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Graham Whistler
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A serious challenge for even a highly skilled photographer. Birds are fast, erratic, often very small and most fly! Long top quality lenses with limited depth of field will a lot of the time not fill the frame. Many of the latest Nikon DSLR have very high def sensors so advantge to enlarge final image. First class high ISO performance also aids fast shutter speeds and sharp pictures of moving subjects in often poor light. Nikon Cameras like D500 and D850 fit the bill and their ability to track and lock focus quickly is vital to good results.Low noise at high ISO also great help. Yesterday with another photographer friend we were at a first class workshop on bird photography at Blashford Lakes Reserve in Hampshire. Lots to learn and the rain held off so we had a some time in the hides to take a few pictures, this Greenfinch kindly posed for me. Nikon D850 with 80-400mm AF-S lens with x1.4: 370mm. 2000 ISO 1/500 sec f9. Attachment: Greenfinch0663.jpg (Downloaded 255 times) |
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jk
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Beautiful shot Graham. Perfect composition and sharpness. |
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Graham Whistler
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You need to look at this! This is the whole image as shot with the D850 and first image is the blow up that produced a high quality A3+ print. The 80-400mm lens was not zoomed up to the full 400mm as I had to react very quickly when the Greenfinch landed for only a few seconds on an interesting dead tree. Attachment: Greenfinch all 663.jpg (Downloaded 242 times) |
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Graham Whistler
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This is test today with garden birds D850 with the big Nikon 500mm AF-S F4 lens similar large blow up as above pix: Tracking focus AF-S Single point (bird running) ISO 1000 1/1600 sec f6.3 hand held. Hope to be meeting Eric for birding day at Frampton Marsh on trhe Wash in 10 days time. Will be in Suffolk for next week doing more bird photography. So getting my eye in today with our garden birds. Attachment: Starling_DSC0729.jpg (Downloaded 241 times) |
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Eric
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Graham Whistler wrote:This is test today with garden birds D850 with the big Nikon 500mm AF-S F4 lens similar large blow up as above pix: Tracking focus AF-S Single point (bird running) ISO 1000 1/1600 sec f6.3 hand held. What's Tracking Focus? I'm only on page 200 of the the D500 manual so you don't have to practise too hard.  |
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Eric
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I've been reading Steve Perry's book on Nikon focusing system and his recommendations for camera settings. He doesn't use AF-S but sets it to AF-C all the time and uses the back AF-ON button for AF. With this method of focusing he simply takes his thumb off the back button once focus is acquired to effectively give AF-S. I was planning on changing the habits of a lifetime and configuring the camera in his manner next week. You can guarantee I will be in a b@ggers muddle !! |
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Graham Whistler
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Sorry my error I meant AF-C contious but single focus point. Would have been better to use 5 or 9 focus points for moving bird but had no time to change as bird had been feeding in static position then turned and ran. IE no time to change settings to multi focus points. For action button No 15 on back of D500 & D500 "Focus" is good and 2nd button No 14 "Sub-selector" can be set to the multi focus points of your choice. |
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Eric
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Graham Whistler wrote:Sorry my error I meant AF-C contious but single focus point. Would have been better to use 5 or 9 focus points for moving bird but had no time to change as bird had been feeding in static position then turned and ran. IE no time to change settings to multi focus points. Problem with using 14 for another 'dynamic' function when 15 is set to focus, is that you have to take your thumb off the AF-ON button ...so you lose focus tracking. I've set Fn1 to give 25 multipoint AND lock on....to make it easier....I think!! It's a shame all these button assignments don't click on and off...some do, but others you have to use a spare digit to hold it on. This means 3 of your right hand digits are not gripping the camera! |
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Iain
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I've got the D500 set for single point on the back button, I use this 90% of the time and the multi secelctor (nipple) set too group focus for birds in flight. |
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Iain
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One from this week D500 + sigma 150-600 Attachment: D50_4939.gif (Downloaded 235 times) |
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Eric
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Iain wrote:One from this week D500 + sigma 150-600 Lovely shot Iain. Very good light...what was ISO? |
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Iain
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Eric wrote:Iain wrote: It was 2000 Iso as the light wasn't as good as it looks. It was taken from the car with the Owl a bit back in the woods and it was cropped a bit. |
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Eric
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Iain wrote:Eric wrote:  |
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Squarerigger
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This is one of the main reasons I enjoy this forum. For a very nominal fee, I get to study and enjoy these great photographs and how they were taken. Thanks for sharing! |
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Eric
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Squarerigger wrote:This is one of the main reasons I enjoy this forum. For a very nominal fee, I get to study and enjoy these great photographs and how they were taken. Apart from being sharp and nicely exposed, Iain's photo scores on composition and framing. Many birders consider the bird should ideally be no more than 1/3 of the image frame, supposedly to clearly show the bird in its habitat. That may be post rationalisation by the many birders who haven't got mega long lenses or are unable to get close to the birds. But whatever the reason it works for me. |
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Iain
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Thanks Eric, I'll take that as a complement.  |
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Eric
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Iain wrote:Thanks Eric, I'll take that as a complement. Absolutely! |
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Iain
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Tern warning off two Black headed gulls. Same equipment as the owl shot. Attachment: web.jpg (Downloaded 313 times) |
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Squarerigger
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Nicely done Iain. Beautiful example of capturing the moment when danger is present. |
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Eric
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Not sure if the best caption is the Three Musketeers, or the Three Stooges, or simply "Stop talking and look behind you!" But when 3 old forum members meet up for a days bird photography there's invariably going to be a lot more talk talk, than click click. No references to any similarities to the "Last of the Summer Wine" PLEASE.  Graham will be along with some mega shots of birds later.  Attachment: 3 musketeers2.jpg (Downloaded 205 times) |
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Iain
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How about "last of the summer wine". |
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jk
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Eric traveling lite or is Jan the Assistant doing all the carrying? Glad to see that the forum provides opportunities for get togethers as well as virtual chatting. |
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Eric
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jk wrote:Eric traveling lite or is Jan the Assistant doing all the carrying? She wasnt there, Jonathan. Out with a friend for the day....suspect the prospect of male bonding was too much for her. |
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Squarerigger
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From the expression on your faces, it looks like one or all of you broke wind and the birds are not taking flight, they are dropping out of the sky for that fianal landing. :cheers Looking forward to the shots from Graham. |
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Eric
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Squarerigger wrote:From the expression on your faces, it looks like one or all of you broke wind and the birds are not taking flight, they are dropping out of the sky for that fianal landing. :cheers Yes, we were a little taken by surprise...chattering as usual. Thats what happens when all the photographers are in front of the camera.  |
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Graham Whistler
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The Gulls flew away when they saw us having so much fun! Nikon D850 with 80-400 AF-S Lens plus x1.4 Attachment: Gulls0938.jpg (Downloaded 97 times) |
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Graham Whistler
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But the Avocets were having even more fun! Attachment: Avocets1000.jpg (Downloaded 97 times) |
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Graham Whistler
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The Common Tern kept an eye on us too. This was using the 25 focus points with D850 and lens as above at full 400mm plus x1.4 this is about 1/3 image blown up and I took 5 frames as it hovered and all were as sharp. Attachment: Common Tern 0956.jpg (Downloaded 99 times) |
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Graham Whistler
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Sadly after Eric and Robert left 54 Avocets arrived this is some of them. Same camera and lens and 25 point focus with AFC. All pictures above in this series at 1000 ISO and 1/2500 sec. In afternoon some mist came in and this is a blow up from about 1/4 of the shot. Attachment: Avocets 0986.jpg (Downloaded 96 times) |
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Eric
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Yes, we saw the Avocets down the river and shooed them up towards you. It was a challenging day given the subject distance and lighting. Here's the ringed plover having a stand-off with the two little ringed plovers Attachment: 52F9CC73-61EA-4CF7-A4A2-36319063B67F.jpeg (Downloaded 98 times) |
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Eric
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A very elusive Sedge Warbler... Attachment: 2DA9234A-2370-462C-A926-CFED95627BEF.jpeg (Downloaded 98 times) |
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Eric
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...and a Brent goose Attachment: ED6A5825-7A85-4A9C-8EAA-202ED0AF0904.jpeg (Downloaded 96 times) |
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Robert
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Squarerigger wrote:From the expression on your faces, it looks like one or all of you broke wind and the birds are not taking flight, they are dropping out of the sky for that fianal landing. :cheers Well I look as though I am stifling a yawn... I don't recall that but perhaps I might be excused... I left Lancaster at 10pm Sunday night, drove to a waterfall in Derbyshire, arrived about 2am, spent an hour there photographing stars and the waterfall by torch and flash, continued down to Boston, has breakfast at 6am, arriving at Frampton in time to catch 40 winks before Eric arrived just before 9:30 am. We had a lovely time at Frampton together, Eric, Graham and myself, together with birdwatchers Mike and Tom. Afterwards I followed Eric home, we had a very enjoyable evening discussing photography. On Tuesday morning I set off for home, but it was such a nice day I decided to make something of it, so I set course for Ness Gardens, where I took almost 400 photographs of flowers, admittedly most were 5 shot bracketed due to the bright sunlight. I then visited an old friend from school days, who lives nearby the Gardens, just over the Welsh border. I arrived back home at three O'clock this morning. I had seriously considered coming home from Wales via the Derwent Valley where a Lancaster Bomber was due to make a flypast to commemorate 100 years of the RAF and 75 years since the 617 Squadron's raid on the German Dams. It was scheduled for noon today but I checked out the weather and heavy cloud was forecast so I (rightly) assumed it would be cancelled. Graham kindly let me try his 80-400 + TC1.4, a lens I haven't used before, I also used my 70-300VR 4.5-5.6. I am surprised how many of the photo's I took were (to me) acceptable. Not perfect because except when I used Grahams lens I was maxed out at 300mm on FX, with 12.5Mp, while Eric had the luxury equivalent of 630mm with his combo on the D500.From my 220 shots I have picked 20, these are the least worst... All taken with the D3 with Aperture priority, ISO 400, mostly with the Nikkor 70-300 VR 4.5-5.6. Most of the images are at close to 100% crop, ie camera pixel to screen pixel.  Eric trying to open the gate, turned out there were three ways to unlatch it, none particular obvious...  Graham trying to see a particularly rare/unusual tiny bird which was really beyond reach.  The brown bird to the left of the Avocets.  Two Ringed Plover and another small Plover, the rings are opposite colours, can't remember names   A pair of Avoset's.  A minor scuffle!  What you looking at???  Another scuffle...  Another smaller bird, again can't remember the name. I could do with an SD card slot so I could maybe remember stuff...  Last but not least, these two.  Just have a bunch of bracketed flower photo's to wade through now, then when I am in the mood, finish my night time waterfall/startrails photo, which looks like it might have some merit... |
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Eric
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This was my first outing with the D500+300mmf4 and 1.4tc. I made some exposure and setting errors throughout the morning due to my unfamiliarity and clumsiness with back button focusing. I've since returned to the armchair reread the manual sections on controls and reconfigured some to hopefully thwart me less next time. But given I am only on shot 330 with the camera, it's early days! The 300mm lens and tc are very light and well balanced on the D500. The only issue I encountered was the distance we were from the subjects. On some of the shots a single focus frame only just covered the subject they were that distant! There is no substitute for close proximity and filling the frame. |
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Eric
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Good selection of the days efforts there. We all suffered to varying degrees with subject distance irrespective of equipment differences. Only the geese were close enough and big enough to fill the frame. We really needed 1000mm for most of those birds.....and someone to carry the lens!  PS...remind me to take a hacksaw next time we go there. I will soon have that gate open! Notice I stepped over the small fence to see if I could unlock it from the other side....while Mike and Graham waited. |
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Iain
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A friend of mine uses the 300 f4 with a 1.7tc and has great results with it. |
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Graham Whistler
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And good fun was had by all. No major winners from me as Eric said very long lenses needed! Glad you got home OK Robert, great to meet you and Eric after all those years on the forum. More of the poor Little Ringed Plovers having a hard time by Little Plover who is larger! Also a very long reach and 150% bl;ow up from an image not much larger than the focus spot on D850. Attachment: Little Ringed Plovers 0915.jpg (Downloaded 95 times) |
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Robert
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Graham Whistler wrote:And good fun was had by all. No major winners from me as Eric siad very long lenses needed! Glad you got home OK Robert, great to meet you and Eric after all those years on the forum. Yes indeed Graham, it was really good to meet you and look forward to June in Eskdale. |
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Eric
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Graham Whistler wrote:And good fun was had by all. No major winners from me as Eric said very long lenses needed! Glad you got home OK Robert, great to meet you and Eric after all those years on the forum. I think next time you venture up this way, Graham, we will take you to Lakenheath Fen. Mike went yesterday and has some cracking full frame shots of Hobbys in flight with his 70-300mm, along with Kingfishers and some rare pippets....despite the dull windy day and slow shutter speeds! It's another haunt with which, I am sure, Tom will be familiar. One of Mikes shots he sent me........ |
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Robert
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Eric wrote:Good selection of the days efforts there. I have been scheming how to get closer to the birds, I definitely lack 'field craft'... There are 'bait boats' which apparently are used by fishermen to deposit bait for attracting fish, small battery driven boats from about a foot long up to three or four feet long, silent and manoeuvrable they use water jet propulsion consisting of an internal pump which sucks water up then ejects it from the rear of the boat propelling the boat forwards. Steering is achieved by having two jets, one at each side. Propellors tend to get entangled with weed. Mounting a camera on board with wi-fi live view might allow me to get quite close to the birds? Don't expect the RSPB would approve but here on the shores of the estuary I don't think anyone would bother. Sounds like a fun project. I had been planning a small trolling boat for exploring the estuary and photography, but the tides here are powerful and fast running, I have been advised I need at least a reliable ten horsepower outboard to stay safe, even on a small boat. That would be noisy and expensive. |
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Eric
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Robert wrote:Eric wrote: ....or Big Un with oars. |
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Graham Whistler
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I will get a cab ride set up for you on one of the steam locos if you lioke? Plenty of chance then for some dramatic action pix and if you get some good ones we can use them on the cover of the new GWP DVD on the railway. |
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Eric
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There is no doubt that fieldcraft and even more so, local knowledge and access rights, are required to get you close enough. Beyond that, we have to rely on longer lenses...as far as funds allow. I have yet to take a wildlife photo that didn't need cropping. That means I haven't got a long enough lens in my a**enal. It also means to my mind that a zoom lens is not what's required, as I would invariable use it on max length anyway. Sadly at the moment, the sensible options have to be zooms....and with them unnecessary weight. I for one am eagerly waiting for news of whether Nikon will extend the PF lens range beyond 300mm. A 500 or 600mm f4 would be very interesting...even if its lighter weight wasn't as amazing as the 300mm. |
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Robert
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Graham Whistler wrote:I will get a cab ride set up for you on one of the steam locos if you lioke? Plenty of chance then for some dramatic action pix and if you get some good ones we can use them on the cover of the new GWP DVD on the railway. That would be amazing, thanks for the thought. Please will you remind me of the dates, June was a close as I remember! LOL PM if you like. |
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Robert
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Eric wrote:...or Big Un with oars. They call Michael "Big Un" at work, they even made number plates for him with "Big Un on a mission" in small letters at the bottom. Think it would need to be a skiff to keep up with the tide... It's very fast here, a lot of estuary to fill (and empty) through a smallish channel in a short time. Have no wish to end up on the Isle of Man! |
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Squarerigger
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You gentlemen are too modest! I would be very pleased with any of those shots. I am surprised no one appears to have a tripod employed. I am not sure I could hand hold my camera and lens for any length of time and capture such clear shots. It looks like you all had a grand time and Robert, I am surprised you were able to make it through the day's outing without taking a nap after traveling over night. Enjoyed the photographs and the information on equipment used. I appreciate being able to benefit from someone else's experience with the hope of increasing my own abilities. So, who will be the first among you to spring for a 1000mm lens? |
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Iain
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One today not cropped just brought close with penuts. Attachment: web1.jpg (Downloaded 66 times) |
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Eric
