Bird shots with my new 300 f/4: Take 2, please critique!!!

[DavidEccleston]

Usually I am able to get within about 9-12 feet of the birds, but this nuthatch for some reason was having a nice day and was feeling like being approached.

9-12 feet? We go out to the woods, maybe once a month, with sunflower seeds. Stick our hands out, and have the chickadees land in our hand. It's not uncommon for a red breasted nuthatch or a white breasted nuthatch to join in if they're around. They land right on our hand, grab a seed, and fly off. Sometimes they'll stick around for a few seconds and look around. Sometimes they're picky, and will take a seed, toss it aside, grab another, toss it aside, and grab some more. When they're not in hand, they're a few feet away in a tree eating their seed, then they're planning their return trip.


Here's an example taken today. T1i+50mm f/1.8 @ f/4.5, 1/160s, ISO 400.


[img]/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Components.UserFiles/00.00.00.28.63/chickadee2.JPG[/img]


And a previous one, T1i + 18-55mm IS @ 34mm, f/4.5, 1/160, ISO 400


[img]/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Components.UserFiles/00.00.00.28.63/chickadee1.JPG[/img]

[Brendan7]

I will definitely try that, but I will have to use a P&S. My only lens as of now is my 300 f/4 and so it won't focus inside of 5' lol. [:P]


brendan

[Brendan7]

speaking of chickadees here's a chickadee image from today:


Canon 7D + 300 f/4L IS USM at f/7.1, 1/125, ISO 320.


[img]/resized-image.ashx/__size/800x600/__key/CommunityServer.Components.UserFiles/00.00.00.36.40/IMG_5F00_2326.jpg[/img]

[btaylor]

These are a great improvement over your first lot mate - good to see you've got some benefit out of everyone's input.


They can only get even better from here. Well done!

[Fast Glass]

I think you need to learn how to post process your images.


A picture is worth a thousand words, so I edited one of your images.


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


John.

[Brendan7]

For some reason the photo did not show up.

I think you need to learn how to post process your images.

Right. What exactly do you think needs to be applied? Keep in mind I do not have Photoshop, Lightroom, etc. (but i do have DPP, of course)


brendan

[btaylor]

Brendan, I'll put this in a way that doesn't sound quiteso abrupt. [:O]


I think your images are great but they could benefit from a little sharpening in post. I haven't used DPP for a while (I use ACR, Lightroom and Photoshop for my adjustments) but from memory you can sharpen your images in there. Just remember to keep the radius somewhere between 0.1 and 0.5 otherwise you can get a lot of fringing on the edges. Experiment with it until you're happy.


Over sharpening can lead to extra artifacts as you can see in the background of John's modified image of yours where the background blur isn't as smooth as the original.


The level of colours are spot on if you ask me. I wouldn't bother increasing the saturation as it's a bit overbearing.


If you do end up having access tophotoshop the smart sharpen filter is the way to go.


Cheers, Ben.

[Brendan7]

What did you use to sharpen it?


brendan