Gaining on them
Jan 19, 2014 12:49:16 #
A couple from this afternoons approach...and...seems to be a better vantage point...a work in progress.
Jan 19, 2014 14:49:05 #
Bret: Number one is very sharp but is underexposed due to back lighting. A stop and a half of exposure compensation was in order here. You could also open up the shadows in post processing but you might increase the noise to unacceptable levels.
Number 2 shows the effect of the shallow depth of field as we get closer and closer to our subject with a long lens. Unfortunately, the bird's head is out of focus and the image is, to my mind, unusable. Getting the focus point on the head of a bird that is facing away from us is impossible.
I realize you were shooting fast moving subjects on a dull, gray day. That is sometimes an impossible task. In order to get enough DOF, and a motion stopping shutter speed one need to increase ISO to unacceptable levels. If we limit our ISO we are forced to cheat on the f/stop or shutter speed. It's a no win situation. Often, I chose not to shoot at all and just to enjoy the birds.
Number 2 shows the effect of the shallow depth of field as we get closer and closer to our subject with a long lens. Unfortunately, the bird's head is out of focus and the image is, to my mind, unusable. Getting the focus point on the head of a bird that is facing away from us is impossible.
I realize you were shooting fast moving subjects on a dull, gray day. That is sometimes an impossible task. In order to get enough DOF, and a motion stopping shutter speed one need to increase ISO to unacceptable levels. If we limit our ISO we are forced to cheat on the f/stop or shutter speed. It's a no win situation. Often, I chose not to shoot at all and just to enjoy the birds.
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