Woody

[Benjy]

Some kind person had hung a few feeders in nearby woods as I was trying to get a few shots of the small birds ,without success,just cannot get the hang of fast shutter speeds,pictures very dark,this lady appeared and hung about for a few minutes....

[Shadowman]

I'd start with shutterspeed, then aperture, and work my way to ISO adjustments. Of course if you are looking for a blurred background like you have here then perhaps starting with aperture settings would be the way to go then shutter speed.

[Brownbear]

Hi Benard,

I think this is a lovely shot for the moment captured, nice focus, beautiful colours and blurred background.

If your exif data are correct that you captured this little bird so sharply at a shutter speed of 1/40 second is amazing! You should be feeling well chuffed!

I wonder if your camera could handle an ISO of 800 with a perfect exposure, allowing for a higher shutter speed. I'm assuming that f/5.6 is as wide as you can go at that focal length.

[Nicks Pics]

That's a nice looking wood pecker, we don't have that particular kind here with the red under-tail feathers, but similar ones. This photo is pretty decent for 1/40 SS, I occasionally use 1/50 if the light is very dim and iso is to it's usable limit, but would usually use at least iso 800 at that point, though 1/50 is too slow to catch a bird in motion, you just have to hope it didn't twitch for 1/50th of a second, so of course faster shutter speeds work better, as you said you were trying. I would be interested to know what kind of camera you are using, because raising iso to where you are getting a properly exposed image can actually reduce noise, in my experience. Anyway, if the light was dim, sharp images just can be difficult. A brighter day would certainly help for shooting fast shutter speeds.

[Benjy]

John,Christina,Nick,thanks for kind comments,I use a Sony a65 with 70-300 g,ssm lens,which I get loads of enjoyment with

[Ziggy]

I think you did a nice job on the capture. Reminds me of a little of a Downy Woodpecker we have in Ohio.

[Benjy]

cheers Jim...

[Stagecoach]

Good capture and find Bernard.

[John 2]

Good capture Bernard. We don't have that many really colourful birds but this one of them. Nice shot.

[IzzieK]

This is one colourful woodpecker, Benjy...I nearly asked how far you are from the bird but seeing what lens you used, I got the answer. Very nice find...Well done shot too.

[NorthernFocus]

Pretty bird. Viewed in the lightbox it looks much sharper. Nicely done.

[bnnrcn]

Very nice colorful bird

[Benjy]

Thanks all for views and kind comments...