Photographic Owls
Mar 28, 2016 07:52:45 #
A few days ago I decided I wanted to try to photograph owls. This is a major undertaking since I have only seen one Owl in my entire life out in the wild and it was a quick fly by.
Well last night, as if I willed it, a beautiful big Barred Owl showed up in our backyard to do some hunting at dusk. I grabbed my D7100 and Sigma 150-600 C with an SB-700 flash on it and ran outside. I got some really good shots but I think most of that was a little luck. I will post some of these once I run them through Lightroom.
Last night I set my ISO at 800 and went to A mode and opened my lens up as far as I could to get as much ambient light as possible. I also had the flash on the camera so I did get some nice fill. I was set on Matrix metering so I was in TTL-BL mode on the flash. The Owl was a good 30 to 40 feet away. I did all this very fast not to miss any shots in case he/she took off.
The next time he/she shows up I want to be prepared. First off I am going to use my gimbal instead of hand holding (I was sweating by the time I was done holding that monster up to the sky). When I normally use fill flash, it is for people outdoors and I set my D7100 on P mode and shoot away. It is pretty much the only time I shoot close to an auto mode. Should I try this setting on the Owl?? My other thought is to get the ambient as good as I can and then use manual flash starting at full power since the owl is pretty far away.
Any suggestions on how to use fill here from anyone that have used it shooting owls or birds at dusk before would be great.
Well last night, as if I willed it, a beautiful big Barred Owl showed up in our backyard to do some hunting at dusk. I grabbed my D7100 and Sigma 150-600 C with an SB-700 flash on it and ran outside. I got some really good shots but I think most of that was a little luck. I will post some of these once I run them through Lightroom.
Last night I set my ISO at 800 and went to A mode and opened my lens up as far as I could to get as much ambient light as possible. I also had the flash on the camera so I did get some nice fill. I was set on Matrix metering so I was in TTL-BL mode on the flash. The Owl was a good 30 to 40 feet away. I did all this very fast not to miss any shots in case he/she took off.
The next time he/she shows up I want to be prepared. First off I am going to use my gimbal instead of hand holding (I was sweating by the time I was done holding that monster up to the sky). When I normally use fill flash, it is for people outdoors and I set my D7100 on P mode and shoot away. It is pretty much the only time I shoot close to an auto mode. Should I try this setting on the Owl?? My other thought is to get the ambient as good as I can and then use manual flash starting at full power since the owl is pretty far away.
Any suggestions on how to use fill here from anyone that have used it shooting owls or birds at dusk before would be great.
Mar 29, 2016 06:58:24 #
maybe get a beamer for your flash. After all you described I would have gone inside and took a nap !!!!!!
Mar 30, 2016 02:29:47 #
As suggested, a Better Beamer attached to a powerful speedlight will channel your light to match your long lens.
Mar 30, 2016 08:47:11 #
Lol, I thought using a beamer was a joke (ie. pulling a car over and turning on the headlights!!). Anyhow, cool item. I will have to put that on my GAS list.
For now I guess the way to go is 100% power added to the best ambient I can do at a reasonable shutter speed. I did post the pictures I got in the Photo Gallery (Barrred Owl). I am amazed at how clear they are at 600mm hand held at dusk. These lenses have really gotten good with the Image stabilization.
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-378564-1.html
For now I guess the way to go is 100% power added to the best ambient I can do at a reasonable shutter speed. I did post the pictures I got in the Photo Gallery (Barrred Owl). I am amazed at how clear they are at 600mm hand held at dusk. These lenses have really gotten good with the Image stabilization.
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-378564-1.html
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