My First Real Attempt: Wanting to post this first real attempt at capturing a quality photograph. Those blue jays are twitchy birds so looking at the concrete surface tells me the...

tommy2 Loc: Fort Worth, Texas

Wanting to post this first real attempt at capturing a quality photograph. Those blue jays are twitchy birds so looking at the concrete surface tells me the focus is about correct. Hopefully later posts will show improvement.

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rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Tommy, for starters, your exposure is quite good. The focus on the birds could use some improvement. The best part is the exposure, no blown areas.
--Bob

tommy2 wrote:

Wanting to post this first real attempt at capturing a quality photograph. Those blue jays are twitchy birds so looking at the concrete surface tells me the focus is about correct. Hopefully later posts will show improvement.

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

tommy2 wrote:

Wanting to post this first real attempt at capturing a quality photograph. Those blue jays are twitchy birds so looking at the concrete surface tells me the focus is about correct. Hopefully later posts will show improvement.

What do you mean by quality photograph? At 250 feet with a 2x extender you would need a faster shutter speed to freeze the movement of the birds, especially handheld.

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

mwsilvers wrote:

What do you mean by quality photograph?

That was rude. As I have said often on UHH each of us has a different photography journey. What some think are world class photos to them are not so great for others. The OP’s photo may not be up to your standards but then, it isn’t your photo, it is his. He points out he is getting better.

Post some of your photos. They may be excellent but I suspect some of our more expert members could pick them apart.

My most important question is, why did you feel the need to post anything at all? Could you not have just gone on to the next topic?

Dennis

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

Tommy I agree with Bob. The exposure is great but practice getting closer. You are attempting to photograph two small birds and even with the telextender you will need to get much closer to pull out the details. With practice you will look back at this photo and think, That was OK but I am much better now.

Good luck and keep submitting photos.

Dennis

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

dennis2146 wrote:

That was rude. As I have said often on UHH each of... (show quote)

Nothing rude about it. I was trying to understand his intentions and definition of quality since he specifically used the word. If you notice I edited the original and suggested a faster shutter speed to get the birds sharper. I don't think I made any negative comments about the image itself which was obviously just intended as a test by him.

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

tommy2 wrote:

Wanting to post this first real attempt at capturing a quality photograph. Those blue jays are twitchy birds so looking at the concrete surface tells me the focus is about correct. Hopefully later posts will show improvement.

Interesting shot, but looking at the concrete will not tell you if the focus is "correct or not" unless thats what your main subject is, the concrete. In your case, looking at the birds will!

tommy2 Loc: Fort Worth, Texas

dennis2146 wrote:

Good luck and keep submitting photos.

Dennis

Thank you Dennis.

A little more of the backstory: Getting the camera closer isn't something that can happen easily and this still be an enjoyable hobby. It is difficult for this guy in his eighth decade to move around much less with several pounds of delicate awkward shaped equipment. Living seventeen floors up in a CCRC is where I'm at at this stage of life. The feeding person has an electric powered wheelchair which allows her to go out across the street to coax the birds into view. Then I go out onto my balcony to see if I can get a few photographs of "her" birds for printing to be placed in her apartment.

The camera is focused, which seem to be good, on the concrete sidewalk thinking the depth of field is so great at that distance (confirmed by DOF calculations) that the birds should be in focus too.

At your suggestion, I'll keep trying different things. This is almost as much fun as when I was first exposed (pun intended) to this hobby in the mid '40's, Tommy2

rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

dennis2146 wrote:

That was rude. As I have said often on UHH each of... (show quote)

Nicely said Dennis.

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

mwsilvers wrote:

Nothing rude about it. I was trying to understand his intentions and definition of quality since he specifically used the word. If you notice I edited the original and suggested a faster shutter speed to get the birds sharper. I don't think I made any negative comments about the image itself which was obviously just intended as a test by him.

I did notice you edited the post. I am sure the OP appreciated that. But your original post, to me, struck me as rude.

Dennis

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

tommy2 wrote:

Thank you Dennis. br br A little more of the back... (show quote)

Of course none of us had an idea of your inability to do better. Sorry. Might it be possible to somehow hook up a feeder on your balcony to have the birds closer?

Dennis

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

rgrenaderphoto wrote:

Nicely said Dennis.

👍👍🤓

Dennis

Shootist Loc: Wyoming

I hear the joy in your voice at looking to "get in the game" of taking and sharing photos. I am hoping you will keep that excitement and continue as you discover your niche in photography.

tommy2 Loc: Fort Worth, Texas

Shootist wrote:

"get in the game"

Yep, that's a the goal, Thank you Shootist!

Kept only three lenses and the camera, all ten or more years old, when downsizing to move into this retirement facility thinking that there would be few opportunities to use any more than the bare essentials. Tried to interest others in forming a photography club to be able to share the hobby but found that I'm the young guy on the block with wild ideas.

Ran across this website and think it might be the ticket, we'll see.