1/3 of a second
May 19, 2022 21:41:27 #
I never seem to make life easy for myself. Photography can be as challenging as you want to make it and this is a simple example of everything coming together.
The series of a Bewick's wren returning to the nest with food took about 5 hours. This selection was a series captured from a single series. Some logistical problems had to be solved before, and while, attempting the capture. One was the limited window of time the wren's nest box was exposed to direct sunlight had to be utilized due to the high-speed nature of the capture. Read "lots of light for fast shutter speeds and low ISO for those of you who know a bit about photography".
Working in close, I had to estimate the flight path as best as possible because the Depth of Field for close-up shooting is small. Which means the area in front and in back of the specific plane being focused on gets blurry very fast.
I also had to guess at when the bird would launch from the top of the box, due to a 180 degree turn the bird would have to perform in the air to enter the box at a lower level. Sounds simple, but the bird completes its turn in this series of 8 frames. The camera was set to record at 28 FPS. That would mean you have to capture an event that takes place in approximately 1/3 of a second.
The wrens visit the nest approximately 3 times per hour. This nest box is also fairly high off of the ground and the location dictated the use of a folding ladder which I was sitting atop. All this in today’s heat. Thank goodness I could hold my umbrella over me as I waited for the magic moments.
Am I a bit silly? Hmmm? Probably. But I am enjoying the results, and I will now go take a short nap. Enjoy.
The series of a Bewick's wren returning to the nest with food took about 5 hours. This selection was a series captured from a single series. Some logistical problems had to be solved before, and while, attempting the capture. One was the limited window of time the wren's nest box was exposed to direct sunlight had to be utilized due to the high-speed nature of the capture. Read "lots of light for fast shutter speeds and low ISO for those of you who know a bit about photography".
Working in close, I had to estimate the flight path as best as possible because the Depth of Field for close-up shooting is small. Which means the area in front and in back of the specific plane being focused on gets blurry very fast.
I also had to guess at when the bird would launch from the top of the box, due to a 180 degree turn the bird would have to perform in the air to enter the box at a lower level. Sounds simple, but the bird completes its turn in this series of 8 frames. The camera was set to record at 28 FPS. That would mean you have to capture an event that takes place in approximately 1/3 of a second.
The wrens visit the nest approximately 3 times per hour. This nest box is also fairly high off of the ground and the location dictated the use of a folding ladder which I was sitting atop. All this in today’s heat. Thank goodness I could hold my umbrella over me as I waited for the magic moments.
Am I a bit silly? Hmmm? Probably. But I am enjoying the results, and I will now go take a short nap. Enjoy.
May 19, 2022 21:48:48 #
May 19, 2022 22:10:21 #
That is an awesome series. Well worth the discomfort to get it. It is very special.
May 19, 2022 22:11:34 #
May 19, 2022 22:11:37 #
May 19, 2022 22:11:54 #
Hereford wrote:
That is an awesome series. Well worth the discomfort to get it. It is very special.
Thanks
May 19, 2022 22:12:20 #
Retired CPO wrote:
Totally worth it in my opinion! Very nice!
Thank you.
May 19, 2022 22:26:23 #
May 19, 2022 22:48:41 #
May 19, 2022 23:00:07 #
Your dedication, hard work and expertise led to an outstanding set, Dave!
May 20, 2022 01:05:54 #
May 20, 2022 04:33:15 #
May 20, 2022 05:31:42 #
May 20, 2022 06:31:59 #
May 20, 2022 11:07:53 #
Wonderful series. You could isolate a few with the insect and not the birdhouse for great wall hangers. 
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