Bird Photo

[Sam W]

Well I know as little about birds as I do photography...so its easy to make improvements in both categories :-). My first attempts are below. Both were hand held photos. The first lacks focus but I thought at least the bird is looking at me :-) while the second is in better focus but the bird did not like to pose very well. Anyway, I thought his/her feet were more interesting that its eyes. C&C welcome.

[Shadowman]

Nice set.

[jamn4ex]

I like the first one better sam.

[Sam W]

Thanks John!

[Sam W]

I like the first one better sam.

Thanks James!

[davidedric]

Hi Sam,

The first one is a good pose and composition, but I'm afraid the focus is off. The edges of the leaves just above the bird look sharp, but the bird isn't. Compare the feather detail in the second image, and you can see it's much finer and better. Can you remember (or check the exif?) which focus mode you were using?

Dave

[Sam W]

Hi Dave,

Yep, I saw the focusing problem in the first. I think I had the focused locked on the leaves and then moved to the bird creating the focus problem. I agree with all of your comments. Thanks - Sam

[Wavelength]

Both images are nice

[Sam W]

Both images are nice

Thank you Nandakumar.

[Saorsa]

In the first, the cluttered background detracts from the shot of the bird. It is just too much in focus and occupies so much of the image that it obscures the subject. The second shows a much better background but perhaps goes a bit far the other way becoming patterns of light rather than an inclusion of the environment.

The first could be improved by cropping and the second a bit of selective brightening around the head.

The Grackle is usually willing to let you get a little closer. Shooting birds requires some slow movement and not too much attention on the bird until you are ready to shoot. Like a pretty girl on the street. They like to be noticed but get nervous if you stand and stare too long

[Mike Buckley]

In the first, the cluttered background detracts from the shot of the bird.

Using a polarizer to minimize or eliminate the glare on the leaves would have helped. In addition to minimizing the clutter, leaves always look best when their color and texture are displayed. Both characteristics are hidden by the glare.

[Sam W]

In the first, the cluttered background detracts from the shot of the bird. It is just too much in focus and occupies so much of the image that it obscures the subject. The second shows a much better background but perhaps goes a bit far the other way becoming patterns of light rather than an inclusion of the environment.

The first could be improved by cropping and the second a bit of selective brightening around the head.

The Grackle is usually willing to let you get a little closer. Shooting birds requires some slow movement and not too much attention on the bird until you are ready to shoot. Like a pretty girl on the street. They like to be noticed but get nervous if you stand and stare too long

Ah the Grackle! Thanks for teaching me a few things. I noticed how they were not too timid. I recognize that I can do but so much at this point but I cropped the first and removed one of the glaring leaves. On the second I brightened the head. I had done that in the original post but I can see now how a bit more helps a lot. Thanks again - Sam

[Sam W]

Using a polarizer to minimize or eliminate the glare on the leaves would have helped. In addition to minimizing the clutter, leaves always look best when their color and texture are displayed. Both characteristics are hidden by the glare.

Using a polarizer would have been a great idea. I will keep that in mind for my next opportunity. Thanks - Sam

[Mike Buckley]

In the first photo, I think the issue of lack of sharpness is due primarily to shutter speed than focus point. Though I think the focus could be a little better, the primary issue for me is that the bird's beak and eye aren't sharp. Considering that the fence and most of the bird are relatively sharp or are at least sharper, that leads me to believe that the bird quickly moved its head at the moment you released the shutter, which was set only to 1/125. I wouldn't even shoot a candid of a human at anything below 1/200 and if it's a small child, nothing slower than 1/500 if I can get away with it.

I would be able to determine the cause of the issue more definitively if I could look at the full-size image. Regardless of the outcome of doing so, I don't shoot birds but I do know enough about movement of other animals to know that you would be well advised to pay more attention to using a faster shutter speed.

[Sam W]

In the first photo, I think the issue of lack of sharpness is due primarily to shutter speed than focus point. Though I think the focus could be a little better, the primary issue for me is that the bird's beak and eye aren't sharp. Considering that the fence and most of the bird are relatively sharp or are at least sharper, that leads me to believe that the bird quickly moved its head at the moment you released the shutter, which was set only to 1/125. I wouldn't even shoot a candid of a human at anything below 1/200 and if it's a small child, nothing slower than 1/500 if I can get away with it.

I would be able to determine the cause of the issue more definitively if I could look at the full-size image. Regardless of the outcome of doing so, I don't shoot birds but I do know enough about movement of other animals to know that you would be well advised to pay more attention to using a faster shutter speed.

Mike - Believe it or not, I recall the shot and that is exactly what happened (movement of the head). I am so impressed with your analysis! I think I could have eventually gotten a better shot had I stayed at that location longer. I will now keep a keen eye on the shutter speed from now on. Thanks for the advise! - Sam

[Mike Buckley]

Sam,

This is a situation that I think is ideal for using Aperture Priority in combination with Auto ISO. Set your camera to its base ISO (which is probably 100). Set your Auto ISO to the maximum ISO you choose and to the minimum shutter speed, perhaps 1/500 in this situation. No matter where the bird moves to, your meter will automatically adjust the exposure to the new scene while ensuring that you shoot at no slower than the shutter speed that will stop the action of the bird. It will also ensure that the lowest possible ISO is used given the constraints of your other exposure settings. The only setting you then need to be concerned with from shot to shot is the aperture, which when configured properly will ensure that you achieve the desired depth of field.

[Sam W]

Sam,

This is a situation that I think is ideal for using Aperture Priority in combination with Auto ISO. Set your camera to its base ISO (which is probably 100). Set your Auto ISO to the maximum ISO you choose and to the minimum shutter speed, perhaps 1/500 in this situation. No matter where the bird moves to, your meter will automatically adjust the exposure to the new scene while ensuring that you shoot at no slower than the shutter speed that will stop the action of the bird. It will also ensure that the lowest possible ISO is used given the constraints of your other exposure settings. The only setting you then need to be concerned with from shot to shot is the aperture, which when configured properly will ensure that you achieve the desired depth of field.

Mike - I'll program that into one of my user modes so I can get to that combo quickly. Seems like I usually need the slower shutter speeds and larger Fstops more often. Thanks for the great idea & guidance. - Sam

[Mike Buckley]

Seems like I usually need the slower shutter speeds and larger Fstops more often.

In those situations, simply configure the slowest shutter speed in Auto ISO that you can handhold as the minimum shutter speed. That's how I shoot all of my handheld photos unless I have to configure a faster minimum shutter speed to stop the action.

There are lots of ways to accomplish our goals, but I am so comfortable with my style of photography using Aperture Priority in combination with Auto ISO for all of my handheld shots. (I never use Auto ISO when using a tripod.)

[IzzieK]

Both are nice shots with its own merits...I like them both.

[Sam W]

Both are nice shots with its own merits...I like them both.

Thanks Izzie! Hope to do better.