Wildlife Photography

[mdees88]

Am I being silly if I'm not taking photos in RAW and processing them on a program like lightroom after?? Seems like a long process to take a photo but everywhere I go people seem to be telling me to take photos in RAW.

It depends. I shot in jpeg for a long time and a couple of my best images are jpegs. But you have a limited latitude for post processing when you shoot in jpeg. When I started, I didn't process anything. Now I shoot in raw and process every image in lightroom. But I'm not processing that many images. I may take 3-500 images in a morning, but I'll only end up with 3 or 4 that I really like. When you shoot in raw you have to process your image. Jpegs are preprocessed in the camera.

The biggest thing I use lightroom for is pulling down highlights that are too bright (overexposed) and bringing up shadows. I also add very subtle vignettes to key in on the focal point of the image and I adjust the white balance.

Learning to edit is one of the most beneficial tips to improve the quality of your images, it does take some time though. Obviously, you have to do everything else right first to get a good image, but a good edit can take your image to the next level.

Here's an example of what I do and how editing can benefit an image. This is a raw image straight out of the camera....

This is same image cropped and rotated to make him more level.... but if you notice, his butt is bright and his face is dark.

This is my final edited image. On the original image his back was very bright and his face was dark. So I dodged (darkened) his back, burned (brightened) his face. I also added a vignette that darkened the background and helps to draw your focus to his face.

Here's another example of some subtle changes that improved an image..... this is a raw image straight out of the camera.

This is it cropped and unedited...

This is my final edit. I didn't make any big changes but I lowered the highlights a little, increased the shadows (brightened the underside of the wings), and I increased the brightness of the eye. Small changes but the help improve the image.

I also make small adjustments to sharpening, texture, vibrance, etc. Jpegs apply a lot of things automatically but in raw I get to apply them in the amounts that I prefer. Like sharpening for instance. Jpegs apply 40 to sharpening over the entire image. In raw I apply 40-50 but I only sharpen areas of the image that I want sharpened. You have more control of the final image when you shoot in raw.

You can still edit jpegs in lightroom too, I have done that a lot. The benefit of Jpegs is they look better than raw photos straight out of the camera.

One thing that is important to know is you cannot edit a poorly shot image and expect it to be great. You have to get the fundamentals down first and get close to your subject, shoot in good light, at a good angle, and with proper camera settings. That's what I would focus on first. Then when you start consistently taking technically sound images, editing will help elevate them to the next level.... my $.02

 

[BrandonsBirbs]

It depends. I shot in jpeg for a long time and a couple of my best images are jpegs. But you have a limited latitude for post processing when you shoot in jpeg. When I started, I didn't process anything. Now I shoot in raw and process every image in lightroom. But I'm not processing that many images. I may take 3-500 images in a morning, but I'll only end up with 3 or 4 that I really like. When you shoot in raw you have to process your image. Jpegs are preprocessed in the camera.

The biggest thing I use lightroom for is pulling down highlights that are too bright (overexposed) and bringing up shadows. I also add very subtle vignettes to key in on the focal point of the image and I adjust the white balance.

Learning to edit is one of the most beneficial tips to improve the quality of your images, it does take some time though. Obviously, you have to do everything else right first to get a good image, but a good edit can take your image to the next level.

Here's an example of what I do and how much of a benefit good editing is. This is a raw image straight out of the camera....

View attachment 3200796

This is same image cropped and rotated to make him more level.... but if you notice, his butt is bright and his face is dark.

View attachment 3200797

This is my final edited image. On the original image his back was very bright and his face was dark. So I dodged (darkened) his back, burned (brightened) his face. I also added a vignette that darkened the background and helps to draw your focus to his face.

View attachment 3200799


Here's another example of some subtle changes that improve the image..... this is a raw image straight out of the camera.

View attachment 3200822


This is it cropped and unedited...

View attachment 3200825


This is my final edit. I didn't make any big changes but I lowered the highlights a little, increased the shadows (brightened the underside of the wings), and I increased the brightness of the eye. Small changes but the help improve the image.

View attachment 3200888




I also make small adjustments to sharpening, texture, vibrance, etc. Jpegs apply a lot of things automatically but in raw I get to apply them in the amounts that I prefer. Like sharpening for instance. Jpegs apply 40 to sharpening over the entire image. In raw I apply 40-50 but I only sharpen areas of the image that I want sharpened. You have more control of the final image when you shoot in raw.

You can still edit jpegs in lightroom too, I have done that a lot. The benefit of Jpegs is they look better than raw photos straight out of the camera.

