Serious BIF'ers Please Reply
Apr 11, 2018 11:39:40 #
Before I give up on achieving the kind of quality BIF I see on this site, I would like a general discussion on how each of you go about your BIF craft.
Examples:
How do you prepare?
How much time you invest depending on what you are planning?
Go to location early? Sit on a chair, a rock or lock knees?
Your preference for tripod, monopod, handheld, heads?
Your handling of "complicated" wooded scenes vs "unencumbered" environments (seaside; riverside, etc.)?
Your most successful settings? Your equipment?
Whether you backpack your way in or shoot from your Jeep?
Well you get the idea. Any input would be more than appreciated and thank you in advance.
Examples:
How do you prepare?
How much time you invest depending on what you are planning?
Go to location early? Sit on a chair, a rock or lock knees?
Your preference for tripod, monopod, handheld, heads?
Your handling of "complicated" wooded scenes vs "unencumbered" environments (seaside; riverside, etc.)?
Your most successful settings? Your equipment?
Whether you backpack your way in or shoot from your Jeep?
Well you get the idea. Any input would be more than appreciated and thank you in advance.
Apr 11, 2018 12:00:55 #
Apr 11, 2018 12:00:56 #
Apr 11, 2018 12:04:37 #
Check out Steve Parry. He is a member here and has done wildlife photography for ever. He has a e-book for $ 12.95 that has answers to all your questions and more. He is also on utube. get info. from a pro..can't go wrong.
Apr 11, 2018 12:07:37 #
Apr 11, 2018 13:03:37 #
Good question. I am interested in learning this also, but it seems daunting. Hope you get some serious replies.
Apr 11, 2018 13:08:27 #
Raz Theo wrote:
Before I give up on achieving the kind of quality ... (show quote)
I don't really prepare, but I do put a long enough lens on one of my cameras, and I go to areas, where I know there are a lot of raptors for example, but that's about it. I do not use tripods for that kind of shooting (I only use them for landscape photography if that). I do set my camera to whatever the situation is at hand, so I do not have any favorite, or most successful settings. I set it when I look at the scene/bird!
Apr 11, 2018 13:24:27 #
Raz, you should ask this in the Birds-In-Flight/Birds-In-Water Forum, where the serious BIF/BIW folks are.
Apr 11, 2018 13:24:54 #
I use a tripod/gimbal with my 150-500mm and monopod or handhold my 120-400mm.
I always try to set up with the wind and sun at my back. Birds very commonly land and takeoff into the wind and if they are flying towards me they are slowed relative to me. If they are flying with the wind they’re likely moving to fast for this old goat anyway! Lol!
Also many birds have their most colorfull plumage in mating season so knowing the when and where of that can help.
Don’t give up, even when I fail it’s a blast.
I always try to set up with the wind and sun at my back. Birds very commonly land and takeoff into the wind and if they are flying towards me they are slowed relative to me. If they are flying with the wind they’re likely moving to fast for this old goat anyway! Lol!
Also many birds have their most colorfull plumage in mating season so knowing the when and where of that can help.
Don’t give up, even when I fail it’s a blast.
Apr 11, 2018 13:38:14 #
Steve Perry on UHH:
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/user-profile?usernum=60547
Birds in Flight/Birds on Water forum, on UHH:
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/s-112-1.html
Other accomplished bird photographers on UHH include:
martinfisherphoto
and
gregoryd45
-
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/user-profile?usernum=60547
Birds in Flight/Birds on Water forum, on UHH:
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/s-112-1.html
Other accomplished bird photographers on UHH include:
martinfisherphoto
and
gregoryd45
-
Apr 11, 2018 13:55:33 #
For a truly constructive dialogue, it may be better to narrow down the thread topic to one or two specific questions, rather than so many questions all at once.
Apr 11, 2018 16:16:33 #
The only prep is to clean the lens I’m going to use, new battery, one spare. Bring CPL just in case. Set Camera to high speed shutter ISO auto, WB to match conditions, f 7.1 or f8 to start depending on lighting. I have tried tri/mono pods but they just get in the way on my walks. So it is hand held that works best for me. Birds never stay in one spot, so you should not either unless you have a small area where they congregate. As to location, I just walk out my door and head out for whatever time frame suits me that day. It’s nice being retired.
I use my Canon 7DII and a ef70-300 mm IS II USM lens. It is crystal clear when I get the settings right for the light and type of bird. White birds are the toughest. I am experimenting in ETR when shooting BIF and have had some successes there.
I guess I am lucky to live here in So-Cal where the beach is a short walk away, and when we are in the Desert there are so many small Songbirds and other interesting wildlife to capture.
And try to remember the tag line from the movie Galaxy Quest.
Never Give Up! Never Surrender!
I use my Canon 7DII and a ef70-300 mm IS II USM lens. It is crystal clear when I get the settings right for the light and type of bird. White birds are the toughest. I am experimenting in ETR when shooting BIF and have had some successes there.
I guess I am lucky to live here in So-Cal where the beach is a short walk away, and when we are in the Desert there are so many small Songbirds and other interesting wildlife to capture.
And try to remember the tag line from the movie Galaxy Quest.
Never Give Up! Never Surrender!
Apr 11, 2018 16:20:07 #
Katydid wrote:
Good question. I am interested in learning this also, but it seems daunting. Hope you get some serious replies.
Thanks Katydid, I hate to go it alone.
Apr 11, 2018 16:20:57 #
krl48 wrote:
Raz, you should ask this in the Birds-In-Flight/Birds-In-Water Forum, where the serious BIF/BIW folks are.
Thanks, I'll do t.
Apr 11, 2018 16:23:34 #
JustJerry wrote:
Check out Steve Parry. He is a member here and has done wildlife photography for ever. He has a e-book for $ 12.95 that has answers to all your questions and more. He is also on utube. get info. from a pro..can't go wrong.
I have and refer a lot to one of his eBooks - you'd think that would be the first place I'd go. You'd think.
Thanks for the reminder.
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