Red Headed Woodpecker: I took this picture thru the BR window. Iso 160. f/5.6 @ 1/30 sec. I'm trying to figure out why the lower edge of the bird is slightly out of focus. I used a...

Hoosier in GA Loc: Milledgeville, GA

I took this picture thru the BR window. Iso 160. f/5.6
@ 1/30 sec. I'm trying to figure out why the lower edge of the bird is slightly out of focus. I used a Nikon 70-300mm vr @300mm.

The only thing I can think of is either the f stop affected the dof or I had focus set on too small of a center area. CC & all ideas welcome. :shock: I've posted the full size photo here for your examinations...lol

snowbear

sah2o wrote:

I took this picture thru the BR window. Iso 160. f/5.6
@ 1/30 sec. I'm trying to figure out why the lower edge of the bird is slightly out of focus. I used a Nikon 70-300mm vr @300mm.

The only thing I can think of is either the f stop affected the dof or I had focus set on too small of a center area. CC & all ideas welcome. :shock: I've posted the full size photo here for your examinations...lol

To be honest, it looks like the whole bird is out of focus. It may be DoF or camera movement. Make sure the AF is set for single area and try to bump up your shutter speed. Even with VR, you can get movement if the speed is too low. Likewise try a smaller aperture. Practice with a small object to get a feel for it.

Hoosier in GA Loc: Milledgeville, GA

I think you're correct. I shot it without a rest....I did use manual control, so I could've bumped shutter up some. Thanks for the observations! Hopefully, I'll get another chance at this elusive fella.

Wabbit Loc: Arizona Desert

sah2o wrote:

I think you're correct. I shot it without a rest....I did use manual control, so I could've bumped shutter up some. Thanks for the observations! Hopefully, I'll get another chance at this elusive fella.

Camera movement because all of it is blurred not just the bird

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

No part of this image is sharp. I suspect minute camera movement, which is exacerbated at extreme length of zoom. Reducing shutter duration can alleviate symptom.

AK Dreamer Loc: Alaska & Nevada

Agree with previous posts. Shooting at 1/30 zoomed to 300mm and hand holding does not equate to a sharp, clear photo. Shutter speed is way to slow.

Hoosier in GA Loc: Milledgeville, GA

Had chance to take another pic....was supporting camera & used 1/200 To me, it looks out of focus, slightly, also. I think I'm going to invest in monopod for more stability. Also, wonder if shooting thru window at an angle affects image. I really appreciate comments. Thanks guys.

Hoosier in GA Loc: Milledgeville, GA

Well I found out how to add picture to thread. The attached picture was taken at higher shutter speed. I think it's a little grainy...altho I ran it thru Neat Image.

Due to sun location white is somewhat washed out also.

I tried auto iso....was 1600! thus grainy. f/8 1/200 sec

BigBear Loc: Northern CT

Much better shot of a super bird.
They are somewhat rare to see in the country.

jdeanb Loc: Texas / central

Hoosier in GA wrote:

Had chance to take another pic....was supporting camera & used 1/200 To me, it looks out of focus, slightly, also. I think I'm going to invest in monopod for more stability. Also, wonder if shooting thru window at an angle affects image. I really appreciate comments. Thanks guys.

yes more glass can cut down how sharp a picture is and think about this when you shoot thru glass the glass is thicker. I would suggest that if shoot thru glass get as close as possible and be sure the glass is 90 degrees to center line of lens as that is the shortest thru glass and not app to get glare of glass. I would also cut the ISO to 200 to 400 and a faster shudder speed.

Hoosier in GA Loc: Milledgeville, GA

Thanks for the advice. I normally shoot 400, but wanted to try the auto iso....not realizing how it really worked. The glass suggestion only works if the subject is directly in front of me. In this case, it was off to the right quite a bit. But, I will keep it in mind. Thanks again.

Hoosier in GA Loc: Milledgeville, GA

Your statement surprises me. Never gave it any thought about their habitat. Do you have them in CT?

birdpix Loc: South East Pennsylvania

Red-headed woodpeckers live year round in most of the lower 48 from the Great Plains eastward with only those from the northern plains migrating south during the winter. They live in areas of deciduous forest especially where trees are scattered like in a park. They nest in cavities in barkless, dead trees or a dead stub on a live tree. Their numbers are declining due to habitat loss.

Nice photos, keep working on them!