Practising my BIFs

[purplehaze]

Hi all,

Had some bad luck this spring that interfered with my ability to practise photography, but am mended enough that I have started picking up the camera again.

These are from one of my favorite haunts down at the lake. I shot the 300 mm PF on the D7100 without the 1.4 teleconverter because my arms are weak from not being able to exercise my upper body and I am out of practise shooting moving targets.

#1


#2


#3


All of the above were shot at 1/1250 shutter speed and between 280 and 360 ISO.

Of course, I also got lots of shots like these:

#4


f/8 @ 1/800 and 220 ISO

Last summer, I saw a flock of 40 or 50 of these birds herding fish in front of a friend's lakeside cottage. I hope to capture some of that action this summer.

C&C welcome.

[pschlute]

Very nice set

[Wavelength]

Very nice set of images....

[bambleweeney]

All nice shots, me, I prefer the first one personally but all are super sharp

[Rufus]

They are all very good, crisp shots. I also like the first one best. As I am not averse to some manipulation in wildlife shots, I might consider some PP to remove the obstruction in the bottom right corner, but your scruples may not allow that.

[purplehaze]

Thanks Peter, Nandakumar, Paul and David. I would have removed that bit of rock in #1 if I knew how, David, but I don’t see how I can, unless maybe I lose the reflection...


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[billtils]

Glad you are on the mend Janis. This is a very nice set but without taking anything away from your BIF shots, for me it's #4 that has that something special.

[billtils]

... I would have removed that bit of rock in #1 if I knew how ,,,

Janis, if you post the info on your software, there is bound to be someone here who can tell you how to remove the rock.

[Shadowman]

Nice series.

[purplehaze]

Thanks, John. And thanks for pushing me, Bill. I removed the rock and the reflection from the first image with the healing brush in Capture One. I guess if you don't know there was a reflection, you don't miss it. I applied a few other tweaks as well.

#5

[mugge]

The tweaks and whatnots turned out well in #5. Good that you are mending, Janis
Cheers Ole

[purplehaze]

Thanks, Ole!

[rpcrowe]

Great captures. I love the texture in the bird's feathers...

[John 2]

That's a nice series Janice overall but it's no. 4 for me. I like the shot and the treatment (negative vignette). I can see that one on a wall. As for the rock in the first, If you have PS cc, the Fill tool does a decent job of removing it whilst retaining the reflection.

[purplehaze]

Thanks, Richard. Wow, John! I guess the time is now (in this layoff period) or never to finally learn Photoshop. Thanks for the push! Glad to know you like #4. I keep wondering whether that vignette isn't too strong.

[John 2]

.............................. I keep wondering whether that vignette isn't too strong.

It's just right for me. Produces an nice almost high key finish.

[purplehaze]

It's just right for me. Produces an nice almost high key finish.

Good to know, John; thanks!

[Tronhard]

Janice:
First I hope your issue was not a major or long-lasting one, and my wishes for your full recovery. I know what you mean about camera weight - I actually do weights in order to improve my muscular endurance so I can control heavy cameras more consistently as I tend to take most of my shots hand-held.

I really like the series, and for me each has its own reward and character. I was struck by the dorsal fins on the beaks of the birds - they remind me of the much bigger ones on the ptersosaurs which were around just before I was born . Of course one could suggest they are avionics pods...

Glad you have your eye back in and look forward to seeing more of your captures.

[purplehaze]

Thanks, Trev! I got the go-ahead to resume normal activity this week, so I am looking forward to getting back in shape. Water sports are still out for the time being, unfortunately, but at least I can get back on my bike. I went in for minor surgery in May and caught a staff infection. Was too ignorant to recognize a mild fever for what it was and ended up in the hospital on IV, followed by daily home care. The only reason I have been able to come to the lake these past two weekends is that my wonderful sister learned how to pack and dress my wounds for me!


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[Manfred M]

It's great to hear that you are doing better. It's also good to see that your hard work in BiF is paying off. The images are getting better with each iteration.

I'm wondering about the negative vignette on the last shot; it's a bit heavy to the point where it has become a bit distracting. I suspect a lighter touch might be worth considering?