First thread to kick off the forum - yard birds

[darren]

Welcome to the Nature Photography forum. Here's some shots of yard birds.

Blackcap Chickadee:

Tuffted Titmouse:

Male Cardinal:

What do you think? C&C Welcome.

- darren

 

[Peakbagr]

Were you THAT close or use a tele to take the pictures.

Also, how did you put the pictures up with that amount of detail, or are they of a reduced pixal size?
Really nice.

 

[darren]

I was shooting with my 100-400mm lens on my Canon 20D DSLR. The 20D has a 1.6x crop factor so the 400mm becomes a 640mm. I was shooting at about 380mm (600mm in 25mm film terms) to maximize sharpness (no zoom lens is at it's best at either extreme).

The set up was a bird feeder about 12' outside a window with pine trees 20' behind that. There is a old branch screwed to the feeder for the birds to land on to get a "natural" looking shot. The distance to the feeder allowed a full size shot of the small birds. I also set it up so the background trees would be green and so that they were far enough away that they would blur nicely. The whole thing was set up in advance with the final shots in mind.

Here is another one that I like. He is saying "Hey! What are YOU looking at??!?!?!?"

- d

 

[w7xman]

Darren,

Great shots, and thanks for putting up this forum. I'd like to ask if you/all can post basic shot information when posting pictures, so that we can all learn from great shots like this...

Camera/Lens/Focal Length
Shutter Speed at what aperature
ISO
Extra gear (tripod/filters/flash)

Really nothing to critique on these, as I love the sharpness of the birds against the soft backgrounds. A small fill flash would put a catchlight in the eye of the chickadee, but otherwise these are among the best I've seen!

 

[BorealChickadee]

I've already learned a new trick reading just one thread- put up a natural branch in the yard to get shots that look like they're taken in the wild! This new section is already valuable with it's first post! Thanks Darren!

 

[DougPaul]

Camera/Lens/Focal Length
Shutter Speed at what aperature
ISO

Many cameras put this info and more into the picture file. Exiftool is a good program of reading and modifying it.
http://owl.phy.queensu.ca/~phil/exiftool/

Below is a sample from one of my pics.

