Project 52 by Geoff F

[ScoutR]

Hi Geoff, I really like the variety in your project, boats and birds and people and flowers and all well done. The Iris' and birds are right up my alley and I think they are very well done. I'd be happy with all of them. Very difficult subjects

Wendy

[Goldcoastgolfer]

Thanks for the positive comments.

The only problem with these bigger lenses, Mal, is that they are either a bit restricted in light levels etc or excessively expensive!

I find the Sigma 150-500 to be a good lens for the price but it is something of a 'good light lens' and really needs F8 to F11 range to perform at it's best, which can mean making compromises with other settings.

That seems to be the way with all lenses! At least it teaches us to appreciate the different types of light.

[Geoff F]

Thanks, Wendy. As I said at the start of this project, I want to show something of this area including both working and nature scenes; plus how it all affects my life.

So far, I have put off shooting the road works which are blocking the main street, that's if you could call it a main street; and some shots of a boatyard at work also got deferred.

Maybe a chance of a few flakes of snow later this week but at the moment it is still quite mild. If the bumblebee that was flying around my garden today returns when I have my camera handy that could become next week's subject.

[Geoff F]

Although the temperature was only 2C there were a couple of queen bumblebees (Bombus terrestris) feeding on the heather flowers in weak winter sunshine.

1/250; F 14; ISO 200. 7D with Sigma 180 macro lens, with flash on a tripod.

Rotated the image through 90 degrees and did a bit of editing on the brightness/colour.

Maybe not totally perfect, but I liked the idea of a monster rampaging through the undergrowth.

[Goldcoastgolfer]

I'm not sure if I want to post my macro shot this week after seeing yours! You've even caught the pollen being thrown out of the flowers. Great capture!

[SpiderBob]

Nice picture, really sharp

[Geoff F]

Once again, thanks for the comments.

[Bunty Plumchip]

Really enjoying your project.
The white bell heather is a superb setting for the bee even before the excellence of the photograph captures it and interprets it. One of those images that impacts upon the viewer and remains fixed in the mind.

[Sam Smith]

This could is possibly one of the best macro shots i have seen on here.

[Letrow]

Nice one Geoff, you know I like bumblebees, so this is a favourite. I am without any insects at the moment, quite dull to be honest.

[Wendy Stanford]

Wonderful Capture Geoff, nice and sharp with good DOF,
well done

[jeechu1970]

Really great shot..........

[Dave Humphries]

Not too far off totally perfect Geoff, well done

[Geoff F]

During conversion to internet size/format and linking here, I appear to have lost a little bit of detail from the heather flowers.

Thanks for the replies.

And now . . . I'm wondering what subjects to attempt for next week.

[Goldcoastgolfer]

During conversion to internet size/format and linking here, I appear to have lost a little bit of detail from the heather flowers.

Thanks for the replies.

And now . . . I'm wondering what subjects to attempt for next week.

Aren't we all

[Geoff F]

For a couple of hours the grey clouds parted and a little hazy sunshine appeared so I went to the fish quay looking for a suitable subject.

A few black-headed gulls were flying around and picking up some fish scraps. At this time of the year these little fast moving birds are just starting to develop their characteristic black heads.



This quick shot of a turning bird isn't perfectly sharp and has a little bit of noise in places but I liked the fast action of the wings.



These were both taken with my 7D and the Sigma 150-500 lens, hand held. As it turned out, most shots were around 200 mm so I would have probably found it easier if I had taken my faster focusing 70-200 instead. But I didn't know what I would find so I tried to cover myself for all eventualities.

1/1600 F13 for the first shot and F11 for the second; both at ISO 800.

After a few test shots at Tv setting, I switched to full manual camera control because the background was so variable.

Eventually, when I was able to get closer to the gulls I tried my 24-105 and increased the shutter speed a little. 1/2000 F10 ISO 640 for this shot of a bird about to pick up a little tit bit.



The angle of light was a bit difficult because there was a northerly wind and southerly sun. When looking for food these birds prefer to fly into the wind.

So it was mostly a case of shooting into the sun or getting shots from behind the birds without clearly seeing their heads. And the quay cast a shadow if the camera angle was too close.

Therefore, I took over 300 shots to get 6 at suitable angles.

[Goldcoastgolfer]

Well worth the effort Geoff. The first and last ones are magnficient. I've been trying to get something similar for weeks without much luck. I take it that you managed to get a bright day for these shots?

[Geoff F]

Thanks, Mal. Just a little hazy sunshine; but sometimes that is better with white birds.

Rain again this afternoon but brighter forecast tomorrow. If we get some clear air I really ought to look for some landscapes.

[johnbharle]

Wanted to get away from boats this week but the weather was still poor at the start of the week.

However, there was full moon peeping through the clouds and at one time it developed an interesting 'ring'.

I think I took this same moon, but yours came out so much better. I would like to get a longer lens so I can take a larger image. But I think what always surprises me is how fast you can have your shutter. Great capture.

[johnbharle]

It does always seem that there are so many bad pictures for the one good shot. These are great!