Wildlife Photography

[mdees88]

I didn't realise low shutter speeds could lead to soft images.. I think that may have something to do with these two images I'll send next. They seem somewhat more soft and I think that must be from the shutter speed. Thank you for explaining that!

Is it called bookeh? Love the effect, so glad I managed to get that on such a small bird.

I have read that rule and that is exactly why I reduced the shutter speed even more was because I assumed the image stabilization would save my bum. Good to note it does but won't solve soft photos. Thanks.

Not sure if I mentioned it here but when I was on the Pentax forums I was told to get out of my habit of "taking too many photos" as I was spamming 20+ photos on one instance. I was doing so for the reason you explain but as I listened to them I've got out that habit so I am really finding it hard to now get BACK into the habit of taking lots.

That's a very impressive photo, love it! Very sharp for such a low speed. Thank you for your kind comments on my photos.

Really trying to find a good auto 500mm lens for my Pentax just because it would make it 750mm and be able to really snap some great photos of the herons in the nearby pond I just can't focus on with my smaller lens. Have looked at those cheaper 1000mm manual lens (the herons/cormorants don't move much!) But after seeing reviews people don't sound too impressed with them. My missus can't justify the cost for some of the lens, she says even £350 is too much for a secondhand one.

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Both: F6.7, 1/100s, 300mm & ISO 1600.

Hope you're doing well mdees, appreciate the time you give me and the help you provide. It's invaluable.

Nice shots and body positions. Softness is either from slow shutter speeds, missed focus (focus on wrong spot), and slight softness can be from shooting in poor light. If the subject is not lit up well it will lack some detail and contrast. I'm not 100% sure if the shutter speed caused softness in this case but it certainly can.

1/100th is not a crazy slow shutter speed and with the cameras stabilization you should be able to get some sharp shots but not all of them will be. You'll want to take several shots at a time to pick the sharpest one. It's just a good habit to try and shoot 1 / your focal length or faster, but again in this case, 1/100 was perfect. If you shot 1/400 the ISO would've been like 6400 or something and the photo would be grainy.

It's very important to make sure to use a single AF point and place it directly on the birds eye. This is the best way to make sure the camera focuses on the right spot.

I probably take 200-500 photos most every time I go out. I rattle off at least 5-10 shots every time I shoot. If the bird is moving around slightly, looking different directions I may rattle off 20, 30, or 50 shots. Then once I'm home, I'll go through and find my favorite pose, then find the sharpest image in that pose, then make sure the focus is on the eye. (Sometimes it will be on the beak, a wing, or a branch).

Whenever you are ready to upgrade lenses, assuming you want more reach. A used Sigma 150-600 is going to be the best bang for your buck in my opinion. But make sure you handle one in person so you realize how big/heavy it is.

Yeah it's called bokeh. I really like the way it looks too and try and to position myself so my background shots look just like those.

Had fun photographing kinglets a couple days ago.

https://flic.kr/p/2nSVgyn

Very nice image, the background looks great....



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[mdees88]

Here's an old one I found on my phone. Saw this guy in my pond one evening....

 

[Wishing4Wings]

Here's an old one I found on my phone. Saw this guy in my pond one evening....

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Is he dangerous?

 

[BrandonsBirbs]

Is he dangerous?

Looks terrifying.. think I'd run away not snap a picture

 

[BrandonsBirbs]

Nice shots and body positions. Softness is either from slow shutter speeds, missed focus (focus on wrong spot), and it can also be from shooting in poor light. If the subject is not lit up well it will lack some detail and contrast. I'm not 100% sure if the shutter speed caused softness in this case but it certainly can.

1/100th is not a crazy slow shutter speed and with the cameras stabilization you should be able to get some sharp shots but not all of them will be. You'll want to take several shots at a time to pick the sharpest one. It's just a good habit to try and shoot 1 / your focal length or faster, but again in this case, 1/100 was perfect. If you shot 1/400 the ISO would've been like 6400 or something and the photo would be grainy.

It's very important to make sure to use a single AF point and place it directly on the birds eye. This is the best way to make sure the camera focuses on the right spot.

I probably take 200-500 photos most every time I go out. I rattle off at least 5-10 shots every time I shoot. If the bird is moving around slightly, looking different directions I may rattle off 20, 30, or 50 shots. Then once I'm home, I'll go through and find my favorite pose, then find the sharpest image in that pose, then make sure the focus is on the eye. (Sometimes it will be on the beak, a wing, or a branch).

Whenever you are ready to upgrade lenses, assuming you want more reach. A used Sigma 150-600 is going to be the best bang for your buck in my opinion. But make sure you handle one in person so you realize how big/heavy it is.

Yeah it's called bokeh. I really like the way it looks too and try and to position myself so my background shots look just like those.




Very nice image, the background looks great....



.

The red kite shots was probably due to sun, think they were around 10:30-11am so not the greatest time for taking shots above you!

I think the egret photo is fab!

Seen some 600mm mirror lens for £100 but they're manual!

 

[mdees88]

Is he dangerous?

Only if he bites you... Yes, it's a water moccasin/cottonmouth.

I've killed 5 in my backyard. I literally almost stepped on these 2....

 

[Memoli]

I love snakes as long as they keep their distance...

 

[mdees88]

I just found some old pics on my phone right after I got my very expensive lens and camera but before i had a clue how to take good pics. Goes to show how much operator error can affect image quality even when using high quality gear. All these were taken with a Canon 80d, ef100-400 is ii, and some with an ef1.4x iii teleconverter.....

 

[mdees88]

I love snakes as long as they keep their distance...

I like snakes too, even the venomous ones, as long as we don't surprise each other, lol. I never kill non venomous snakes and I usually only kill venomous ones around my house or camp where there's a good chance I may accidently step on one. These guys were escaping flood waters in the delta so I let them live to see another day....

This was a cell phone shot, prolly a little too close, lol....

 

[Bakbuk]

I like snakes too, even the venomous ones, as long as we don't surprise each other, lol. I never kill non venomous snakes and I usually only kill venomous ones around my house or camp where there's a good chance I may accidently step on one. These guys were escaping flood waters in the delta so I let them live to see another day....

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This was a cell phone shot, prolly a little too close, lol....

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I love Cottonmouths. Such cool snakes.