First attempt at birds

[Rita]

I decided to try, for the first time, to capture some backyard birds this morning. There is room for
improvement, and no where near the calibre of some I have seen here, but, I thought I would post
for any feedback. Any and all comments are most appreciated


1.


2.


3.

[chauncey]

Rita...it would seem that you have a problem with your auto focus system. Birds are soft.
What kind of gear are you using?

[Dave Humphries]

Hi Rita,

My first thought was you nailed the exposures under challenging conditions, well done.

I think the softness is far more likely caused by subject movement and/or camera shake - the shutter speeds above are 1/125s, 1/80s and 1/50s respectively, at 400 iso and 140mm or 300mm on a m4/3 body (i.e. effectively 280mm and 600mm on FF). You can raise the iso, especially if these aren't cropped too hard in PP.

You really need to shoot at a much higher shutter speed to get any detail in feathers and to stop 'feeder swing' blur.

I have found the only way is to shoot from the sunny side, so they are well lit on the side facing you.
The other thing is to get feeders that have a dark colour and dull matt surface to avoid issues with specular reflections from the sunshine - something for your 'Xmas' wish list perhaps?

btw I also like the compositions/crops - all in all a good first attempt.

HTH,

[jprzybyla]

Hello Rita, good for your first attempt. It has taken me three years to feel at all competent. I agree with all Dave has written. Most likely the soft focus is due to a low shutter speed, I try to keep a minimum shutter speed of 1/500 for birds and if the bird is moving or being blown about by the wind then a shutter speed of 1/1000 or higher. Most times I will put the sun to my back and shoot what is in front of me.

[Rita]

Chauncey, I was using an Olympus em-5 with a 75-300mm lens. It was my first attempt with birds and the lens just arrived
last night so it was first attempt with the lens too.

[Rita]

Hi Dave,
Thanks for the feedback. I was so happy to have my new lens, and anxious to try it out, that I didn't
think about shutter speed and shot the pics with aperture priority. Next time I will go with the faster
shutter speeds and raise the ISO .
The feeders are at my friends house. Unfortunately where I live we aren't allowed bird feeders. I would
sure have some if I could.

[Rita]

Thank you Joe, I will try out the shutter speeds and watch the sun.

[Stinky]

Very nice! Keep on working at it. What is the bird in #3?

[Rita]

Hi Steve, the bird in #3 is a Spotted Towee.

[Bobobird]

Good first try and others have already commented on what needs to be done.

Take your time, you will get it right much sooner than you think.

But.... you have just entered into a field of photography where you will eventually learn you will always find something, even in the best of shots, that will not be to your liking.

[NorthernFocus]

Nice first attempt. Others have already made the relevant technical comments. All I'll add it to proceed at your own risk. Bird photography can be very addicting...

[Rita]

OK I went out to a nearby lake today to try and put into practice the suggestions given to me here. I figured that I would try some ducks because they would be a easier to capture. When I got there the lake was frozen over. Here are 3 of my results with higher ISO and faster shutter speeds. I think the feathers definitely look better. What do you think
1.


2.


3. HELP, my bill is stuck to the ice

[Downrigger]

Congratulations on a triumphal return. These are tack sharp, beautifully lit, and with character well captured. I wish I could learn as quickly!

[NorthernFocus]

Bingo. Ya did good. The first and second shots are awesome. Framed a bit tight on the second and third. Third shot is exposed well in the lit area but the eye isn't visible. That's a big no no for bird photos. No blind birdies...

You're a quick study.

[Rita]

Thank you Mark. It might look like the change was instantaneous but I probably took about 500 pics between yesterday and today to try and get it right. There was a lot of deleting happening in the process

[Rita]

Thank you Dan. I didn't even notice the eye, oh yeah, it isn't visible Thanks for pointing that out I will keep that in mind for next time I go out, hopefully Tuesday.

[Downrigger]

There was a lot of deleting happening in the process

Deletions are not much spoken of here. I think it is acceptable to be quiet about it.

I wonder if the keep/delete ratio changes a lot with time for the conscientious student. I have an accomplished photographer friend who recommends for me an exercise of going out to shoot every day with an allowance of only one exposure. No way I'm ready for that.

[NorthernFocus]

... I wonder if the keep/delete ratio changes a lot with time...

It hasn't for me. Though I hope the quality of the deletes has improved

[Rita]

Now that could be an interesting exercise.

[Rita]

Ha Ha Ha Dan.