Blue Jay shot 2/2/15 -- Need advice on doing better next time: I am shooting from inside...but right at the window with the window open...... I don't yet have a tripod... Camera is...

3Nancy3 Loc: Tillsonburg, Ontario, Canada

I am shooting from inside...but right at the window with the window open...... I don't yet have a tripod... Camera is Canon EOS Rebel SL1/100D and Lens used is EF70-300 L series...... I am a newbie!
Blue Jay #1 and #2 were taken on the same settings but different zoom if I am right...
TV-Shutter Speed---1/400
AV-Aperture---------16
spot metering
ISO------------------400
Focal length---------300.0m

I don't know if I am saying this properly but am trying my best. Appreciating any feedback good & bad... Thank you Nancy :)

Jay #1

(Download)

Jay #2

(Download)

ebbote Loc: Hockley, Texas

Nancy, you need to focus on the head, set your camera to
single focus point and aim for the eyes.

UXOEOD

Nice set. Good treatment of the Jay. Welcome here, I look forward to seeing you work. Thanks for sharing.

John_F Loc: Minneapolis, MN

I suppose others will have all sorts of high tech critique, so here is my 2 cents. Jay #1 is very good of the Jay. Jay #2 is very good at showing the habitat. Catching birds is always a crap shoot, but #2 would have been better had the Jay has turned its head.

3Nancy3 Loc: Tillsonburg, Ontario, Canada

ebbote wrote:

Nancy, you need to focus on the head, set your camera to
single focus point and aim for the eyes.

Hi there Txs for commenting... I do have it on spot metering Is that what you mean? I also must admit I am having a hard time holding the camera/lens as I find it rather heavy so a tripod and a monopod are next after my mini trip..... This stuff is expensive but I do want carbon.... Maybe I can find a good tripod on my travels lol I will be in SC for a wee bit Myrtle Beach..

3Nancy3 Loc: Tillsonburg, Ontario, Canada

UXOEOD wrote:

Nice set. Good treatment of the Jay. Welcome here, I look forward to seeing you work. Thanks for sharing.

Thank you!!!!

3Nancy3 Loc: Tillsonburg, Ontario, Canada

John_F wrote:

I suppose others will have all sorts of high tech critique, so here is my 2 cents. Jay #1 is very good of the Jay. Jay #2 is very good at showing the habitat. Catching birds is always a crap shoot, but #2 would have been better had the Jay has turned its head.

Thanks for that... for Jay #2 Do you mean more like this?? Instead of face forward? I appreciate your help... Thanks John!

Jay #3

Jay #4

ebbote Loc: Hockley, Texas

No, not spot metering, in your camera menu there will be an option for focusing, spot or wide. I don't know what
camera you have, so it may be worded differently like
single point or spot focusing, good luck.

3Nancy3 wrote:

Hi there Txs for commenting... I do have it on spot metering Is that what you mean? I also must admit I am having a hard time holding the camera/lens as I find it rather heavy so a tripod and a monopod are next after my mini trip..... This stuff is expensive but I do want carbon.... Maybe I can find a good tripod on my travels lol I will be in SC for a wee bit Myrtle Beach..

3Nancy3 Loc: Tillsonburg, Ontario, Canada

ebbote wrote:

No, not spot metering, in your camera menu there will be an option for focusing, spot or wide. I don't know what
camera you have, so it may be worded differently like
single point or spot focusing, good luck.

Thank you I am off to look for that setting!!! My camera is Camera is Canon EOS Rebel SL1/100D and Lens used is EF70-300 L series

3Nancy3 Loc: Tillsonburg, Ontario, Canada

3Nancy3 wrote:

Thank you I am off to look for that setting!!! My camera is Camera is Canon EOS Rebel SL1/100D and Lens used is EF70-300 L series

I cant find the proper setting just yet ... I will try the manuel and see if it helps ..

3Nancy3 Loc: Tillsonburg, Ontario, Canada

davidbr I was wondering if you would know what setting ebbote is suggesting?

steffro1 Loc: Murrells Inlet, SC

I always shoot birds at around F/7.1 Aperture preferred. You will get a higher shutter speed that way and blur the background making the bird stand out more prominently. Slight movements of the bird and camera can cause a blurry image.
Robert

3Nancy3 Loc: Tillsonburg, Ontario, Canada

steffro1 wrote:

I always shoot birds at around F/7.1 Aperture preferred. You will get a higher shutter speed that way and blur the background making the bird stand out more prominently. Slight movements of the bird and camera can cause a blurry image.
Robert

Thank you!! I will give that a try!!!