Filling the Frame: As a wildlife shooter, one is always instructed to fill the frame. When the distance is such that the frame cannot be filled using a full-frame camera, is there a...

Mainridge Loc: NW Mich, SW Fla

As a wildlife shooter, one is always instructed to fill the frame. When the distance is such that the frame cannot be filled using a full-frame camera, is there a hard and fast rule as to the best alternative method to fill the frame? In other words, should I switch over to Aps-c, add a teleconverter or crop in post. I am usually shooting with a 45 mp camera if that helps.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Probably not...

I just compose with what I have available, adjust to my liking in post if necessary.

Peteso Loc: Blacks Hills

I am curious about "always instructed to fill the frame." Often with wildlife, the challenge is capturing the critical moment(s). Sometimes that doesn't give you the luxury of filling the frame...or switching to APS-C and/or a teleconverter. You have 45 mp which gives you enough "headroom" to get the shot and then crop in post processing. Suggest you enjoy the process and don't let GAS or technical alternatives distract you.

Edawsoni

Mainridge wrote:

As a wildlife shooter, one is always instructed to fill the frame. When the distance is such that the frame cannot be filled using a full-frame camera, is there a hard and fast rule as to the best alternative method to fill the frame? In other words, should I switch over to Aps-c, add a teleconverter or crop in post. I am usually shooting with a 45 mp camera if that helps.

Spend lots more money on a longer lens.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

To answer the question about which lens and gear? Best to do controlled tests to see for yourself.

"Always" fill the frame is nonsense. Take a look at one master wildlife photographer's photos:
https://backcountrygallery.com/wildlife/

Lots and lots of examples where not filling the frame with the animal results in an awe-inspiring, high impact image!

Rongnongno Loc: FL

Mainridge wrote:

As a wildlife shooter, one is always instructed to fill the frame. When the distance is such that the frame cannot be filled using a full-frame camera, is there a hard and fast rule as to the best alternative method to fill the frame? In other words, should I switch over to Aps-c, add a teleconverter or crop in post. I am usually shooting with a 45 mp camera if that helps.

Actually filling the frame is kind of weird, as few folks are able to shoot straight in the first place... Just the action of straightening a capture will force a crop. You also have to take into account that some capture maybe framed with a mat, another case when there must be a 'free space' around the subject.

Add the idea of motion, space and 'fill-the-frame' mantra is just out of the window,

The idea with 'filling the frame is not to be to the edge but making sure that the subject is complete within the frame and that there is no need to crop in order to be 'closer'.

I fill the frame ONLY when I am sure of what I am doing while shooting, usually a static subject and that the capture will not be framed. Since I produce only aluminum print, large format cropping for a frame does not happen.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

At 45MP, just crop. After that, the best images will come from the best (longest) lenses and the best shooting technique.

Peteso Loc: Blacks Hills

Well said...filling the frame is "nonsense." You need better mentors and advisors.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Linda From Maine wrote:

To answer the question about which lens and gear? Best to do controlled tests to see for yourself.

"Always" fill the frame is nonsense. Take a look at one master wildlife photographer's photos:
https://backcountrygallery.com/wildlife/

Lots and lots of examples where not filling the frame with the animal results in an awe-inspiring, high impact image!

I only fill the frame if that's the composition I desire.
I never fill the frame for the sake of "filling the frame".

Jimmy T Loc: Virginia

Mainridge wrote:

As a wildlife shooter, one is always instructed to fill the frame. When the distance is such that the frame cannot be filled using a full-frame camera, is there a hard and fast rule as to the best alternative method to fill the frame? In other words, should I switch over to Aps-c, add a teleconverter or crop in post. I am usually shooting with a 45 mp camera if that helps.

I too shoot with a 45 mp camera and I never "fill the frame" unless I know for a fact that I will be using compatible-sized framing.*
My photo regrets are mostly "filling the frame" like I was taught to do in the days of film.
I always shoot "Wide" to leave a generous amount of template material so that I may crop and still get a final 3:2 full-frame format crop of my files. Even my usual 3:2 “Final crop is “Wide” so that in the future I may crop to a different ratio* for different size prints. Sometimes I shoot very wide (all sides) so that I may get a portrait or landscape view. I also shoot wide in some cases to get a different perspective of a scene or several pics from one file. A lot of my "Keepers" are "Made" during post when I have time to study my files, and they have not yet become viable pics.

With 45 mp available to me, along with Topaz Photo AI, I don't fear heavy crops at all. Besides filling the frame with a bird in flight or anything moving rapidly must be a pretty tall order.
As I post this I see that you also have some great advice from CHG_CANON, Long Shadow, and Linda From Maine. Just stay "Loose and Adjust" in post.
I admire wildlife shooters so be sure to post some pics.
Best Wishes,
JimmyT Sends

* 2:3/3:2 compatible Print sizes:
4x6
6x9
6.67x10
8x12
10x15
12x18
13.33x20
18x27
20x30
30x45
40x60

Strodav Loc: Houston, Tx

The amount of detail you can capture depends on the number of sensor elements you get on the subject and the quality of your lens. That's why filling the frame makes sense, but how much is enough? You can take some great photos at 12mp, or 1/4 of your frame, typical smartphone camera resolution. I have some great shots taken with a 5mp Panasonic DMC-FZ20.

I try and get as close as I can either physically or optically. If I can't, I'll still may take the shot, run it through Gigapixel AI and hope for the best.

gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

Might be a good idea to allow space for enlarging in post if needed.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

gvarner wrote:

Might be a good idea to allow space for enlarging in post if needed.

That also!

DaveyDitzer Loc: Western PA

Mainridge wrote:

As a wildlife shooter, one is always instructed to fill the frame. When the distance is such that the frame cannot be filled using a full-frame camera, is there a hard and fast rule as to the best alternative method to fill the frame? In other words, should I switch over to Aps-c, add a teleconverter or crop in post. I am usually shooting with a 45 mp camera if that helps.

There have been times when I've followed this advice to my regret. I tend to leave some "room" especially when I shooting with my 45mp body.

DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA

Mainridge wrote:

As a wildlife shooter, one is always instructed to fill the frame. When the distance is such that the frame cannot be filled using a full-frame camera, is there a hard and fast rule as to the best alternative method to fill the frame? In other words, should I switch over to Aps-c, add a teleconverter or crop in post. I am usually shooting with a 45 mp camera if that helps.

When you can't fill the frame, take what you get.

Switching to APS-C does nothing but crop. You can do that in post, and if you switch, you have to remember to switch back to full frame. Shooting wildlife is time-sensitive. Diddling with settings takes time and you risk losing the shot. Trusting memory is risky (at my age, anyway, and we're all getting older).