Post Your Best Nature Shots!

Here are a fewI got with my 40D and "lowly" kit EF 28-135. They are unprocessed except for resizing.


http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/l..._MG_0619-1.jpg


http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/l...1/_MG_0625.jpg


http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/l..._MG_1234-1.jpg


http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/l..._MG_1301-1.jpg


http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/l...1/_MG_1428.jpg


Okay, I cropped this next one a bit.


http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/l..._MG_1440-1.jpg


Suggestions for cropping, processing RAWs, and composition are all welcome.

Just opened DPP for maybe the first time. [:$] Here is my attempt at editing the GBH portrait using the CR2 (RAW) file.I increased sharpness to 4 from 0, changed WB to Daylight and "converted and saved" to a 16 bit TIFF. Then I re-opened the TIFF, cropped it to fit on this page and then saved as a JPEG. Downloaded to PhotoBucket, and here we are! Is this a good workflow?


http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/l...40portrait.jpg

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Originally Posted by Sinh Nhut Nguyen

when the duckies are grown up and fat, I have a great recipe for them.
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You wouldn't mind sending it my way, would you?

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Originally Posted by IAMB

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Originally Posted by Sinh Nhut Nguyen

when the duckies are grown up and fat, I have a great recipe for them.
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You wouldn't mind sending it my way, would you?
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Yeah, me too. I know where some grown up ducks are right now! [;)]

Canon EOS 50D
EF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM
400mm
800 ISO
Tv : 1/400
Av : 5.6


[img]/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Components.UserFiles/00.00.00.26.13/Post-Your-Best-Nature-Shots_2100_-_2D00_-Frog.JPG[/img]

Awesome shot Mark, love the composition.





Fred~

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Originally Posted by HiFiGuy1

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/l..._MG_1234-1.jpg






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i remember the duck pair !!! is from altamonte? just a wild, i mean WILD guess...

<span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif;"][img]/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Components.UserFiles/00.00.00.29.27.wildlife/Bohemian-Waxwing-1-_2D00_-27.JPG[/img]


<span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS;"]Bohemian Waxwing -Canon 50D 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM, no idea on the ISO or the "1/???", I am a complete ameteur-


[img]/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Components.UserFiles/00.00.00.29.27.wildlife/Cedar-Waxwing-2-_2D00_-02.JPG[/img]





<span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS;"]Cedar Waxwing -Canon 50D 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM lens. Again, ameteur, don't know ISO or anything else.

I've been missing all the fun lately. Here is my latest Addition to "Post Your Nature Shots"


I would really appreciate your comments &amp; critiques, thank you very much.[:)]


1. 40D, 400 f/5.6L&amp; 430EX, f/5.6, 1/1600, ISO 400, Flash +1/3


http://www.pscvn.org/members/308/5-1...4-36-42_PM.jpg


2. 40D &amp; 400 f/5.6L, f/7.1, 1/1000, ISO 320


http://www.pscvn.org/members/308/5-6...1-30-31_PM.jpg


3. 40D &amp; 400 f/5.6L, f/7.1, 1/1000, ISO 250, Exp. Comp. + 2/3. Do you think I should crop tighter?


http://www.pscvn.org/members/308/5-1...4-59-25_PM.jpg


Larger versions


http://photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=8969174&amp;size=lg


http://photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=9127572&amp;size=lg


http://photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=8997757&amp;size=lg

<span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif;"]Hey - I think these photo's you posted are excellent!I can't give much criticism since I am unfimiliar with taking professional photos and the terms that photographers use, but your photo's are great. I don't even know how to change (if it is even possible) the ISO, "+1/3", f/??, etc.

Kam,


thanks for the comments..


You can adjust the ISO in 1/3 increment on your 50D but you need to do it in the creative modes (AV, TV, M). Please check your manual for more information.


I've beenusing my 40D since Oct. 2007 and I still checkits manual from time to time. I wantto make sure thatI still know the camera inside out.


If you're new to photographymany thingsin the manual can be confusing, please ask here and a lot of us will gladly help you.

Nhut, your pictures are always good.


