How to make my my eagle photo better? Advice please!
Jan 24, 2018 17:32:34 #
I took this photo yesterday on a bright partially cloudy day. Camera is Nikon D3300. F-stop is 7.1, exposure time 1/400, exp comp +3, focal length 500 mm (200-500 Nikon lens), ISO 200
I am not happy with the blurry branches on the left side and the twig shadows on the eagle and the stick coming out of its head.
I was in a car, not permitted by the refuge to get out, and the eagle dropped half his meal so I felt he wouldn't be there long. I didn't have much time to think.
So I am wondering how I could have produced a better photo under these circumstances. I shoot jpegs (I know, I should do raw) and use Elements 18. I only use the barebones capability of Elements but have a couple of instruction books I bought recently. Did I mess up on the camera settings or the processing or both?
Any advice would be appreciated, minus wisecracks please.
I am not happy with the blurry branches on the left side and the twig shadows on the eagle and the stick coming out of its head.
I was in a car, not permitted by the refuge to get out, and the eagle dropped half his meal so I felt he wouldn't be there long. I didn't have much time to think.
So I am wondering how I could have produced a better photo under these circumstances. I shoot jpegs (I know, I should do raw) and use Elements 18. I only use the barebones capability of Elements but have a couple of instruction books I bought recently. Did I mess up on the camera settings or the processing or both?
Any advice would be appreciated, minus wisecracks please.
Jan 24, 2018 17:46:12 #
Katydid wrote:
I took this photo yesterday on a bright partially ... (show quote)
Katy, The reality is that you did not have much depth of field. That is why the bird is super sharp and the the bird is dead on for focus. Next time you can experiment at F16 for more sharpness.
Capturing Eagles in trees is difficult because of extra branches.If you have the Patience in Lightroom or PhotoShop you can eliminate those visual distractions.
Jan 24, 2018 19:04:41 #
The eagle is sharply in focus from head to tail in both shots ...., no focus or DOF problems there. Exposure a little dark on the first one (caused by bright sky?) but spot on for the second shot. Composition would be OK were it not for the branch at the left. Too bad you couldn't get a better angle on him.
Jan 24, 2018 19:14:13 #
Given the situation the eagle is tac sharp and the feathers well defined. Nicely done giving the conditions.. Kudos for taking the shot, I know how rushed and excited you can be in those situations. Like the others said you could change the aperture for more sharpness. I often run across similar issues with branches when shooting birds in the woods. The fastest solution for fixing the shot would be to crop a lot of those large branches on the left out and crop down to mostly the eagle. The original is quite large so you have lots to play with there.
Jan 24, 2018 21:52:09 #
jpwa
Loc: Inland NorthWest
You got the camera figured out...very sharp in focus pictures. Just take lots of pictures and look around in your viewfinder to see whats in the frame.
Jan 25, 2018 01:17:34 #
Thanks all for your suggestions and thoughts! I appreciate your taking the time to comment.
What I am seeing is that I should have used a smaller aperture for more depth of field and that would involved increasing the ISO? I think I need to assess the situation quickly in cases like this where the bird might fly off . And try different f-stops.
As for processing, can anyone suggest the best tool to use to remove the fuzzy little twigs on the bird? I tried spot healing tool but that didn't work.
What I am seeing is that I should have used a smaller aperture for more depth of field and that would involved increasing the ISO? I think I need to assess the situation quickly in cases like this where the bird might fly off . And try different f-stops.
As for processing, can anyone suggest the best tool to use to remove the fuzzy little twigs on the bird? I tried spot healing tool but that didn't work.
Jan 25, 2018 07:03:38 #
What I am seeing is that I should have used a smaller aperture for more depth of field and that would involved increasing the ISO? I think I need to assess the situation quickly in cases like this where the bird might fly off . And try different f-stops.
Aperture was fine - everything on the bird was in perfect focus. If you went with a smaller aperture, you would have more branches and twigs in focus which you don't need. Simply a matter of better composition, better shooting angle, to correct the problems.
Aperture was fine - everything on the bird was in perfect focus. If you went with a smaller aperture, you would have more branches and twigs in focus which you don't need. Simply a matter of better composition, better shooting angle, to correct the problems.
Jan 25, 2018 08:06:51 #
Katydid wrote:
Thanks all for your suggestions and thoughts! I ap... (show quote)
I’d try the clone stamp tool.
Jan 25, 2018 08:12:47 #
SonyA580 wrote:
Aperture was fine - everything on the bird was in perfect focus. If you went with a smaller aperture, you would have more branches and twigs in focus which you don't need. Simply a matter of better composition, better shooting angle, to correct the problems.
Aperture was fine - everything on the bird was in perfect focus. If you went with a smaller aperture, you would have more branches and twigs in focus which you don't need. Simply a matter of better composition, better shooting angle, to correct the problems.
, A different perspective is the main solution to your problem, otherwise patience and knowledge in your Elements version ( or Photoshop)......or, engaging some one who does.Jan 25, 2018 09:22:17 #
My guess here is that at at 500 mm the branches on the left would never be in focus even at the smallest appetite your lens is capable of. You were simply were not in a good position to get a clean shot of your subject. Try again tomorrow. Perhaps you will find a better opportunity. Nobody ever said bird photography is easy.
Jan 25, 2018 10:29:33 #
Jan 25, 2018 12:22:06 #
Love the second one in download. Super sharp and perfectly focused.
I don't have a problem with a few limbs / twigs. I can ignore them and "focus" on the eagle.
Anyway, the limbs are natural, unlike power lines, poles, and man made objects.
I don't have a problem with a few limbs / twigs. I can ignore them and "focus" on the eagle.
Anyway, the limbs are natural, unlike power lines, poles, and man made objects.
Jan 26, 2018 22:09:25 #
I'm a bit confused. The aperture, shutter speed, and ISO were all set. What changed to give you an exposure compensation of +3?
Jan 27, 2018 13:32:06 #
tjjm wrote:
I'm a bit confused. The aperture, shutter speed, and ISO were all set. What changed to give you an exposure compensation of +3?
My mistake. I meant .3, not 3. Actually, I should have increased it a bit more as the eagle appeared too dark due to the bright sky behind it.
Jan 27, 2018 13:33:59 #
Does anyone know why this was moved to the Gallery from the Analysis section? I thought I put in all the right criteria in my original post. I was asking for pointers on how I could have gotten a better photo.
I appreciate all the opinions I got, for sure!
I appreciate all the opinions I got, for sure!
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