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I am having difficulties getting a buyer for my father's house and I can undersftand why buying and selling homes is one of the most stressful events in ones life. Ranting and raving at yet another time waster I looked out on the back lawn. There was a magpie astride a pile of feathers. I opened the door to get a closer look and the magpie flew off. Went to retrieve the starling carcass and discovered it was still breathing....just. Back to the house to get a box to cradle it in the vain hope it might recover. Back to the door and it had gone! Momentarily I thought it recovered....then saw it firmly gripped in the beak of a black backed gull as it flew away. And I thought I was having a bad day! Well at least he got one last sightseeing flight around the neighbourhood in the sunshine ...before he was devoured!!  |
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Graham Whistler
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Ian that is super and I liked your Tawney Owel too. |
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Iain
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Eric wrote:I am having difficulties getting a buyer for my father's house and I can undersftand why buying and selling homes is one of the most stressful events in ones life. Ranting and raving at yet another time waster I looked out on the back lawn. Thats wildlife |
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Eric
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Iain wrote:One today not cropped just brought close with penuts. Very nice Iain ...what lens? Jays seem to be able to spot peanuts from miles away. I put a scoopful periodically in the bird house and within minutes a Jay will have swooped in, swallowed a dozen and flown away. Back again and again. What amazes me is how they register the presence of peanuts that have been added to a normally empty bird house. Do they they have a photographic memory that can be recalled to compare with current situation? A sort of spot the difference test? Interestingly, if I put kibbled peanut in the house, they don't come!! Obviously want whole red peanuts, |
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Robert
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Squarerigger wrote:You gentlemen are too modest! I would be very pleased with any of those shots. In the hide it's as easy to use a bean bag or just rest the lens on the window sill; outdoors, technique and VR get the job done, I know some people use Wimberlys and other aids, if were to use a support it would be a simple monopod. It looks like you all had a grand time and Robert, I am surprised you were able to make it through the day's outing without taking a nap after traveling over night. The company was so refreshing and exciting any tiredness evaporated, the concentration of trying to get half decent shots against the odds overcame tiredness, that said, Eric's driving was so sedate on his way back home, following him I almost pulled into a lay-by for a snooze! That all changed when we hit the roundabout near his home, it was a bit like following Lewis Hamilton for the last mile!!! LOL Enjoyed the photographs and the information on equipment used. I appreciate being able to benefit from someone else's experience with the hope of increasing my own abilities. Well it won't be me, that's for sure, right now a long lens is a very long way down my wish list. I reckon a 600mm on DX (900mm equivalent) is pretty well a minimum with my field craft, but I also need a patient friend who can recognise a common bird from a special, rare bird, because I am pretty well bird illiterate. It helps a lot to know what you are taking pictures of. With plants/flowers I have a germ of an idea, but birds... |
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Iain
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Eric wrote:Iain wrote:Same as the others. That's my wildlife set up. |
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Eric
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Robert wrote:
I think I will have that framed. Jan won't believe it. Mike was asleep in the back...so I was taking it easy. |
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Graham Whistler
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Another of the Little Ringed Prover punc up series. Attachment: LR Plover 0912.jpg (Downloaded 26 times) |
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Eric
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It's a pity we can't supply food incentives to waders. We wouldn't need 600mm! Attachment: 8B9B3683-DCBD-408E-B105-E6E132442A25.jpeg (Downloaded 25 times) |
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Eric
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. Attachment: 88F8FF91-9C83-4FCC-AB90-D4D8D8227358.jpeg (Downloaded 25 times) |
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Graham Whistler
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Those two pixs look a little contrasty and dark on my monitor? |
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Eric
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Graham Whistler wrote:Those two pixs look a little contrasty and dark on my monitor? I confess I struggled with the bright sunlight and backlighting. Incredibly, the stripes on the lawn behind the crow gave 1/2 stop difference. Attachment: 22B3E4F9-F556-48F9-BFEE-37B6746B699A.jpeg (Downloaded 20 times) |
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Eric
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I spot metered on this one.... Attachment: 9D511FCC-CB5E-4B0D-913F-48CC5E771340.jpeg (Downloaded 21 times) |
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Eric
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Is this shot any better? Attachment: 914961A1-10B6-40C8-8DAF-159D5BC06488.jpeg (Downloaded 28 times) |
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Iain
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Another one taken with the same set up, had to watch for the glare off the water. Attachment: Web3.jpg (Downloaded 28 times) |
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Eric
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Or this one in same position? Have to say downsizing these files for the forum destroyed quality! I must try other methods to get smaller file sizes or use Flickr. Attachment: 27DF918B-52DE-4492-9543-F5D152E30605.jpeg (Downloaded 28 times) |
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Eric
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I've checked the settings on the camera and they are standard/ default contrast. I wonder if the fresnel lens is introducing more contrast? I've not upped contrast on original pasted images |
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Iain
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What lens are you using Eric |
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Iain
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Another one showing the differance in size between a Ringed Plover and a Little Ringed Plover. Attachment: web4.jpg (Downloaded 28 times) |
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Graham Whistler
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Eric wrote:I've checked the settings on the camera and they are standard/ default contrast. |
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Graham Whistler
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Great pixs Ian whay do you think we saw the Ringed Plover giving the Little Ringed Plovers hell? |
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Eric
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Iain wrote:What lens are you using Eric It's the new 300mm f4PF with 1.4tc on D500. Birds were about 50ft away....some cropping and file size reduction to be accepted by forum limits I've been commenting with Graham and others that the boketh on this lens is not soft and smooth. In fact it renders grass and fine branches rather strangely ....if I didn't know it was a fractal lens I would have actually said the grass looks like a fractal effect. It may handle bright sunshine differently as well? |
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Eric
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Graham Whistler wrote:Eric wrote: |
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Iain
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Graham Whistler wrote:Great pixs Ian whay do you think we saw the Ringed Plover giving the Little Ringed Plovers hell? My guess is that its nesting near by, it's quite common for them to chase each other when nesting. |
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Eric
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Iain wrote:Another one showing the differance in size between a Ringed Plover and a Little Ringed Plover. Nice birds...shame about the beach. |
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Iain
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I think if I remember that this is the same type of glass that Canon used in the 400mm f4 DO lens and there were a lot of complaints over odd things like your experencing with the 300mm. I've also had a little go at your Carron Crow. Attachment: 9D511FCC-CB5E-4B0D-913F-48CC5E771340.jpeg (Downloaded 41 times) |
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Iain
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A bit rocky. |
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Eric
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Iain wrote:I think if I remember that this is the same type of glass that Canon used in the 400mm f4 DO lens and there were a lot of complaints over odd things like your experencing with the 300mm. On my screen that looks good. Can I send you all my images? At this stage I am just checking the camera / lens performance and using the iPad for convenience. I am even shooting jpeg at the moment while I find my feet. |
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Eric
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Hey perhaps everyone should have a go at the crow? We could have a 'pimp my crow' competition? |
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Iain
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Eric wrote:Hey perhaps everyone should have a go at the crow? You could try this one from Monday. Attachment: Web5.jpg (Downloaded 28 times) |
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Squarerigger
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Great shot Iain, may I ask how close you were to the bird you did not crop? |
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Iain
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Gary, Not sure how close but it was full frame at 460mm. |
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Graham Whistler
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Super shot but sunlight is rough on black birds and shadow detail could be sorted in Photoshop to show a bit more. I think you get best quality for bird pix in overcast weather ie cloudy bright. Look at Eric's shot of the Sedge Warbler spot on lighting giving good detail. |
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Eric
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Graham Whistler wrote:Super shot but sunlight is rough on black birds and shadow detail could be sorted in Photoshop to show a bit more. I think you get best quality for bird pix in overcast weather ie cloudy bright. It's a cruel irony that in the UK we need the sun to give us 1/2000 at f8 and <800 iso...and it brings with it other exposure problems. One, perhaps obvious and basic, thing I've learnt is that when the sun is out full, you really need the bird posing it's head so the part facing the camera is in full sun. The shadow side, no matter how much recovery you do is always 'dead' and pointless facing the camera. Like this... Attachment: 7FD93103-5346-413B-ACE9-47D5C39534B7.jpeg (Downloaded 40 times) |
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Eric
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...rather than like this.... Attachment: DA74B433-B497-458B-9C6F-9EE0D997DDCC.jpeg (Downloaded 40 times) |
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Eric
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I suppose it's just like studio modelling but without the benefit of fill in reflectors (unless water is around to help). The above examples are heavy crops so poor quality but before they get binned they taught me the lesson to pay attention not only to the birds body position and movement but where the light falls on the key area it's eye. Whilst the pose is better in the second one...the eye is going to be dead being in the shadow. Apologies if this sounds a bit like teaching granny to suck eggs to you experts, but I'm on a new learning curve or perhaps remembering things long forgotten...and sharing my journey may be of interest to others. Also....take a look at the boketh out of focus reeds way behind the birds. They show the scintered fragmented look I was mentioning with this lens....it gives a more distracting effect than good old plain fuzz. |
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Graham Whistler
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Is this any better, using shadows highlights and midtone contrast in Photoshop.I also see the problem you are talking about in background out of focus detail. Attachment: Eric 02.jpg (Downloaded 44 times) |
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Graham Whistler
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This was mine at same time with the D850 picked this as with side view most of body was in full shadow. I have over processed slightly in Photoshop to show haw much detail you cam pull out of a Raw file in post processing. Also how does background compare with you lens Eric? Attachment: Redshank0924.jpg (Downloaded 38 times) |
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Eric
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Graham Whistler wrote:Is this any better, using shadows highlights and midtone contrast in Photoshop.I also see the problem you are talking about in background out of focus detail. I was referring to the other Redshank post with it's eye in the shadow. I am aware of the usefulness of the Highlight and Shadows filter. But like most Photoshop filters they can only be used in moderation before the artefacts they reveal become unacceptable. I personally feel that Lightening shadows is a last resort, especially when dealing with a heavily cropped segment of an image. I fear that many of my images of that ilk are better in the bin than attempting a rescue. |
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Eric
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Ok, further to my last post, couldn't resist doing some selective tweaking of the shadowed side of the head. But it would be so much easier NOT to put key areas of the image in shadow in the first instance. Attachment: C355F60C-4864-4EA2-901D-7E9CBF3D22DC.jpeg (Downloaded 38 times) |
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Eric
|
Have to say Graham, the background on that D850 image is similar to mine. So maybe it's these new sensors or the firmware, rather than the glass?? |
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Graham Whistler
|
I agree that our images above are for the bin I would never dream of blowing up such a small image and hope to get quality.Strong sun is not best lighting for birds has not helped either. |
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Graham Whistler
|
Home and this afternoon in Titchfield Haven and the Avocets have produced while we were in E-Anglis. 32 in reserve and in an hour I saw three parents with young. Got quite close to this family with 3 young. Nikon D850 with 80-400lens as above with x1.4. Attachment: Avocets1062f.jpg (Downloaded 33 times) |
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Graham Whistler
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Then thunder storm, young under Mum while Dad sorts out Shellduck. Sorry quality fell off very low light in heavy rain! Attachment: Avocets1074.jpg (Downloaded 33 times) |
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Graham Whistler
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This was the more dramatic shot but sadly with the thunder storm I did not have quite ca fast enough shutter speed! Attachment: Avopcets1078.jpg (Downloaded 30 times) |
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Iain
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One from today, same set up. Attachment: web5.jpg (Downloaded 30 times) |
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Graham Whistler
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Super Ian, spot on pix! |
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Eric
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Couldn't resist this one Graham Attachment: E99862D1-DA72-48F1-B963-C2F328420FCC.jpeg (Downloaded 19 times) |
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Eric
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Three (mealworms) isn't a crowd! Attachment: 461C9B9A-ACA0-4F41-93D5-19705B524ADE.jpeg (Downloaded 15 times) |
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Eric
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Although it helps if you ram them right down!! Attachment: EEBA9B2E-ADA8-4C0C-9652-EDF901C6CC85.jpeg (Downloaded 15 times) |
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Eric
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Next lesson...bathing! Attachment: 8DA57BB6-9C85-458D-BB90-BED76AC5D98E.jpeg (Downloaded 15 times) |
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Iain
|
Not a great day here cloudy and dull but this Little Owl was playing. Would have preferred it on a tree. Attachment: Web6.jpg (Downloaded 22 times) |
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Eric
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I am very envious how you manage to get out photographing birds so frequently, Iain. Ever since retiring I seem to have some domestic duty interfering too frequently....and when there's an opportunity, the weather is invariably unfavourable or the wife has an appointment at the dentist/doctor/hairdressers/chiropodist. I only managed to photograph the starlings as the car was in for service and I couldn't go anywhere. Looking forward to some ME time some time soon.  |
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Iain
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I'm lucky in that Kay is still working so time is my own. |
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Graham Whistler
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Eric we also lawn full of baby starlings in rain today camera had 500mm on too large so close. Great Little Owl pix Ian. |
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Eric
|
Think I will send Jan back out to work. Having just had car serviced and discovered it really needs a complete set of boots, it would have a double advantage. |
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Graham Whistler
|
I have been testing the D850 with the big 500mm AF-S f4 lens for first time with the x1.4 extender giving a 700mm lens. Depth of field is a serious problem and even at f9 focus must be spot on. This was dull light today so 1250 ISO and 1/800 sec at f9 hand held. Even with the x1.4 extender the Sparrow is not even 1/2 of the total frame size. Attachment: Sparrow1095.jpg (Downloaded 35 times) |
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Eric
|
Graham Whistler wrote:I have been testing the D850 with the big 500mm AF-S f4 lens for first time with the x1.4 extender giving a 700mm lens. Depth of field is a serious problem and even at f9 focus must be spot on. This was dull light today so 1250 ISO and 1/800 sec at f9 hand held. Even with the x1.4 extender the Sparrow is not even 1/2 of the total frame size. Well that's a pretty decent shot...despite your reservations about cropping. No noise issue...sharp on the eye....even a highlight in the eye! Lovely IQ. Thinking aloud...... It's normally ideal to fill the frame in the camera. But when the subject is moving erratically and quickly it's harder to keep a full frame subject framed. So one HAS to back off magnification to be able to follow movement. This inevitable means cropping of the final image....and therefore the quality of the sensors pixels and noise control become more important. Of course this is true for birds in flight also, but these tend to be bigger birds. So in some ways having longer lenses or getting closer with lesser tele lenses may not be the key to getting best shots from smaller birds. Getting the little b@@@ers to stay still, knowing their location and probable movements are bigger contributors....along with best sensor. I am there leaning towards your preferred combination D850 with 80-400mm and 1.4tc. Although reading some US photographers take on this, they go one stage further. They suggest the bigger pixels of the D5 give better low light performance and reduced noise levels even superior to the D850 even when cropped! Interesting thought. |
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Iain
|
There are two thing in what you say Eric, 1. I am now taking even small birds with space around then to give an idea of the environment they live in so I dont need to fil;l the frame. 2.While the D5 would, in my opinion,would give everything you need for wildlife photography there is still the issue that it is FF so you need to get closer for the shots or crop more. |
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Eric
|
Iain wrote:There are two thing in what you say Eric, I will try and find the article that I read Iain. It was interesting because it compared D5, D850 and the D500 in wildlife situations. The conclusion was indeed that the advantage of the D500 was obviously the DX multiplier. But when light levels were low, the noise levels of the D500 were a little higher than the D850 but a lot higher than the D5. So in situations where you needed to use high iso you were better off using the D5 and cropping. Interestingly he was of the view that the extra pixels of the D850 didn't best the D5. He felt the old chestnut of 'bigger pixels are better' still came up trumps. I know it's a different generation but I wonder if you have got a view about the D4 in low light situations compared to the D500? Which wins at say 3000 iso....a D500 or a cropped D4? PS....I think your cropping is just right. You put the bird in the habitat to give a more interesting image. |
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Iain
|
The D4 is better than the D500 in low light and I would say that full frame the IQ is better two but when you come the cropping the advantage is lost. |
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Eric
|
Iain wrote:The D4 is better than the D500 in low light and I would say that full frame the IQ is better two but when you come the cropping the advantage is lost. Maybe the extra mp of the D5 tip the balance? Bit academic ....as I have no intention of getting a D5. |
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Iain
|
If I had the money I'd risk one or if someone offered to buy me one I'm sure I could manage to accept it. |
