White birds (Page 2): Thanks for the very detailed explanation.

Rgandel Loc: South Orange, NJ

Thanks for the very detailed explanation.

Rgandel Loc: South Orange, NJ

Both.

Rgandel Loc: South Orange, NJ

CHG_CANON wrote:

Do you want white birds, or grey birds? Do you wan... (show quote)

Thanks, will try.

Rgandel Loc: South Orange, NJ

Longshadow wrote:

Hint: If you use Quote Reply, we'll know to whom you are replying.

Sorry, will do.

Rgandel Loc: South Orange, NJ

CHG_CANON wrote:

You can meter anyway you want, but Canon's evaluat... (show quote)

Thanks for the very detailed answer.

Rgandel Loc: South Orange, NJ

ricardo00 wrote:

Are you photographing birds sitting for you or are you trying to photograph birds in flight or doing something?

Both, in flight and doing something.

Rgandel Loc: South Orange, NJ

Longshadow wrote:

Hint: If you use Quote Reply, we'll know to whom you are replying.

Thanks

Don, the 2nd son Loc: Crowded Florida

ricardo00 wrote:

I underexpose, almost 2 stops if the sunlight is strong and the birds are on the ground. If in the sky, then 1 stop is usually sufficient. Do you have a mirrorless? What brand? Maybe you can turn "blinkies" on and see when you are overexposing?

Bill_de Loc: US

Longshadow wrote:

Spot meter on them if you can.

And ... ???

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billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

Rgandel wrote:

What is the best way to photograph white birds without blowing out the highlights?

I have used the following for years.
I take a manual reading off grass or a green tree that is lighting the subject the same way. (this will give you a gray card reading without the gray card) I then underexpose 2 to 3 stops, it is easier to bring back details by underexposing than by overexposing in post. But most of the time 2 to 3 stops works great.
This has been my method and it works for me. Others my have different methods.

Bill_de Loc: US

billnikon wrote:

I have used the following for years.
I take a manual reading off grass or a green tree that is lighting the subject the same way. (this will give you a gray card reading without the gray card) I then underexpose 2 to 3 stops, it is easier to bring back details by underexposing than by overexposing in post. But most of the time 2 to 3 stops works great.
This has been my method and it works for me. Others my have different methods.

Looks to me like your method works just fine!

Nice looking birds.

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Juy Loc: Delaware

billnikon wrote:

I have used the following for years.
I take a manual reading off grass or a green tree that is lighting the subject the same way. (this will give you a gray card reading without the gray card) I then underexpose 2 to 3 stops, it is easier to bring back details by underexposing than by overexposing in post. But most of the time 2 to 3 stops works great.
This has been my method and it works for me. Others my have different methods.

Looks like you have that dialed in very well. Gives you good whites and shadow detail, nicely done.

Maxpixel

I agree with what’s been already stated, but add that it’s not just about preventing highlights blowing out. Losing detail in those highlights is also important. You will lose the detail before you blow out the highlights and you want to avoid exposing all the way to the right for that reason. There is no ideal histogram for this as it depends on the brightness and contrast. So, expose to the right, but preserve detail in the highlights.

photophile Loc: Lakewood, Ohio, USA

billnikon wrote:

I have used the following for years.
I take a manual reading off grass or a green tree that is lighting the subject the same way. (this will give you a gray card reading without the gray card) I then underexpose 2 to 3 stops, it is easier to bring back details by underexposing than by overexposing in post. But most of the time 2 to 3 stops works great.
This has been my method and it works for me. Others my have different methods.

Lovely egret series.

Rgandel Loc: South Orange, NJ

billnikon wrote:

I have used the following for years.
I take a manual reading off grass or a green tree that is lighting the subject the same way. (this will give you a gray card reading without the gray card) I then underexpose 2 to 3 stops, it is easier to bring back details by underexposing than by overexposing in post. But most of the time 2 to 3 stops works great.
This has been my method and it works for me. Others my have different methods.

Great images. Thanks for the suggestion.