Doug

-----------------------------------------------------

ExifTool Version Number         : 6.66
File Name                       : IMG_0363.JPG
File Size                       : 3 MB
File Modification Date/Time     : 2006:12:17 15:37:34
File Type                       : JPEG
MIME Type                       : image/jpeg
Make                            : Canon
Camera Model Name               : Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XT
Orientation                     : Horizontal (normal)
X Resolution                    : 72
Y Resolution                    : 72
Resolution Unit                 : inches
Modify Date                     : 2006:12:17 15:37:34
Y Cb Cr Positioning             : Co-sited
Exposure Time                   : 1/100
F Number                        : 7.1
Exposure Program                : Program AE
ISO                             : 100
Exif Version                    : 0221
Date/Time Original              : 2006:12:17 15:37:34
Create Date                     : 2006:12:17 15:37:34
Components Configuration        : YCbCr
Shutter Speed Value             : 1/100
Aperture Value                  : 7.1
Flash                           : Off
Focal Length                    : 17.0mm
Macro Mode                      : Normal
Self-timer                      : 0
Quality                         : Fine
Canon Flash Mode                : Off
Continuous Drive                : Single
Focus Mode                      : One-shot AF
Record Mode                     : JPEG
Canon Image Size                : Large
Easy Mode                       : Manual
Digital Zoom                    : None
Contrast                        : +1
Saturation                      : +1
Sharpness                       : +1
Metering Mode                   : Evaluative
Focus Range                     : Not Known
Canon Exposure Mode             : Program AE
Lens Type                       : Unknown (-1)
Long Focal                      : 85mm
Short Focal                     : 17mm
Focal Units                     : 1
Flash Activity                  : 0
Flash Bits                      : (none)
Focus Continuous                : Single
Zoom Source Width               : 0
Zoom Target Width               : 0
Photo Effect                    : Off
Color Tone                      : Normal
Focal Type                      : Zoom
Focal Plane X Size              : 23.04mm
Focal Plane Y Size              : 15.37mm
Auto ISO                        : 100
Base ISO                        : 100
Measured EV                     : 7.25
Target Aperture                 : 7.1
Target Exposure Time            : 1/101
Exposure Compensation           : 0
White Balance                   : Auto
Slow Shutter                    : None
Shot Number In Continuous Burst : 0
Optical Zoom Code               : 8
Flash Guide Number              : 0
Flash Exposure Compensation     : 0
Auto Exposure Bracketing        : Off
AEB Bracket Value               : 0
Focus Distance Upper            : 0
Focus Distance Lower            : 0
Bulb Duration                   : 0
Camera Type                     : EOS Mid-range
Auto Rotate                     : None
ND Filter                       : Unknown (-1)
Self-timer 2                    : 0
Canon Image Type                : Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XT
Canon Firmware Version          : Firmware 1.0.3
Owner's Name                    : unknown
Camera Body No.                 : 1820716014
Set Button Cross Keys Func      : Normal
Long Exposure Noise Reduction   : Off
Flash Sync Speed Av             : Auto
Shutter-AE Lock                 : AF/AE lock
AF Assist Beam                  : Emits
Exposure Level Increments       : 1/3 Stop
Mirror Lockup                   : Disable
E-TTL II                        : Evaluative
Shutter Curtain Sync            : 1st-curtain sync
Canon Model ID                  : EOS Digital Rebel XT / 350D / Kiss Digital N
Num AF Points                   : 7
Canon Image Width               : 3456
Canon Image Height              : 2304
Canon Image Width As Shot       : 3456
Canon Image Height As Shot      : 2304
AF Points Used                  : Center
Serial Number Format            : Format 2
Original Decision Data          : 0
File Number                     : 103-0363
Bracket Mode                    : Off
Bracket Value                   : 0
Bracket Shot Number             : 0
Noise Reduction                 : Off
WB Bracket Mode                 : Off
WB Bracket Value AB             : 0
WB Bracket Value GM             : 0
Filter Effect                   : None
Toning Effect                   : None
Tone Curve                      : Standard
Sharpness Frequency             : n/a
Sensor Red Level                : 0
Sensor Blue Level               : 0
White Balance Red               : 0
White Balance Blue              : 0
Color Temperature               : 5200
Picture Style                   : None
Digital Gain                    : 0
WB Shift AB                     : 0
WB Shift GM                     : 0
Sensor Width                    : 3516
Sensor Height                   : 2328
Sensor Left Border              : 52
Sensor Top Border               : 19
Sensor Right Border             : 3507
Sensor Bottom Border            : 2322
WB RGGB Levels As Shot          : 2482 1019 1019 1355
Color Temp As Shot              : 6639
WB RGGB Levels Auto             : 2482 1023 1023 1355
Color Temp Auto                 : 6639
WB RGGB Levels Daylight         : 2287 1023 1023 1501
Color Temp Daylight             : 5200
WB RGGB Levels Shade            : 2700 1023 1023 1238
Color Temp Shade                : 7000
WB RGGB Levels Cloudy           : 2494 1023 1023 1352
Color Temp Cloudy               : 6000
WB RGGB Levels Tungsten         : 1512 1023 1023 2365
Color Temp Tungsten             : 3202
WB RGGB Levels Fluorescent      : 1915 1023 1023 2026
Color Temp Fluorescent          : 3903
WB RGGB Levels Flash            : 2593 1023 1023 1301
Color Temp Flash                : 6458
WB RGGB Levels Custom 1         : 2287 1023 1023 1501
Color Temp Custom 1             : 5200
WB RGGB Levels Custom 2         : 2287 1023 1023 1501
Color Temp Custom 2             : 5200
Color Hue                       : 0
User Comment                    : 
Flashpix Version                : 0100
Color Space                     : sRGB
Exif Image Width                : 3456
Exif Image Length               : 2304
Interoperability Index          : R98 - DCF basic file (sRGB)
Interoperability Version        : 0100
Focal Plane X Resolution        : 3954.233
Focal Plane Y Resolution        : 3958.763
Focal Plane Resolution Unit     : inches
Custom Rendered                 : Normal
Exposure Mode                   : Auto
Scene Capture Type              : Standard
Compression                     : JPEG (old-style)
Thumbnail Offset                : 9728
Thumbnail Length                : 6261
Image Width                     : 3456
Image Height                    : 2304
Aperture                        : 7.1
Drive Mode                      : Single-frame shooting
Flash                           : Off
Image Size                      : 3456x2304
Lens                            : 17.0 - 85.0mm
Scale Factor To 35mm Equivalent : 1.6
Shooting Mode                   : Program AE
Shutter Speed                   : 1/100
Thumbnail Image                 : (Binary data 6261 bytes, use -b option to extr
act)
WB RGGB Levels                  : 2482 1019 1019 1355
Blue Balance                    : 1.329735
Circle Of Confusion             : 0.019 mm
Focal Length                    : 17.0mm (35mm equivalent: 26.6mm)
Hyperfocal Distance             : 2.12 m
Lens                            : 17.0 - 85.0mm (35mm equivalent: 26.6 - 132.8mm
)
Light Value                     : 12.3
Red Balance                     : 2.435721

 

[bikehikeskifish]

Many cameras put this info and more into the picture file. Exiftool is a good program of reading and modifying it.

