Bill,
This is the Pelican image after conversion in ACR, cropped and resized for the web.....UN-processed with photoshop.....
[img]/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer-Discussions-Components-Files/15/4135.unproc.jpg[/img]
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Bill,
This is the Pelican image after conversion in ACR, cropped and resized for the web.....UN-processed with photoshop.....
[img]/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer-Discussions-Components-Files/15/4135.unproc.jpg[/img]
Here is another one of a different pelican just about to touch down.....same camera settings......
[img]/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer-Discussions-Components-Files/15/1261.343V0887.jpg[/img]
Ok, so I almost deleted the workflow I copied from your previous post after seeing this. I didn't, because it seem like it will still be useful. But your unprocessed image is simply excellent straight out of the camera. The 'pop' is there...the PS work just adds to it slightly.
Again, great shots, Joel!
Thanks,
The day that I got to shoot birds in Florida I managed to shoot about 22 gb of raw images......I am still going through them and processing......this one was a good raw image so the final processing was easy and the result even better.
Of course I have alot of less than stellar images.....maybe I
Joel, just to chime in again---That workflow is great stuff, especially for us PS novices. But, the bird shot ---well, just "wow".
Quote:
Originally Posted by Joel Eade
Can I be first????? I have a bunch of those
Quote:
Originally Posted by Joel Eade
Ditto
Bob
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob Williams
yes ,I can't agree more with that. I took me some time to start with, but once I get familiar with it, I can probably finish the whole process in 10-15 minutes, and it really helped me to understand PS better and faster.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob Williams
actually I am interested in knowing others that how much is your keep rate? for me, I have taken about 8000 bird shots since I got my 7D, and may be a hundred of them worth to be kept and probably 20-30 of them are considered very good. of course there are a lot bust shots but still I think my keep rate is very low. I know it is a subjective thing, but it's good to know a general idea from you guys.
Joel...the relatively un-PP
Quote:
Originally Posted by JJphoto
Joel, That doesn't sound to far off---My keeper rate is very similar, especially for birds. But, you do have to askwhy its that way? Is it focus, lighting, metering, composition, camera set up,etc,Did weremember to check settings before shooting?( thisone is common for me).Did we use the right equipment for the shot ie, tripod, flash, lens, filter etc.
One thing I have realized: When I take my time tothink about and set-up the shot, use a tripod, check equipment settings etc--My frame count goes down and my keeper rate goes way up. Couple of things I learned with my humming bird efforts: Manual focus, manual exposure settings and a few test shots to get things just right before your subject arrives---really helps a lot.
I have also assigned my AF to the AF-On button on my 7D, that way I can meter and focus seperately---This takes some practice, but really does help once you get used to it.
Even with all of that, I still may only get 5 or 6 good shots per 100.
Finally, Sometimes it just takes a little luck--especially with wildlife.
So, your not alone,
Bob
I think there are a few variables that change over time to affect your keeper rate. For me I have noticed the following :
1. I am more picky as to what constitutes a keeper.....this lowers the rate
2. I am more choosy as to when to push the shutter, waiting for the right light, pose, head angle etc etc... this increases the keeper rate even though I may take less shots.
3. I am paying more attention to camera settings and I am quicker at adjusting settings "on the fly"
4.The more I shoot, the more proficient I become at focusing and framing, learning to do to things almost without thinking
5. So over time I shoot less frames but more of them are good.....sort of a "wash" I think, saves time looking through a load of images though.
The day I spent in Florida was the first time I had ever used a 500mm lens and I went out from daylight to dark (6 am to 7pm with a 2 hour lunch break) actually with a guide so I took a lot of images. I used my Gitzo and Wimberly II head the entire time. Part of the time I was in a pontoon boat and other times in the water or on a sand bar. So I had the advantage of the guide knowing when and where to be under the given conditions to optimize the chance of getting good shots.
All that being said.....I am usually happy if I get one or two "great shots" every time out but my overall keeper rate is probably 10% at best. With birds you are dealing with a subject that rarely stops moving, combine that with all the environmental variables and it
JJ....I keep about 70% of my shots on first viewing. When I go thru my pix, I view at 1:1 in Lightroom looking for eye sharpness, good exposure and distractions in the composition, e.g. branch intersecting bird, really terrible background/bokeh (this is really easy to do w/the 100-400 LOL), etc.