One thing that is important to know is you cannot edit a poorly shot image and expect it to be great. You have to get the fundamentals down first and get close to your subject, shoot in good light, at a good angle, and with proper camera settings. That's what I would focus on first. Then when you start consistently taking technically sound images, editing will help elevate them to the next level.... my $.02

I have basic knowledge on editing with Photoshop but don't own it so am hoping I should get the hang of the lightroom like setup quickly. The reason I ask is because I have a few bird photos which would look better if I did some proper postprocessing.

But when it comes down to it you couldn't be any more right, I need to actually get better at taking photos. I seem to be repeating the same habits and my photos just turn out the same.

I definitely keep over-zooming in when taking photos for example:

Pretty cool plane but I haven't cropped this and it makes me wonder if I didn't take it so close up how much better would it look. Really hate this cloud/dusk lighting too.

With respect to wildlife I don't understand how you get so close to your animals! The second I try sneak up on anything I can't lol. I feel like I'm always having to use 80-100% zoom just to get the animal in the photo!

Cheers as always, you're the best!

 

[mdees88]

I definitely keep over-zooming in when taking photos for example:

Pretty cool plane but I haven't cropped this and it makes me wonder if I didn't take it so close up how much better would it look.

I did the same when I got my first nice zoom lens. I would get as close as possible and try to fill the entire frame with the subject. Though it wasn't that bad of a problem since I rarely got close enough to anything to do that, lol.

With respect to wildlife I don't understand how you get so close to your animals! The second I try sneak up on anything I can't lol. I feel like I'm always having to use 80-100% zoom just to get the animal in the photo!

Getting close to what you're shooting is probably the most beneficial tip in getting the best detail. I struggled when I started too.

The way I got close is from going out often and learning the habits of the animals I wanted to photograph.

There are a couple osprey that sit on the same two branches every morning before sunrise looking for a meal. I know exactly how close I can get before I spook them from going dozens of the times. When one osprey catches a fish, he usually lands on a different pole by a parking lot that I can get reasonably close to if I stay in my truck. If I open my door he'll fly off.

The pelicans on the pole will let me get all the way to the water's edge (about 40ft away) and do not spook. The green herons and black crowned night herons will spook when I get inside of 25yds. If I wear dark clothing and conceal my movements, I can get a little closer.

The pelicans aways land and face into the wind when sitting on the poles. I will check the wind direction to see where I need to stand. When it's a strong wind out of the north I won't even bother going because they'll all have their backs to me.

There are other workarounds. You can find animals that are more tolerant of your presence. Like seagulls at a beach or squirrels at a park. Maybe some ducks at a local pond that are used to people. You can set up a bird feeder very close to a window at your house.

Most of the best perched bird shots (commonly called "bird on a stick") are staged. They find a nice branch with leaves or flowers, cut it off, and clamp it to a 5-gallon bucket full of water or a birdbath. They will set the branch the proper distance in front of a colorful background then sprinkle some food around or wait for birds to come to the water. I haven't tried this approach myself, but I'm not against it.

I think the easiest way is to find some tame birds or ones that are used to human presence and practice on them. Then if you have a specific bird in mind, go after him many times and learn his habits. Shooting bugs and insects is another way to take images of something that can run (or fly) away from you as fast.

I see you like photographing planes. I went to a blue angles practice several years ago and it was blast. I hadn't been photographing long and I shot jpeg but I got some decent shots. I really need to go back and try again, it was a lot of fun. If I wanted to get the best plane pics I would go near an airport and get them right after takeoff when they are low. I would set up with the sun at my back, shoot early in the morning or late in the afternoon, and if I noticed the majority of planes made a left turn after they take off, I would get on the left side of them. Then when they turn, their wings will look level in the image, and it will look like you are up in the sky with them.

Cheers as always, you're the best!

Thanks, I've improved a lot since I started but I still have a LONG way to go. These guys keep me inspired to get better.......

https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1756600

https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1758383

https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1753560

https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1733822

 

[BrandonsBirbs]

I did the same when I got my first nice zoom lens. I would get as close as possible and try to fill the entire frame with the subject. Though it wasn't that bad of a problem since I rarely got close enough to anything to do that, lol.




Getting close to what you're shooting is probably the most beneficial tip in getting the best detail. I struggled when I started too.

The way I got close is from going out often and learning the habits of the animals I wanted to photograph.

There are a couple osprey that sit on the same two branches every morning before sunrise looking for a meal. I know exactly how close I can get before I spook them from going dozens of the times. When one osprey catches a fish, he usually lands on a different pole by a parking lot that I can get reasonably close to if I stay in my truck. If I open my door he'll fly off.

