Help with clarity without graininess

[chauncey]

Don't just go out in the field and start clicking off shots...relax...get close...plan the session.
A couple things already mentioned, tripod and lighting.
My usual manual settings for large BIF are ISO 200, SS 1-2000, f/4.0 with light behind the tripod.
Don't be quick to upgrade gear without having the basics down pat.

You haven't mentioned your software...all of your images could be improved with PP.

[Geoff F]

Just an additional thought about using a tripod.

With fast moving birds tripods can prove too cumbersome and time consuming by the time you 'lock on' to your subject then twist a couple of levers to tighten the tripod head while keeping good focus and also thinking about the scene composition.

But yes, with heavy equipment, I mostly photograph birds with a tripod. However, I have a ball head which is lightly adjusted so I can still 'swing my camera around' in much the same way as free hand held shooting but with extra steadiness, and the tripod takes the strain of all that weight..

[skitterbug]

Hi Alex - I appreciate the info you have included here especially since you also have the T3i. I am beginning to think the way to proceed is figuring out what settings work for me in what situations and then make notes. Fortunately, I have a lifetime (what is left of it) to work on this and with the help offered in CiC maybe I’ll achieve better photography sooner rather than later!

Hi Chauncey - I’ve used the tripod for a few sessions but nothing like trying to pin down birds. So far, I’ve used it for timed family pics, and the moon! <grin> Both turned out decently for me.

You asked about my software. So far I’ve used Photo that comes with Mac but I also use Light Room (stand alone app) and an older version of Adobe Photoshop Elements. Then for the fun of it, I plunked money down on Aurora HDR Pro. Out of these, I find myself twiddling around with Light Room most of the time. I will attempt to tweak my work but I have no real working experience for the reasons why I would choose one “look” over another. One example of a photo that I thought turned out really well is located here: http://i57.tinypic.com/e96vcl.jpg

New equipment probably isn't something I can justify yet but a lens that zoomed out to 400mm would sure be nice!

Hi Geoff - If birds would stay put for more than two seconds, then I’d have a chance using a tripod but I’m not really experienced enough to take a tripod out for a birding expedition. I do like the idea of the “ball head” though so that the camera can be moved freely. That would probably help.

Thank you very much for continuing this topic. Every bit of information helps!