SonnyE Loc: Communist California, USA

Hi. I'm just starting out with a new DSLR.
One of my favorite subjects is my patio as I have 6 large Humming Bird feeders and a parade of subjects willing to briefly pose for me.
I'm reading Brian Peterson's book "Understanding Exposure", Manual Mode, so I'm delving into that with the camera.
So I wondered if any pointers might be had from my obviously more experienced peers here?

While Auto has been fun, it isn't getting what I was hoping for.
I guess I wanted something more specific, something clearer, more defined.

Thank You for any constructive criticisms.

Nikon D3300, Lens: VR 55-200mm @200, Mono-pod.
1. 1/160s, f/6.3, ISO 100
2. 1/200s, f/5.3, ISO 100
3. 1/200s, f/5.6, ISO 100

Small Female

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Fusia Fuel

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Shy Male in the Shadow

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rpavich Loc: West Virginia

I don't have any real pointers except to say keep at it. When you are tired of manual shooting...keep doing it...do it until it's second nature. Then you will be just as fast (really faster) than people who say that manual shooting is too much of a pain and it's slower than auto shooting.

Have you noticed that putting your camera in manual takes some of the "did the camera do a good exposure?" pressure off of you? It turns your camera into a "point and shoot"...doesn't it? Very fast.

No chimping...no wondering...

One good way to judge exposure is to put your palm in the same light that the subject is in and meter off of that to know where to set your exposure. Just fill the frame with your palm...and then turn the dials until the needle is centered when you meter your hand.

Then you'll find that there are some good general guidelines for exposure...what sunlight exposes at...what shade exposes at...deep shadows, afternoon...etc.

Here is a good site that explains exposure via the sunny 16 rule (a handy thing to know considering what you are now doing.

http://everydayaperture.com/sunny-16-and-beyond/

I think you are well on your way...keep it up!

Bill Houghton Loc: New York area

I am not a bird shooter esp little ones. But I noticed that your using a pattern focus. My D3200 tends to go to pattern every time I turn it off. You might want to go single point and try and focus on the eye, in this case the head.

You also might want to your ISO up. this will bring the shutter speed up. and open the aperture to 7 or better to increase the D.O.F. I'm sure there will be others coming on and giving you better advice then I can give you.

SonyA580 Loc: FL in the winter & MN in the summer

Using a monopod may not give you the stability required when you are shooting at 200mm. Any little wiggles, even just pushing the shutter button, show up as soft focus. Ideally, a tripod with remote shutter release (mirror locked up if possible) and fast shutter speed are your best guarantees against blur.

SonnyE Loc: Communist California, USA

Thank You, Bill.
Auto was getting a bit frustrating while waiting for the camera to set up, or it would decide that over there (<^>) was the subject... wrong!
I think using other than auto will help get the pictures I really want.
The AF is still working (good idea for me probably) in "M" mode.

But Auto, Auto-no flash, and now Manual is all I've really dabbled with. Oh, and I tried out the movie mode briefly.
Maybe I should go shot some stationary things in various light to figure it out more?

I just watched a tutorial about aperture shooting, 1/3-2/3rds, and Horizontal/Vertical Camera.

This is a long ways from my beginnings with a Yashica Mat 124 twin lens reflex as a teenager. :shock:
And I do use my delete a lot more frequently... :oops:

Thanks again. Back to your suggestions...

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

Your first image is exposed perfectly for a bird that is not in flight and posing for you. But the fact is you should almost never use such a slow shutter when shooting anything that moves or could move especially wildlife and more especially birds. Hummingbirds should be shot with a shutter speed of at least 1/1000th. So you'd have to open up the aperture and increase your ISO to get the proper exposure at that shutter setting. The second and third images are at least 1 or more stops underexposed. When your subject is in the shade and you are using the metering mode that you used, you should think +1 or more on your exposure meter. Take a shot and check your histogram on the back of your camera and adjust accordingly. Sometimes when you need to get your shot off fast, you just guess what the exposure should be for a shaded subject, make that adjustment quickly and hope for the best. But almost always give it a +1 or more. If you use spot metering, then you'll need to practice and figure out what a shaded subject might need to be. But when using spot metering you need to have the center of the focus be on the subject when making changes to your exposure.

SonnyE Loc: Communist California, USA

Hi, yeah, but my only tripod (right now) is an old antique movie camera tripod. And it is kind of limited in height. (Only the legs, no stem)
The mono-pod has more height and, I think, let's me move around better as the birds come in to the different feeders.

I've been trying both (blurred and freeze). Sometimes I like the blur for the "action" in the picture.

These were with the continuous shooting mode, same bird.

Thanks, SonyA580. All suggestions appreciated.

Blured, coming into the feeder

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Nearly stopped frame

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SonnyE Loc: Communist California, USA

Thanks Jeep Daddy,
I agree about the under exposure. I'll try and see if I can figure that out. I don't have a light meter, other than what's in the camera display (I think).
I did find how to do the speed, aperture, and ISO changes.
By upping the ante I think things improved some.
(Of course I did a chunk of deleting, as well. :roll: )

f/5.6, 1/3200s, +2.0EV (exposure Comp)

Hover Feeding 2

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Hover Feeding 1

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coolshot1 Loc: Tampa, Florida

Great shots. I really like the ones with the higher shutter speeds. Keep it up. It does require some trial and error.

SonnyE Loc: Communist California, USA

Thanks coolshot1.
The learning curve seems to be easy to me, but then I'm not looking at how many deletions I've made either. LOL!
The advice here is stellar.
The new camera has me up and around shooting.
I'm pondering lenses or tel-convertors now. If I could double my reach....
I think I'm sinking...

coolshot1 Loc: Tampa, Florida

I can relate. I just started in January with the D3200. The people on this forum are some of the most knowledgable. A lot of great advise here. I too am looking at either lenses ot teleconverters. Photography is definitely a lifestyle. My wife and I plan vacations and driving routes around where we can stop and take some shots.

SonnyE Loc: Communist California, USA

I almost bought the D3200, but then bit my lip and went for the D3300.
One time, one shot. :shock:
Or buy once, cry once. I'm retired and not made of money.

I'm slowly gathering that our cameras might be a little finicky about what we stick on them.
But this is a realm I'm really at a loss about. So I might get gun shy and run to Nikon for accessories like lenses or tele convertors.
I've been reading the posts referring to convertors and it appears to be a crap shoot.
For what I'd like to take pictures of the 55-200 lens seems to lack enough range. Even in the back yard.
So I sit and wait to snare my victims.

Two days ago there was two Mourning Doves on the wires out back. A few minutes after I went inside I saw one sitting in a planter on the patio.
I guess it's time, and the place is right....
Shhhhh... hatching in progress.
She doesn't seem to mind me puttering about.
The close up was taken from about 5-6 feet with the 55-200mm. About 10 feet from the back door.

Odd place to nest...

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But sitting she is...

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coolshot1 Loc: Tampa, Florida

It's all about right place right time. I would carry my camera all the time if I could. I'll try and get a few of my shots posted later in the day. I am still very much a beginner but I an always up for some feedback and pointers.

SonnyE Loc: Communist California, USA

Hey, we can learn together and from each other.
We have very nearly the same start anyway.
Good shooting, Coolshot1. :D