Pika photo that didn't work out right: I was out photographing pikas in the Uinta Mountains of Utah last Thursday. Among the photos I brought home was a series of shots of which the...

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Pika photo that didn't work out right.

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Aug 31, 2015 18:59:31 #

TalonFangClaw Loc: Provo, Utah

I was out photographing pikas in the Uinta Mountains of Utah last Thursday. Among the photos I brought home was a series of shots of which the attached is an example. Can anyone tell me what happened or what I might have done wrong to allow the background to bleed over the subject along the ground, on his bottom and along his back. I haven't seen this before. This photo is straight out of the Canon 7DII camera using a Tamron 150-600 lens. I certainly would appreciate any help.
Doc Hansen

Pika on rock slide

(Download)

Aug 31, 2015 19:12:33 #

treadwl Loc: South Florida

I'm not absolutely certain but here is my best guess.
First the photo, particularly the rocks look very over exposed. Note that the rocks to the left of the pika are almost white and lack any detail. This is generally a sign of being over exposed. While your meter may have said the shot was exposed correctly, remember the meter averages everything in the shot and so you will often get items that are overexposed or even under exposed for the same averaging concept.

Thus I think what you are getting is reflection from the rocks that is showing on the back of the pika. Sort of like using a photographic umbrella to reflect light on a subject. I bet if you get the exposure correct this this will go away.

OK---that is my best guess.

Larry

Aug 31, 2015 19:23:11 #

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

I believe that the OoF areas are rock faces in foreground, not background.
The left side rock face is between you and subject.

(Download)

Aug 31, 2015 19:45:59 #

Bill Houghton Loc: New York area

I'm not sure but that looks like hand on lens. I'm not a Canon person, but a hand is a hand, in front of Canon Nikon, Sony and host of others cameras. Just my best Guess.

Aug 31, 2015 20:15:12 #

TalonFangClaw Loc: Provo, Utah

treadwl wrote:

I'm not absolutely certain but here is my best gue... (show quote)

Thanks, Larry. There is no question about the overexposure on the rocks. The pika however looks to be exposed about right. Unfortunately I didn't catch it while shooting to have a possible chance to correct it. I appreciate you suggestions.
Doc

Aug 31, 2015 20:21:47 #

TalonFangClaw Loc: Provo, Utah

Nikonian72 wrote:

I believe that the OoF areas are rock faces in foreground, not background.
The left side rock face is between you and subject.

I think you have found the real problem. I can't remember now if there was anything partially covering the pika and I didn't catch it while shooting to see if I could move a bit to cure the situation. Fortunately I have some other shots without this problem but it looks like these particular shots are going to the delete pile. Thanks, Nikonian72. I appreciate your helping to solve my problem.
Doc Hansen

Aug 31, 2015 20:26:53 #

TalonFangClaw Loc: Provo, Utah

Bill Houghton wrote:

I'm not sure but that looks like hand on lens. I'm not a Canon person, but a hand is a hand, in front of Canon Nikon, Sony and host of others cameras. Just my best Guess.

That was a creditable guess, Bill. I guess we have all gotten out fingers in the way at one time or another. However, in this case, my Tamron 150-600 mm lens with lens shade is so long I would have to work pretty hard to get my hand in the way. My right hand was on the camera and my left on top of the lens. Thanks for your comments.
Doc Hansen

Sep 1, 2015 06:12:12 #

Don, the 2nd son Loc: Crowded Florida

Nikonian72 wrote:

I believe that the OoF areas are rock faces in foreground, not background.
The left side rock face is between you and subject.

:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: I've had this "interference" occur a number of times.

Sep 1, 2015 10:24:56 #

Toment Loc: FL, IL

TalonFangClaw wrote:

I was out photographing pikas in the Uinta Mountai... (show quote)

I like this better
Remember light composition and interest
Great photo despite minor comp problems

Sep 1, 2015 11:07:12 #

TalonFangClaw Loc: Provo, Utah

Toment wrote:

I like this better
Remember light composition and interest
Great photo despite minor comp problems

Thanks, Toment. I like your's better as well. I know the lighting and composition were lacking but I was scrambling around trying to follow the action of these little critters. They didn't pose for very long before they were off about their business of gathering grass and weeds to make hay for the winter. This pika was too far away making it necessary to post process and crop as you did. I presented the photo right out of the camera without any processing to allow others, like yourself, to help me find a solution. Thank you so much for taking time to help an amateur learn.
Doc Hansen

Sep 1, 2015 11:29:16 #

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

TalonFangClaw wrote:

I was out photographing pikas in the Uinta Mountai... (show quote)

Doc, my best assessment is that depth of field rendered some of the near rocks/branches out of focus and that fuzziness was caused by that.
--Bob

Sep 1, 2015 11:43:28 #

Toment Loc: FL, IL

TalonFangClaw wrote:

Thanks, Toment. I like your's better as well. I ... (show quote)

Actually I thought light was good!

Sep 1, 2015 12:26:18 #

TalonFangClaw Loc: Provo, Utah

rmalarz wrote:

Doc, my best assessment is that depth of field rendered some of the near rocks/branches out of focus and that fuzziness was caused by that.
--Bob

Thanks, Bob. I appreciate your weighing in on my problem. With all of the help I have received I am sure I will do better when I go back into the Uintas to try again. I hope soon.
Doc Hansen

Sep 1, 2015 12:33:17 #

TalonFangClaw Loc: Provo, Utah

Toment wrote:

Actually I thought light was good!

You are right, but I think I could have managed it better. Also, if I hadn't been so worried about the next shot I could have moved to compose better. The problem is in moving I could have caused the pika to move also and you never know where he might pop up again. I will have to go back armed with all of the good suggestions and exercise some patience in choosing the best "poses" of the subject.
Doc Hansen

Sep 1, 2015 18:12:30 #

MtnMan Loc: ID

rmalarz wrote:

Doc, my best assessment is that depth of field rendered some of the near rocks/branches out of focus and that fuzziness was caused by that.
--Bob

Yes, kind of like what you sometimes get when shooting through a fence. I often have twigs or grass do that. Rocks not so much but that does indeed seem to be the case here.

I have never been able to get them to sit still long enough after the "cheep" to even have a try at one. Good work!

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