UTMike Loc: South Jordan, UT

A couple of weeks before I went to Costa Rica, I went to our local lake to try out my Sony A1 with the Sony 200-600 GM lens. I wanted to see what kind of results I obtained hand holding, particularly when the subject was moving. I did not think (correctly, it turned out) that I would have time to use a monopod or tripod when hiking.

This practice helped me determine lens speeds and aperture settings for the trip.

Comments and suggestions are welcome.

Canada goose on the move

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Cayuga duck

(Download)

Unhappy coot

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Happy coot

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Departing coot

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Cayuga duck

(Download)

Coming for me

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Canada goose

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Cayuga ducks

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Yoga pose

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kpmac Loc: Ragley, La

Excellent test set, Mike.

UTMike Loc: South Jordan, UT

Thanks, Ken, cooperative subjects.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Delete the images of the rear view of birds. To save time later, don't bother releasing the shutter for these compositions. Try to get lower, more eye-level with the subjects when they are facing or coming toward the camera. Set a single or group of AF points specifically on the bird's eye.

The details of the unhappy coot are amazing. Keep the images that mimic this level of sharp details on the eyes. Delete the images that fail this standard. Consider deeper crops into successful images to harvest even more interesting images, such as a horizontal crop of just the entire bird from this image, such as 16:10 with the red eye placed around the upper-right 1/3 intersection of the guides for the 16:10 aspect ratio.

sippyjug104 Loc: Missouri

Everything is quite ducky there! 😁

UTMike Loc: South Jordan, UT

Thanks, Paul. I love the feather patterns, even when they are looking away. Getting down to their level is a problem for me now, but I know that you are correct. I will try that edit you suggest.

UTMike Loc: South Jordan, UT

LOL, thanks, Gary.

JeffDavidson Loc: Originally Detroit Now Los Angeles

Nice series.

Please post in Bird category.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Have a great trip! You can see from these practice images what works good, and not so good. Focus on repeating and / or improving the 'good'.

Post the crop, when available. Getting the best in-camera result offers so many later image ideas in post.

UTMike Loc: South Jordan, UT

Thanks, Jeff. It is in the bird category.

UTMike Loc: South Jordan, UT

Thanks again, Paul. I was not clear. I have been to Costa Rica and posted the photos from the trip. This set is composed of my practice on birds for the trip. Attached is the edit I think that you suggested. The prior crop was intended to show more of the reflection.

(Download)

jdtonkinson Loc: Red Wing, MN

Great test run Mike. Looks like you have great camera gear, which really showed in your trip photos

UTMike Loc: South Jordan, UT

Thanks, Jim, I try to do everything I can to make up for a lack of talent (LOL).

srfmhg Loc: Marin County, CA

Excellent set Mike - especially for practice!

UTMike Loc: South Jordan, UT

Thanks, Mark, even with practice I do not post my mistakes (LOL).