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Robert
|
You guys just lack commitment, just get a D5 each and then you can find out for sure. |
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Graham Whistler
|
I keep saying the D850 is all you need. (I have tried the D5 when I purchased the D850 and for birds not as good ) This pix today is 500mm F4 plus x1.4 hand held 1/800 sec VR f13 ISO 1250 Attachment: Young Starling 1114 D.jpg (Downloaded 31 times) |
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Graham Whistler
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See wahat I mean? This blow up from above would make a spot on 16x12 inch exhibition quality print. Attachment: Young Starling 1114 S.jpg (Downloaded 30 times) |
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jk
|
Plenty of reach and sharpness there Graham. Excellent as always. |
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Iain
|
Graham Whistler wrote:I keep saying the D850 is all you need. (I have tried the D5 when I purchased the D850 and for birds not as good ) This pix today is 500mm F4 plus x1.4 hand held 1/800 sec VR f13 ISO 1250I have to say I found it to be the other way round. The D5 locks on a little bit quicker and the noise is less. After trying all three taking sporting action I would put then D5, D500 and D850 but thats just my opinion. |
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Robert
|
All three have their attributes from a photographic point of view. I see the D5 as king, versatile, robust and very high quality images but expensive if you don't need the robust, or incredible speed. The D500 as little sister of the D5 with DX and better spread of AF points, almost as robust and almost as fast. The D850 as I see it is ultimate quality image, with wonderful dynamic range and resolution but looses a tad on the speed, focusing and robustness, also expensive and very demanding of computer power for post processing and storage. |
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Iain
|
Robert wrote:All three have their attributes from a photographic point of view. I would agree. |
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Graham Whistler
|
D500-D850 auto focus and holding focus in action both much the same. Noise on D850 is better and you can use higher ISO. A shown above, in youg starling pix, you can get large sharp images for D850 with fine detail and I would doubt if D5 would score so highly in this area but I did only get to use one for a day. |
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Robert
|
Graham Whistler wrote:D500-D850 auto focus and holding focus in action both much the same. Noise on D850 is better and you can use higher ISO. A shown above, in youg starling pix, you can get large sharp images for D850 with fine detail and I would doubt if D5 would score so highly in this area but I did only get to use one for a day. Yes, but my complaint with FX is that the AF points cover a much smaller proportion of the image than with DX. AFAIK that holds true between the D5/D850 and the D500. It drive me nuts sometimes. I don't always, in fact I rarely want the point of focus in the centre of the image. I know you can acquire focus, lock then re-frame but I don't want the faffing about that entails especially with moving subjects. The focus points on FX should have a similar distribution on FX as they do on DX, it seems like a cost cutting measure to utilise the same AF module on both formats. |
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jk
|
Robert wrote:Graham Whistler wrote: Yes that is correct. The DX spread of AF points in the viewfinder is greater than on an FX camera. If I want a better control of points then I switch to AF-C mode with Dynamic which seems to work well especially with wideanglelenses. |
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Eric
|
Robert wrote:Graham Whistler wrote: Maybe it's just that they are a fixed dimension/area on both...but when overlayed it covers more of a DX sensor than it does on the larger FX? Maybe my memory is playing up but I don't recall the focus point distribution on th D3 to be limiting in any way? As you say, if required you could focus and reframe. But I don't recall the frequency of that requirement to have ever been an issue. Whilst the point is well made, I do wonder how often the D850 focusing range limits would be an obstacle in use? Tracking moving birds means 'get then in the middle and keep them there' for me. I never have time to compose in camera...and anyway focal length limitation invariably mean cropping to suit is always necessary. |
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Robert
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Eric wrote:Maybe my memory is playing up but I don't recall the focus point distribution on th D3 to be limiting in any way? As you say, if required you could focus and reframe. But I don't recall the frequency of that requirement to have ever been an issue. I'm an obtuse old so and so... |
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Eric
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Robert wrote:Eric wrote: Ah yes...coming at the problem from a different angle. |
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Iain
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Robert wrote:Eric wrote: I think we are all moving into that bracket. |
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Graham Whistler
|
Very wet afternoon at Blashford Lakes Reserve (Ringwood Hants) yesterday. Very little about but this very wet Jay posed for a few pixs. D850 80-400 plus x1.4. Poor light ISO 2000 1/650 sec f8 Attachment: Jay1172.jpg (Downloaded 44 times) |
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Graham Whistler
|
Also very fedup Robin! Attachment: Robin1160.jpg (Downloaded 45 times) |
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Iain
|
Didn't get out much this week but got this one of a common tuen. Attachment: D50_6490.jpg (Downloaded 42 times) |
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Graham Whistler
|
Good one Ian at least it's dry! |
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Iain
|
It's been cold dull and windy but dry. |
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Graham Whistler
|
Shelduck this evening at Titchfield Haven. D500 with 18-140mm lens. Attachment: Shelduck 0218.jpg (Downloaded 36 times) |
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Robert
|
Sweet! |
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Iain
|
One from today and one that is not a bird but does fly both taken with D500 and sig 150-600 at 600mm Attachment: D50_6686.jpg (Downloaded 31 times) |
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Iain
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Couldn't get both to go on the one post. Attachment: D50_6619.jpg (Downloaded 31 times) |
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Robert
|
Can see what you mean, would need a much bigger post. How do you find the Sigma 150-600mm Iain? It seems pretty sharp and has nice bokeh, at least in the second image, not bad in the first. With the DX it's the equivalent of 750mm which is beginning to be useful for birds. Are you still finding you have to crop heavily? |
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Iain
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Robert wrote:Can see what you mean, would need a much bigger post. The first one I had was soft so exchanged it and the second copy was fine. Focus is quite quick on the D500 and should be good on your D3. On the D500 it gives a FOV of 900mm, 600mm x the 1.5 crop so really good for birds except for the ones that know what size lens you have on and move back 20 feet. |
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Robert
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Whoops! my maths are a bit out, 900 of course, I must have been thinking 500mm.  Thanks for that, interesting. Certainly gives plenty of working distance for the insects! |
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Iain
|
Robert wrote:Whoops! my maths are a bit out, 900 of course, I must have been thinking 500mm.The four spot chaser was taken at 600mm f8 as always it looks a bit softer on the forum than it is. |
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Graham Whistler
|
First class well done! |
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Eric
|
I had a nightingale singing in a tree, 4ft outside my caravan window this morning... at 5am. I opened the blind to tell it to b@gger off and it clearly knew what I wanted it to do. If it's there tomorrow....I will probable do the same, as I am not my sharpest at 5am after a few beers the night before. |
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jk
|
Eric, you need to sit up with a bottle of wine! |
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Iain
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Eric wrote:I had a nightingale singing in a tree, 4ft outside my caravan window this morning... at 5am. I opened the blind to tell it to b@gger off and it clearly knew what I wanted it to do. If it's there tomorrow....I will probable do the same, as I am not my sharpest at 5am after a few beers the night before. Think I would be there with the camera. |
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Eric
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Iain wrote:Eric wrote: Didn't come back this morning. The sight of me first thing was obviously too much for it.  |
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Robert
|
Poor Nightingale probably only wanted you to take it's picture! |
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Eric
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Robert wrote:
It's keeping its distance across other side of the site. Moving on today so it can have its pitch back. |
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Graham Whistler
|
3 Young Starlings at our bird bath. D500 with 80-400mm AF-S at 400mm 1/2500 sec f7.1 1000 ISO. Attachment: 3 Young Starlings rgb.jpg (Downloaded 36 times) |
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Eric
|
Rough old hide I am in at the moment, Graham. Attachment: 3127C1B2-F920-451D-B559-E533912677D4.jpeg (Downloaded 33 times) |
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Eric
|
Parent magpie was feeding 4 young! Loads of feeding shots but considering all her/his paternal efforts, I was surprised he/she was in such good condition. Attachment: 507D7C17-F6B6-45A3-A825-33281995346D.jpeg (Downloaded 32 times) |
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Iain
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Eric wrote:Rough old hide I am in at the moment, Graham.NOW that's the sort of hide I like. |
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Graham Whistler
|
Looks good to me hope you are having a good holiday. Robert has been in touch and he will be joining me for a day in Ravenglass when I am filming first week in July. I have fixed up a cab ride for him on one of the steam locos and he will record the event with GoPro and I hope some D3! |
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Graham Whistler
|
Evening Flight, Isla Attachment: Islay Evening Flight small.jpg (Downloaded 27 times) |
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jk
|
Nice shot Graham. Looks like the geese are from a composite. |
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Graham Whistler
|
Well spotted JK, yes the judge at our camera club did not like the landsape giving it only 8 out of 10 so I spiced it up a bit in Photoshop with the Canada Geese taken with D500 and 500mm lens. Main pix in Isla with D810 24-70mm AF-S lens. |
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jk
|
Well I wont comment further on photo judges other than many have little talent or ability and that their critique is frequently stilted. Personally I like the original Isla shot. |
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Iain
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jk wrote:Well I wont comment further on photo judges other than many have little talent or ability and that their critique is frequently stilted. I have to agree with your comment, the Isla shot is great it would look nice hanging on the wall. |
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Graham Whistler
|
I have sold quite a few copies of the Isla shot w/o birds at art exhibitions as reported in Sale of Fine Art Prints.It also did well in an RPS exhibition that makes the point about local judges. I am still very happy to be in the local Gosport camera club and have made several like minded local friends. |
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Iain
|
I'm not surprised Graham. |
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Robert
|
Despite my claims to avoid bird photography at all, one of my fascinations is capturing swallows, they are so fast and unpredictable. This isn't a lens challenge, more reactions and speed. Last weekend 23-24th June, Christopher and I went to Scotland, long story but suffice to say it was a wonderful weekend apart from the midges. We stayed at a campsite right next to a river with the most ferocious midges I have yet encountered. With the midges came swallows. In the morning I amused myself trying to photograph the swallows. I was shooting into the sun which didn't help, The lens was set in f/20, which explained why I needed ISO 3,200 to get an image at 1/500 sec, I was putting it down to the dark conditions, early morning and under trees. I am not used to using Shutter priority, which seemed appropriate at the time... I will stick with Aperture priority in future I think. I used the 70-300 VR, hand held on the D3. The surface of the river was reflective, smooth black, mirror like. The swallows were catching flies very close to the water, indeed even splashing down occasionally. I had been hoping for a kingfisher which I was told do frequent that section of the river but perhaps they saw my lens. Not wonderful images but in those conditions I was quite pleased. Don't think I will win any prizes with them.   I like the reflections. |
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Iain
|
You got images Robert and that is a feat in its self with swallows. |
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Robert
|
Thanks Iain, yes they are quick! You can see how many midges there were. This one is un-processed, just cropped. Shows how powerful Lightroom is at recovering images, the two above were as dark as this one.  The wing tip almost touched the water! |
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Graham Whistler
|
Love the 2nd one you did will getting them sharp at 1/500 sec. I try to use at least 1/1600 for flight pixs. |
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Robert
|
Thanks Graham, I only spent half an hour, there were a lot of misses! How I ended up with f/20 I have no Idea? I spent all Saturday photographing waterfalls, I was using f/22 a lot at ISO100, I can't understand why low ISO seems to be only a recent afterthought, I would have thought low ISO would have been easy. I don't have large ND filters for milky waterfalls. The D810 only goes down to ISO64. |
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Eric
|
From my caravan hide... |
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Iain
|
Nice shot Eric I guessing it was a blue sky! |
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Eric
|
Went to post image and it's too big. Haven't got size reduction software with me here in France...although I could email myself a lower res copy and post that Here we go... Attachment: 58BC9E81-6B77-4DA1-A1FB-57B4B9130050.jpeg (Downloaded 17 times) |
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Eric
|
Won't bore you with others as they are all fairly common birds, but I logged 24 species in 4 days on that campsite, including a little tern and 3 different woodpeckers. This chap came when light fading so a bit noisy and too slow shutter. Attachment: 3F79EBA7-67E3-416B-B691-3DF8731D5CA2.jpeg (Downloaded 16 times) |
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Robert
|
Do they chirp and sing in French? |
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Iain
|
Robert wrote:Do they chirp and sing in French? |
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Eric
|
Robert wrote:Do they chirp and sing in French? Actually the Blackcaps here have a different song to the one in my garden back home. |
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Eric
|
On another amusing note. Jan and I set off to visit a Chateau early one morning as it was some miles away. As we drove across deserted French country roads ( where are the French?) I saw a turtle dove on the phone wire as I drove passed. I stopped, U turned round, drove back, U turned and got th3 wife's Panasonic off the back seat. Turtle doves are very wary...probably due to being shot at! So my plan was to drive passed it again slowly, lean out of the window an let AFC do the rest. Well it moved further down the wire, so I drove further along...and it moved further along. "what I need, Jan, is for you to steer the car while I lean out the window with both hands free and we will go faster so the dove doesn't feel threatened". Off we go. I got a sort or grab shot record. (Below) But when I reseated myself and taken back the wheel ....Jan had been faithfully steering us ....on the left hand side of the road. Fortunately no Gendarmes, farmers or other road users about...or we wouldnt have done it. But I haven't seen a turtle dove for 25years...so worth being naughty for a few minutes. Attachment: CD45E808-CEA9-4134-968C-6635397C528B.jpeg (Downloaded 15 times) |
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Eric
|
Here a better tree creeper shot.... B@gger, too big again. Will give up till we are back in Blighty next month. |
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Robert
|
Eric wrote:Jan had been faithfully steering us ....on the left hand side of the road. Well, what's wrong with that? That's where I drive, most of the time. Nice turtle dove! |
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jk
|
The second shot is exceptional. I guess you have seen the reflection of the swallow in the water? |
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Eric
|
Robert wrote:Eric wrote: I actually find it harder to drive on left when I come back to UK. It's as if the concentration of driving on right is firmly imprinted on the brain cancelling a life of uk driving. My wife comes to my assistance yet again...she shouts LEFT, LEFT, LEFT as I we drive away. |
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jk
|
Eric wrote:Robert wrote: Just remember for your dodgy UK car in Europe....... Drive on the pavement, you are closest to the pavement! |
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Robert
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jk wrote:The second shot is exceptional. Thanks JK, yes, I have (had) some where the bird literally collides with the water and some nice reflections but exposure all to pot. I covered about 800 miles in 56 Hrs, still a bit jet lagged. |
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Graham Whistler
|
Here a better tree creeper shot.... I can not see this? Glad you are having a good trip. Hope to get pixs of 3 bab y Little Owls with Malcolm tomorrow evening. |
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Eric
|
Graham Whistler wrote:Here a better tree creeper shot.... I didn't post it Graham. I haven't got photoshop or an app that will sample down the D500 files on my iPad. The only course I have is to email myself a copy at a reduced file size which results in quite inferior images. You seem to retain quality in your posted images despite downsizing for the forum. Is there a trick I am missing or is it just downsampling in PS you do? I know Robert posts images elsewhere and links the image to the forum to retain quality. I planned to do the same...but hav3nt got round to it yet. |
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Eric
|
This is an 800kb version to be going on with..... Attachment: 18F68B9B-81E6-4B3B-8893-A103C6988586.jpeg (Downloaded 15 times) |
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Iain
|
One form yesterday. Again the head doesn't look sharp on the forum. Attachment: Web7.jpg (Downloaded 11 times) |
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Eric
|
Iain wrote:One form yesterday. I reckon it terned it's head. |
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Iain
|
Eric wrote:Iain wrote:  |
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Graham Whistler
|
Twany Owl with young from yesterday. D850 with 80-400mm lens. It was quite late evening, 3200 ISO lens at f5.6 1/200 sec. Attachment: Tawney1475.jpg (Downloaded 42 times) |
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jk
|
I think he is fishing for compliments! Nice one Iain. |
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Iain
|
It's getting worse |
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Graham Whistler
|
Three Little Owls, D850 again very late evening and 3200 ISO need I say more this made a noise free A3+ print. Attachment: _DSC1386.jpg (Downloaded 37 times) |
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Eric
|
I am a bit peed off with our feathered friends. Spent a couple of hours in 28deg walking 6km around a meandering boardwalk through reedbeds yesterday and photographed.....a coot and a heron. Oh I did get half a Reed warbler as well. Think I saw, for a millisecond, a pair of bluethroats chasing each other. Heard a grasshopper warbler, crept up on it ....and it flew off before I could raise the camera. All the reeds were too high and dense to enable cameras to focus through. So I lost some lovely reed bunting and Sergie poses. |
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Graham Whistler
|
Eric sorry about that often the way you do best in your own back garden and you live in best bit of UK for birds! I'm off on Sunday to Ravenglass for a weeks filming on the little railway but will take a Nikon D500 just in case! |
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Iain
|
A Sedge Warbler that was nesting very close to where I took this and feeding young. Attachment: Web8.jpg (Downloaded 38 times) |
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Eric
|
Graham Whistler wrote:Eric sorry about that often the way you do best in your own back garden and you live in best bit of UK for birds! I'm off on Sunday to Ravenglass for a weeks filming on the little railway but will take a Nikon D500 just in case! Hope weather holds for you. On a positive note, Ive just been told by Mike (whom you met) that my tree creeper is a short toed treecreeper common in Europe but different to the one we get in the UK. So that's a new tick for me as well! I thought it's bill looked very large but not being up on these sort of distinctions any more, I assumed it had a big 'beak'...because it was french. |
