Party line

[ucci]

A pair of swallows sharing a line on a fence. Seen whilst out walking the dogs and, strangely enough, would you credit it, I just happened to have a camera on my person

[FrankMi]

Hi Ken, a lovely shot but a little grainy. I'm guessing that it is a small portion of a larger image?

This image reminds me of an issue I have not found a good way to solve as yet. I would like to have my D3100 and lenses with me far more often but even when I do, they are not always quickly accessible. For example, I saw a deer at the side of the road last evening but couldn't stop the car and get to the camera before he was off to the woods.

So the question is, what do you normally 'carry around' with the hopes that an opportunity like this one will occur? Obviously, driving introduces a whole new dynamic to having a camera ready when you see a shot worth taking.

[ucci]

Hi Frank
Thanks for viewing and comment. Yes it is excessively grainy as you picked due to it being small part of a large shot. Not a good shot really, and beyond most of the magic of PS. They were up high on the upper stands of a security fence. Probably should have let the shot go. But it was unusual them sitting side by side.
In response to your question I carry a bag with shoulder strap with my camera and two lenses most places I walk. Just in case. Usually with zoom lenses fitted for these sorts of shots. If it requires a wide angle or normal lens then there is usually time to change over. And yes I still miss the better shots because I can't get the camera out and going before the shot is 'lost.'
Cheers
Ken

[FrankMi]

Thank you for the feedback, Ken. When I am out looking for wildlife, I usually leave the camera bag in the car, the DSLR on a Black Rapid RS-7 and carry the wide-angle and normal lenses in belt pouches. Most of the time, anything else I might need will fit in my pocket or pouch. That way I don't have the bag flopping around when I try to get a quick shot. For other than wildlife and particularly high contrast HDR, I carry a tripod but haven't found a good way to keep that from flopping around and being more of a pain in the neck than the bag!

My frustration comes more from when I have my gear in the bag! I've been thinking of carrying a pocket sized Point 'n Shoot for while I'm driving or don't have the DSLR with me. Most P&S's don't do RAW and those that do, have a very limited zoom range. I think I need to post a new thread on which is best and why; P&S RAW or zoom capability. Looks like I'm starting to ramble on, sorry!

[ucci]

Hi Frank
I share your frustration in this. My wife Glenise has 3 point and shoots which she takes on her OS trips. And she gets some cracker shots with them. Whenever she leaves the house she always has at least one with her 'just in case!' Some times all singing, all dancing, bells and whistles can be a bit of an over kill.
Cheers
Ken

[Maritimer1]

When I am driving, my camera is out of the bag and on the seat beside me. When someone else is driving, the camera is in my hands, and I often take shots with various settings just for practice as the car is moving. Yes, I am addicted.

Those are very pretty swallows. We have some with similar colours that swoop in and out of the barn... barn swallows. Not quite as colourful, though. I tried to get a photo of them the other evening, but they were too fast and too far away.

Myra

[Geoff F]

Ken, I reckon that if you ran a Blur Tool around the noisy areas you would see a considerable improvement. Just carefully cut in around the birds.

I use this simple method on a lot of my wildlife shots.

[ucci]

Thanks for great tip Geoff. I will give it a go!