposed - the histogram shows no clipping, but is generally just below 255.

I don't see any objectionable noise at 100%, even if the exposure was raised a bit in PP using Aperture 3.6.
There's little point in taking iso lower than 100 (might not be possible - I'm not familiar with Canon's 7D2).
There's little point in taking the aperture past f/11.
The shutter speed at 1/640s is fine for me - it is possible this was taken 'mid-ruffle', so there could subject movement to freeze.

Hi Barbara,

I'd say these values got it right and should give you a clue what to use if going Manual in future. Your choice of -5/3 EC was apparently correct for this subject, at this size in frame, for the metering mode, the light available and background.

It is also well focussed.

I do tend to shoot Aperture Priority myself (like Izzie) most of the time, but also adjust the iso to keep the shutter speed at 1/1000s or more for subjects such as this, usually shooting at f/8 or f/11 if the UK light permits.

In fact for subjects like this, once the correct exposure is known (for the white feathers in bright sunlight), I would switch to Manual exposure, so that changes of framing, subject size in frame and/or background luminance don't 'fool' the meter and give incorrect exposures on other shots.

Well done, Dave

[ashcroft]

The exposure on the brightest feathers looks fine to me - no clipping. And the noise level looks much better now than on your recent shots. I think a small white reflector on his Charlie Sector would have helped - but then you might have got your new camera wet!

[Dave Humphries]

I think a small white reflector on his Charlie Sector would have helped

Yeah, that thought crossed my mind too, but I didn't mention it for fear of appearing weird(er)

[IzzieK]

Dave, Barbara's shot here is an improvement on the noise level, but I still see a bit of noise in the background. Maybe I should re-calibrate my monitor... There is another post of which has improved a lot too, so much improve where she has her shutter speed to 1/400. I commented on that too....

[Barbara Ponder]

Thanks Izzie and Dave. I tend to shoot shutter priority as the environments I usually shoot in are changing quickly and I want to be able to make adjustments accordingly. I am still not familiar with all the button placements on the new camera and think I use it as a crutch. I want to branch out as soon as possible but figure I would perfect this and then move on to the next button I am much more artist than technician and I need to teach myself to be more technically correct on my shots. I will be shooting daily trying to learn. The information I get here is so helpful and is truly moving me at a quicker pace than if I was doing purely on my own.

[Barbara Ponder]

Rob and Dave thank you. I got a reflector recently and have yet to break it out of the package I don't think I could have used it as I was busy fighting off the gander who did not want me taking pictures of his friend. He has attacked me several times and I know the hissing sound behind me indicates I better hurry and get the shot. That would also account for not getting the entire reflection. That gander does not like me at all! We have had several encounters now and I think he waits for me

[Barbara Ponder]

Dan and Kay, thanks I was shooting at an odd angle and fighting off the gooses' friend, the gander. He does not like me and was hissing at my backside which only means one thing, an attack is coming. I wish I had gotten the whole reflection. She had beautiful feathers and the patterns made for such lovely reflections.