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Eric
|
Iain wrote:A Sedge Warbler that was nesting very close to where I took this and feeding young. Nice sedgie,Iain The grasshopper warbler was close enough to get that sort of shot but was behind the leaves like you have on the left. The D500 preferred the leaves to the warblers eye between them, for some reason. One repositioning move and it was gone.  |
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Iain
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The joys of wildlife photography |
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Robert
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https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-york-north-yorkshire-44658839/what-a-hoot-tawny-owl-takes-a-bath |
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Graham Whistler
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Yes Robert our 2 baby Little Owls and their Dad wanted to cool their feet after our above photo session this week. It was nearly dark by then so once again the Nikon D850 pushes very high ISO with no problems with quality! Attachment: Little Owls Bath.jpg (Downloaded 30 times) |
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Iain
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One form today taken on a Canon sx50 as I went out to take butterflies popped into the hide and found this just outside. Attachment: web9.jpeg (Downloaded 24 times) |
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Eric
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Very nice find. Haven't seen a Dabchick for years. Lovely little bird. |
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Iain
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I'm lucky we have a few ponds here with them in. |
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Iain
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One from the weekend of the sedge warbler again. Attachment: Web9.jpg (Downloaded 14 times) |
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Graham Whistler
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Nice one! |
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Eric
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Young thrush tried to come into our conservatory ...with the window shut! It was only a slight bump but he had a sit while he gained his composure. Flew off a few minutes later and was feeding on the patio a little later on, apparently unhurt...but no doubt a little wiser. Attachment: 2ACF41E8-48A6-4660-81E5-887616C9E2ED.jpeg (Downloaded 11 times) |
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Eric
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Another angle, probably the last view a snail gets!! Attachment: 8E4F6452-4D43-413B-BE73-184247CAD5A1.jpeg (Downloaded 11 times) |
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jk
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Eric too droll! |
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Iain
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A Little Egret getting all fluffed up from today. Attachment: web10.jpg (Downloaded 37 times) |
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jk
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Nice one Iain. We see them here in Spain but they are sleeker! |
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Iain
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This was the same bird 2 mins before something made it fluff up. Attachment: web11.jpg (Downloaded 36 times) |
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jk
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I think Tres Amigos or Three Friends is more appropriate! |
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Robert
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Iain wrote:A Little Egret getting all fluffed up from today. Looks like it's on a mission! Watching these birds regularly you can see behaviour which isn't obvious unless you are attuned with them. That's one of the things I particularly like about watching nature, I don't do enough of it. Even watching the vermin seagulls around my home can be entertaining and enlightening, only yesterday I was watching some seagulls mobbing a buzzard, they drove it away eventually. It was far too far away to photograph, mere specks in the sky but watching them was amazing. |
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Eric
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I've been house bound the last few days on domestic duties, while Jan recovers from a minor op. So my attention turned to the families of birds visiting a bird bath outside the window. I videoed 9 bluetits trying to bath and drink at the same time! In fact it was hard to isolate one without another tail or a beak poking into shot. But here's one...cropped to exclude sibling parts.... Attachment: E5F84814-C14A-4BB3-9D49-3FF0AD9C9CC0.jpeg (Downloaded 22 times) |
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Eric
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Some were a little more reticent.... Attachment: 79226732-D5ED-4232-B9D2-51DDB00CADC5.jpeg (Downloaded 21 times) |
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Eric
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We also had a family? of 6 magpies in the garden. They all gathered round a small acer and were jumping up and down like they were on elastic. I assumed they were trying to grab caterpillars or grubs off the leaves? The adults were more sensible ...they landed and stayed in the tree. Far less expenditure of energy. Kids...they never listen. Attachment: 6979FCA2-6283-4074-89A8-6C243F98880F.jpeg (Downloaded 22 times) |
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Eric
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Managed to grab a couple of hours at RSPB Titchwell this evening.... Caspian Gull being mobbed by blockheaded gull.... Attachment: 211CBD13-8FEC-48DD-8956-E68F94DEB3C9.jpeg (Downloaded 18 times) |
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Eric
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And another.... Attachment: 8CFBE04D-2653-44CD-A686-89B17B1D965F.jpeg (Downloaded 17 times) |
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Eric
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Sitting for a couple of hours I was rewarded by a Lesser Yellowlegs.... Attachment: 688D7F27-74EB-4B08-8C81-5B8EF3B107CB.jpeg (Downloaded 18 times) |
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Eric
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And as the sun went down..... Attachment: CC573E7F-0609-48F1-92B8-8D1B51773999.jpeg (Downloaded 19 times) |
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Eric
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It spread its wings and left....so did I. Attachment: D0542D3D-BAF3-4EC6-8944-19B6B9DA1B1B.jpeg (Downloaded 19 times) |
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Robert
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Eric wrote:Managed to grab a couple of hours at RSPB Titchwell this evening.... Nice series Eric, was the Black Headed Gull just having a bad day or are they all aggressive to their neighbours? We are overrun with gulls here not to sure which kind. Perhaps black back? They seem to get along pretty well. Have some funny moments when the chicks start to fly, they land on the roofs of the houses, some of which are very slippery... |
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Graham Whistler
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Good set of pixs Eric liked the Yellow Legs a stray over from the USA? We had one in our local reserve Titchfield Haven three years ago and had two weeks of birders from all over to see it! July 2015 D810 Attachment: YellowLegs1683.jpg (Downloaded 15 times) |
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Eric
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Robert wrote:Eric wrote: The Caspian gull is a lot bigger and the Black headed was I suspect protecting its young that although big enough to fly themselves are still under the parents protection. The yellow legs was being harassed by a Redshank every time it went near its chicks. Of course they are the same class of birds, so they compete for same food source...so it may also be saying"my patch". |
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Eric
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Just noticed that in the photo of the black headed gull hovering over the Caspian ....there is a Mediterranean gull on the extreme left. It's black head extends further back and down the neck and it's white eye ring isn't continuous giving the appearance of eyelids! So 4 gull species and an avocet in one shot. |
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Graham Whistler
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You could be right Mediterranean Gulls seem to be mixing in with our local Black-Headed Gulls in Titchfield this year I find it very hard to see much difference. As you say Eric the Med Gull has whiter eyelids and also a thicked bright red bill. |
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Eric
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Graham Whistler wrote:Good set of pixs Eric liked the Yellow Legs a stray over from the USA? We had one in our local reserve Titchfield Haven three years ago and had two weeks of birders from all over to see it! July 2015 D810 Thanks...yes a stray migrant from USA. But it may have been last year. That's a lovely image you captured. Lighting was poor here yesterday, for once overcast! Could have done with that sunlight but only emerged at Titchwell at 8pm! He was wandering about feeding quite rapidly ...so that didn't help. And ...I really could have done with that new 500mm lens. Attachment: C36A3379-099D-4C3B-82F7-9156437DF6F8.jpeg (Downloaded 15 times) |
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Iain
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Nice set of pictures Eric and you seem to have done alright with what you were using. |
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Eric
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Iain wrote:Nice set of pictures Eric and you seem to have done alright with what you were using. Thanks Iain. As you know it all depends on how close you can get to minimise cropping loss of detail. I think a 500mm lens would have been better for the yellowlegs because lighting was dull... so ISO high. Cropping in those situations always tends to result in less than ideal clarity. Having said that, there wa a guy in the hide with an 800mm and he kept saying.."it's too close for me now". Personally I would love a 500mm with the integral switchable 1.4x tc. I think with the D500 that would be a good flexible and fast combination. Really don't understand Nikon just fitting that feature to a zoom lens. |
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Iain
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It does seem odd, i know from a sports point of view a 300 or 400 2.8 with a internal tc would be great. |
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Eric
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Iain wrote:It does seem odd, i know from a sports point of view a 300 or 400 2.8 with a internal tc would be great. Yes it would. I suspect if they made tc switching so easy, it could impact on zoom sales! I rarely use all the focal lengths on a zoom....normally use the two extremes. So a switchable tc on a prime would be far more useful. |
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Iain
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One from this week, a young Water Rail. Attachment: web12.jpg (Downloaded 39 times) |
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Graham Whistler
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Very good pix Ian, well seen! |
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Graham Whistler
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Another Little Owls pix father is on post and 4 week old are the two on left. Attachment: Little Owls 3.jpg (Downloaded 35 times) |
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Eric
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Graham Whistler wrote:Another Little Owls pix father is on post and 4 week old are the two on left. Lovely image, Graham My wife says ...can you grab a couple for her and bring them up in September? 35 years ago we were driving to Norwich ton the scenic route. As we approach a cross roads that was new to me I looked at the signpost. NB this was before sat navs!! Sitting on the sign was a little owl. Not sure which of us was more surprised but we sat and looked at each other for several seconds before it flew off in the direction of Norwich. So we followed the owl. It was the first and only time I have seen a little owl in the wild. But every time I go past that junction I always check the signpost. |
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Iain
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Not a bird but it does fly Taken at 600mm on the sig 150-600 and D500 Attachment: web13.jpg (Downloaded 28 times) |
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Robert
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Very nice Iain. |
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Iain
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Is it just me or have others noticed that some photos when put on the forum seem to look soft even when sharp before putting them on. |
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Robert
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Need to go to supersavers Iain! LOL No, it's not you, it's the forum software, most, if not all, suffer to some degree. It compresses the quality out of the images, colour range and sharpness. I tend to use Flicker, although several of these 'free' image hosting sites seem to be stopping allowing images to be hosted then displayed on forums. I think photo bucket is one. Increasingly I am seeing messages that images are no longer available. |
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jk
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Nice one Iain. Yes the forum software seems to fuzz the images. I dont know why but it is something that the next change in software needs to consider and address. |
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Robert
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Coppermines has a good name, or did last time I looked. |
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Iain
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Robert wrote:Need to go to supersavers Iain! LOL The appointment is already booked for next month. |
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Eric
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Coincidentally Iain, my attention turned to butterflies today. This Gatekeeper was in the garden while I was testing out my new lens.(80-400). And yes, the software really messes with sharpness. Attachment: E492B459-FEEB-4F48-A6FB-0AFCB81DB9B0.jpeg (Downloaded 18 times) |
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Iain
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So you've gone for the 80-400 then. |
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Robert
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Very good Eric, despite the degradation. The high contrast background helps a lot. To some degree I think we have to accept that forum hosted images will be badly degraded, I don't think any forum image software is much better, the issue is storage of the image on the forum server and speed of delivery to the viewer. The cost of storage of large numbers of good quality images on the server would I think be prohibitive. Even with hosted images I am regularly seeing very slow presentation of image as they slowly populate posts on other forums, some not even appearing at all. A good (strong?) contrast image will usually present better and more clearly than a low contrast image. This becomes an issue with fine detail like feathers and the tiny scales on butterfly wings, which can become a mush rather than beautiful and clearly defined detail. |
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jk
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Love the inky blackness of the background Eric. Did you notice the bee on the top flower (just its rear)? Love the single eye spot on the butterfly wing. |
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Eric
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jk wrote:Love the inky blackness of the background Eric. |
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Eric
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jk wrote:Love the inky blackness of the background Eric. I missed that bee, Jk. There was one flying in bottom right corner ....but I cropped it out as it was too near frame edge and distracting. Attachment: C6496DC3-907A-4567-8BF0-FDFE3EC042E0.jpeg (Downloaded 44 times) |
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Eric
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Iain wrote:So you've gone for the 80-400 then. Yes Iain. I managed to pick up a grade 9 used model at WEX for £1000 cheaper than a new one! The butterfly was one of the first test images. I want to fully compare IQ with my 300P lens...at 300 of course... before 14day return runs out. Just in case there was a fault the previous owner discovered and WEX didn't. At 400mm it seems to be ok.... Attachment: 0D52127F-72AD-4C8E-9A2A-E1D83CB0C21F.jpeg (Downloaded 47 times) |
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Eric
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Another at 400mm Attachment: 0BB66CBD-1A0E-461C-9250-728F3203C8F6.jpeg (Downloaded 45 times) |
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Graham Whistler
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Starting to look good but you can do better now you have the right lens and your good skills! |
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Robert
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The lens seems good, one must wonder why the PO disposed of the lens... I can't help but notice the perch peg on the feeder appears to be aluminium, might it not be more comfortable for the birds if you used a bit of round wood like a twig, drilled up the centre and slid over the aluminium perch with a little glue to keep it from rotating? Just a thought... The bird seems to be clenching the aluminium peg very tightly. |
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Eric
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Robert wrote:The lens seems good, one must wonder why the PO disposed of the lens... I asked WEX the same question!! They said they were experiencing a lot of people switching to mirrorless. You can imagine my response (if that were true) . The lens is totally unmarked and all the contents eg straps and pouch, unused. It had all the impressions of someone who bought it and never bothered to use it....unless they did and found something wrong with it? That's why I have to try it out exhaustively next week before 14day cooling off period, 'warms up'. It's funny you mention the birds grip on the perch. It had just lost its grip on a sunflower seed it was sandwiching between its claws. The claws were interlocked round each other and the seed in manner that made me wonder if it was gripping the perch at all. The perches are aluminium for hygiene. As they are easier to clean which is important to stop diseases crossing between different species. That's the official story of course.....I never wash the branches of the tree it's hanging in. Attachment: 5F02EDA6-F898-4817-97B2-A1BB76376463.jpeg (Downloaded 49 times) |
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Iain
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They look ok Eric. There are people that buy a lens like that because they think they are going to use it but then find it sits in the bag for months on end and so get rid of it |
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Eric
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Graham Whistler wrote:Starting to look good but you can do better now you have the right lens and your good skills! I've now satisfied myself the 'half price' 80-400 is ok, so I will be keeping it for now. I would however say that when using the 1.4x tc I have to stop down to f11 to keep the quality....f8 is (no surprise) not quite as sharp as without the tc. The images are also not quite as good at 300mm setting with the tc, when compared with the 300mm P lens and the tc. But this has always been my experience...tcs are best with primes. |
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Iain
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Eric wrote:Graham Whistler wrote: I would have to agree with that last bit. |
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jk
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Sounds like you got a great bargain Eric. Sometimes people just dont get on with a particular lens. |
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Robert
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Perhaps more interesting than the new ML camera, (for some) there are some Nikon Rumour images of the new 500PF lens kicking about. Seems it's about the size of an 80-200 f2.8. |
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Iain
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I told it to fly towards me but it didn't do as it was told! Attachment: web14.jpg (Downloaded 24 times) |
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jk
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You need a retriever! Good catch though, but a shame it is not facing you or side on. |
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Iain
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Yes, it was the only time it came to fish in the river as most of the time they were fishing in Loch Ken which was a 2 minute flight for them. There were two adults and two young saw all four on the nest but too far to get any good shots. |
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Eric
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Iain wrote:Yes, it was the only time it came to fish in the river as most of the time they were fishing in Loch Ken which was a 2 minute flight for them. And I thought it was just me they did that to. |
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Iain
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As my old friend says "they don't read the script" |
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Eric
