Post Your Best Nature Shots!

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09-29-2009, 01:11 AM
msmaneri1991

Re: Post Your Best Nature Shots!

[img]/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Components.UserFiles/00.00.00.33.50/IMG_5F00_3909aaaaaaaaaaa.jpg[/img][img]/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Components.UserFiles/00.00.00.33.50/IMG_5F00_1847pooooooooooop.jpg[/img]

First time posting I know the butterfly image isn't super clean I just like the way it looks
09-29-2009, 02:46 AM
Sinh Nhut Nguyen

Re: Post Your Best Nature Shots!

Some nice shots there Fast Glass, small bird are tough to shoot..

I like #1 and 3 Canoli, really show off the clouds

Jayson, number 2 is fastastic, I like the way you crop the image and the colors are really nice.

msmaneri1991, looks like your shots sufferred from either camera shake or missed focus, good luck next time.

and I want to thank everybody for your congrats toward my purchase of the 500 f/4L IS. You guys/gals are the best! Regarding my 400 f/5.6L, no, I'm not going to retire it. It's still a great lens and I will use it as a scouting lens when I know I'll be walking more than shooting, oh and it's a great lens to shoot from your car window.

http://www.pscvn.org/members/308/9-2...9-03-34_PM.jpg

Juvenile Western Gull

40D, 500 f/4L IS, f/4, 1/640, ISO 400
09-29-2009, 04:01 AM
Tabazan

Re: Post Your Best Nature Shots!

Just before the kiss ...
09-29-2009, 10:35 AM
Jayson

Re: Post Your Best Nature Shots!

Thanks Nate.

You must be super patient to get all of those bird shots. How long do you usually wait to get that right shot?

Jayson
09-29-2009, 11:04 AM
Rodger

Re: Post Your Best Nature Shots!

[img]/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Components.UserFiles/00.00.00.27.64/9_2D00_21_2D00_09-Sunrise-Panorama_2D00_edit2_2D00_resize.jpg[/img]

A couple photos stitched together of sunrise 9-21-09 out my window. Almost missed the bus for this haha. Worth it? I'll let you decide :)
09-29-2009, 12:35 PM
Fast Glass

Re: Post Your Best Nature Shots!

Running slim on my wildlife shots, here is a landscape picture. Taken with my 600mm again!

[img]/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Components.UserFiles/00.00.00.28.86/_5F00_MG_5F00_403a-reduced.JPG[/img]
09-29-2009, 07:26 PM
canoli

Re: Post Your Best Nature Shots!

Central Park, "The Pond," earlier this year...

ps - Thanks Sinh, for your comments on the previous shots. I won't even begin to comment on yours, other than to say "Wow!"

[img]/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Components.UserFiles/00.00.00.29.05/_5F00_MG_5F00_6058_5F00_mirrorduck.jpg[/img]
09-29-2009, 08:32 PM
Sinh Nhut Nguyen

Re: Post Your Best Nature Shots!

40D & 400 f/5.6L, f/7.1, 1/2500, ISO 250. It's tough to get an in-focus shot of these mullet jumping out of the water, this image is actually quite soft, but it looks ok for small size web image. http://www.pscvn.org/members/308/9-2...3-27-49_PM.jpg
09-29-2009, 11:03 PM
richm

Re: Post Your Best Nature Shots!

After the storm....

40d, 24-105 shot at 24mm, f6.3, 1/5000, iso200. Feedback welcomed.

[img]/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Components.UserFiles/00.00.00.25.10/IMG_5F00_2416sm.JPG[/img]
09-30-2009, 01:58 AM
Fast Glass

Re: Post Your Best Nature Shots!

Ah, here we go. I dug inmy folders and found a few more wildlife shots.

[img]/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Components.UserFiles/00.00.00.28.86/0196-_2300_-reduced.JPG[/img]

This shot utilized a flash as the main lighting.

[img]/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Components.UserFiles/00.00.00.28.86/0112-edited-reduced.JPG[/img]

[img]/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Components.UserFiles/00.00.00.28.86/0114.TIF-reduced.JPG[/img]

[img]/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Components.UserFiles/00.00.00.28.86/_5F00_MG_5F00_3727-reduced.JPG[/img]

[img]/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Components.UserFiles/00.00.00.28.86/_5F00_MG_5F00_37391-reduced.JPG[/img]

[img]/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Components.UserFiles/00.00.00.28.86/_5F00_MG_5F00_37741-reduced.JPG[/img]

John
09-30-2009, 02:19 AM
Rodger

Re: Post Your Best Nature Shots!

