kimssight

I just got a Nikon D7100 with 70-300mm. This is my first day of shots.

I welcome tips and tricks!

Cassin's Kingbird


Osprey


Great Blue Heron

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

#1 is just beautiful!

Georgie Loc: England

Love them all - Gorgeous. Thankyou.

birdpix Loc: South East Pennsylvania

A great start! It looks like you're going to have a lot of fun with this new combination. It would be helpful to have camera settings, ie focus mode, # focus points, exposure mode etc for us to give you some "tips and tricks".

RetiredPhotog Loc: South West Ohio

Real nice shots, good focus on the Osprey, his eye just pops. I shoot with the same camera and lens your using.

Tresed47 Loc: Pennsylvania USA

Super shot - you should be sharing tips and tricks

Rich2236 Loc: E. Hampstead, New Hampshire

Nicely done.
Rich

bcheary Loc: Jacksonville, FL

Good set. No.1 is the winner. :thumbup: :thumbup:

kimssight

Kingbird: Aperture Priority. f/6.3 1/2000 sec ISO-400 in camera crop and post-processing crop. Focus AFS. Continuous High Speed release.

Osprey: Aperture Priority. f/8 1/1600 sec ISO-400 in camera post-processing crop. Focus AFC. Continuous High Speed release.

Heron: Aperture Priority. f/9 1/640 sec ISO-1250 (using Auto ISO sensitivity) in camera post-processing crop. Focus AFC. Continuous High Speed release.

raymondh Loc: Walker, MI

I like the way you captured these with the feathers fanned.

martinfisherphoto Loc: Lake Placid Florida

Auto Focus Continuos Mode
Spot Metering
I use the 3 frames per second rate and not the 6 frames per second as the camera misses to many frames.
ISO 320 and Lower, once you get use to using this ISO and lower you will plan All of your birding around the best possible times of day for the Best Light. You will be amazed at the added detail Low ISO adds to your photos. If you want great shots, you have to shoot in Great Light. I prefer mournings as soon as enough light to around 11:00, after that light to harsh, shadows to deep.
Nikons tend to shoot on the bright side, so when a little extra aperture or lower ISO needed use the exposure compensation dial and dial your exposure back up to -7 or even 1 full stop. As Needed and don't forget to reset.
When possible approach the birds with the sun on your back as then the birds will be facing into the sun as you photograph then giving you the Best Possible Exposure.
Find the Food source and you'll find the bird.
The closer you get the better the shot
Practice, Practice, Practice
As you mature as a photographer you will realize lighting is the key

kimssight

Thanks so much for these tips! This is great! I'm sure to put some of this into effect starting first thing in the morning.