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Iain wrote:As my old friend says "they don't read the script" True. Managed to get a few shots of these little chaos today at the birdbath. Had a flock of 20 assorted tits at the feeders so it was just a matter of sitting there waiting and not falling asleeezzzzz. Attachment: 9752F923-D692-472E-A016-A581F1B9563B.jpeg (Downloaded 11 times) |
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Eric
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One more Attachment: 427CF13B-CFC2-45A8-B5D5-2C8CC9C6DF1D.jpeg (Downloaded 9 times) |
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Eric
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Last but not least Attachment: 41DF9E7F-71A3-4E92-9E6A-94AE49490F21.jpeg (Downloaded 9 times) |
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jk
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Good shots Eric. What is its name? Obviously a finch. |
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Graham Whistler
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Well done Eric. My friend Pete who has the Kingfisher hide sent me this today. Sorry he uses Cannon. I must go there again soon. Attachment: Kingfisher is Back!.jpg (Downloaded 35 times) |
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Eric
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jk wrote:Good shots Eric. It's a Long Tailed Tit....I think it's the smallest in the tit family? |
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Eric
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Graham Whistler wrote:Well done Eric. My friend Pete who has the Kingfisher hide sent me this today. Sorry he uses Cannon. I must go there again soon. Wow that an amazing shot. The big fish really looks annoyed. It reminds me of an incident on our lawn earlier this year, when a kestrel pounced on a blackbird outside the window. Before the wife even had time to scream, a cat shot out of the bush and went for the kestrel. The kestrel was startled and flew off....so the cat grabbed the wounded blackbird, as a conciliation. |
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Graham Whistler
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Eric I should have added: http://www.petewhieldonphotography.co.uk/ Pete has some very good pixs well worth looking at even if he is a Cannon user. He is the keeper of the super owls I have posted many pix of also has the Kingfisher hide. |
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jk
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That kingfisher shot is amazing. Not only kingfisher caught as it exits the water with fish but a second fish out above the surface. What is the large fish? Not a trout, but maybe a Chub? |
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Robert
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Well after the latest contribution from Graham my contribution pales into insignificance but if only to bring things down to earth... Here goes. I have been hoping to re-visit the Isle of Skye for a while. With Christopher stuck with me for the entire school summer holiday I though it would give him a break and change of scenery. Most of my photography was landscape and plants but while camped next to Loch Slapin on the East coast on our way to Elgol, I had the opportunity to see several birds. The only one I am sure of is the Grey Heron... It caught at least six fish for breakfast while I was watching. Birds taken with the D3 and the 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 VR. Loch Slapin and the Cuillin Hills, D3 and 24-120, @ 52mm and f4.   Cheeky chappie!   Is this just a sparrow, or something more interesting?  A grey Crow?  I did see a Golden Eagle pretty close up but it was sat with it's back to me on an electricity pole, it flew off when I got too close but I didn't get any useful pix of it in flight, one was sharp but too far away. |
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Eric
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Robert wrote:Well after the latest contribution from Graham my contribution pales into insignificance but if only to bring things down to earth... Here goes.That's probably a Rock Pipit...could be a Meadow or even Tree Pipit...difficult to tell from that angle. The other is a Hooded Crow. Nice to see you are taking on the wildlife Robert. Well done. |
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Iain
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Eric wrote:Robert wrote: I would go with Meadow Pipit as it has lighter legs. Nice pic's Robert. |
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Robert
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Thank you gentlemen, it seems bird ID isn't straightforward! What about the 'cheeky chappy'? I have tried several bird ID sites but no conclusive answers. A few look similar but too many variations. I quite enjoy watching them, I always have but to hold my interest best requires something with wheels and an engine, preferably large, powerful and loud! |
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Iain
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It's a Pied Wagtail Robert. |
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Graham Whistler
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Super landscape pix Robert good light. Skye is on my list of places I would like to go to, weather puts me off a bit my last two trips to the Highlands both times I had near 100% rain! |
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Robert
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Iain wrote:It's a Pied Wagtail Robert. Thanks Iain! I guess that's pretty common. |
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Robert
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Graham Whistler wrote:Super landscape pix Robert good light. Skye is on my list of places I would like to go to, weather puts me off a bit my last two trips to the Highlands both times I had near 100% rain! Thanks Graham, I'm just the one who pressed the button, the sun and the glaciers did most of the work! After the volcano's of course! LOL It's a fair drag for you, must be best part of 700 miles each way? I did 1,150 miles over five nights, add 600 to get up here, that's roughly 1700? Just keep a close check on the weather forecasts and grab a week, it's well worth it. There are plenty of places to pull in with a camper. The forecasts are pretty accurate nowadays. They were spot on last week. Take a look at my Skye thread, should be something there to wet your appetite... |
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jk
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Robert wrote: Graham Whistler wrote:Super landscape pix Robert good light. Skye is on my list of places I would like to go to, weather puts me off a bit my last two trips to the Highlands both times I had near 100% rain!Thanks Graham, I'm just the one who pressed the button, the sun and the glaciers did most of the work! After the volcano's of course! LOL It's a fair drag for you, must be best part of 700 miles each way? I did 1,150 miles over five nights, add 600 to get up here, that's roughly 1700? Just keep a close check on the weather forecasts and grab a week, it's well worth it. There are plenty of places to pull in with a camper. The forecasts are pretty accurate nowadays. They were spot on last week. Take a look at my Skye thread, should be something there to wet your appetite... It is always about the light! The photographer needs to be there to take the image but also to capture it so it can be reproduced correctly which may or may not need some Photoshop to get it accurately, or not so accurately represented!! |
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Iain
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Robert wrote:Iain wrote: Yes it is Robert. |
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Robert
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jk wrote:It is always about the light! All about capturing photons on film or a sensor. But that's a bit clinical! There is more to it than that. It's often about catching the moment, like the Kingfisher shot, rapid shutter rate can't always do that, unless it's silly fast, which requires an electronic shutter. Electronic shutters have their own issues, like restricting AF and EV ranges. Then there is composition, rank stupidity and fine tuning, choosing the ideal camera position frequently isn't an option. Probably the biggest factor, apart from the quality of the light is the direction of the light. I have to say I think the camera can help too, since the D3, I feel I am getting more keepers and better results, I always felt restricted with DX and still do now when I use the D300S or the D200IR even though the pixel count/file size is very similar. |
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Robert
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Iain wrote:Robert wrote: Well I never noticed it wagging it's tail! I guess it would take me years to learn all the birds by sight, I better stick with old cars and flowers, although identifying flowers is a massive challenge too, I do know a few... |
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Eric
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. Good point! |
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Graham Whistler
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I agree Meadow Pipit looks very close. I must catch up and do some more bird photography have been too busy with my Ravenglass film. Have high hopes: will be in Spain all of next month ferry from Portsmouth to Santander then drive down slowly to the rented villa in Ronda. |
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Robert
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Yes, thanks for the confirmation, it does resemble the Meadow Pipit very closely. Seems to be fairly common. |
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jk
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Graham Whistler wrote:I agree Meadow Pipit looks very close. I will be doing the reverse route on 10-12September. I want to be in UK when the Brexit stuff happens. I dont want to try and bring my dogs and stuff back too close to the March 2019 point. I will bring my dogs over in September then get any residual stuff transported across to UK in the interim. The Brexit stuff is going to be very messy! Incompetence seems to be the running theme. |
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Robert
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Hand knitting a complex pullover pattern is a long slow business. Unraveling it only takes minutes. Re-knitting the same wool into another pullover will likely take longer than the original. Not a perfect analogy but... |
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jk
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I think that the wool was well knitted over the UK public's eyes. While I am anti-bureaucracy and the current establishment and certainly dont want a Central State of Europe or an EU Army I do think that the advantages do outweigh the disadvantages by a small amount. However undoing 40years of legislation is a non-trivial task. The lies and deceptions sold to the public before the Referendum should be exposed and all associated with them disbarred from public office permanently whether they are Leave or Remain. Both lied! The current MPs seem unable to either act in a coordinated fashion or to truly represent a party or the public that they should represent and just get on with doing the job! |
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Graham Whistler
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There are quite a few of our leaders I would like to Snipe at too! A D500 80-400mm lens plus x1.4 image from yesterday rather dull weather. Attachment: Snipe392S.jpg (Downloaded 54 times) |
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Eric
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Graham Whistler wrote:There are quite a few of our leaders I would like to Snipe at too! A D500 80-400mm lens plus x1.4 image from yesterday rather dull weather. Lovely shot. And to think that Snipe is/ was one of the Duke of Edinburgh's favourite breakfasts. |
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jk
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Nice catch Graham. Love the dark muddy water drop. |
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Graham Whistler
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Titchfield Haven again this morning and there are still some Avocets there. D500 with 80-400mm plus x1.4 Attachment: Avocets0444S.jpg (Downloaded 47 times) |
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Robert
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Very nice Graham, lovely birds the Avocets. I like Curlews but don't seem to see them as often now. |
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Eric
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Currently on hols in France..but managed a spot of birding yesterday. Attachment: 0A5FA4D9-C626-42A3-A052-6FE5E2F3F2A8.jpeg (Downloaded 38 times) |
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Eric
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Shortly after capturing the GCrested Grebe a Kingfisher flew past at 200mph so didn't catch it. But then a couple of Dabchicks appeared and one obligingly proceeded to catch a crayfish. Bit of a distance from me so heavy crop. Attachment: 920FEF38-C80A-404E-AB0C-C1B69090C541.jpeg (Downloaded 38 times) |
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Graham Whistler
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Eric two good looking pixshope weather holds for you in France. We are off to Spain on this Friday of ferry from Portsmouth to Santander and wll be there till 2 Oct. We have rented a villa near Ronda in the south hope to get some vulture pixs! |
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jk
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You have just missed the bee eaters Graham. Well they were flying south this last week but you might see some at Ronda when you get there! |
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Graham Whistler
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Plenty of bees in our garden. Depart for Spain on ferry tomorrow. Hope our Sunflowers when over & dry will keep birds happy this winter. Attachment: Sunflower0552.jpg (Downloaded 32 times) |
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Graham Whistler
|
Griffon Vulture at 6000 feet in Picos de Europn, N Spain. Nikon D850 with my 80-400 at 400mm 1/1000 sec f9 1000 ISO focus on C 72 point. Not easy to take but got 12 usable images in 3 hours at the top of the cable car. Yes I rode up! Attachment: _DSC1593.jpg (Downloaded 26 times) |
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Robert
|
Well done Graham, it doesn't look malnourished! |
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Iain
|
One from a few days ago. Attachment: DSC_9283.jpg (Downloaded 19 times) |
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Robert
|
Nice portrait Iain. |
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Eric
|
Immature Black Redstart about to take a bath... Attachment: 781AD61E-AF63-48BB-937D-ECB4619C1D5A.jpeg (Downloaded 13 times) |
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Robert
|
Looks like it's waiting for you to go away! |
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jk
|
Iain wrote:One from a few days ago. Superb shot Iain. |
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Eric
|
Ok, not bird photography but near enough .....hummingbird moth dancing around meant the D500 had to be on high speed performance. Attachment: CD8E50CB-FB29-4FA9-989A-E9D1ED9D9DC5.jpeg (Downloaded 18 times) |
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Eric
|
And another.. Attachment: 3DB09D94-B960-4320-BF29-09524A711CCB.jpeg (Downloaded 18 times) |
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Robert
|
Mmmm... What lens Eric? |
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jk
|
Great shots Eric. I have had those in the garden in Spain. Some can be almost as large as a real humming bird! |
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jk
|
Robert wrote:Mmmm... What lens Eric? Also how many shots to get two sharp ones! They are very difficult to focus on. I took my pictures of the hummingbird moth with my D2X and macro lens I think. It was very difficult. It may be easier with the D500 but still very tricky as they hardly stay still for very long! |
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Robert
|
Sorry, my Mmmm... might have translated in a way I hadn't intended. I love the flowers and the moth, I also very much like the totally blurred background while maintaining nice depth of focus on the flower AND the moth. I am wondering if this was taken with the 300 PF? If so at what aperture? |
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Eric
|
Robert wrote:Mmmm... What lens Eric? Only got one Robert D500+300mm+1.4xtc. 1/1000th@f9 in M mode and auto ISO...c. 4500iso |
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Eric
|
jk wrote:Robert wrote: I took 101 shots. 80% in focus. Problem is the wing position or the background detail make some less ideal. That said I've got a good 50 like these posts. Attachment: B803FB72-9FBC-4501-B468-CDAC2B52F115.jpeg (Downloaded 17 times) |
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Eric
|
Or the branch behind the critter ... Attachment: 6E797F1A-103E-423F-8A03-23B5C69C99B3.jpeg (Downloaded 17 times) |
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Eric
|
There is no doubt that the D500 AFC is awesome. I've got the camera set up with the rear AF button on single point focus AFC and the fn1 button set to 9point focus AFC ...with shutter set to Ch. If I can't keep the focus area on the subject with single point, I can quickly use the 3rd finger to switch to 9point. There's no doubt having enough viewfinder space to track the subject helps ....but of course that then means some degree of cropping loss. So it presents a dilemma. |
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Iain
|
Well done Eric, not an easy thing to catch. |
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Eric
|
Iain wrote:Well done Eric, not an easy thing to catch. Thanks Iain. Have you any experience with these ..... https://petapixel.com/2018/08/22/nikon-unveils-the-df-m1-a-dot-sight-for-super-telephoto-tracking/ Was wondering if it might help with BIF shots? |
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Iain
|
No I haven't but looks interesting |
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Eric
|
Iain wrote:No I haven't but looks interesting Curently only compatible wit the Coolpix P1000 but rumour has it that it could be rolled out to DSLRs You track the bird in the sight not the viewfinder. If the subject has the red spot on it the subject will be centre lens. |
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Iain
|
I tend to do that with the centre spot anyway, if it going to be unpredictable I use 25 point. |
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Eric
|
Iain wrote:I tend to do that with the centre spot anyway, if it going to be unpredictable I use 25 point. Oops...I also use 25point not 9point, on the f1button |
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Robert
|
Eric wrote:Robert wrote: Awww! Send me your postal I will pop my fisheye in the post to widen your horizons! |
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Robert
|
I am aware of the dot sight. Basic principle. Used by shooters with guns, very accurate and easy, not dependent on eye position. In photography used to locate stars when setting up polar mount tracking devices. No need to go to the expense of the Nikon device, eBay for a tenner! Search for "holographic dot sight" I think the open ones are the best for photography but haven't used one myself (yet). The only slight issue is the flash shoe is a rather inaccurate way of mounting it. Ideally it would be best Araldited to the top of the lens, or a clamp slot for a rifle sight machined in the top of the lens? Even a couple of tie wraps would probably get the job done... Check out this thread... Same idea, better, less crude implementation. http://nikongear.net/revival/index.php/topic,7555.msg122483.html#msg122483 |
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Eric
|
Robert wrote:Eric wrote: That's very generous of you Robert. I am lying really ...as I have got a 16-85 DX lens as well. But I am taking this re-equipping sloooowly. I am happy the D500 with the 300mm and tc works for larger birds or closer positions. I see no point in going to the D850 just for this application, as I would have a heavier, more expensive camera that has bigger files and, as yet not proved to me that cropping its images to the DX size frame produces better images than the D500 out of the camera. But am prepared to be proven wrong. So my next birding purchase may be the 500mm P lens ...when it's available. That leaves the desire for an FX body for all other photography to be satiated. This COULD BE a Z camera. But it would need to be less frustrating in use and performance than other mirrorless bodies I've tried. If my cropping scepticism is proved wrong then a D850 MAYBE the obvious body to filfil both my uses. But then I have the issue of immediacy (mentioned on Z thread).... I don't want to be swopping wide angle and tele lenses in the field. So two bodies with the right lenses, is the answer....that ain't going to be two D850s!! I could suppress the FX urge and simply use the LUMIX FZ2000 for wide angle plus at a fraction of the price......in fact if I borrow Jan's, it's FREE. |
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Graham Whistler
|
We are now in our villa 3 km from Ronda in S Spain. We have Vultures gaining hight over us most days. Nikon D850 with my 80-400mm at full reach plus x1.4 1/1000 sec 650 ISO Attachment: Griffon Volture 1647jpg.jpg (Downloaded 11 times) |
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Graham Whistler
|
We had 7 Black Vultures in at once this morning. Same set up as above and about 1/3 of frame. Attachment: B Volture1751.jpg (Downloaded 48 times) |
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Robert
|
Better not leave any food lying around. Nice cloud formation in the background of the first vulture image. Black to grey ones here, I recorded 60.2MPH windspeed at lunchtime, just behind the house. |
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Eric
|
Graham Whistler wrote:We are now in our villa 3 km from Ronda in S Spain. We have Vultures gaining hight over us most days. Nikon D850 with my 80-400mm at full reach plus x1.4 1/1000 sec 650 ISO Very impressive image Graham. I guess you needed to keep moving when being scrutinised like that by a vulture. |
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Graham Whistler
|