That squirrel is intense!!
09-30-2009, 06:40 PM
Fast Glass

Re: Post Your Best Nature Shots!

The first squirrel picture was taken with a bare 600mm and the second with a 2x extender.
10-02-2009, 10:51 PM
Fast Glass

Re: Post Your Best Nature Shots!

Come on, lets have some more contribution's too this great thread!
10-03-2009, 12:40 AM
Chuck Lee

Re: Post Your Best Nature Shots!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fast Glass

Come on, lets have some more contribution's too this great thread!

Man, It's hard to compete with that 600mm Minolta!

How about a Luna moth?

http://chucklee.zenfolio.com/img/v4/p831629282-4.jpg

Is that considered a "Best Nature Shot" or is it just another shot of nature? [:)]
10-04-2009, 07:18 PM
Fast Glass

Re: Post Your Best Nature Shots!

Awesome shot there Chuck! What I would't give to photograph a Lanu Moth.
10-05-2009, 04:18 AM
EdN

Re: Post Your Best Nature Shots!

How about some scenery for a change . . . some alkaline ponds.

[img]/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Components.UserFiles/00.00.00.22.66/IMG_5F00_1245r.jpg[/img]

[img]/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Components.UserFiles/00.00.00.22.66/IMG_5F00_1255r.jpg[/img]
10-07-2009, 01:21 AM
devsalvi

Re: Post Your Best Nature Shots!

i fiori per mio amore ;)

[img]/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Components.UserFiles/00.00.00.24.65/_5F00_MG_5F00_0124.JPG[/img]

[img]/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Components.UserFiles/00.00.00.24.65/_5F00_MG_5F00_0151.JPG[/img]
10-07-2009, 01:37 AM
Fast Glass

Re: Post Your Best Nature Shots!

Awesome shots there!!

To bad I'm to dumb to understand what you said.[:(]
10-07-2009, 01:48 AM
devsalvi

Re: Post Your Best Nature Shots!

I just thought it might sound more romantic in Italian :) "Flowers for my love"By the way Thanks John. You captures are just breath taking. Keep up the good work
10-07-2009, 11:57 PM
Fast Glass

Re: Post Your Best Nature Shots!

Quote:

Originally Posted by devsalvi

You captures are just breath taking. Keep up the good work

Thank you, thats probably the nicest comment I have received from my photography....[:)]
10-08-2009, 02:13 AM
Fast Glass

Re: Post Your Best Nature Shots!

Here are a few of my macro master pieces! Taken with a Minolta 50mm f/1.7 with and withouta 12mm ext tube. No post processing other than sharpening and resizing was done.

[img]/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Components.UserFiles/00.00.00.28.86/106-reduced.JPG[/img]

[img]/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Components.UserFiles/00.00.00.28.86/109-reduced.JPG[/img]

[img]/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Components.UserFiles/00.00.00.28.86/110.TIF-reduced.JPG[/img]

[img]/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Components.UserFiles/00.00.00.28.86/111.TIF-reduced.JPG[/img]

Any comments are verywelcomed.

John.
10-08-2009, 03:40 AM
wickerprints

Re: Post Your Best Nature Shots!

Here is a hummingbird that visited a feeder in my backyard last month.

5D2 + 70-200/2.8L IS @ 200mm @ 1/250s @ f/8 @ ISO 100, manual flash.

[img]/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Components.UserFiles/00.00.00.30.26/IMG_5F00_0079.JPG[/img]

And here is a 100% crop, showing the feather detail around the head.

[img]/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Components.UserFiles/00.00.00.30.26/IMG_5F00_0079c.JPG[/img]
10-08-2009, 11:45 AM
Fast Glass

Re: Post Your Best Nature Shots!

Great work! If I could add anything I might add a little satruration, but mabye not. You could give it a try.

Overall love the pose, cachlight, background, eye contact,just a great shot. Keep up the good work.