The pelicans on the pole will let me get all the way to the water's edge (about 40ft away) and do not spook. The green herons and black crowned night herons will spook when I get inside of 25yds. If I wear dark clothing and conceal my movements, I can get a little closer.

The pelicans aways land and face into the wind when sitting on the poles. I will check the wind direction to see where I need to stand. When it's a strong wind out of the north I won't even bother going because they'll all have their backs to me.

There are other workarounds. You can find animals that are more tolerant of your presence. Like seagulls at a beach or squirrels at a park. Maybe some ducks at a local pond that are used to people. You can set up a bird feeder very close to a window at your house.

Most of the best perched bird shots (commonly called "bird on a stick") are staged. They find a nice branch with leaves or flowers, cut it off, and clamp it to a 5-gallon bucket full of water or a birdbath. They will set the branch the proper distance in front of a colorful background then sprinkle some food around or wait for birds to come to the water. I haven't tried this approach myself, but I'm not against it.

I think the easiest way is to find some tame birds or ones that are used to human presence and practice on them. Then if you have a specific bird in mind, go after him many times and learn his habits. Shooting bugs and insects is another way to take images of something that can run (or fly) away from you as fast.

I see you like photographing planes. I went to a blue angles practice several years ago and it was blast. I hadn't been photographing long and I shot jpeg but I got some decent shots. I really need to go back and try again, it was a lot of fun. If I wanted to get the best plane pics I would go near an airport and get them right after takeoff when they are low. I would set up with the sun at my back, shoot early in the morning or late in the afternoon, and if I noticed the majority of planes made a left turn after they take off, I would get on the left side of them. Then when they turn, their wings will look level in the image, and it will look like you are up in the sky with them.



Thanks, I've improved a lot since I started but I still have a LONG way to go. These guys keep me inspired to get better.......

https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1756600

https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1758383

https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1753560

https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1733822

Haha brilliant lol!

Okay so learn wild animal's habits, that sounds almost too obvious and yet I hadn't thought about it! For example the swans I photo are at the lake next door to me and they're not scared of humans in the slightest, they will walk right up to you and bite you. They'd be good to utilise in that sort of way, just get a better angle based on the sun.

The bird feeder trick I remember seeing on David Attenborough, actually went out an bought one last weekend lol. Just got to wait painfully for birds to find the feeder so that they'll make use of it. I also setup a homemade bird bath as this is meant to assist in drawing wild birds to a feeder. Fantastic tip though.

I have over 60 quail, maybe I should test on them lol. They don't really like humans but they can't exactly fly away! Again, I don't know how I hadn't thought of that, thank you.

Yeah I like the planes but purely because not that much wildlife seems to be around us unfortunately. I do need to stop filling my whole camera with the planes and use a better distance because some of the photos would look pretty cool. We used to have an airdisplay show here every year but it's been cancelled due to health and safety. Real disappointment!

I'll check them out! Thanks yet again!!

 

[BrandonsBirbs]

Original

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First Edit

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Not super proud of that edit, but just testing the program and seeing how it goes.

Played with quite a few features, different exposures and things. Definitely made the saturation way too high when I was playing around with one of the first saves but it looks much better now

 

[mdees88]

Original

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View attachment 3201390First Edit

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Not super proud of that edit, but just testing the program and seeing how it goes.

Played with quite a few features, different exposures and things. Definitely made the saturation way too high when I was playing around with one of the first saves but it looks much better now

Got to start somewhere

Most people go crazy with saturation, sharpness, and clarity in the beginning.... myself included. Over time I've gone with a less is more approach. Which program are you using?

 

[BrandonsBirbs]

Got to start somewhere

Most people go crazy with saturation, sharpness, and clarity in the beginning.... myself included. Over time I've gone with a less is more approach. Which program are you using?

Thanks!

It's called RawTherapee I saw it at #1 free choice on many websites but someone also mentioned Darkroom (not got it)

 

[BrandonsBirbs]

I was trying to find a tool to draw masks for vignette, focus and things but it seems that's not a thing in RawTherapee. Fantastic program for a free choice nevertheless.

 

[BrandonsBirbs]

Original

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After a play around

Learned you can do paint brush masking using a different variant of RawTherapee called ART, started getting the hang of it and it's brilliant. Not the biggest fan of this final product either, has come out much darker as a JPEG than I initially thought it would.

 

[GravityWaves]

I straddled this guy on the road today then stopped and put it someplace safe. It only had a stump for the left front but it was feisty!