You only have to worry if you are dead as they never take live prey. The Black Vulture is 2nd largest flying bird in the world with over 9 foot wingspan. They are listed as vulnerable and this part of Spain is one of the only places in Europe you can see them. They are very high up so photography is not easy yesterday was lucky as the were lower looking for hot air. The D850 is producing nearly 100% sharp images on 25 point area focus on C. I first started using 75 points and got a lot of nearly sharp images. Perhaps I am learning how to do it after 5 days here? |
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Graham Whistler
|
Last picture is not a Black Vulture but I have been told by expert that it is a Griffon. Sorry got that wrong! |
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Eric
|
Graham Whistler wrote:You only have to worry if you are dead as they never take live prey. The Black Vulture is 2nd largest flying bird in the world with over 9 foot wingspan. They are listed as vulnerable and this part of Spain is one of the only places in Europe you can see them. The black vulture has been reintroduced into the Cevennes region of France and is doing well. We only managed to see one at a distance when there last year....but lots of Griffons. |
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Iain
|
Another one but from a windy UK Attachment: web-15.jpg (Downloaded 43 times) |
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Graham Whistler
|
This morning there were aprox 70 Griffon Vultures gaining hight over our villa. D850 with 80-400mm lens at about 90mm. Plenty of detail but you will not see it on this JPG Attachment: Griffon Vultures1818.jpg (Downloaded 36 times) |
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Eric
|
Graham Whistler wrote:This morning there were aprox 70 Griffon Vultures gaining hight over our villa. D850 with 80-400mm lens at about 90mm. Plenty of detail but you will not see it on this JPG That reminds me of the old joke about the farmer who bought a prize rooster. It tore around the chicken coup 'servicing' every hen...several times. It flew into the geese compound and serviced them too. It flew to the pond and serviced all the ducks. The farmer watched in amazement at it's stamina and prowess but was then horrified to see it finally collapse on its back in the farmyard. Dashing to the dead bird, the rooster "shooshed!" him, winked and pointed to the circling vultures. Sorry I will get my hat. |
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jk
|
Graham Whistler wrote:Last picture is not a Black Vulture but I have been told by expert that it is a Griffon. Sorry got that wrong!I was going to say it was a Griffon as we have them close by in the mountains about 50km away. We get many booted eagles and the like near me in Oliva. |
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jk
|
Superb shot. Looks like the weather is getting towards winter in Spain if you are getting clouds like that! |
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Graham Whistler
|
Sorry had difficulty loading below sent message to Robert. |
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Graham Whistler
|
Last day today and drive N on Friday catch ferry to Portsmouth on Monday. Tracking focus on D850 is first classs win win! Attachment: Late.jpg (Downloaded 27 times) |
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Robert
|
Hi Graham, excellent image, well captured. What is the double circle on the left? Also when I got the image home I would clone that telephone pole out! Very distracting from a wonderful picture. Yesterday I had issues getting on the forum but the gallery was OK. It cleared later so given I was messing with my hard drives and switching stuff around I dismissed it. All I got was a white screen but I saw a single glimpse of the forum driving rain background as I tried re-loading the Recent Topics page. I did wonder if the recent spammers had tried to close us down with a white curtain. Seems OK now. |
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Graham Whistler
|
Lens flare shot right into sun very bright, will clone out when we get home am busy packing our car now! |
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Iain
|
Nice shot Graham. |
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jk
|
It gets better and better Graham. Lovely image. |
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Graham Whistler
|
Anoth of my owl pixs. This is D850 in quite low light pushed to 3200 ISO F5.6 1/250 sec with the 80-400mm lens at 200mm. On the A3+ print no sign of noise. Attachment: Tawny Owls1510small.jpg (Downloaded 14 times) |
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Eric
|
Graham Whistler wrote:Anoth of my owl pixs. This is D850 in quite low light pushed to 3200 ISO F5.6 1/250 sec with the 80-400mm lens at 200mm. On the A3+ print no sign of noise. That's a lovely composition Graham. Super quality image. |
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Iain
|
another nice shot Graham |
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Eric
|
I am equally envious at being close enough to need only 200mm |
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Iain
|
I think it's a captive bird Eric as it looks like there is part of the jesses showing by the post. I'm sure Graham will let us know. |
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Robert
|
Very nice Graham. They look cuddly! We have a 'World' Owl Collection just up the road at Muncaster. I must take a day up there soon before it gets too cold. |
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Graham Whistler
|
Eric wrote:I am equally envious at being close enough to need only 200mm Eric you can come down here and photograph them too at Pete my photographer friends place: http://www.petewhieldonphotography.co.uk see his website. Pete with his baby little owls in pix, he also has barn and tawny owls.He has super woods and wild flower field also has wild tawny owl that he feeds ands comes to food at night. Attachment: _DSC1441.jpg (Downloaded 39 times) |
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Graham Whistler
|
A rare bird turns up that intrests far eastern bird photographers!!!???? Attachment: Bird Photographers in the far east..jpg (Downloaded 37 times) |
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Iain
|
We had a Bee eater close to us this week the first day there was about 10 people, the second day 30+ but the bird had taken off early that morning and didn't come back. I'm glad I don't go chasing things like this. |
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Eric
|
Graham Whistler wrote:A rare bird turns up that intrests far eastern bird photographers!!!???? Far East Anglia can look like that sometimes |
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Iain
|
Eric wrote:Graham Whistler wrote: I bet. It's another place that they will all run to if something turns up. |
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Eric
|
These Stonechats are fast little b@ggers. I'd heard of jump jets but not jump chats! There it was sitting on a bush, hit the shutter and it had gone....up. Attachment: AB67C86F-7525-45EF-89B0-9E6EA76BFA92.jpeg (Downloaded 27 times) |
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Iain
|
Springs in there legs |
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Robert
|
Iain wrote:Springs in there legs Zebedee? |
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Iain
|
yes but we're showing our age now Robert. |
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Robert
|
Is Magic Roundabout not still on? I haven't really watched TV since the ex-wife moo-ved out and took the TV with her... Never seen a need to replace it... Nor the TV! |
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Iain
|
Are we getting Ermintrude involved now (that was the name of the cow on magic roundabout if I remember right ) I don't mean your ex wife. |
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Robert
|
We probably gone as far down this track as is wise! I probably get a spell put on me. |
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Eric
|
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=kZTBDnj0Cgc |
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Robert
|
Just as I remember it.  |
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Iain
|
First program i ever saw on a colour TV |
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Robert
|
WHAT!!! You had COLOUR TV? |
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Iain
|
Jus t a rental we shared with 10 other families |
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Robert
|
Ah, That's OK then! I can still remember being shown a new TV with an almost round screen, must have been about 1956? It was the first TV in the village and everybody came round to see it. Don't think I ever saw it working though. I was told reception wasn't too good and it took about ten minutes for the valves and tube to warm up to get a proper picture. |
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Iain
|
Two form yesterday. Came in and sat on top of a feeder for almost 5mins. Attachment: DSC_1164.jpg (Downloaded 40 times) |
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Iain
|
No. 2 Attachment: DSC_1175-Edit.jpg (Downloaded 40 times) |
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jk
|
Super shots Iain. |
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Eric
|
Super sharp image Iain. Was that first one a crop and the second a full frame version? |
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Iain
|
Second one is ff the first is a crop of one of the other 90 pics I have of it. It did stay for close to 5 mins you just have to take them while you can. |
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Eric
|
Iain wrote:Second one is ff the first is a crop of one of the other 90 pics I have of it. Super IQ |
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Iain
|
D500 with the sigma 150-600 |
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Eric
|
Iain wrote:D500 with the sigma 150-600 Your lens seems to be loads sharper than other people's examples I've seen from that lens. Did you get it recalibrated at Sigma? Phil Tompkinson at Blueyonder reckoned that was the first thing he did when buying a Sigma...sent it to Sigma UK to have it readjusted ...correctly. If yours is straight out of the box ...you've got a brilliant version. |
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Iain
|
I calibrated it myself but it only needed -2 and these were taken at 600mm wide open @6.3 |
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Graham Whistler
|
That is super quality Ian. I should have kept my Sigma, perhaps not. it was no way near as sharp as that you have got a very good one. Is it male Sparrowhawk? |
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Eric
|
Iain wrote:I calibrated it myself but it only needed -2 and these were taken at 600mm wide open @6.3 I seem to recall you said it was the C lens and not the more expensive S version? If so, you got a real cracker. |
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Eric
|
Graham Whistler wrote:That is super quality Ian. I should have kept my Sigma, perhaps not. it was no way near as sharp as that you have got a very good one. Is it male Sparrowhawk? It's a female Graham. She's got her 'nails' finely manicured. Beautiful bird. |
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Iain
|
As Eric says Graham it's a female, the male is grey. |
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Graham Whistler
|
A few ducks for a change, this has not been made in Photoshop it is as seen reflectioons of buildings in early morning low sun. Attachment: Reflections0803S.jpg (Downloaded 25 times) |
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Iain
|
Nothing exciting just a Blue Tit. Attachment: DSC_1354.jpg (Downloaded 16 times) |
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Eric
|
Iain wrote:Nothing exciting just a Blue Tit. Iain that's a lovely image (yet again!!) What camera settings did you use? |
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Iain
|
It was 1/200 F6.3 and 6400iso 600mm Eric. |
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Eric
|
Iain wrote:It was 1/200 F6.3 and 6400iso 600mm Eric. I am amazed you got it to keep that still for 1/200th. |
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Iain
|
Super glue |
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jk
|
Eric if you look closely at the head of the Blue Tit ist is slightly fuzzy compared to the tail which is pin sharp. These birds are twitchy! |
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Graham Whistler
|
Quality is remarkable at wide open 600mm and very high ISO! As JK said back of head not quite there but eyes are sharp and great setting. |
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Eric
|
I don't know how close Iain was to the bird, but assuming he was 10m away, the dof is only 30mm at that aperture. With a bird that's 120mm I reckon Iain has got focus spot on. Birds do twitch around the head and that's why I like to use 1/1000+ shutter speeds. But frankly a bit of blurr doesn't matter, when the overal image is so pleasing. |
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Iain
|
You are about with the distance Eric. |
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Iain
|
I do use a bean bag when in a hide to keep things steady. |
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Eric
|
Iain wrote:I do use a bean bag when in a hide to keep things steady. I used to use one but ended up sitting on it after an hour in a hide. |
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Iain
|
A big crop for this one. Attachment: DSC_1452.jpg (Downloaded 45 times) |
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Graham Whistler
|
Looks good and sharp |
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jk
|
Eric wrote:Iain wrote: I think you need one of these. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1-2-3-Layers-Car-Inflatable-Travel-Footrest-Blow-up-Pillow-Mat-Flocking-Cushion/132672173430?hash=item1ee3e0b576:m:moh4kbNKes00DtZ4AnKlkhw |
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Iain
|
|
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Iain
|
My first Brambling of the year. Attachment: DSC_2219-Edit.jpg (Downloaded 33 times) |
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jk
|
Nice shot Iain. Exposure is great. Did you use flash? |
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Iain
|
No Jonathan, the sun was shining straight on it. |
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jk
|
Nice shot. Better without flash. |
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Graham Whistler
|
Nice shot Ian! We have just returned from a very wet 4 days in Venice and a return flight yesterday delayed by London fog. There will be a few Venice pixs later I took the D500 with just the 18-140 mm lens DX but good and sharp my standard holiday lens with this camera. This Little Egret was takinig no notice of all the tourists on the water bus landing stage and caught a fish in between posing for me. Attachment: Egret1033_00001.jpg (Downloaded 23 times) |
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Iain
|
Nice shot. Good to be able to get that close. |
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jk
|
Perfect exposure of a lovely shot Graham. Always love the white with detail. |
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Graham Whistler
|
Yelow Legged Gull rare in UK but plenty of these very bold birds in Venice take no notice of us even if you get very close for a photo. But watch out if you have food not funny! Attachment: Yellow Leggeg Gull0967_00001.jpg (Downloaded 16 times) |
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Graham Whistler
|
I think this is a young Yellow Legged Gull? Attachment: YoungY1016_00001.jpg (Downloaded 16 times) |
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Eric
|
Who needs a D850 and 500mm lens? Just need to get close to the subject. Lovely images Graham...especially like the egret composition. |
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Robert
|
Eric wrote:Who needs a D850 and 500mm lens? Just need to get close to the subject. Well I have been saying that for a long time, I just lack the field craft and patience. A long while back I read about a native African who submerged himself in a pool where Lions came to drink, he hid with his camera somehow behind a log or something. At Sundown he managed to take a wonderful photograph of the Lions drinking which he sold for a very good price. |
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Eric
|
Robert wrote:Eric wrote: Well it was a tongue in cheek comment because sadly as opportunist bird photographers, as opposed to being given special access, we are always going to need extra mm. |
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Graham Whistler
|
In our garden this morning in rain, sorry it's on a feeder: Nikon D850 with the new 500mm lens plus x1.4 ISO 2500 VR 1/320 sec f8 Attachment: Woodpecker2390.jpg (Downloaded 28 times) |
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Graham Whistler
|
This is what Eric means, saw this Kingfisher at Titchfield Haven yeaterday. This is the full D850 frame as shot with 500mm +x1.4 ie 700mm lens! It was only there for a few seconds so no chance of moving closer. Attachment: Kiongfisher2368.jpg (Downloaded 22 times) |
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Eric
|
Graham Whistler wrote:In our garden this morning in rain, sorry it's on a feeder: Nikon D850 with the new 500mm lens plus x1.4 ISO 2500 VR 1/320 sec f8 What a lovely lady! What's in the feeder Graham? |
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Graham Whistler
|
We are waiting to be fed this morning from upstairs room! D850 with new 500mm and x1.4 Attachment: Starlings2407.jpg (Downloaded 13 times) |
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Graham Whistler
|
Good sun today so had a long walk in Farlington Marsh. Plenty of waders and ducks but a long way from the sea wall. This is 700mm lens best I could get, no luck with the Short Eared Owls that are here now and hunt voles by day. They have been seen but not for me! Attachment: Waders2463.jpg (Downloaded 11 times) |
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Graham Whistler
|
Even this Pied Wagtail was nearly out of range, this is a huge blow up but detail still quite good. Attachment: Wagtail2445.jpg (Downloaded 11 times) |
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Robert
|
Not wanting to disrupt a wonderful thread but I couldn't resist sharing this short video of a Pea**** who nearly came to a sticky end... https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p06t5mqz?intc_type=singletheme&intc_location=bbcone&intc_campaign=iplayer&intc_linkname=vidclip_pea****wakesuptiger_contentcard25 |
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jk
|
We had a pea**** wandering around the town here in St Columb earlier this week. Probably going to be somebody's christmas turkey if he isnt careful. |
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Eric
|
I was struggling with lighting in a woodland on Monday. This shot was the least noisy at iso 2500. Attachment: 685775BC-18BA-45A5-B0FE-628963E6B274.jpeg (Downloaded 8 times) |
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Eric
|
And at 11000iso....well even the long tailed tit is bemused at the gritty surroundings. Attachment: 4B1581C7-62AB-425D-BFEB-2029FBA08585.jpeg (Downloaded 8 times) |
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Eric
|
I have made no attempt to sharpen or denoise these files...they are just cropped ( heavily for long tailed tit) to better show the background noise and enable posting. I would be interested to know what ISO's other people are routinely needing to capture woodland birds? |
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Eric
|
Here's another just under 3000iso Attachment: 01C29241-EACD-4949-818B-C1D2EEB3244C.jpeg (Downloaded 8 times) |
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Eric
|
It is less obvious when the subject is bigger in the frame and the background more forgiving. This was at 7500iso Oops...this was a full frame image and too big to post. So I sampled it down and I think the jpegging has softened some of the noise. Maybe that's the answer? Attachment: E1DB87F2-A5F6-4903-815A-46A4688FDBA6.jpeg (Downloaded 8 times) |
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Graham Whistler
|
The naughty wizard waved a wand over your pix Eric! Even these super ISO settings need a bit of after post work to improve but I find the D500 beyond ISO2500 quickly gets beyond help. What a lot of photographers forget if you under expose in the first place noise builds up very quickly in post production and even Photoshop CC is not able to correct it. Attachment: Eric.jpg (Downloaded 6 times) |
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jk
|
Graham, it might be useful if you could detail the steps you took to improve the image. XMP file would be useful. |
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Eric
|
Now you see I don't want to HAVE TO remove artefacts after the event. Frankly all de-noising software does is make the photo softer. Without masking, that includes the subject! I still want to get it right in the camera. I know I know that's old school! I don't want to HAVE TO crop.....so I need to get closer or buy expensive long lenses. I don't want to HAVE TO de-noise....I want a noise free camera up to 5000iso. If the lighting needs higher iso....I can either accept I will get noisey images or go to the pub. I don't want to HAVE TO mask my subjects to protect them from the excesses of de-noising filters. Take a look at Jeffs Slavonic grebe shot. Being frank, if that level of noise free, sharp quality can be obtained on a 4/3 camera why can't Nikon do better on cameras costing 3,4,5x the price of the Panasonic? |
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Graham Whistler
|
JK I will do my best but it is a bit complex: It is best done on the RAW file but you can also process Tiffs or JPG but works much better on RAW load image in normal way into Photoshop CC: 1: Filter: Camera Raw Filter selct 3 option of x2 triangles 2: Image size to 200% so you can see noise. 3: Lumiinace slider to 40% watching noise go Luminance detail up to 80% Sharpening up to 60 Sharpening plus Luminance should = 100 as rough guide. 4: fit image to fit to view. 5: Hold down ALT Key screen goes white keep holding ALT and slide Masking up to 70% you will now just see highlight detail only. Open image and finish any normal processing you would do like levels etc. (This pix has been processed this way too) It is much better to do this live on computer as I do for a workshop. Attachment: Wagtail2446.jpg (Downloaded 5 times) |
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Eric