John
10-08-2009, 08:24 PM
btaylor

Re: Post Your Best Nature Shots!

Those aregreat wickerprints! Focus was spot on by the looks of things and that bokeh is delicious.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fast Glass

Great work! If I could add anything I might add a little satruration, but mabye not. You could give it a try.

I think the saturation is perfect - looks very natural. Might need to calibrate your monitor John [;)] I have noticed in a couple of your shots that the greens are highly saturated. Then again, I'm at work sothismonitor might not be perfect either.

Keep up the good work.
10-09-2009, 12:14 AM
Fast Glass

Re: Post Your Best Nature Shots!

Sometimes I like my pictures very saturated, but not all the time depends on the shot. How bokeh taste anyway?![:P]

John.
10-09-2009, 03:01 AM
wickerprints

Re: Post Your Best Nature Shots!

Thanks for the compliments... here are some more I took. It was a learning process to get the shots set up just right. Now if I had the EF 300/4L IS, I could probably get the bird in the frame without needing to crop... They're a lot of fun to shoot!

5D2 + 70-200/2.8L IS @ 200mm @ 1/200s @ f/8 @ ISO 160, manual flash. I think I set my flash-to-ambient ratio a little too high--he was approaching the feeder and when the flash went off, he clearly startled. At one point he came right up to me to investigate, hovered almost belligerently just a few feet away, then buzzed off. This one guarded the feeder jealously, chasing away all the other hummingbirds that dared to take a sip.

[img]/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Components.UserFiles/00.00.00.30.26/IMG_5F00_0010s.JPG[/img]

Here is a 100% crop from the same image. He looks a bit disheveled because he'd been fighting off the competition all day.

[img]/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Components.UserFiles/00.00.00.30.26/IMG_5F00_0010c.JPG[/img]

Some days later, I think I got more shots of the same bird, though I honestly can't be sure since I can't really tell them apart. But he behaved in the same territorial fashion. 5D2 + 70-200/2.8L IS @ 200mm @ 1/160s @ f/6.3 @ ISO 160, manual flash. By now I figured out how to get close enough to them to shoot near MFD. This time I got better exposure but the lighting direction wasn't as flattering. If I could just get my flash off camera and use an umbrella, this would be SOOO much better.

[img]/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Components.UserFiles/00.00.00.30.26/IMG_5F00_0042.JPG[/img]

And again, here's a 100% crop. You can just make out the tip of his tongue [:P] Makes me wish I lived in an area where other, more colorful hummingbird species are known to visit. I'd have a field day!

[img]/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Components.UserFiles/00.00.00.30.26/IMG_5F00_0042c.JPG[/img]

Thanks again for looking [:D]
10-09-2009, 04:04 AM
msmaneri1991

Re: Post Your Best Nature Shots!

[img]/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Components.UserFiles/00.00.00.33.50/IMG_5F00_5494a.jpg[/img]

I am having a tough time setting the image dimensions without warping the image =p[img]/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Components.UserFiles/00.00.00.33.50/IMG_5F00_5504a.jpg[/img]
10-09-2009, 09:02 AM
Bill W

Re: Post Your Best Nature Shots!

Wickerprints;

Nice captures of the HB.

I've tried a few captures w/a flash, but I wash out their eye and need to do quite a bit of PSing to bring the eye back.

What do you do to avoid over exposing the eye with "catch light"?

40D, 100-400 IS are what I use and sometimes the 580EX ll.

Regards

Bill
10-09-2009, 11:36 AM
Julius

Re: Post Your Best Nature Shots!

[img]/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Components.UserFiles/00.00.00.29.73/still18.jpg[/img]
10-09-2009, 03:13 PM
Sinh Nhut Nguyen

Re: Post Your Best Nature Shots!

Savannah Sparrow

40D & 500 f/4L IS, f/4, 1/2500, ISO 200

Thanks for viewing [:)] and commenting [:)]http://www.pscvn.org/members/308/10-...2-05-51_AM.jpg
10-09-2009, 04:05 PM
Fred Doane

Re: Post Your Best Nature Shots!

Nate,

That lens is just magical! I'm assuming the bird was very close to your location. Was it almost at the MFD? Of course you did a great job perfectly exposing the shot. That lens has been on my wish list for a long time. Maybe this next spring... Are you hand holding it or do you have a Gimbal style head mounted on a tripod?