Some of the picture sharing sites reveal the Exif information. Since Darren asked to link to (rather then uploading) photos, perhaps we can arrange a mechanism whereby a preview shot appears here as a / with a link to the full image including the exif information. For example, webshots offers you several pre-made snippets for posting links to photos to their site, i.e.,




Of course, you could post a subset of that information using the exiftool, or any of several others. On Windows, the information is available from the file file properties - right click -> properties [Summary]. Of course you can't easily copy-and-paste the relevant lines

I'm hoping to learn some things from this forum, but mostly I'm sure I will become immensely frustrated by the vastly superior photos of others.

Tim

 

[Tom Rankin]

Here is another one that I like. He is saying "Hey! What are YOU looking at??!?!?!?"

Here's another "What are YOU Looking at?!"

http://viewsandbrews.com/temp/IMG_0578.JPG - Nuthatch staring me down

All of these were taken with a Canon Digital Rebel, most with a 300mm Lens

http://viewsandbrews.com/temp/IMG_8007.JPG - Bald Eagle above Esopus Creek
http://viewsandbrews.com/temp/IMG_0675.JPG - Much smaller bird
http://viewsandbrews.com/temp/IMG_5022.JPG - Another view
http://viewsandbrews.com/temp/IMG_0803.JPG - Identity sought!
http://viewsandbrews.com/temp/IMG_0835.JPG - Yellow Warbler with bug
http://viewsandbrews.com/temp/IMG_0859.JPG - Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly
http://viewsandbrews.com/temp/IMG_5742.JPG - Ribbit! He had no fear!
http://viewsandbrews.com/temp/IMG_2075.JPG - Clearwing Hummingbird Moth - Look at that tongue!
http://viewsandbrews.com/temp/IMG_2084.JPG - Butterfly on Purple Coneflower
http://viewsandbrews.com/temp/IMG_6594a.jpg - Laurie's Pond at Sunrise
http://viewsandbrews.com/temp/IMG_3000.JPG - Giant's Washbowl
http://viewsandbrews.com/temp/IMG_2415.JPG - Avalanche Pass

All of these were scaled down from the originals. Some were edited, some were just perfect!

 

[w7xman]

Many cameras put this info and more into the picture file. Exiftool is a good program of reading and modifying it.
http://owl.phy.queensu.ca/~phil/exiftool/

Below is a sample from one of my pics.

Doug

Hey Doug,

I agree that you CAN get the info, but posting the exposure if it was part of the creative method would be helpful. Additionally, it doesn't tell if any filters helped control the light...

 

[DougPaul]

Hey Doug,

I agree that you CAN get the info, but posting the exposure if it was part of the creative method would be helpful. Additionally, it doesn't tell if any filters helped control the light...

I didn't say that it can tell you everything--the camera can only supply info that is known internaly. If you want, you can add anything else manually.

Doug

 

[Mark Schaefer]

Nice use of a backyard. I would like just a ping of fill flash in the Chickadee's eye, not much just a dab. That cardinal is quite a character. A devilish sly guy in the first image, and a PO'ed junk yard bird in the second. I think I would crop off the out of focus branch as it detracts a bit from his PO'ed stare. They are all attention grabbing shots. I especially liked the stuffed Tufted Titmouse.

 

[darren]

Thanks for all the positive feedback.

w7xman - specs are:

Canon 20D
Canon 100-400mm IS L
Around:
ISO 800
f 7.1
1/125 sec
tripod
no flash

Boreal Chickadee - I'll see if I can post a picture of the whole set up so you can see what it looks like. Glad you were able to learn the stick trick.

Mark - I agree the shots could use a little fill flash to get better catch lights in the eye. BUT.....ok, I will admit this publicly....I don't own a flash unit. I just have the built in flash. I've never tried it, but I don't think it will work with the 400mm lens. The lens will block it. I just never take indoor shots and I hardly ever take people shots. So I have never bought a flash unit. At some point I might buy one just for doing bird photography. I wont be doing too much bird photography in Hawaii, so I wont be buying it soon.

Thanks again.

- d

 

[ghassert]

Darren,

Great shots, the 100-400mm IS L is next on my list.

You said that the setup was 12 feet from a window, so I'm assuming you shot from inside and through the window?

So, besides making sure you have a really clean window, how do you get such a clear shot? I would assume there would be some kind of reflection from the window.

Or was the camera maybe mounted on a tripod outside and you were firing it remotely?

Thanks,

Glenn

 

[darren]

Sorry, I should have posted it earlier. The window was open, no glass or screen. The camera and tripod were inside the house. I closed the drapes so just the lens hood was sticking out and used clothes pins to hold the drapes closed around the lens.

- d

 

[ghassert]

Damn...

I was hoping you had come up with a new way to take great, clear shots through windows....

Thanks,

Glenn