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Graham Whistler wrote:
That can indeed be true, but in this image (accidentally set ex comp to +0.3) the noise is clearly an inherent problem Attachment: 9B97FC98-9939-424C-BB3E-B0BD8BC853F3.jpeg (Downloaded 5 times) |
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Graham Whistler
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Eric that is what is so good about this method it uses Masking so you have 100% of control look at my pix on the new 500mm lens blog of the Snipe with a drip, noise removed 100% from BG but not on the bird. |
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Eric
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jk wrote:Graham, it might be useful if you could detail the steps you took to improve the image. With respect, we should be able to take photsos that don't need rescuing with computers. That was the thrust of my argument. All the images I posted have had NO digital witchcraft applied. There are many ways that visible noise or jpegging artefacts can be reduced. They all achieve this by some degree of image softening. That can't be right? We spend thousands of pounds on the finest optical equipment only to soften the images to hide noise? I have my own selective noise reduction method (reposted image below). Although it only takes a couple of minutes....it's time I would rather not have to spend masking sensor limitations. Attachment: ED4CC8BE-EFBE-4121-A09B-8012FB893A76.jpeg (Downloaded 10 times) |
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Iain
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Nothing exciting just a Blue Tit. D500 150-600mm @ 6.3 1/320 iso2500 Attachment: DSC_2385.jpg (Downloaded 10 times) |
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Eric
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Graham Whistler wrote:Eric that is what is so good about this method it uses Masking so you have 100% of control look at my pix on the new 500mm lens blog of the Snipe with a drip, noise removed 100% from BG but not on the bird. So does mine Graham. See above. But I would question the result you got on my Coal tit above because to my eyes there is loss of detail on the bird? It's got that 'fresh make up' look I mentioned before. I am sure it's a question of degree whichever method you use. The point is ....we shouldn't have to be tinkering with the IQ of a captured image. Never did it (or could do it) with film. Sure we could do selective exposure adjustments and even introduce grain effects during film processing. But darkroom sharpening and removing grain were all signs we miss handled focus and chose the wrong filmstock in the first place. |
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Iain
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The Blue Tit I posted above has no noise reduction on it. Cropping is the biggest way to highlight noise in a image thats why my view is if the bird, unless its rarity, is too far away I wait for a better opportunity. |
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Eric
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Iain wrote:Nothing exciting just a Blue Tit. D500 150-600mm @ 6.3 1/320 iso2500 That's interesting Iain. You don't seem to have my noise issues. This is 1/1000 @f8 and 2200iso with D500 and 300mmPF lens with no editing apart from crop 50% Attachment: DC0E962A-BAEB-4069-B674-19A37EDCF24D.jpeg (Downloaded 9 times) |
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Iain
|
I've had a few people say that to me Eric. I must have a good copy of the camera. I showed a few shots at 5000iso at the camera club I run and some people couldn't believe it. |
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Eric
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Iain wrote:I've had a few people say that to me Eric. I must have a good copy of the camera. I showed a few shots at 5000iso at the camera club I run and some people couldn't believe it. Lucky man! For a while `I wondered if it was the fresnel lens...which does impart a different boketh to conventional lenses. But yesterday I did a comparison with a conventional lens albeit a tad shorter than 300mm ( but adjusting shooting distance to match) and there was very little difference in noise. It's clearly a d500 / sensor issue. |
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Eric
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Iain wrote:The Blue Tit I posted above has no noise reduction on it. VERY WISE ADVICE |
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blackfox
|
one of mine from a few years back , hobby taking a dragon fly in flight , Nikon D7100 plus 300mm f4 with 1.7tc giving 500mm . this was my 2nd 7100 as the first one blew up after 3000 actuations this one actually lasted till the end of the day and just over 3000 actuations and led to a full cash refund and my parting company with nikon at the time .... a lot of water under the bridge since then and a few broken canons as well . but we plod on regardless 24 hrs later by jeff and jan cohen, on Flickr |
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blackfox
|
been reading some of the comments hear with interest Eric this is the way I process and it stays the same whatever brand/model /lens I use . I initially process in Lightroom c.c to get the crop/ colour /w.balance / sharpness/exp looking how I wanted it to look at times I over enhance the bird for effect as some can be rather drab in dull lighting ... I then open image in p.s and usually apply one touch of brightness around the eye detail, next I use subject surround and layer the bird . the I apply noise reduction via a plug in to the background layer only . rejoin the layers and resize the image for the web normally at 1400 pixels on longest edge unless its a super pic . then its simply a case of applying my copyright info to the pic and sharpening the bird layer in smart sharpen . file /save as usually to my desktop first . in my books this is the only way to get acceptable bird images . but others thoughts may differ |
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Graham Whistler
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The Photoshop method I use also only reduces noise in background as the Masking protects the bird. Nice to stir up a some intersting points of view. I think we all agree small birds are not easy. |
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blackfox
|
follow one of my pics to my Flickr stream graham . lots to whet your appetite on there around 7k + at last count |
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Eric
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blackfox wrote:been reading some of the comments hear with interest Eric this is the way I process and it stays the same whatever brand/model /lens I use . Interesting thread and thanks for insight to your methods. I don't have the latest PS with Subject Sselect but I do it the old fashioned way. Duplicate layer, apply de-noise to top layer and then simply erase the bird from the top layer to reveal the original below. Erased bird..... Attachment: layer.jpg (Downloaded 7 times) |
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Eric
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Graham Whistler wrote:The Photoshop method I use also only reduces noise in background as the Masking protects the bird. Nice to stir up a some intersting points of view. I think we all agree small birds are not easy. I think we are all coming to that agreement and as Iain said ......If you cant get a big sharp well exposed low iso picture of the bird, forget it till a better opportunity comes. I still cant get my head round 20years digital camera development and we STILL have to tune/ hone/ enhance/ change the results in a computer. I think we are all being taken for mugs. |
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blackfox
|
doing it the hard way Eric , simply add outline around the bird via lassoo tool click anywhere on pic for drop down box , choose select inverse , then apply de noise to the background layer . click on pic again , choose select inverse again followed by layer via copy you will now have a separated image in your right hand workflow . resize for web , then click on image in right hand workflow box ,double click on it then smart sharpen image only . |
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blackfox
|
get in that Range Rover and get your bum up to north Wales ,I'll run it by you properly and invest in photoshop CC CLASSIC its worth it to save the grief |
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blackfox
|
heres one from last week in really anus horribles lighting , sorry its a panasonic image again but it shows what can be done even in crap light I hope j.k allows me a bit of free rein for the moment  the stare by jeff and jan cohen, on Flickr |
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Eric
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blackfox wrote:doing it the hard way Eric , simply add outline around the bird via lassoo tool click anywhere on pic for drop down box , choose select inverse , then apply de noise to the background layer . click on pic again , choose select inverse again followed by layer via copy you will now have a separated image in your right hand workflow . Ah but I've been doing it for 30 years like that....so I am damn quick. |
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Eric
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blackfox wrote:get in that Range Rover and get your bum up to north Wales ,I'll run it by you properly May just do that in new year. Never too old to consider new methods. |
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Iain
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Eric wrote:Graham Whistler wrote: |
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blackfox
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its pretty spectacular up here Eric , as rob will tell you , wide open beaches with mountains behind , I live atop a hill with un-obstucted views up and down the dee estuary and marshes . . I can virtually see the weather coming In ,, which means I aint been out for a week >:( |
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Eric
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blackfox wrote:its pretty spectacular up here Eric , as rob will tell you , wide open beaches with mountains behind , I live atop a hill with un-obstucted views up and down the dee estuary and marshes . . I can virtually see the weather coming In ,, which means I aint been out for a week >:( With the Brexit mess and France looking more like a scene from Les Miserables, we may be caravanning in North Wales this Spring. |
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blackfox
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bring money , lots of money , thats why we take our caravan to Yorkshire LOL anyway just done a frank Sinatra shot for you. I did it my way Attachment: i did it my way .jpg (Downloaded 20 times) |
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Graham Whistler
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This is why we must keep this Forum going, we can all learn from each other, GOOD NEWS! |
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blackfox
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camera arrived this morning , first couple of practise shots with my old vivitar manual focus 200mm lens . I think I'm going to like this a lot as processing methods have moved on since I last had one and the files were easy to process just now . if any one has a auto v.r lens they want to donate I won't object  the dark destroyer has landed by jeff and jan cohen, on Flickr the merry go round by jeff and jan cohen, on Flickr |
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jk
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I think that we are looking at small images on a forum software that 'tends' to degrade image quality. We also need to be aware that technology has moved on since film days when there was no internet web forums with high quality images being displayed. |
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jk
|
That said the images that Blackfox is posting show great image quality. |
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Eric
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blackfox wrote:if any one has a auto v.r lens they want to donate I won't object Have a word with Rob (Plowden)....he has a contact for used Nikon gear. |
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Iain
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blackfox wrote:camera arrived this morning , first couple of practise shots with my old vivitar manual focus 200mm lens . I think I'm going to like this a lot as processing methods have moved on since I last had one and the files were easy to process just now . if any one has a auto v.r lens they want to donate I won't object It looks good Jeff. |
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jk
|
VR who needs VR? Get a tripod and it works for all lenses. I have a Nikon 400mm f2.8 AFS ED which you can purchase. Nice price. |
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blackfox
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you may tickle my fancy by P.M Jonathon , I still have my large CF tripod and jobu gimbal .. it might be out of my reach but you never know |
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jk
|
blackfox wrote:you may tickle my fancy by P.M Jonathon , I still have my large CF tripod and jobu gimbal .. it might be out of my reach but you never know Best sit down first! It is in great condition and has a Nikon padded case for it. Just like this. https://www.wexphotovideo.com/nikon-400mm-f2-8-af-s-ii-if-ed-lens-used-1673956/?mkwid=sP4IdeLVa_dt&pcrid=227169419658&kword=&match=&plid=&product=1673956&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI_8eBir6d3wIVDuR3Ch2uvgogEAQYAiABEgLZePD_BwE I can do better (cheaper) but not a huge amount. PM me offer! |
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blackfox
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very nice Jonathon but unfortunately way way out of my price range . possibly go for something along the lines of a 70-300 vr or if I can find one at the right price a 300mm f4 like I used to have |
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jk
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The latest 70-300 VR is very good I have one. The 400 will go to Mifsuds or FixationUK in the new year. |
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Robert
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I find the 70-300VR is prone to vignetting at the long end, I keep reverting to the AI 300-f/2.8 MF, heavy as it is. It's way better than the zoom and pretty easy to focus. Would be a dream on a Z6 with IS and viewfinder magnification. |
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blackfox
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most manual focus lenses work extremely well on the micro four thirds bodies rob , as they only use the central part of the lens .. as with everything price is the deciding factor |
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Robert
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I haven't checked prices recently but I expect the old 'P' lenses will have plummeted in price alongside the older bodies to make really good lenses available to anyone who needs them at a reasonable price. I have called a halt to anything longer than 300mm if it's not long enough, I walk, either towards the subject or away, to find something closer to photograph. Do you still get down to the Little Tern colony where we met? I enjoyed that day. |
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blackfox
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Rarely go there these days as you can no longer park in the holiday camp ,which involves a much longer walk from the village . But I do now visit a very small local reserve about a mile away where we get birds in within a few feet of us , sometimes even in the hide ,but don't tell graham and Eric , Wales is crowded enough |
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Robert
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I did wonder how long the parking arrangements would last. Money, money, money. |
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blackfox
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sorry to post another non nikon image rob/jk but I am totally chuffed with this mornings session this was with my g80 and 100-400 Leica rig hand held and one of about 160 superb ones .... I was gonna use the d300s as well but it was that cold I only lasted a hour . so if you can humor a old friend till I get a decent lens please .. these allowed a group of photographers to walk right up to them and fire away with bothering about us  a early christmas present by jeff and jan cohen, on Flickr |
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Robert
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Not bothered what camera you used, more interested in what specie the bird is? Don't think I have ever seen one before that looks anything like that. |
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blackfox
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It's a Scandinavian waxwing Rob . Not rare but they only make there way here in harsh winters , so we get a inversion; every few years . Been waiting for a couple of years for them to appear again , today it all came together birds ,weather and the fact this flock wasn't bothered by humans . Plus the tree was low . The perfect storm .loads more on my flickrstream BTW taken outside John Lewis store on the Chester retail park with cars whizzing past my backside |
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Graham Whistler
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Super pix well done, but bit of subject failure from auto colour bal caused by the blue sky? |
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Robert
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Thanks Jeff, very interesting. Don't think I will ever be an ornithologist! Will stick with commemoratively named plants. At least you can get close (usually) without them flying away. The flowering seasons and wind being the main issues with that subject. Long lenses and Jobe's patience not usually needed, just a calm day, not too bright. |
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Robert
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Graham Whistler wrote:Super pix well done, but bit of subject failure from auto colour bal caused by the blue sky? Not far out, could be caused by the forum software which doesn't always play fair. I took the liberty of a minor adjustment in Ps, using the white feathers below the eye as the white point. I don't know about the bird but the branch looks better, not as red. Lovely bird. Attachment: 46312114891_95d9d34ce2_b.jpg (Downloaded 17 times) |
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blackfox
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Probably more due to me liking a saturated image for impact than anything else. Graham and Robert , I post a lot of stuff onto Facebook groups as well and it helps to overcome there resizing issues if. The photos are saturated |
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Robert
|
Either way it's a striking pic. Graham has a good eye for colour balance. Since it's hosted on Flicker it won't be the forum software. Is Facebook still around? |
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Graham Whistler
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Super pin sharp pix its great to get that close. We have had Waxwings down here last winter but I have never been able to see them. |
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jk
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Great picture Jeff. Is that full frame of image or a part? I think that you must be in a hide to get that close or you have some hidden skill to get so close with a 100-400. But with the G80 you get x2 on the lens which is then a 200-800. I think when you consider the size and weight of 4/3 in the context of birding then this is a real winner. |
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blackfox
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no hide Jonathon ,actually stood on the pavement outside John Lewis store in Chester , the tree /bush was about 12 feet away and the birds just landed and started to eat , no special skills needed . there was about 8 peeps there armed with 500 and 600mm lenses that had to hand hold as there literally wasn't enough room to deploy tripods . a mate of mine turned up with one of the new nikon p1000 cameras as well NOW that is a beast |
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jk
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Obviously a better class of Waxwing in Chester! Probably has a JL customer loyalty card. Yes my friend in Spain has just got the P1000. A beast of a bridge! |
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blackfox
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answer me this one if possible when using manual focus lenses on the d300s in a/v mode does the aperture close down automatically on all lenses , . it does on my vivitar 200mm just wondered if they all did it |
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jk
|
Do you mean LiveView? I am not a video person or LV user but I think yes. |
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blackfox
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no I meant through the viewfinder Jonathon |
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blackfox
|
found out the answer myself by chance , on some m/f lenses that little half moon index on the lens mount locks with the camera closing the lens down to the correct aperture once the shutter is pressed if the mount is either old or often cheap third party its missing hence you will be looking at a dimmer image through the v/finder |
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blackfox
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oh go on then another waxwing from fri  grab-a-berry bird by jeff and jan cohen, on Flickr |
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Iain
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Nice shot Jeff. |
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Graham Whistler
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Super well done! |
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jk
|
Nice work. How far away were you? I guess you were using the G80 + 100-400. And is it cropped? |
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blackfox