Fred~
10-09-2009, 04:12 PM
Sinh Nhut Nguyen

Re: Post Your Best Nature Shots!

Hi Fred,

the birdwas about 20' from me, I handhold this lens and currently don't own a tripod/gimbal head. The 500 f/4 is very handholdable.
10-09-2009, 04:26 PM
devsalvi

Re: Post Your Best Nature Shots!

Nate,

That is a beautiful picture.

Cheers!

Dev
10-09-2009, 04:44 PM
wickerprints

Re: Post Your Best Nature Shots!
Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill W

Wickerprints;

Nice captures of the HB.

I've tried a few captures w/a flash, but I wash out their eye and need to do quite a bit of PSing to bring the eye back.

What do you do to avoid over exposing the eye with "catch light"?

40D, 100-400 IS are what I use and sometimes the 580EX ll.

Regards

Bill
<div style="clear: both;"]</div>

Thanks! All I can say about the use of flash in the hummingbird pics is that you can't use ETTL...it has to be manual. Depending on your ambient lighting conditions, you have to adjust your exposure and ISO accordingly. I've found 1/8 to 1/4 power on the flash works in my situation, but if your ambient light is low (e.g., very early or late in the day), then you may use even less flash power. I underexpose the background by about 1 stop, but again, you just have to play with it.

The recipe:
1. Use manual mode and meter your scene. Set the exposure about 1 - 1.5 stops under, shutter speed around 1/200s.
2. Set flash power to 1/4 in manual mode.
3. Test it out. If you are using a feeder to lure the hummingbirds, review the image to make sure you're not overexposing the foreground by too much, no more than 0.5 stops or so. If you are, dial down the flash power accordingly.
4. Also check the background exposure. It should be a bit dark but not black. If it is darker than you would like, set the exposure brighter by opening up the aperture or increasing ISO, in that order of preference. Don't slow the shutter speed too much because then you will blur the hummingbird.
5. Here is a key secret. Place your feeder in the shade, and position your camera so that the background is brightly lit. That is, try to deliberately create a backlit situation. What this will do is increase your reliance of proper exposure of the bird on your flash. This will enable you to freeze motion. Also, if you can, get your flash off your camera.
6. Experiment!
10-09-2009, 07:44 PM
Wes

Re: Post Your Best Nature Shots!

Shot this on the way back from a morning meeting. There were seven of the boys laying along the fence line at 11:30 taking a noon time nap.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2556/...5b880c8f_o.jpg
10-10-2009, 02:36 AM
Fast Glass

Re: Post Your Best Nature Shots!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sinh Nhut Nguyen

Hi Fred,

the birdwas about 20' from me, I handhold this lens and currently don't own a tripod/gimbal head. The 500 f/4 is very handholdable.
<p style="CLEAR: both"]

Did you crop your picture? I assuming that you didn't.

Your making me look bad with that lens....[;)]
10-10-2009, 04:44 AM
Sinh Nhut Nguyen

Re: Post Your Best Nature Shots!

Yes I did crop it, this is about 75% of the original.
10-10-2009, 06:37 AM
Alan KE

Re: Post Your Best Nature Shots!

Some Butterfly pictures taken in Haga Park Stockholm with my G10. Second one taken with the built in flash firing on 1/4 power. Thanks for looking :-)

[img]/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Components.UserFiles/00.00.00.32.84/IMG_5F00_0764.jpg[/img]

[img]/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Components.UserFiles/00.00.00.32.84/IMG_5F00_0769.jpg[/img]

[img]/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Components.UserFiles/00.00.00.32.84/IMG_5F00_0772.jpg[/img]

[img]/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Components.UserFiles/00.00.00.32.84/IMG_5F00_0776.jpg[/img]
10-10-2009, 11:28 AM
Joel Eade

Re: Post Your Best Nature Shots!

40D, 300mm 2.8L + 1.4x extender, f6.3, 1/200 sec., [img]/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Components.UserFiles/00.00.00.32.28/IMG_5F00_1534.jpg[/img]iso320
10-10-2009, 12:54 PM
Rodger

Re: Post Your Best Nature Shots!

Beautiful Joel!

Good work!!

-Rodger

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