Another week old eaglets
May 12, 2017 21:57:35 #
Took a lot of advice from last posts on how to improve focus, iso and such...still learning camera and composition...here are a couple of pics from the eagles nest last night. Please let me know what you think...advice on composition, camera settings, or anything else that would help me learn! All taken with a Nikon d5300 with the Tamron 150-600 lens. I just got a better tripod today..so hopefully better focus next time!
2 of the 3 chicks visible
(Download)
Sorta like this one..but what does everyone think of it...good or bad?
(Download)
Composition and post processing...anything I should do different?
(Download)
May 12, 2017 22:50:39 #
Cindy one rule of thumb in photography is that your shutter speed should at least equal your focal length. For example, if you are shooting the eagle at 600mm your shutter speed (for a crop camera) should be 900 at a minimum. You my have to increase your ISO to achieve this shutter speed. Photos #1 and 2, I believe, would have been sharper if you had the shutter speed at 1/1000. Next time try this and see how it works.
These are nice photos of magnificent subjects and thanks for sharing.
These are nice photos of magnificent subjects and thanks for sharing.
May 12, 2017 23:57:15 #
jederick wrote:
Cindy one rule of thumb in photography is that you... (show quote)
Thanks Jederick.....so much to learn, but I am loving it....So if I have the camera set in AP mode...do I still need to set my shutter speed? Or is that if I am in Manual Mode (which I am still kinda scared of...lol)
I will go back to the nest one day this weekend and will try your suggestion. I get better pictures each week after getting suggestions here ...so thank you for helping me!
May 13, 2017 07:02:46 #
Szalajj
Loc: Salem, NH
Although many prefer to shoot in Aperture setting, when using a long lens you're going to have to juggle the ISO setting to force your shutter speed high enough to compensate for the long lens.
With my Canon, it's a 1.5 multiplier, which puts it at a minimum of 640 for my 100-400 lens. But, I'm finding that I have to jack the shutter speed even higher to a tempt to get sharp shots. This is why I shoot in Manual Mode. I control the ISO, the f-stop, the shutter speed, and the white balance.
Sometimes it's a matter of trial and error, at other times you'll take a series of shots with different settings to get to the ideal setting combo for each shooting situation.
And often, your lighting situation can change in the blink of an eye if a cloud floats between the sun and your subject. Review your shots and make adjustments to your settings accordingly.
But don't rely on the small thumbnails you see, use your + button to expand the thumbnail and look at the details. Yes that's difficult to do out in bright sunlight, but with some Yankee ingenuity (sweatshirt over your camera and head) you'll be able to do these in the field reviews and improve your shots!
With my Canon, it's a 1.5 multiplier, which puts it at a minimum of 640 for my 100-400 lens. But, I'm finding that I have to jack the shutter speed even higher to a tempt to get sharp shots. This is why I shoot in Manual Mode. I control the ISO, the f-stop, the shutter speed, and the white balance.
Sometimes it's a matter of trial and error, at other times you'll take a series of shots with different settings to get to the ideal setting combo for each shooting situation.
And often, your lighting situation can change in the blink of an eye if a cloud floats between the sun and your subject. Review your shots and make adjustments to your settings accordingly.
But don't rely on the small thumbnails you see, use your + button to expand the thumbnail and look at the details. Yes that's difficult to do out in bright sunlight, but with some Yankee ingenuity (sweatshirt over your camera and head) you'll be able to do these in the field reviews and improve your shots!
May 13, 2017 09:04:00 #
Szalajj wrote:
Although many prefer to shoot in Aperture setting,... (show quote)
Thanks for the explanation! I have a small print out of the "sunny 16 rule" for using the Manual mode and how to set the Fstop/ISO/shutter for various conditions but didn't realize with the long lens that I am better to use Manual mode. At least the print out will give me a starting point and then I can play from there. I took the leap to Raw from jpgs so might as well take the leap to Manual...lol!
May 13, 2017 09:30:36 #
Your mini-dinosaurs are charming! I'm starting my 5th summer of following a nest and the sight of those babies never gets old.
I very much like your environmental shots of the adult.
It looks like you're about the same distance from the nest as my location. And you've already received a ton of advice. So I'll add more to the confusion
If you are using a tripod, higher shutter speed may not relevant...except you are shooting moving critters - that is the issue here, along with weather conditions such as wind.
I would definitely recommend a faster shutter speed, especially for the babies.
If your camera has auto-ISO in manual mode, you could set the shutter speed and aperture, and let the camera choose the ISO in case you want to move quickly to capture the bird in flight.
Here is are two depth of field charts:
http://www.dofmaster.com/dofjs.html
http://www.dofmaster.com/doftable.html
You'll see that you don't have much to work with at that distance and focal length.
MinnieV just started a bird photography share thread in For Your Consideration
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-460417-1.html
Take a look when you get a chance, and keep the "watch topic" button on for more tips and fun
I very much like your environmental shots of the adult.
It looks like you're about the same distance from the nest as my location. And you've already received a ton of advice. So I'll add more to the confusion
If you are using a tripod, higher shutter speed may not relevant...except you are shooting moving critters - that is the issue here, along with weather conditions such as wind.
I would definitely recommend a faster shutter speed, especially for the babies.
If your camera has auto-ISO in manual mode, you could set the shutter speed and aperture, and let the camera choose the ISO in case you want to move quickly to capture the bird in flight.
Here is are two depth of field charts:
http://www.dofmaster.com/dofjs.html
http://www.dofmaster.com/doftable.html
You'll see that you don't have much to work with at that distance and focal length.
MinnieV just started a bird photography share thread in For Your Consideration
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-460417-1.html
Take a look when you get a chance, and keep the "watch topic" button on for more tips and fun
May 13, 2017 10:05:39 #
I think you're doing quite well. I normally don't like images with out of focus stuff in front of the subject, but in your second image it really makes my eye go right to the eagle. I think the 3rd one is great. Does your camera have a shutter preferred setting? I'd use that. Some cameras allow you to set the aperture and the shutter speed and allow the ISO to be the variable.
May 13, 2017 15:23:24 #
Linda From Maine wrote:
Your mini-dinosaurs are charming! I'm starting my ... (show quote)
Thanks Linda! I am having a blast watching them...it's only a 30 minute walk so it's easy to get to. I will check out the links you provided and the other forum as well. And I wasn't quite sure that the 2nd pic worked or not....glad you like the pics.
May 13, 2017 15:25:52 #
AzPicLady wrote:
I think you're doing quite well. I normally don't like images with out of focus stuff in front of the subject, but in your second image it really makes my eye go right to the eagle. I think the 3rd one is great. Does your camera have a shutter preferred setting? I'd use that. Some cameras allow you to set the aperture and the shutter speed and allow the ISO to be the variable.
Thanks so much! I appreciate the compliment and I am glad you like the 2nd pic....I wasn't sure if that one worked or not...I would look at it and think "wow that's kinda cool" but then i would look at it again and think "hmm maybe not"....lol
I am still learning all the settings on this Nikon D5300....I know it does have the Auto-ISO setting so that I can set the ap and shutter and it pics the ISO but not sure about the shutter preferred...will have to look that up.
May 14, 2017 00:24:26 #
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