I
I think I have experienced almost everything you guys mentioned here! camera settings, tripod, environmental variables......,most important, the photographer our-self, is the main fact that effect our keeper rate. like Joel said, I'll be very happy if I can get 1 or 2 great shots every time out shooting.
one thing I want to add (Joel actually mentioned) is that learn when not to take pictures if condition lighting are not right.
there are a lot of time you want to kick your self for missing a great shot, but on the other hand, if it's so easy to get great shots, I'll be tired of it pretty soon. that's one reason I think taking pictures of birds has so much fun!
it's a great feeling of knowing that I'm not alone[:D] , thanks guys for your inputs
This is an immature White Ibis, taken from a pontoon boat.....
EOS 1D MKIII on a gitzo tripod with wimberly II gimbal head
500mm f/4L IS USM + 1.4TC
1/1250
f/6.3
ISO 400
manual mode
evaluative metering
[img]/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer-Discussions-Components-Files/15/7840.343V0767.jpg[/img]
Just when I thought I saw your best shot yet, you go and top it with this!!!! Awesome once again, Joel!!
Denise
Quote:
Originally Posted by ddt0725
+1.....that was a good day.............
Thank you all for the kind words....it was a great day...I got good images of several species....I will post some as I go through the RAW files to see which are fit for "post your best bird shots!"
Nice shots denise!! I especially like the chicken portraits, how did you manage to get so close?
Thanks, Joel! Since this is a petting zoo, to all the animals there people = food, so they all come running! I am shooting thru a fence at the chickens though & did a heavy crop to remove other birds nearby.
Again, Nice Shots Denise,
Saw these on flickr too! Great job Denise!
Denise, like your shots , the third one IMO is the best!
here is mine shot this morning
7D, 400mm 5.6
[img]/resized-image.ashx/__size/800x0/__key/CommunityServer-Discussions-Components-Files/15/4011.IMG_5F00_1209.jpg[/img]
thanks for viewing
JJPhoto, nice Egret capture...I like the ruffled feathers on his wings and back...cool.
thanks Joel for the kind words!
Wow JJ - that is another spectacular shot!
Glossy Ibis.....another jewel from my Florida outing....
[img]/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer-Discussions-Components-Files/15/1768.343V1095.jpg[/img]
Exposure,exposure,you just nail the exposure so accurate,Joel,and also like the pose of the bird!
[:D] Talk about separating your subject from your background.....another great photo....keep 'em coming! It is fun to see them all.....
Juvenile Little Blue Heron....continuing to process images from Florida
1DMKIII
500mm f/4
1/1250
f/7.1
iso 400
[img]/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer-Discussions-Components-Files/15/5025.343V0917.jpg[/img]
like the pose very much!, enjoy viewing it, keep them coming, Joel!
Hi Joel,
That looks like some great trip that you had in Florida.., with a lot of wonderful keepers. I was curious to know what you thought about the1.4X extender on the 500mm f/4, compared to the 600mm f/4 (without the extender) which is much heavier and usually requires a gimbal head.
Rich
Hi Richard,
I wish I could tell you an answer but I had never used the 500 before...I rented it for the trip and I have never used a 600. I did get sharp images with the 500 and my 1.4 TC. I kept the 500 on my tripod/gimbal the entire time, mostly because we were shooting in salt water and while wading there would be no place to set it down plus I didn
Thanks Joel!
I was comparing the 500 vs 600 like most people do and I agree that the 500 with the 1.4 is much lighter and hand-holdable as compared to the much heavier 600mm. Most people seem to use the 500mm with the 1.4X extender anyway, so if the 600mm is lighter like the new 400 II, then that may tilt the scales in the 600
My first bird picture! I was able to take this with my 50mm f/1.8 because the flock of seagulls kept flying around me in circles. I thought for sure that they were going to use me for target practice....
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1406/...97c3eabd_z.jpg
IMG_1949.jpg by Chris-Baker, on Flickr
One of my birdie pictures.
[img]/resized-image.ashx/__size/550x0/__key/CommunityServer-Discussions-Components-Files/15/3122.seagull2.jpg[/img]
Happy Halloween, guys!
7D 300mm 2.8
[img]/resized-image.ashx/__size/800x0/__key/CommunityServer-Discussions-Components-Files/15/3632.IMG_5F00_0562.jpg[/img]
thanks for viewing
JJphoto.....wicked looking tongue action!!! I like the out of focus foreground too... cool shot
Common Terns, Florida
1DMKIII 500mm f/4L 1.4 TC 1/1600 f/8 ISO 800
[img]/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer-Discussions-Components-Files/15/0488.343V2156.jpg[/img]
JJ and Joel,
Those are some great shots!
Paul
Thanks Paul and Joel!
Nice shot Joel, like the warm lighting and color!
unless it doesn
Just awesome shots, JJ and Joel!