I'd like to offer something negative just to keep you in line, but I can't think of anything....


Cheese. You need more cheese in the pictures! [:)] So there...


Hummingbird my most favorite of the set.

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Originally Posted by devsalvi

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Originally Posted by HiFiGuy1

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/l..._MG_1234-1.jpg






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i remember the duck pair !!! is from altamonte? just a wild, i mean WILD guess...
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Altamonte? Not familiar with that. No, these are wild ducks I found on the EasternShore ofMobile Bay. The longest lens I own is only a 28-135mm, but I discovered that by beingVERY patient and sitting down on the ground, I was able to slowly scoot over to them without spooking them. Otherwise there would have to be a LOT of cropping and not much residual detail. I am going to go back and try to process these shots in EOS Viewer Utility from CR2 (RAW) so maybe the results will be better. This is just a JPEG pretty much out of the camera. Anything I can do to even approach the incredible quality of Nate's stuff would be a big improvement.

Nhut, there's nothing to comment really - all we can do is learn from you.


And no, you don't need to crop tighter, it's fine as it is.

Nhut, I love your latest pics, but especialy the Tern shot - I know how hard it is to catch them in flight like that, my trash bin is full of unsuccessful attempts!

Nate;


First off, nice captures of all 3 w/the Rufous and Tern being my favorites....not that the Curlew(?) isn't nice, but I'd loosen up the cropping a bit on the 12, 3, and 6 sides. The 3 side is just a bit too balanced w/the 9 side....leave a little extra space for the bird to fly to.


I just rec'd my new flash (580EX ll for my 40D) to help capture my hummingbirds. I noted your setting of flash +1/3; what was you reasoning for making this adjustment? And if you have any other suggestions for captures w/a flash, please feel free to include them.


Thanks in advance


Bill

Took this a few weeks ago on a local seal tour. Used my 300mm f/2.8L + 2x TC. Then a bit of cropping.


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3375/...67813db1_o.jpg
Canon EOS 40D, 1/1600, f/10, 600mm, ISO400

Nice shot dann, seals can make great subjects - those big brown eyes! here's 2 of mine: 400D + EF 28-80 (yes, the crappy kit one!) Tv 1/160 Av f11 ISO200.[img]/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Components.UserFiles/00.00.00.23.16/IMG_5F00_2728_5F00_1.JPG[/img][img]/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Components.UserFiles/00.00.00.23.16/IMG_5F00_2705_5F00_1.jpg[/img]

Wow you were able to get close. I love the second.

Here is one of my favorites. It was taken in Samburu National Park in Kenya.[img]/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Components.UserFiles/00.00.00.22.67/19.elephant-crossing.jpg[/img]

Whoops. I guess that was too big. I'll post a smaller one so you get the full picture.


Rod Robinson


www.theimagesofafrica.com

Here's a smaller version.[img]/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Components.UserFiles/00.00.00.22.67/elephant-crossing.jpg[/img]


Rod Robinson


www.theimagesofafrica.com

Here is another one I took in the Serengeti in Tanzania.[img]/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Components.UserFiles/00.00.00.22.67/looking-at-you_2D00_lioness.jpg[/img]





Rod Robinson


www.theimagesofafrica.com

Rod


Great photos! I love the first one and respect the second one! Certainly not backyard or backroad pictures.

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Originally Posted by Dann Thombs

Wow you were able to get close. I love the second.
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But not too close - they can give a nasty bite and I don't like to disturb them too much. You won't get anywhere near as close to the adults.

Thanks everyone for your comments and encouragements, especially Bill for the critique on the whimbrel photo (curlews look similar but have longer bill). I did what you adviced and it turned out much better. The reason for +1/3 compensation because I shot with a 400mm lens and ideally I should have used something like the better beamer to extend the coverage of my flash output. However, I didn't have one, so after taking a few shot at 0 compensation I found out the images were a little dark.


Dan, 300 f/2.8 + 2x, how do you like that set up?
Ciann, the baby seal on the second image is really nice, I like how you got really close and low to it.
Rod, the elephant safari image is nice, only wish the oof bush isn't there. Must be a thrill to go on Safari, I would love to go on one in the future.[:)]

Cian,





That's not a cub. That's an adult lioness.


