Divers (Pelicans)

[RogerCook]

Here are a couple of shots that have good timing but are not tack sharp

[wtlwdwgn]

It also looks like the lighting was not on your side either which limited your exposure options. Usually a high shutter speed, e.g., 1/1000 or higher, is necessary to get those super sharp action images. Also the photographer doesn't want to be still panning when the subject stops. Practice, practice, practice. I'm still practicing after almost 50 years of shooting.

[RogerCook]

Thanks for the tips I was just starting to realize that 1/800 was not cutting it but as you stated the lighting wasn't great and my Olympus E-3 if you set the ISO higher than 800 the image sucks. I never thought about the panning thing though, that could explain some of it also. Thanks again!

[Panama Hat & Camera]

Roger,
Please inform the EXIF data of the pictures.
As Steve said, this kind of photo needs good lighting conditions (or a camera that works well with high ISO) for shooting at high speed.
Once, I saw a similar photo taken a moment before the bird soak its head and I think it worked a little better than yours pictures.
Anyway, my congratulations. While shooting for over 50 years, I had never photographed a bird upon its entry into the water.

Steve,
I really like your quote ("The only limitation in my photo gear is ME!"), but I adapted it to my use: "The major limitation in my photo gear is ME!"

Antonio.

[jamn4ex]

I wish I had more oppurtunity to shoot pelicans. I dont see a lot of em in Tennessee , they are very interesting to watch which makes me want to photograph them. I think 2 is almost a great shot, and hope you will try some more. Thanks for posting, I had a couple come through here 2 months ago if I can find them I will post them on your thread. If you dont mind .

[Bobobird]

With a diving shot the aim should be to get the beak just touching the water.

Every bird that dives has a pre-dive pattern, look for that, focus and shoot as you pan towards the water. The 5fps on your camera should handle that one easily. The other way is focus on the pre-dive and keeping shutter half way move angle of view to the water and start firing as it dives. Takes a bit of practice but with large birds you should start getting pretty good shots in no time. Make sure to keep shooting after the dive to get shots of it with its catch.

[wtlwdwgn]

Steve,
I really like your quote ("The only limitation in my photo gear is ME!"), but I adapted it to my use: "The major limitation in my photo gear is ME!"

Antonio.

I am honored that you like it that well.

Roger, I hope you will have an opportunity to practice on some more diving birds. I'd like to see more of your images.

[Donald]

Roger, I hope you will have an opportunity to practice on some more diving birds.

I'd agree with that. This is the sort of shot that needs lots and lots of practice. If you do have the opportunity to repeat the shoot, then I'd bet you'd see improvements and you'd get the sort of shots you'd be proud of.

I'm reminded of me trying to shoot leaping salmon a few weeks ago. Boy, it was tough and I never got anything like the quality of image that I'd had in my mind. Won't have the chance to try again until next year.

[RogerCook]

Roger, I hope you will have an opportunity to practice on some more diving birds. I'd like to see more of your images.

Yes I will continue to try I live very close to the beach and they are a blast to shoot, when there's bait in the water it's very active. One time a couple of years ago there was a cove that a school of bait must have gone into and there were at least 300 pelicans diving all over the place but it was almost dark.

[FootLoose]

Thanks for sharing the pelican shots, Roger. I am a fan of pelicans too, though the locals don't look like those. And I have never seen any them actually diving.

Can you give me an idea of how far away the birds were, and what lens / focal length you used?

[RogerCook]

Thanks for sharing the pelican shots, Roger. I am a fan of pelicans too, though the locals don't look like those. And I have never seen any them actually diving.

Can you give me an idea of how far away the birds were, and what lens / focal length you used?

I can't remember how far away the birds were in these shots but usually between 50-400 yards away would be my guess. Both were taken using an Olympus E-3 the first one with a Sigma 50-500mm at 500mm F 6.3 1/1000 ISO 400 and I couldn't find the original file on the second one. But did find some other nice shots I forgot about I'll post them soon.