Buzzard Attempt

[Benjy]

Christina,another try at Buzzard,ss1250,f8,iso 400,blue sky,any tips would be most helpful.................

[JohnRostron]

I don't know about photographic creativity, but these are excellent photos of a Buzzard doing just what a Buzzard does. I've never got anywhere near enough to a buzzard to get photos like these. Well done.

John

[Brownbear]

Hi Bernard,

Now I know that this is a buzzard that looks like a Hawk.

You're birds are coming along wonderfully! #3 is almost a belter! You just need to get closer (difficult with 300 mm focal length) and have better light.

I love that the Buzzard seems to be looking at you in all three images. I also adore how the Buzzard is peeking at you from beneath its wingtip in the first shot.

The best of this set, for me, is the 3rd image for the sharpness and beautiful detail seen in the wings and also the light shining through the tail feathers. The image quality seems much stronger than in the 1st and 2nd where the tops of the wings seem soft, especially in 2nd image.

I'm going to make a guess and say that you were closest to the Buzzard in the 3rd image because of the image quality.

I expect that if you are able to get closer by hanging around and just watching to learn what direction this Buzzard likes to fly, etc. And waiting patiently until he/she is accustomed to your presence. For more about buzzards see

http://beautyofbirds.com/commonbuzzards.html

http://www.rspb.org.uk/community/wil...09/t/9104.aspx

Position yourself so that the light is behind you and the bird is front lit (easiest), followed by side light with the light falling on the birds head... Back lighting is challenging for exposures but so beautiful as also seen in the tail feathers of your Buzzard...

I try and photograph birds early in the morning (a little after sunrise when they are most active and flying about), or late afternoon when the light is softer (softer shadows) Or I head out on a bright sunny day with lots of clouds, or just a bright cloudy day for soft light and detail. Later in the day you'll find that parts of the bird are in heavy shadow if not totally front lit. I took some images of herons the other day and by 8:30 am (just 2 1/4 hours after sunrise) the shadows were too much)

Whenever the light allows for it I try to use a faster shutter speed for hand held shots even though it is certainly possible to use slower shutter speeds, because it makes it easier to grab sharp focus on the bird. So I personally would try a SS of 1/1600 or higher if the light/aperture and ISO allows. Even though you did wonderfully with the 3rd image at 1/1250.

In summary, #3 is almost a belter! That you were able to capture this Buzzard in flight at a focal length of 300 mm is amazing! And he/she is flying towards you! Very well done!

[Stagecoach]

+1 to all that Christina has said.

Managing to get No 3 framed as it is, sharp and coming towards you is quite an achievement Bernard, well done.

[DEAN01]

+1 to Grahame's comment.

[Benjy]

John,Christina,Grahame,Dean,thanks for kind comments,Christina,big thanks for taking time with detailed tips,I will take note and use,cheers your a star

[IzzieK]

No bird expert here either...I agree with what everyone said, whatever they are...sorry not reading tonight ... I can only say I like #3 a lot.

[Benjy]

Cheers Izzie

[Barbara Ponder]

Nice shots Bernard! You are fast becoming a fellow "Bird Nerd".

[Benjy]

Barbara,thanks,well chuffed with your nice comment,went out this morning,blue skies,same bird,upped s/s 1/1600,ISO 100,f8,shots all mince,buzzard just a sillouette,a proper bummer...

[Brownbear]

Hi Bernard,

Just to say, don't give up! I expect that Buzzards are like Eagles and Hawks, dark birds that are very challenging to photograph. And more so for you without a lens like mine (f4 300 mm Nikkor) And I'm guessing that your shot this morning was backlit? If yes, try easier lighting.

Also you upped the SS to 1600 and lowered the ISO to 100 from a prior 400? Perhaps you can go as high as an ISO of 800 on your camera, and use a larger aperture? (even if it means losing some DOF) I'm not sure how large a bird a Buzzard is, or how far away it is but there is likely some leeway with the DOF...

I remember photographing a little Kingfisher on a sunny morning with blue sky... I was at f/4 ISO 3200 and a SS of 1/25 (hand held, and no it is not my best shot)... Simply impossible in the low light conditions, and sometimes that is just the way it is. I think your light is much like my light, never enough.

I always try testing my exposure on a similar coloured object/bird in the same lighting conditions, and also in an alternate direction for a just in case alternate flight path. This way I can make a best guess on the exposure and at least be in the ball park for the bird, or fully aware that I'm trying the impossible.

I'm not familiar with your camera but if it has an auto ISO setting this is very helpful to use when set to the maximum your camera can handle for image quality due to the changing light conditions. If not, try a set ISO of 800 and see what shutter speed that allows you to use when you expose as far to the right as you can without clipping the bird. And even an ISO of 1600 just for learning to see what you can get away with in those lighting conditions.


Now I have to get back to packing... Cheerio!