Joe F.N. Loc: Oshawa, Ontario

Have you ever wondered why NBA players take shot after shot, before a game? Shots that they've taken thousands of times before? So that they'll be able to make one that counts, by instinct. Photographers shouldn't be any different. When the bird, they're after, suddenly appears, isn't the time to wonder what settings you should be using. It should come as second nature. I learned this a long time ago when I was shooting with David Hemmings, a professional wildlife photographer and published in National Geographic. We were taking pictures of Shore Birds when things slowed down. Common birds came into the area and he suggested we practice on them. "That way we'll get settings right when our subjects return" he suggested. I've never forgotten that.
I was doing just that recently knowing full well I wouldn't keep the images as I had hundreds just like them. I did think of keeping them long enough to pass them along to you as a reminder to practice, practice, practice.
In this set the contrasts are polar opposites.
Dark birds, light backgrounds.
Light birds dark backgrounds and all requiring different settings. It's all done in manual mode since this is the quickest way to change settings with desirable results.
Enough preaching.

Red-winged Blackbird,


Mourning Dove


Red-winged blackbird - female.


Red-winged Blackbird, Female.

Reed123 Loc: Henderson,Texas

Excellent shots,enjoyed.

Pierre H.J. Dumais Loc: Mississippi Mills, Ont.

Yup! Best advice any wannabe shooter could get.
Yeh! There are lucky shots -- once in a blue moon.
How many times have you been asked what make or kind of stove you cook with Joe?
LOL.

Pierre

Joe F.N. Loc: Oshawa, Ontario

Thanks Reed.

Bobgood1 Loc: Indianapolis, IN

Excellent shots. You are absolutely right. Practice, practice is one key.

Joe F.N. Loc: Oshawa, Ontario

:-D :-D :-D You've just made my day, Pierre.
Just last week, someone said, "These are really good photographs. You must have some very good glass."
I responded with the chef and the stove retort. Couldn't resist.
:-D :-D :-D

Joe F.N. Loc: Oshawa, Ontario

If this is one key, give me some more, Bob.

Georgie Loc: England

:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

GWR100 Loc: England

Beautiful well photographed set Joe, Great stuff.

ncshutterbug

Those shots are fantastic. I am grateful for any advice you want to give! I'd like to follow you around for a day and do exactly everything you do. Maybe I could learn to shoot like you!

CardinalLady Loc: Hoosier

Fantastic shots! The detail of feathers, eyes, beaks, striking on the download. I love the position of the RWBB, his shoulders stick out, making his red and white look like epaulets! Thanks for the great advice!

Joe F.N. Loc: Oshawa, Ontario

Thanks Georgie.

Joe F.N. Loc: Oshawa, Ontario

Thank you very much GWR.

Joe F.N. Loc: Oshawa, Ontario

And you would be most welcome to join me at anytime. Thank you for the kind words.

JoboX Loc: Liverpool UK

I'm not a great bird photography lover but WoW these make me want to go out and shoot a sparrow (with my camera).... Wow.. :thumbup: :thumbup: