-
Re: Post your best bird shots!
Here are a few excerpts that I took from a burst sequence of 31 shots with the 7D:
EOS 7D: 300mm f/2.8L IS + 1.4X, CPL. AI Servo Tracking, Center AF Zone.
Manual Exposure @ 420mm, f/5.6, 1/1000sec, ISO 100
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5149/...2f0a1928_b.jpg
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5308/...163502e7_b.jpg
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5149/...365058ab_b.jpg
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5228/...977869cb_b.jpg
This was my 2nd attempt of taking BIF at the Bird Sanctuary in Oceanside, NY, these are from 10-30-2010.
The full 31 shot burst can be seen on Flickr (link below):
The first couple of shots I was waiting for the bird to take off.
The first in flight shot starts at #9411. I left the entire burst sequence intact in number order (no trick photography here [;)]) so you could see the accuracy of the 7D tracking.
I see a lot of keepers here, and perhaps a few are soft, but I think the 7D did a wonderful job.
I'm thinking up the ISO and a faster speed. Please let me know what you think!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/53022431@N03/5605898593/in/set-72157626467821072/lightbox/
These are best viewed in the lightbox on Flickr.
Very mild PP in Apple Aperture, I'm not very good at editing.
C&C always Welcomed and Appreciated.
Thanks for viewing,
Rich
P.S. "I love this BIF stuff, it's like sports in 3 dimensions, without any boundaries, schedules or shot clocks!"
Now, I gotta get me a bigger lens...!
-
Re: Post your best bird shots!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Joel Eade
<span style="FONT-SIZE: 10px"]JJ .... I have had great results with Mpix .... they have a great variety of paper and different ways they can mount or frame the finished print ....
Very likely, I've never used Mpix so I don't know. I've used Costco, Adorama, B&H and Wall-Mart all of them were pretty good. But my Epson was better than them all.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Joel Eade
I think I paid $70 each for the 16 X 20 standouts on their glossy metallic paper.
Wow, that pretty expensive. If you had a printer that could print that wide it would cost WAY less even with OEM ink much cheaper with third party ink.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Joel Eade
<span style="FONT-SIZE: 10px"]I have done some 8 X 10 prints at home on an HP printer and they are nice as well but it would be very expensive to go bigger than 13 X 19 at home, especially if you,re not going to be printing alot of images over time.
I'm not sure which printer you used but I had a HP all in one which did decent prints but was more expensive than a much larger print from a printing service. If you use something like a Pro9000, Pro9500 or the Epson R1900 the printing costis MUCH cheaper and there are lot of third party inks that make refills for about $5-$8 a refill if you buy by the quart or more you can get that under $5 a refill. At that cost a printer would pay for itself quite quickly.
Cheers,
John.
-
Re: Post your best bird shots!
@ John. I agree with you on some respects. I have a Canon 9500 and it prints beautifully; competitive with any pro-prints I have ordered Including MPix. Unfortunately The real cost of a 13x19 print is just too much. I now order from Mpix. Also 13x19 is a very odd frame size and normally requires expensive custom framing.
To explain: two years ago I purchased my 9500. I also bought a box of Canon 13x19 glossy paper (50 sheets). I still have 10 sheets left. Of course I used the print cartridges that came with the printer and I have bought two sets of cartridges since and now need a third set of cartridges. So thats four sets of cartridges and 40 13x19 prints----It seems everytime I do a print, I run out of some color. so $100 in Paper and $ 480 dollars in ink for 40 prints is way too expensive for my tastes---And... if Mpix makes a mistake, no biggy, I just ask for another one (which has never happened). If I make a mistake, I end up with a $15 birdcage liner. So, I am not a fan of do-it-yourself printing for large photos when good labs like Mpix can do large photos cheaper and normally better than I can at home-----of course you do lose that sense of instant gratification which is sometimes worth the cost.
OK, Back to the Birds.
Bob
-
Re: Post your best bird shots!
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5065/...37e4b2024e.jpg
Only an average robin but I thought it turned out pretty good.
-
Re: Post your best bird shots!
Very nice Robin Denise! Photographed well Robins are very nice. And can be very chalenging without a long lens. I think the only thing that might improve it is if you used a flash with the better beamer at a very low flash setting just to elluminate the shadows a little.
AtJohn.
I did some more acurate math on how much it costs to print with my Epson a 13x19. It's $66+s&h for 100ml for each color and I have 13ml per cartridge on my Epson R1900. I get about 6 13x19's on a refill and I can refill about 7.7 times and costs about $1 per print of ink counting shipping. Thats buying in small quantities and is cheaper if you buy in bulk. Thatsfor pigment ink and if the print is not so important dye ink is even cheaper.
I also have a continous ink supply system and have about 100/130 ml for each color so I can get away much longer between refills. I makes it a lot more convinient if you print more or larger prints.
Cheers,
John.
-
Re: Post your best bird shots!
Quote:
Originally Posted by ddt0725
Only an average robin
Great shot, Denise, but it looks nothing like an average robin to any European viewers. These are average robins, both of whom visited my garden today.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5107/...b00ca67e_z.jpg
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5026/...eccf7a56_b.jpg
Both shots taken with 1D Mark IV, EF 300mm f/2.8L IS USM @f/2.8, 1/1600s, ISO 200
-
Re: Post your best bird shots!
@ John - You are right and I also think I got lazy with the post-processing.
@ Andy - Your "robins" are very pretty! Very nice shots & awesome detail!
Denise
-
Re: Post your best bird shots!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob Williams
To explain: two years ago I purchased my 9500. I also bought a box of Canon 13x19 glossy paper (50 sheets). I still have 10 sheets left. Of course I used the print cartridges that came with the printer and I have bought two sets of cartridges since and now need a third set of cartridges. So thats four sets of cartridges and 40 13x19 prints----It seems everytime I do a print, I run out of some color. so $100 in Paper and $ 480 dollars in ink for 40 prints is way too expensive for my tastes---And... if Mpix makes a mistake, no biggy, I just ask for another one (which has never happened). If I make a mistake, I end up with a $15 birdcage liner. So, I am not a fan of do-it-yourself printing for large photos when good labs like Mpix can do large photos cheaper and normally better than I can at home-----of course you do lose that sense of instant gratification which is sometimes worth the cost.
Bob
This is what I learned by trial and error and spending a lot of money on ink.
The 9500 sucks up the ink on the glossy prints. Plus on glossy I have just found it to be so so, the pics are just OK not great.
I went the route you did with yours, I bought glossy paper. Printed and replaced a lot of cartriges. Then one day I decided to try some of the premium canon papers, and what I found is that with the Fine Art Papers the 9500 is awesome. I like using the Fine Art Paper "Photo Rag" it seems to give the best results. It seems to use less ink with these papers.
I bought a 9000 a year ago when I got my second 5D II. The 9000 is for gloss, and it has the same wow factor with gloss that the 9500 has with the Fine Art Papers. I use the Photo Paper Pro II with mine.
I have a lot of people that have asked me to print off pictures for them (ones they have taken), and offer to pay for them. I do print them off for them, because I am always flattered that they thought one of my prints were that good that they would want me to print theirs.
If you can get your hands on some "Photo Rag" and have enough ink to try a print or two I would suggest it. If I were wanting glossy's I would have a lab do it, theres will be just as good IMO.
Rick
-
Re: Post your best bird shots!
Quote:
Originally Posted by ddt0725
Only an average robin but I thought it turned out pretty good.
Denise,
I took your image and used the shadow/highlights adjustment in CS5 then added some canvas on the right side and selectively lightened the eye ...what do you think?
[img]/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer-Discussions-Components-Files/15/4061.Untitled_2D00_1.jpg[/img]
-
Re: Post your best bird shots!
