Very amatureish Timelapses

[Bobobird]

Hello everyone Long time no see. Been very busy.

Was recently fortunate to get 2 long sequences of osprey hunting and each time coming up with a huge fish.
No way to process hundreds of pics so did up a few of the closer shots and turned the sequences into timelapses.

Forgive me for the amateurish effort but it is the first time doing something like this.

Suggestions, critique always welcome.


https://youtu.be/hToMtNUAv3M

https://youtu.be/Bi3TLK823EA

[chaman]

My 2 cents.

This is not the usual scenario I see time lapse been used. It would have been better to apply detailed slow motion to achieve a dramatic effect. I usually see time lapse used for applications were time pass slow by, like clouds, transition from day to night etc.

[george013]

Hello everyone Long time no see. Been very busy.

Was recently fortunate to get 2 long sequences of osprey hunting and each time coming up with a huge fish.
No way to process hundreds of pics so did up a few of the closer shots and turned the sequences into timelapses.

Forgive me for the amateurish effort but it is the first time doing something like this.

Suggestions, critique always welcome.


https://youtu.be/hToMtNUAv3M

https://youtu.be/Bi3TLK823EA

I think it's wonderful!!
How did it catch the fish? Waiting for him to swim in his claws?
You where really lucky you took so many shots.

George

[Rufus]

The time lapse is facinating but does not do justice to the quality of wonderful individual frames which I see by stop-starting the Youtube file.

There some excellent images there.

[John 2]

Great subject. Quite fascinating. A higher frame rate would have done it more justice but very nicely done.

[Shadowman]

Welcome back and nice sequences, you can change the speed of the video and it gives a more fluid presentation.

[dje]

Interesting stuff Bobo

Works for me. Were these shots taken in Multiple Exposure mode? I've only ever dabbled with time lapse using an intervalometer. The thing I like about time lapse is the quality of the images that can be obtained. What software did you use to make the videos?

Dave

[NorthernFocus]

Hey, Bobo. Some awesome shots in there. I guess by calling this time lapse people have certain expectations of what they will see. IMO in this particular case it may be more effective to use less frames and to pause a bit longer on each frame to allow the viewer to take in some detail. As is it's not fluid like video to allow an appreciation of the motion nor is there enough time to appreciate the detail revealed by still photography. Anyhow that's my input.

[billtils]

I think that bobo's intent here was to provide a convenient vehicle to let us share his experience, and not to make a movie or apply any specific technique. What he did certainly works for me in that regard. I look forward to seeing some of the excellent individual images here in due course.

[Bobobird]

Thank everyone for your nice comments and suggestions. Much appreciated. Will keep those in mind for the future.

Bill got my intent all right and answered all the questions at the same time. Thanks Bill.

Yes it was just slapping together hundreds of still frames from each sequence (#1 about 200, #2 about 400).

Actually I never intended making these but some fellow photographers who sometimes shoot at that location missed out on probably the 2 biggest fish ever caught there and wanted to "feel" the action instead of just seeing stills.

@Dan - great suggestion. Will take that into consideration if something like this comes up.

Will post a couple of shots later.

[Bobobird]

Some shots.

Would have liked to post some of the "in water" shots but don't have time
to go over those just yet. Maybe another time.

[george013]

May I ask you something?
It's the same fish so I think the same series. In the exif it says you used manual, f8 and 1/2000s but one is 1/2500. Is that due to roundings? And probably auto iso. Is that right?
Wonderful shots and moment.

George

[NorthernFocus]

Awesome stuff as usual Bobo. I really like the first one for the bird position, eye contact, detail on the fish, and lovely BG. And of course excellent techs on all. Nicely done.

[tbob]

Well done and brilliant. Works as time lapse for me.

I find it amazing that the Osprey was nearly dragged under, was completely waterlogged and yet as soon as it could get the wing tips clear of the water was able to generate enough lift to haul the fish clear of the water. At what point do these birds give it up as a bad deal and release the fish?

[FootLoose]

I find it fascinating, Bobo. I always thought the bird did a straight dive and catch, in-out and fly away. It never occurred to me that it might struggle to lift the fish out of the water.

[Bobobird]

George - all 3 shots are from the 2 sequences. Shots were taken a week apart. The first day light was reasonably good but to keep up speed had to use ISO 1600. The next time light was pretty bad so slowed the shutter speed a bit to 1/2000 and ISO was 4000.
I try to read the light as best as possible and though never 100% correct usually not far off the mark unless the bird hits a really dark area and I am configured for good lighting. Unfortunately does happen now and then - these osprey can be quite erratic in their behaviour at times.

Thanks Dan. Appreciated especially coming from the pro. haha.

Trevor thanks. Glad you like them.
Osprey are pretty powerful birds and their wings provide the lift that they need to get clear. However younger less developed osprey will sometimes drop the fish especially if it is not properly secured at lift off.

Thanks Greg. That is what they do most of the time. This summer had one come in over the pond, dive immediately and was out of sight in less than 15 secs. But with big fish like these 2 which are possibly 10-12 pounders they do have some difficulty securing it. All fish will struggle and the bigger the fish the stronger the struggle. You may have seen shots from previous years when the bird actually took 2 large fish at the same time. Normal sized fish they get with just one talon and then secure and turn it head forward mid-air.

[george013]

George - all 3 shots are from the 2 sequences. Shots were taken a week apart. The first day light was reasonably good but to keep up speed had to use ISO 1600. The next time light was pretty bad so slowed the shutter speed a bit to 1/2000 and ISO was 4000.
I try to read the light as best as possible and though never 100% correct usually not far off the mark unless the bird hits a really dark area and I am configured for good lighting. Unfortunately does happen now and then - these osprey can be quite erratic in their behaviour at times.
...

Well, that explains. Two different fishes. I never could keep them apart.
That bird catches the fish with its claws? And keeps the fish holding in its claws in the water until the fish think something like "let it be"?

George

[Bobobird]

Yes, osprey always hunt with their feet. No, the fish will never stop struggling unless it dies.
How long the bird stays in the water depends on the size of the fish and how well it was initially secured.
For a smaller/lighter fish they will lift off right away even if secured by one foot and then secure it also with the other foot and turn the head forward while in flight. Large fish they will try to do the same in the water to ensure they do not drop it in flight. A really large and heavy fish, they will also need to balance it properly or else they wont be able to take off - see sequence in 2nd "video" in which it did take off quite fast but was pulled back into the water by the weight and possibly not being fully secured.