Humming Bird
Nov 6, 2011 00:10:54 #
Wow tricia, looks like they're having a bad feather day. :)
Love the pics though.
Love the pics though.
Nov 6, 2011 00:50:20 #
@RMM - I didn't have photoshop back then.
I used what ever shipped with windows or Canon... or (back then) Flickr for the cropping and framing. Most 'finished' photos have some sharpening, and cropping, depending on the photo.
I'm learning more about photoshop; but, while I see the benefits, I much prefer taking pictures over spending time trying to 'create them' - but like making the best presentations I can.
Photoshop, to me, is extremely powerful... but generally to slow... because it's one photo at a time, and really more for a graphic artist, which I'm not. My goal is making the best capture I can the first time, and spending as little time as I can in the post-processing. Crop, angle, brightness, and a touch of sharpening. Pretty basic stuff. I sometimes use filters or reflectors... but most of the time it's just prior planning, patience, preparedness, and tons of practice.
I used what ever shipped with windows or Canon... or (back then) Flickr for the cropping and framing. Most 'finished' photos have some sharpening, and cropping, depending on the photo.
I'm learning more about photoshop; but, while I see the benefits, I much prefer taking pictures over spending time trying to 'create them' - but like making the best presentations I can.
Photoshop, to me, is extremely powerful... but generally to slow... because it's one photo at a time, and really more for a graphic artist, which I'm not. My goal is making the best capture I can the first time, and spending as little time as I can in the post-processing. Crop, angle, brightness, and a touch of sharpening. Pretty basic stuff. I sometimes use filters or reflectors... but most of the time it's just prior planning, patience, preparedness, and tons of practice.
Nov 6, 2011 01:17:45 #
Cameras, lenses, filters and reflectors are all tools. So is Photoshop. I'm with you in that I'd prefer to get everything right when I squeeze the shutter button. But sometimes, a photo just begs for improvement. I asked about the Nik sharpening because one of my friends is a birder and uses the Nik software to enhance his photos, and loves it. You had some marvelously sharp shots, but I gather that in your case, it's that 4000th of a second shutter speed, not software, that brought that about.
Nov 6, 2011 01:35:26 #
zeek wrote:
Wow tricia, looks like they're having a bad feather day. :)
Love the pics though.
Love the pics though.
Thanks Zeek, these are young hummers and don't have all their feathers yet. They have a nest every year at my house so I get to watch them grow. This is the nest before they fly.
Nov 6, 2011 01:59:48 #
Tricia - the nest is really cool... would be tough not to shoot them every day, to capture their growth. How close to the nest do the parents let you get?? I'd love to stumble upon something like that. Way cool... The nests I find are usually 50+ feet off the ground, and I'm too damn old to be climbing trees with camera gear!
Nov 6, 2011 01:09:21 #
RMM - that NIK Software looks pretty cool... and I can see some interesting applications for that type of tool (http://www.niksoftware.com/hdrefexpro/usa/entry.php), but I haven't messed with the HDR stuff.
If you look at some of my cloud shots, in general, I don't bother to shoot clouds unless I think they are REALLY COOL, and I can make the capture. For clouds, I almost always kick my aperature up - 11 to 16 at least, sometimes 22 or higher, for the deepest focus, and longest DoF. Some of MY examples:
http://mercer.smugmug.com/NaturePhotography/Sky-sunset-sundowns-Lightning/Clouds/16023992_KsT2nG/1383132208_NvBG7Fw/A
http://mercer.smugmug.com/NaturePhotography/Sky-sunset-sundowns-Lightning/Clouds/16023992_KsT2nG/1175699149_S9cA2
http://mercer.smugmug.com/NaturePhotography/Sky-sunset-sundowns-Lightning/Clouds/16023992_KsT2nG/1175699166_zJ5oy/A
If you look at some of my cloud shots, in general, I don't bother to shoot clouds unless I think they are REALLY COOL, and I can make the capture. For clouds, I almost always kick my aperature up - 11 to 16 at least, sometimes 22 or higher, for the deepest focus, and longest DoF. Some of MY examples:
http://mercer.smugmug.com/NaturePhotography/Sky-sunset-sundowns-Lightning/Clouds/16023992_KsT2nG/1383132208_NvBG7Fw/A
http://mercer.smugmug.com/NaturePhotography/Sky-sunset-sundowns-Lightning/Clouds/16023992_KsT2nG/1175699149_S9cA2
http://mercer.smugmug.com/NaturePhotography/Sky-sunset-sundowns-Lightning/Clouds/16023992_KsT2nG/1175699166_zJ5oy/A
Nov 6, 2011 01:15:15 #
Those hummingbird shots were with my 'tank' - it's big & heavy, slow, but perfect if you are prepared: 80-400 Tokina Pro with a Canon EF mount. My Canon 35-350 L was used on the other bird shots (it's a touch lighter, faster, and quieter).
Unless I KNOW the distance, I don't like using Prime lens for moving objects (likes birds in flight). It's way to tough to get them 'in the frame' when they are too close.
And, personally, for motion/action, I prefer a 'slider' telephoto over the twist. Slide for the distance, twist for manual focus over-rides. Sorta like a trombone player... after you've been doing it for a while, you have an idea where to push or pull the lens for 'that distance' - to get the shot, when things are moving. LOL
Unless I KNOW the distance, I don't like using Prime lens for moving objects (likes birds in flight). It's way to tough to get them 'in the frame' when they are too close.
And, personally, for motion/action, I prefer a 'slider' telephoto over the twist. Slide for the distance, twist for manual focus over-rides. Sorta like a trombone player... after you've been doing it for a while, you have an idea where to push or pull the lens for 'that distance' - to get the shot, when things are moving. LOL
Nov 6, 2011 06:49:02 #
[quote=zeek Here are a couple I took a while ago in my back yard with my Olympus SP-500UZ before getting my Canon dslr. All comments welcome.[/quote]
Hey Zeeke...good shots. I couldn't help noticing the reflection in the feeder. Hope you're not offended but I had to check it out.
Happy trails~
Hey Zeeke...good shots. I couldn't help noticing the reflection in the feeder. Hope you're not offended but I had to check it out.
Happy trails~
Inverted feeder
Nov 6, 2011 09:11:33 #
foghornleg90 wrote:
Tricia - the nest is really cool... would be tough not to shoot them every day, to capture their growth. How close to the nest do the parents let you get?? I'd love to stumble upon something like that. Way cool... The nests I find are usually 50+ feet off the ground, and I'm too damn old to be climbing trees with camera gear!
This nest is on the top of a 6' chain link fence. I use a ladder but I do keep my distance. I want them to come back every year so I don't want them to think I'm a threat. I have had the mother come pretty close to me and if she acts upset I leave for the day and come back the next day or so. So far they have been around for the last 10 years and boy do I have the pictures of them! LOL
Nov 6, 2011 09:19:46 #
[quote=RockinRobinG]
Thanks RockinRobin and no offence taken. Hope you had fun checking it out. :-D
zeek Here are a couple I took a while ago in my back yard with my Olympus SP-500UZ before getting my Canon dslr. All comments welcome.[/quote wrote:
Hey Zeeke...good shots. I couldn't help noticing the reflection in the feeder. Hope you're not offended but I had to check it out.
Happy trails~
Hey Zeeke...good shots. I couldn't help noticing the reflection in the feeder. Hope you're not offended but I had to check it out.
Happy trails~
Thanks RockinRobin and no offence taken. Hope you had fun checking it out. :-D
Nov 6, 2011 19:09:16 #
Nov 6, 2011 19:19:00 #
Nov 6, 2011 19:21:52 #
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