That is 100% better, Joel! Thanks!! I didn't realize how bad the lighting on it was until John's comment. So, I started working on it last night again myself. This is what I had come up with and I knew it still wasn't just right. I like your version much more and it is what I was trying to come up with! Even what you did to the eye is an improvement which I never would have thought about.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5143/...e3ee3dda42.jpg
-
Re: Post your best bird shots!
Eastern Towhee
1D MKIII
300mm f/2.8 + 1.4 TC
580EX II + Better Beamer at -2 1/3 stops
iso 1000
f/5.6
1/160
[img]/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer-Discussions-Components-Files/15/1680.343V1028.jpg[/img]
-
Re: Post your best bird shots!
Very nice shot, Joel! Perfect lighting & composition plus the background is very pleasing!
-
Re: Post your best bird shots!
-
Re: Post your best bird shots!
I've been keeping an eye on this f Great Horned Owl since the middle of March....I'm hoping to catch the owlets soon after they hatch. She's located about 90 yards out (from my closest vantage point) in a swamp and up 60 feet or so.
7D, 500 f4 w/1.4x, f6.3, ISO 1000, 1/640 on a tripod for both pix
In the last week or so she has been continually adjusting and inspecting underneath herself
[img]/resized-image.ashx/__size/750x0/__key/CommunityServer-Discussions-Components-Files/15/3808.gho-adjustment-copy.jpg[/img]
She also spends a lot time staring back at me
[img]/resized-image.ashx/__size/750x0/__key/CommunityServer-Discussions-Components-Files/15/8664.gho-stare-3.jpg[/img]
Thanks for looking
Bill
-
Re: Post your best bird shots!
Bill, Nice work keeping up with the momma owl---I am really looking forward to some more of her and her young.
Bob
-
Re: Post your best bird shots!
Here are a couple from the backyard this week.
House finch
[img]/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer-Discussions-Components-Files/15/6087.IMG_5F00_2564.jpg[/img]
[img]/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer-Discussions-Components-Files/15/4075.IMG_5F00_2841.jpg[/img]
Lesser yellow finch (I think)
-
Re: Post your best bird shots!
Wow! Awesome photos, Bob! I know gear doesn
-
Re: Post your best bird shots!
Bob, that house finch image is incredible! Great stuff.
And I finally got a chance to go through some more pictures from my Spring Break. I miss the beach!
EOS 7D, 100-400, all hand held
[View:http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5063/5615366682_7d51f3a130_b.jpg]
[View:http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5065/5614786475_271464cc7d_b.jpg]
[View:http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5263/5615366596_c5ec58d41c_b.jpg]
[View:http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5022/5614786337_81cc3fd459_b.jpg]
Thanks,
Mike
-
Re: Post your best bird shots!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bill W
She also spends a lot time staring back at me
[img]/resized-image.ashx/__size/750x0/__key/CommunityServer-Discussions-Components-Files/15/8664.gho-stare-3.jpg[/img]
Bill, looks like you have a stalker![:P] Great pictures and I hope you catch the babies in action also. You need to invest in some tree climbing gear so you can look down on the nest. [:D]
-
Re: Post your best bird shots!
Hi Mike,
That looks like a really nice set that you
-
Re: Post your best bird shots!
Thanks Jayson.....actually I'd have to invest in a boat first. The nest is in the middle of a swamp....that's an old Great Blue Heron nest she taken over.
American Kestrel, Plum Island, MA captured w/a 7D, 500 w/1.4x, f6.3, ISO 400, 1/2000 using my car as a blind and stabilizer.
[img]/resized-image.ashx/__size/750x0/__key/CommunityServer-Discussions-Components-Files/15/8080.Kestrel-perched-head-turned.jpg[/img]
Thanks for looking
Bill
-
Re: Post your best bird shots!
Nice Kestrel Bill, love the pose...well executed....birds of prey are very skittish here in Kentucky. A friend called me yesterday and said he thought there was a juvenile Eagle hanging around his farm pond and wanted me to attempt some photos. I went out today and it turned out to be an Osprey.
