An Elementary Error
Aug 3, 2021 09:29:02 #
This is a confession of sloppiness. I spent a few hours at a rookery near Savannah Georgia, trying to develop a good technique to shoot birds in flight. My lens on my Fujifilm X-T3 (cropped sensor) was my longest, a 55-200mm zoom, which I know is not the ideal lens for shooting birds in flight.
I had dropped my shutter speed from 1/1000 to 1/120 to take shots of a cormorant perched on a shady limb drying its feathers. I spotted an egret coming directly toward me from perhaps 100 yards. I focused on the egret and took what I thought were some great photos as the bird approached me. Only later, when I viewed the photos on my computer, did I realize that I has not reset my shutter speed from 1/120.
Some day I will become a more accomplished photographer, but the learning curve seems awfully slow.
I had dropped my shutter speed from 1/1000 to 1/120 to take shots of a cormorant perched on a shady limb drying its feathers. I spotted an egret coming directly toward me from perhaps 100 yards. I focused on the egret and took what I thought were some great photos as the bird approached me. Only later, when I viewed the photos on my computer, did I realize that I has not reset my shutter speed from 1/120.
Some day I will become a more accomplished photographer, but the learning curve seems awfully slow.
Aug 3, 2021 09:35:37 #
lwerthe1mer wrote:
This is a confession of sloppiness. I spent a few... (show quote)
Keep at it, don't give up.
Aug 3, 2021 09:38:43 #
The only real mistake is the one from which we learn nothing.
Recognizing your issue and planning corrective action is the way to improve and ingrain those changes into your mental and muscle memory for execution next time. Keep it up.
Recognizing your issue and planning corrective action is the way to improve and ingrain those changes into your mental and muscle memory for execution next time. Keep it up.
Aug 3, 2021 09:57:20 #
I don't think there is anyone on this forum who takes BIF pictures that has not made that mistake. Keep at it, it will take some time; be happy your shooting digital.
Aug 3, 2021 10:02:40 #
Aug 3, 2021 10:14:40 #
Not just BIF, there are plenty of ways to mess up 
I got frustrated trying to photograph eagles in flight with a Canon sx50. Zoom too close, lose it; pull further out, might as well be using a wide angle lens. Slow focusing too. I finally realized it was better to lower the camera (or buy one a lot more expensive - ha), and simply enjoy the experience.
Be kind to yourself, relax, and enjoy the journey.
I got frustrated trying to photograph eagles in flight with a Canon sx50. Zoom too close, lose it; pull further out, might as well be using a wide angle lens. Slow focusing too. I finally realized it was better to lower the camera (or buy one a lot more expensive - ha), and simply enjoy the experience.
Be kind to yourself, relax, and enjoy the journey.
Aug 3, 2021 11:21:41 #
Thanks for the words of encouragement. I have enjoyed photography for years, probably because of the challenges and difficulties of taking good photos.
Aug 3, 2021 13:13:09 #
Aug 3, 2021 14:45:57 #
Forgetting to reset a camera or lens setting can happen to anyone, even to photographers with decades of experience. I'm not sure one can really learn to not forget stuff.
Aug 4, 2021 06:15:34 #
billnikon
Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
lwerthe1mer wrote:
This is a confession of sloppiness. I spent a few... (show quote)
I have won several awards for my images of birds in flight. And yes, that still happens to me from time to time. Fortunately, I keep my camera set at a higher shutter speed, usually around 1/2000 sec. even for sitting birds, that way, when action happens, the camera is set. But, that said, I usually try to shoot everything at a minimum shutter speed of 1/3000 sec. or 1/4000 sec. that way, you can shoot anything that comes your way, sitting or moving, your all set.
Good luck and keep on shooting until the end.
Aug 4, 2021 07:36:14 #
billnikon wrote:
I have won several awards for my images of birds i... (show quote)
A good technique, although it probably leads to a high ISO and a narrow depth of field. It’s a lot better than switching settings all the time and being unprepared for the opportunities that quickly present themselves. I’m learning and appreciate your advice.
Aug 4, 2021 08:21:57 #
All part of the learning curve and gaining experience. As Tom Hanks said in A League of Their Own, “It's supposed to be hard. If it were easy, everyone would do it.”
Aug 4, 2021 08:24:19 #
billnikon
Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
lwerthe1mer wrote:
A good technique, although it probably leads to a high ISO and a narrow depth of field. It’s a lot better than switching settings all the time and being unprepared for the opportunities that quickly present themselves. I’m learning and appreciate your advice.
Higher ISO is why I own the camera's I do. High end modern digital camera's can handle higher ISO's. And, in post I can clean higher ISO's easily.
So, use higher ISO's to get that shot and be ready for any opportunity that presents itself.
You want narrow depth of field for BIF, especially if they are closer to your backgrounds. My Nikon 500 PF is always wide open, my Sony 600 4 is always at f4, my Sony 200-600 is only stopped down 1/3 to 7.1.
Better to be prepared with higher shutter speeds and get the shot than trying to switch settings when the unexpected comes along.
Aug 4, 2021 09:01:32 #
This discussion has been very educational for me. Thanks so much for everyone’s participation.
Aug 4, 2021 09:04:17 #
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.