Rod Robinson


www.theimagesofafrica.com

Excuse me Cian. I got caught in your message to someone else. My mistake.

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Originally Posted by Sinh Nhut Nguyen

Dan, 300 f/2.8 + 2x, how do you like that set up?

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It's a dream. A 600mm f/5.6 that's still pretty sharp wide open. Can't beat it. Plus you get to keep the minimum working distance of the 300, so you can do some moderate macro if need be.

Walking through the woods near the stable where my horses live ...


[img]/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Components.UserFiles/00.00.00.23.54/IMG_5F00_8324_5F00_8.jpg[/img]





This is just as it came from the camera's JPEG except for scaling. The white balance was set to shade, as I had been taking pictures in the shade. I also used Digital Photo Professional to adjust the white balance of the RAW picture (I usually shoot in RAW + JPEG). Daylight is shown below, but I don't like it as much, even though it's more accurate. The warm glow with shade balance looks better to me. What do you think? (Cloudy was sort of between these, naturally.)


[img]/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Components.UserFiles/00.00.00.23.54/IMG_5F00_8324_5F00_daylight_5F00_8.jpg[/img]





Canon 30D, EF-S 17-85mm IS @ 50mm, f/8, 1/400 ISO 400 (I could probably have gone to ISO 100, but many of my other shots around this were at 1/60 or so.) Style is based upon "Landscape," with Sharpness 4 &amp; Saturation 2. I usually leave it there, as the colors are more vivid, unless I'm photographing people (which is not often)


P.S.: Just for kicks, I opened this in Photoshop Elements and tried the various "auto" choices in the Enhance menu. You really don't want to see what "autosmart fix" did. Sometimes, autolevels does a good job, but, in this case, autosmart fix lightened the shadows a lot, darkened the highlights a bit, and changed the color so that the mud is almost purple. Even more fun was setting the white balance to tungsten. You should try that, sometimes--shoot in RAW and play around with the white balance, style, etc. That's a good way to learn just what the effects are.

Even if it's not 'accurate', I tend to like a warmer white balance on nature shots. The first one is much better, so I think you chose well.

Who's been here?





[img]/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Components.UserFiles/00.00.00.23.54/IMG_5F00_8330_5F00_8.jpg[/img]





(Yes, I know what sort of animal made the track.)


Canon 30D, EF 100-400mm L IS, 350mm, f/8, 1/100, ISO 400.

That's a racoon's paw print.[:)]

Or a feral human.

Managed to get one good shot today. Windy as anything, but that did work to my advantage since the bees were cold and didn't want to fly.


[img]/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Components.UserFiles/00.00.00.23.37.Macro/20090514_5F00_123130_5F00_bumblebee_5F00_crop_5F00 _720.jpg[/img]

That's a really nice shot of the bee. What gear and settings did you use for that?

Canon 5D II, 180mm f/3.5L Macro, 1/320, f/10, ISO800, +2/3EV


Background is other flower and/or sky. Boosted shadows in Photoshop and then some slight selective noise reduction.

<span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; color: #000000; font-size: 9pt;"]Ok so here's my attempt at a nature shot but I have to admit it wasn't quitea nature shot. I found this little guy outside and brought him inside for a little photo shoot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"] Don't worry I released him the second I was done right where I found him. I used two 32" umbrellas with 2-580 EX II speed lights for main and fill light and a 580 EX as a hair (antennae?) light and a ST-E2 transmitter to set the flashes off.<o:p></o:p>


<span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; color: #000000; font-size: 9pt;"]1Ds Mark III, 24-105 L IS @ 105mm, Canon 25mm extension tube, F16, iso 100, 1/100<span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; color: #000000; font-size: 9pt;"]<o:p>[img]/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Components.UserFiles/00.00.00.25.52/Praying-Mantis.jpg[/img]</o:p>

Sweet!


I'm surprised you were able to get so close with only 25mm of extension at 105mm. How much did you crop it? It looks great in any case.

Double sweet!