I took this hand held with 1dMKIII 300mm + 1.4 TC 1/2000 f/7.1 iso 400
[img]/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer-Discussions-Components-Files/15/7380.343V1260.jpg[/img]
-
Re: Post your best bird shots!
very nice bird shots guys!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Joel Eade
A friend called me yesterday and said he thought there was a juvenile Eagle hanging around his farm pond and wanted me to attempt some photos. I went out today and it turned out to be an Osprey.
I'm not sure what I got Joel. I'v never seen a eagle in my area, so this is a Osprey too I guess but I thought it was a juvenile Eagle.
[img]/resized-image.ashx/__size/400x0/__key/CommunityServer-Discussions-Components-Files/15/6254.IMG_5F00_2287_2D00_2.jpg[/img][img]/resized-image.ashx/__size/400x0/__key/CommunityServer-Discussions-Components-Files/15/3821.IMG_5F00_2287.jpg[/img]
same picture, one reduced noise and the other increased noise. just for fun.
-
Re: Post your best bird shots!
It's a Osprey. The highlights are blown out, you can try to recover them. But they are pretty bown out, trythe DxO trial. It has a very good exposure compensation and pulls highlights very well. If you haven't aready.
Also try cropping a bit tighter, it will give more impact.
I haven't had much time for birding lately and the weather is pretty poor, I'm tired of using 12,800 ISO![:(] Even if it's good for a 1.6. But 6,400 ISO is not to bad.
Cheers,
John.
-
Re: Post your best bird shots!
Nice Osprey shot Joel.
Yeah, the raptors are pretty skittish here also....this is only my 2nd capture of a Kestrel in the wild.
I
-
Re: Post your best bird shots!
thanks John, will give the DxO a try when I have time later.
-
Re: Post your best bird shots!
Lots of action at various bird locations; here's another Great Blue Heron pair.
7D, 500 w/1.4x, f7.1, 1/2000, ISO 400 on tripod
[img]/resized-image.ashx/__size/600x0/__key/CommunityServer-Discussions-Components-Files/15/8883.GBH-pair-copy-one.jpg[/img]
Thanks for looking
Bill
-
Re: Post your best bird shots!
What a fun shot Bill, I like it. Is the wind blowing a gale here?
Steve
-
Re: Post your best bird shots!
Hey Bill, That is a very special and whimsical shot. I really love it!
This is the very shy.., Great Headless Egret!
MK IV 300mm f/2.8L IS with 2X @600mm f/6.3 1/1250sec ISO 1600 CPL
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5309/...737a1db6_b.jpg
Even rarer is to catch this Great Headless Egret.., in flight!
MK IV 300mm f/2.8L IS with 2X @600mm f/6.3 1/1250sec ISO 160 CPL
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5103/...d1ce556e_b.jpg
Thanks for viewing!
C&C Welcome!
Rich
-
Re: Post your best bird shots!
Tufted Titmouse
1DMKIII
300mm 2.8L + 1.4 TC II
580 EXII ETTL -2 stops + Better Beamer[img]/resized-image.ashx/__size/550x0/__key/CommunityServer-Discussions-Components-Files/15/5444.343V1421.jpg[/img]
iso 1000
f/6.3
1/160
manual mode
-
Re: Post your best bird shots!
BlueJay
1DMKIII
300mm 2.8L + 1.4TCII
580 EXII ETTL -2 stops + better beamer
manual mode
iso 1000
1/400
f/6.3
[img]/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer-Discussions-Components-Files/15/6747.343V1392.jpg[/img]
-
Re: Post your best bird shots!
Joel, Nice bluejay shot!
Rich
-
Re: Post your best bird shots!
MK IV 300mm f/2.8L IS +1.4X @420mm f/7.1 1/1600sec ISO 200 CPL
[url="http://www.flickr.com/photos/53022431@N03/5629399381/]http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5182/...787f2ba4_b.jpg[/url]
<span style="font-size: small;"]MK IV 300mm f/2.8L IS +2X @600mm f/7.1 1/1600sec ISO 200 CPL
[url="http://www.flickr.com/photos/53022431@N03/5629415031/]http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5144/...10a2194e_b.jpg[/url]
<span style="font-size: small;"]MK IV 300mm f/2.8L IS +1.4X @420mm f/7.1 1/1250sec ISO 200 CPL
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5107/...51420ea4_b.jpg
C&C always welcome!
