Not Easy This BIF Stuff

[John 2]

My first real attempt. Over cropped, over processed, not a good background and probably the wrong subject to try first time out. Lapwings are just so acrobatic. None the less worth posting for some advice and C&C.

Nikon D7100
Tamron 150-600mm @ 550mm

1/1600th sec f8 ISO 800


1/1000th f8 ISO 400

[bnnrcn]

I like the posture and composition in #1

[Geoff F]

Yes the first image has worked perfectly.

I did wonder about cropping the second a little tighter, possibly a different size ratio, to lose a little of the top background area. But when I look closer, I see the fine detail isn't quite so good. Therefore, I would probably forget about that photo.

[Shadowman]

But oh so fun. Nice efforts.

[NorthernFocus]

Not a bad first attempt. Great position on the bird in no.1.

[FootLoose]

Good first attempt, John. BiF are very demanding - I rarely succeed.

[IzzieK]

....BiF are very demanding - I rarely succeed.

Now...now...don't discourage me...just to get another type of bird, I am trying birding this week, real birds with feathers....... If I don't catch any, I will go home with my head down traumatized by the experience...

John...I like #1 too, nice pose.....but come to think of it, is that a ghost of another bird at the top right of the frame??? And you know what else I am bothered at -- the purple background...don't know why.....???

[Kodiak]

I like the posture and composition in #1

Indeed, the shot is impeccable! … my only objection is toward what appears
to be an overcooked rendition. I understand the need to separate the subject
but I think that your strategy, though very efficient, may have taken the scene
too far from real "Mother Nature's look".

[John 2]

Thanks all for your comments, every one of them valid. It's hard Izzie. Kodiak has summed it up well. Once you finally mannage to locate a bird in the view finder and keep it there, it's usually too far away and in the wrong place. Hence "...Over cropped, over processed, not a good background ......", but it's worth it when you finally get something even half decent.

I set the camera to shutter priority with auto ISO and continuous focus. Is there a better strategy? Any advice welcome.

[Stagecoach]

Is there a better strategy? Any advice welcome.

Of course there is John, shoot only much larger slower birds

Seriously, both compositions are good and the backgrounds are pleasant. They are far better than anything I have ever achieved.

[IzzieK]

Maybe that is a better strategy, John...this will be my second birding experience...and in a different venue...and I will be alone in the house this time around and the weather will be good for photoshooting anything really -- cloudy with scattered thunderstorms. My first one was a disaster so this second I will try my best. I used manual everything at the time and was really stupid until I learned how to shoot airplanes and read shutter priority is best, plus of course watching your blinkies and coordinating your ISO, SS and Apertures before using EC/EV. So this time I will not be far off (keeping my fingers crossed...)

[deetheturk]

I would be more than happy with both shots John, great first attempt

David

[Paniaa]

Perhaps there are flaws, maybe, but I think they are both beautiful

[jprzybyla]

Hi John, congratulation on your first attempt. For the subject you chose and the background you did well, much easier with a slower bird and a less busy background. When I am shooting birds I use Manual because that allows me to chose the shutter speed and aperture to suit the conditions. As you did with these shots I always use Auto ISO. Your D7100 like my D7000 makes for changing settings on the fly quickly, back wheel for shutter speed, front wheel for aperture. For birds in flight the slowest shutter speed I use is 1/1600 then changing to a faster shutter speed as the light allows or the birds speed demands. For an aperture most times it is F/5.6 or F/8. Put the sun to your back and shoot what is in front of you, preferably the bird will be angling towards you which gives a nice head angle and wing position. Your lens should do a great job, I see many nature photographers with it. To begin try to find birds with the sky as a background, easier to learn on and easier for the camera to track. Continuous Focus setting is what you need but I have my camera set to AF-A which lets the camera choose whether a subject is stationary or moving and setting the focus mode appropriately. Hoping this helps John, keep shooting my friend.

[John 2]

Thank you Joe. AF-A sounds like a good idea and I will try that. Shutter speed is always a problem because there is rarely enough light to justify the higher speeds unless the ISO is bumped up - which means unless I can get close, the quality drops......Why am I saying this? You must have been there a thousand times.

[jprzybyla]

Hi John, don't worry about the ISO, your D7100 can handle higher ISO's. Just something to deal with in post processing, but most time with your camera it will not be excessive unless you open the shadows too much. That is where it will show up where the signal is the weakest.

[Brownbear]

Hi John,

Just to confirm Joe's advice. I was very hesitant to try using auto iso for but upon advisement from Joe I did, and indeed it works exceptionally well when you don't have to increase the exposure. I have the same camera as you. Wonderful first try!