How do they get those bird pictures to look so good? (Page 4): My bird photos improved dramatically when I switched to back button focus. Check it out. Single point focus, aperature...

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How do they get those bird pictures to look so good?

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Jun 10, 2015 06:25:33 #

sodapop Loc: Bel Air, MD

My bird photos improved dramatically when I switched to back button focus. Check it out. Single point focus, aperature priority,f8, iso 400

Jun 10, 2015 06:29:47 #

Greenguy33 Loc: Rhode Island

LarryFB wrote:

Here are three shots of a pelican landing. I hope the metadata is uploaded with these.

Great images! How do you find the metadata?

Jun 10, 2015 06:31:49 #

Tracht3

Iso should not be on auto but you should set it as low as you can to meet other criteria. The correct answer is not cut and dry. The correct answer is interdependent on many factors which you discussed and more. Learn basics and build. There is no one answer. Good glass, knowledge, good camera body, light, and luck.

Jun 10, 2015 06:39:24 #

Greenguy33 Loc: Rhode Island

sodapop wrote:

My bird photos improved dramatically when I switched to back button focus. Check it out. Single point focus, aperature priority,f8, iso 400

:thumbup:

Jun 10, 2015 06:40:22 #

Erv Loc: Medina Ohio

Larry. How did you steal one of my pictures????:):):)

OddJobber wrote:

Exactly. Spend $6K on equipment and you too can get great results like this! :thumbup: :XD:

Jun 10, 2015 06:43:28 #

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

Greenguy33 wrote:

As a member of a few bird and wildlife pages on Facebook, I am amazed by the sharpness and quality of some of the images.
I have been trying to take photos like that, but I am not there yet.
Can anyone give me any tips? I think that sometimes I over process images in order to compensate for the poor out-of-the-camera image.
Are there any good websites or tutorials? Can you recommend some advanced books?

A couple of suggestions. Do not get too close. The last thing you want to do is disturb a nest or a bird on a perch. They are conserving energy or minding their little ones or sitting on eggs. Do not stress the wildlife.

Second, get the best and longest lenses you can afford. You can never have enough focal length.

Third, if you get into the more exotic 400mm + focal lengths, make sure you allocate at least $1000 or more for a tripod and head. Trying to take consistently great bird shots will not happen with a cheap flimsy tripod. Not that $300 is cheap, but it would not be stable enough to provide good images, though it would more that support the camera and lens.

Fourth, there is no substitute for megapixels. The higher the better. Use a full frame camera. better quality image and less noise, especially in marginal light at higher ISO. There is no cropped camera that can match the performance of a great FF camera.

Fifth, its all about patience. Watch the bird, understand it's habits. They will often fly, grab something to eat and return to its perch. If you can, set up a blind and be prepared to get one or two amazing pictures after 3 hours in the blind. But it will be worth the wait.

The hawk was at a distance of 100 ft or so, the heron's nest adn the eagle at about 800 ft.

(Download)

Jun 10, 2015 06:57:43 #

wteffey Loc: Ocala, FL USA

Spray and pray probably helps. A good bird man I know thinks nothing of taking 100 shots deleting 99.

Jun 10, 2015 06:58:26 #

Greenguy33 Loc: Rhode Island

Gene51 wrote:

A couple of suggestions. Do not get too close. The... (show quote)

Great shots Gene! Thanks for the great advice! I will be sticking with my D800 and Tamron 150-600 for now to get those wildlife shots. Jeff Clow (professional photographer) shoots with the same gear and produces some great images.

Jun 10, 2015 06:58:32 #

wteffey Loc: Ocala, FL USA

sorry

Jun 10, 2015 07:12:53 #

Elliern Loc: Myrtle Beach, SC

Gene51 wrote:

A couple of suggestions. Do not get too close. The... (show quote)

All are outstanding, but that eagle shot is just stunning! Love it.

Jun 10, 2015 07:13:55 #

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

Greenguy33 wrote:

Thanks!

I am jealous - I lug around the big lens because I have it. That Tamron is quite good, and in good light when I can stop down to F8, it is excellent. The F4 is for those early morning/late afternoon shots where the light is bad. For traveling and good light, I much prefer the Tamron, and the quality is certainly there.

Jun 10, 2015 07:18:27 #

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

Elliern wrote:

All are outstanding, but that eagle shot is just stunning! Love it.

Thanks!

These three are my favorites from this past season.