Rich
-
Re: Post your best bird shots!
Rich....nice captures of a Brant goose. I only get to see them during migration and I haven
-
Re: Post your best bird shots!
I'm a little late....mea culpa.....in saying thank you to Bob, Steve U, Denise (my flickr shots) and Rich concerning some earlier shots. I do appreciate your comments folks...again, thank you.
Regards
Bill
-
Re: Post your best bird shots!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Richard Lane
<span style="FONT-SIZE: small"]
<p sizset="41" sizcache="8"][url="http://www.flickr.com/photos/53022431@N03/5629399709/][/url]
C&C always welcome!
Rich
<div style="CLEAR: both"]</div>
Rich,
I like the first one best, the light is at a better angle to show the underwing detail and the bird is not flying away from you as much. I would try to crop a little tighter and lighten the eye a bit as already suggested. (If you have photoshop the dodge tool works well for this)
Joel
-
Re: Post your best bird shots!
Thank you Bill and Joel!
Your suggestions are greatly appreciated!
I've never used the burn or dodge tool, but I did buy Photoshop last year (Cyber Monday Sale), so I think it's about time that I spend some time learning how to use the program.
I'm not happy with the feather detail either and I would love a longer lens, as some of theses are cropped slighlty. My new thing is trying to walk around with the 300mm + 2x @600mm to see if that is the correct focal lenghth for me or if it will be the 500mm. I will wait for Version II either way.
Rich
-
Re: Post your best bird shots!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Richard Lane
<div id="ctl00_ctl00_content_content_ctl00_fragment_121 6_ctl01_ctl00_PostForm__QuoteText"]
Thank you Bill and Joel!
Your suggestions are greatly appreciated!
I've never used the burn or dodge tool, but I did buy Photoshop last year (Cyber Monday Sale), so I think it's about time that I spend some time learning how to use the program.
Rich
</div>
Rich
I had one observation as well. The First is the best with the sun hitting the underside of the bird. But the color's look dull to me like you took the saturation down. Maybe that is the true color of this bird, but I would have thought the brownish feathers would have had more of a brassy color to them.
Rick
-
Re: Post your best bird shots!
Hi Rick,
I don't think I touched the saturation. This bird is actually brown, black and white. I can post the original and some other pictures of the bird on the ground in good lighting. I believe I adjusted the exposure, highlights and WB slightly in Aperture 3.
I remember the sky was very, very, blue (almost too blue, perhaps from the CPL) with a slight magenta tint, so I warmed it up slightly and turned the magenta down a tick or two on the slider. When I increase the exposure and highlights, I then get grainy brown feathers.
I need a lot of work on my PP. I really appreciate everyones contributions, as I would really like to get better. I'm used to exposing for uniforms and jerseys, not feathers! [:P]
Rich
-
Re: Post your best bird shots!
Quote:
Originally Posted by HDNitehawk
...The First is the best with the sun hitting the underside of the bird. But the color's look dull to me like you took the saturation down. Maybe that is the true color of this bird, but I would have thought the brownish feathers would have had more of a brassy color to them.
MK IV 300mm +1.4X @420mm
Here is the "original #1 from above post" Brant Goose (Thanks Bill) in flight straight out of the camera, without any PP. Maybe, I should stop trying to fix my images? [:)]
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5310/...490117a9_b.jpg
Here's what they look like floating. @600mm f/7.1 1/800sec ISO 800 CPL
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5188/...46e0443a_b.jpg
Easier Pickin's when they're on the ground, as he's checking me out with the "Big White Lens." @600mm f/7.1 1/320sec ISO 800 CPL
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5186/...f2014d68_b.jpg
I think these are all the same type of Brant Goose?
Rich