Holy Cow! This really worked!
Oct 25, 2020 19:14:30 #
Sergo
Loc: Washington State
For years I've been trying to capture an image of a kingfisher actually in the act of fishing. This is not an easy
task and I have hundreds of blurry and blank images to prove it. This time, however, instead of trying to follow the bird in flight and shoot, I decided to aim the camera at a place where I thought he would dive, based on what I had seen him do previously. My wife and I anchored our kayak in some pond lilies to keep from floating away. I set the camera on a tripod and aimed it at the spot. Then we waited for the bird. As soon as he left his perch I pressed the shutter and kept shooting. Amazingly, he dove right on my spot. I still missed his entry but I did manage a couple of exit shots that looked pretty good. In the end this turned out great for me but bad for the bird - his fish got away.
task and I have hundreds of blurry and blank images to prove it. This time, however, instead of trying to follow the bird in flight and shoot, I decided to aim the camera at a place where I thought he would dive, based on what I had seen him do previously. My wife and I anchored our kayak in some pond lilies to keep from floating away. I set the camera on a tripod and aimed it at the spot. Then we waited for the bird. As soon as he left his perch I pressed the shutter and kept shooting. Amazingly, he dove right on my spot. I still missed his entry but I did manage a couple of exit shots that looked pretty good. In the end this turned out great for me but bad for the bird - his fish got away.
Oct 25, 2020 19:20:25 #
Fantastic! I know very well the blurry and empty shots of kingfisher photos. I'm so happy for your success!
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Oct 25, 2020 19:20:59 #
Oct 25, 2020 19:26:18 #
Oct 25, 2020 19:33:04 #
Sergo wrote:
For years I've been trying to capture an image of ... (show quote)
Kudos! You've managed to do waaay better than the awful "shots" I've gotten of that very difficult-to-capture bird.
Oct 25, 2020 19:33:57 #
Oct 25, 2020 19:35:40 #
Well done. You have to experiment on what works best for you. I've done the same with small birds approaching a branch, prefocused just before the branch, using Gimbal with a remote shutter release. vz
Oct 25, 2020 19:38:12 #
Sergo wrote:
For years I've been trying to capture an image of ... (show quote)
wow that was an accomplishment to remember, sergo...good job!
Oct 25, 2020 19:38:17 #
Oct 25, 2020 19:44:01 #
Oct 25, 2020 20:28:21 #
This is a perfect example of patience being rewarded! Now that you have come this far, I bet you will go back there and try again. Observing behavioural patterns is so important in capturing nature and wildlife. You have done very well - I am waiting impatiently for the sequel!
Oct 25, 2020 20:29:32 #
RowdyRay
Loc: MN
Well done! Be proud of those. They are very hard to catch in the act. Unpredictable and very fast.
I have a few stationary shots. And one series in the "dive". Unfortunately a bush got in the way. Camera lost focus on the way up. Kicking myself to this day. Oh well, it gives me a reason to keep trying. Lol.
I have a few stationary shots. And one series in the "dive". Unfortunately a bush got in the way. Camera lost focus on the way up. Kicking myself to this day. Oh well, it gives me a reason to keep trying. Lol.
Oct 25, 2020 20:31:22 #
I can relate to the blank shots or tail tips only. These birds just DO NOT cooperate for any kind of shot.
You did great.
You did great.
Oct 25, 2020 20:37:26 #
Wow! I'm so happy for you that your plan worked! They're both great shots, but I especially like the second.
Oct 25, 2020 21:52:12 #
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