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Between 12 to 20 feet at maximum , there were about 8 of us there and the guys with the mega lenses couldn't put there tripods up it's a very narrow pavement on a bend . The manouverabilty of my rig made it easy to move into a favourable position . I often had to stand in the road shooting over the heads and shoulders of the others . A advantage of being tall |
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Iain
|
Their quite tame when they come here, I've been as close as 5 foot of them. |
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blackfox
|
some shots yesterday with the d300s and a borrowed 70-300 tamron lens , not a very sharp copy so i.q a bit suspect , but nice to get my eye back in on fast moving stuff Attachment: in a flap .jpg (Downloaded 8 times) |
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blackfox
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and another Attachment: gliding .jpg (Downloaded 8 times) |
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blackfox
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and another one deep woodland hide , makes it hard to get right even with good modern gear Attachment: coming your way .jpg (Downloaded 8 times) |
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Eric
|
Sunshine broke out in Norfolk. Unfortunately, the world and his wife had the same idea as me to get out on the marsh. Why people have to make so much noise when out in groups I never understand. Shouting that a water rail was in the dyke.....for 30sec! Didn't even have time to get the camera out of the bag. Fortunately they weren't interested in a common old redshank. Attachment: B9E58CB4-4FBA-4DD5-B0C7-372B7301E9E1.jpeg (Downloaded 8 times) |
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Eric
|
....or these (2) grey plovers. Yeah I know there's noise but haven't got a good noise reduction app on the iPad. Will wander into the office and fire up the PC one day. Attachment: 9CC194DD-6D53-4C0D-B6E5-2C4EB84B25BA.jpeg (Downloaded 8 times) |
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Eric
|
....and they totally missed a Water Pippit. Mind you it was smaller than the red focus rectangle in the D500 viewfinder ....so difficult to see in the stubble and get good focus. Attachment: B2EC7811-5CB9-4270-A22F-3DC5308CDCA7.jpeg (Downloaded 8 times) |
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Robert
|
Very nice Eric, let the masses do their thing. |
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blackfox
|
Looks good to me Eric |
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Eric
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blackfox wrote:Looks good to me Eric Thanks....no processing apart from crop on iPad. So when I power up PC and CC I will have a go at noise and sharpening etc As Robert knows ( and derides me because of it) I'm a lazy b ....preferring to work on iPad in an armchair. :wink; Anyway....I've actually worked a way of doing selective noise reduction in Snapseed...despite them not having that option in their menu. Don't suppose anyone's interested in HOW, as few use such a primitive editing app., but here's a before ..... Attachment: 416EBCA7-F2B4-4A4C-9A17-28BC802C35D9.jpeg (Downloaded 9 times) |
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Eric
|
And After... Attachment: 30EFD7C7-75DA-4BC0-809E-F79AC8539B90.jpeg (Downloaded 9 times) |
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Eric
|
And another Attachment: 9F79899D-BB3C-4E35-BA03-C3451C39AF10.jpeg (Downloaded 9 times) |
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Eric
|
And after.... Attachment: 45FE81A9-5C4C-4B9E-8BA7-26B7D6FD5E4D.jpeg (Downloaded 8 times) |
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Eric
|
It may be crude and imprecise.....but maybe that sums me up. |
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blackfox
|
It's the end result that counts ,not what equipment etc that you used to get there , interesting if only done on a i.pad though . Are they from raw files or j.pegs Eric |
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Iain
|
It works thats the main thing Eric. |
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Robert
|
I can't equate using an iPad to edit large resolution photographs as being lazy, crude or imprecise! It must take the patience of Jobe to manipulate and edit, even to just crop, let alone anything more adventurous on an iPad. I find dual 28 inch screens and my MacPro, barely adequate at times. This is my workstation where I spend much of my day if not engaged in other activities like working at my lathe or welding up some contraption or other. Please excuse the dust! Recent building works are still lingering... iPhone photo. Attachment: Screen Shot 2018-12-19 at 08.30.59.jpg (Downloaded 7 times) |
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jk
|
Eric, Can you detail what you did to those two images. Is it just mask background and reduce noise.Subject area sharpen. Is it that simple? |
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Eric
|
blackfox wrote:It's the end result that counts ,not what equipment etc that you used to get there , interesting if only done on a i.pad though . Are they from raw files or j.pegs Eric JPEGs because iPads won't handle nef files ...at the moment (see * below) But that's not an issue as I am not printing exhibition print....they are only being viewed on screens...so jpegs are good enough. I spent 25+years running my photography and design company, much of the time sat in front of large screens in an office similar to Roberts setup, with controlled ambient lighting to get best editing quality out of the photographs and artwork designs. It ruined my eyes for one thing!. But in recent years publishers and printers have drifted into digital printing presses. Cheaper, quicker, more flexible, easier to operate ....but inferior in quality to traditional litho printing, the quality of printing dropped making the lengths I was going to in finessing, pointless. I confess I adopted an "it will do" attitude like most of the industry. You only have to go into most people houses and look at their TV set up to realise they don't appreciate true colour balance, contrast and dynamic tonal range....so who are we trying to please with our ott efforts? But I still know some diehard agencies insisting on large format digital files... when their clients only want websites. In truth I am holding out until next year when Adobe are releasing a full Photoshop CC version for the new iPad Pro. (* hopefully with Adobe camera raw included.) With a 1TB onboard hard drive, much improved performance, coupled with the Apple pen for precise direct on screen editing and my WiFi external hard drive storage ......I will be able to sit in an armchair and watch the garden birds while editing. |
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Eric
|
jk wrote:Eric, Snapseed has two methods of changing detail .....sharpness and structure. Sharpness is a simple unsharpmask at set intensity....you just change degree of application. I am not sure exactly how structure works but it seems to work preferentially on the less dominant parts of an image. In other words it's less effective on the main subject. You cannot mask the subject in Snapseed but you can put selected control points around the subject then reduce the area of influence (finger and thumb squeeze) and apply the selected tool. It's like Nikon NX control points. You just have to do enough control points and with enough spread to cover the background. So start with Selective menu option.... Attachment: 2933E5F5-2456-42C2-9028-CC993D1EFB8C.jpeg (Downloaded 6 times) |
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Eric
|
Then add a control point.... Attachment: 0BB3F706-5424-4025-90A5-285C044F6830.jpeg (Downloaded 6 times) |
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Eric
|
Adjust the area of influence taking into account the default feathering Attachment: D631DA10-11DD-418E-AD23-A727CF846DB8.jpeg (Downloaded 6 times) |
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Eric
|
Make sure it's on S for structure not S for Saturation Attachment: 33F73049-546A-47EF-9B31-EF21293021F4.jpeg (Downloaded 6 times) |
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Eric
|
Whack the Structure slider DOWN to reduce the sharpness Attachment: C33353EE-ADFA-4351-8F8B-0B5C0DA43E81.jpeg (Downloaded 8 times) |
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Eric
|
Then add more points to cover the whole area in turn.... Attachment: 295BCB56-48AF-4CEB-B842-38BF10D723FF.jpeg (Downloaded 8 times) |
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Eric
|
The completed image can then be sharpened without reversing the destructureing. Oh ...the extra tail was removed with the healing tool BEFORE applying the selective destructuring in that area to remove any healing artefacts. I stress this is a simplistic method....it's a free app for heavens sake! But for the purpose of showing images on the forum it's adequate, simple to use and quick ....providing you are use to using an iPad. |
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blackfox
|
now that does sound interesting . more money LOL |
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Eric
|
blackfox wrote:now that does sound interesting . more money LOL I know Robert is anti iPad....regarding them as Mickey Mouse lightweight etc etc. To a large extent he was right in their early iterations. Their progress has been controlled = limited by Apples desire to keep hold of the reins as to what you are allowed to do on them. But that is changing. Professional designers are using these hand held devices much more and are forcing Apple to add more power, more functionality. The iPads may still be at the development stage that the D1X was at, compared to film, back in the day. Look how DSLRS have advanced beyond the D1X in a few years. So I am convinced that tablet computing will become the norm for photo editing and design in the Next few years. Technology is moving at an astounding pace in the Far East. My friends new Huawei phone not only has 3 focal length lens, 45mp sensor, it KNOWS what time of day and where in the world you are so takes into account local conditions eg night time photography without metering, and even can be set to exclude unwanted items in the frame at the time of taking the photo ( eg moving people!) He is a top level software engineer (satellite, telecom fields) and even HE is staggered at what's coming out of the Far East. So much so, he's going to move India in 2019 ....mind you the Brexit aftermath shockwaves are also a motivator. |
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jk
|
Robert wrote: I can't equate using an iPad to edit large resolution photographs as being lazy, crude or imprecise!Glad that someone else has a desk that is as 'busy' as mine. |
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Eric
|
jk wrote:Robert wrote:I can't equate using an iPad to edit large resolution photographs as being lazy, crude or imprecise!Glad that someone else has a desk that is as 'busy' as mine. Dinosaurs the lot of you....🦖 🦖🦖🦖 |
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jk
|
Eric wrote: blackfox wrote: He is a top level software engineer (satellite, telecom fields) and even HE is staggered at what's coming out of the Far East. So much so, he's going to move India in 2019 ....mind you the Brexit aftermath shockwaves are also a motivator.Thanks for the screenshots of the process. I have an Ipad Pro (9.4") with pencil and 128GB RAM. I intend to see what the new Adobe Photoshop for iPad looks like and whether it is subscription or purchase.Of course there is now a second generation iPad Pro now as well. I will go and take a look at Snapseed again. |
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Robert
|
Eric wrote:jk wrote: I'm one HAPPY Dinosaur! I just finished tiling the inner porch and fitted a storm porch roof to the outside wall above the front door, with imitation fibreglass green slate top skin. Cluttered dumping ground more like, I've simply been too tired to put stuff away and have reverted to 'bubble sort' to be able to find things... Least used at the bottom. Another pic of the bench... Note the iPad's location... (if you can find it?) Edit Spelling, not tilling... Don't do that, not any more. Attachment: Screen Shot 2018-12-19 at 08.28.26.jpg (Downloaded 6 times) |
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blackfox
|
nothing has changed since we last met then rob |
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Eric
|
blackfox wrote:nothing has changed since we last met then rob Well the iPad certainly hasn't moved. |
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blackfox
|
having a play this morning with my current 200mm vivitar f3.5 M/F lens on my local gulls , got them trained now as soon as I cross the road to the green there's about a 100 over my head anyway took a few shots and I realised I had the in camera picture settings set up wrong . i.e coming out to dark and noisy , so I altered a couple of settings and tried again the next set ones with the lighter sky are far better . at least I now know that b.i.f can be done with M/F so now waiting on the 400mm to arrive sat or mon hopefully Attachment: tally ho .jpg (Downloaded 7 times) |
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blackfox
|
another dark one  up there by jeff and jan cohen, on Flickr |
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blackfox
|
ah well even Flickr has gone tits up now suffice to say I'm happy with the results a good percentage of in focus keepers |
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Eric
|
Yes it's the second generation iPad I was referring to. Snapseed is a remarkable well stocked app for many basic functions. I like it's HDR module. Simple enough for me to use. Attachment: 524FA3FD-14FE-4557-93F3-24DE2EE10D50.jpeg (Downloaded 5 times) |
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jk
|
Nice work Eric. Is that the Snapseed or Snapseed Pro? |
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Eric
|
jk wrote:Nice work Eric. Snapseed free with iPad. |
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Robert
|
blackfox wrote:nothing has changed since we last met then rob Well, I do have a beard now... Otherwise, I probably just got dafter Jeff! LOL |
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blackfox
|
and im still a suave , handsome , wealthy accomplished liar |
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Eric
|
Robert wrote:blackfox wrote: You need to up date your avatar Robert so we can recognise you with your whiskers. |
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Robert
|
Good point Eric, about the only pic I have is that one of me covered in white roughcast, although Christopher has been trying to catch me unawares, frequently succeeding but not ideal photographs for an avatar... |
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jk
|
Why not. It is only a picture Robert. All my avatars have been pictures that Judith Whitelaw took of me when I was caught unawares! Maybe we need her to do one of you. She could do that then com down to Cornwall and do a new one for me!   |
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Robert
|
Not sure if I have already posted this one but here goes. I can't find the ones Christopher took recently, I will have another look but I think I consigned them all to the bin... Off to town tomorrow so will try to get Christopher to take one or two. Attachment: received_269522217103221.jpeg (Downloaded 27 times) |
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Robert
|
Mmmm I found them, this is least worse, look like I had finger in light socket! Think we are getting a bit OT  Attachment: Me.jpg (Downloaded 30 times) |
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Robert
|
Back on topic with the D3 and my 300 f/2.8 AI MF lens Starlings having a bath in a puddle outside my house, taken from my bedroom window, through the glass. First two were at 1/4000 sec f4 ISO 400. Third one was same but only 1/250 sec Fairly heavy crops, morning sunlight. No noise reduction and no sharpening.    Not very exciting but the birds seem to enjoy it. |
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Eric
|
Robert wrote:Mmmm I found them, this is least worse, look like I had finger in light socket! You look very distinguished there, Robert. |
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blackfox
|
Sure I've seen that face on a wanted poster ,or was it a Russian bride wanted Facebook group  |
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Robert
|
blackfox wrote:Sure I've seen that face on a wanted poster ,or was it a Russian bride wanted Facebook group Like I said, least worst... Need to find somebody to take a better one, or use an inanimate or a cartoon avatar, like my old 'Crazy Harry' one. |
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Iain
|
A quick one from today taken with the panasonic I have in the for sale section. Attachment: P1010893.jpg (Downloaded 23 times) |
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Graham Whistler
|
Nice one Ian! Robert you look like PvZ at Ravenglass. |
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Graham Whistler
|
Woops! Attachment: WoopsNR2474.jpg (Downloaded 14 times) |
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Eric
|
Graham Whistler wrote:Woops! Still feeding the birds with whisky soaked bread I see, Graham |
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blackfox
|
well the Tokina arrived yesterday but I was out all day , so first tests sat morning on the green out front with the obligatory gulls quiet please so far considering its manual focus  heres looking at you by jeff and jan cohen, on Flickr |
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blackfox
|
and the next one  up and away by jeff and jan cohen, on Flickr |
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Graham Whistler
|
Looks good and sharp to me, well taken.Exposure could have been cut a bit as highlights are blown but you caught the action. |
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Robert
|
Eric wrote:Graham Whistler wrote: |
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Robert
|
blackfox wrote:well the Tokina arrived yesterday but I was out all day , so first tests sat morning on the green out front with the obligatory gulls quiet please so far considering its manual focus What did I tell you? The percentage of really sharp images may go down but the satisfaction factor when you really nail one will be sky high! |
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Graham Whistler
|
Family friend Bob Entwistle who lives very near Mount Kenya sent me this image and I do not think he will mind me sharing this with you all: Nubian Woodpecker taken with Bob's Nikon D300 with 18-200mm AF-S lens at 200mm 1/320 f9 ISO200. Bob came on our recent Spanish trip with us and was with me when I shot the Vulture Pixs. He told me that he often has Elephants and over 100 varieties of local birds in his garden. Attachment: Bob 119C (003).jpg (Downloaded 27 times) |
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Robert
|
Gorgeous picture Graham. I'm not troubled by Elephants in my garden, a nice old lady called on me last year and sold me some sparkling white powder, which she assured me if I sprinkled it around my garden she guaranteed I would never be bothered by Elephants. So far she seems to have been right, not a single Elephant! A few Buffoons but no Elephants. |
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blackfox
|
That's a stunning photo graham , I would have loved to have taken up this hobby when I was younger and fitter and combined it with trips to Africa etc , but old Father Time and lack of funds puts the kybosh on that one . Mind you saying that I do get lots of exotic goldfinches in the garden  |
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blackfox
|
Yep it's looking good rob , and both camera and lens will come into there own once a bit of decent weather returns . Been hoping for cold weather ,clear skies and a touch of snow . Can't even see across the estuary today |
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Eric
|
Robert wrote:Gorgeous picture Graham. Still laughing |
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Eric
|
It was (thankfully!) an old English tradition that small boys went out on the 26th December to 'hunt the wren'. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wren_Day Well the poor little wren seems to be recovering from the abuse of primitive man or is bravely thumbing its nose at human atrocities. This one was so close outside my window I had to stand on the sideboard at the far side of the room to use the 500mm. Then the wife suggested I switched to the 300mm for the 'sake of the furniture'. Attachment: AAD14F7D-AE09-4F88-B81E-31DD72BBEFE6.jpeg (Downloaded 25 times) |
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Eric
|
Well it could be greenfly as well... Attachment: 2A2B7BDD-1E0E-4FE1-8467-4F1AB336E551.jpeg (Downloaded 23 times) |
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Eric
|
Using noise reduction (shot at 4000iso) May loose the noise but also the ambience of the rain.... full frame unadjusted shot..... Attachment: F73626D8-4B57-447C-A0E5-13874E5C5B3E.jpeg (Downloaded 24 times) |
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Graham Whistler
|
I like the Wren pixs Eric. Here is another Nubian Kingfisher pix from Kenya Attachment: bOB (002).jpg (Downloaded 24 times) |
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blackfox
|
a hour down seashore today over high tide and I'm really starting to wonder a D300s ( app.10 years old) and a Tokina 400mm f5.6 M/F ( about 20 + years old) handheld and its turning out shots like this . how far have we really come ,and are we just fools to believe in the improvements they tell us about. yes a A/F lens would have given a higher percentage of keepers (allegedly) but at what cost Attachment: starting to wonder .jpg (Downloaded 19 times) |
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jk
|
Graham Whistler wrote:Family friend Bob Entwistle who lives very near Mount Kenya sent me this image and I do not think he will mind me sharing this with you all: Lovely shot Graham. The two Nubian kingfishers shot is nice as well. |
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Robert
|
Jeff, you missed the vital ingredient, YOU, your experience and fieldcraft are a major factor. Thrust that camera and lens into another photographers hands and you may well not see the same results. I can relate numerous examples of skilled hands making an apparently poor tool turn out gems of craftsmanship and musicians who can make beautiful music with a makeshift instrument. That said, the tool still needs to be sharp. |
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jk
|
Eric wrote:Well it could be greenfly as well... Good shot. You can see the wings of the aphid. |
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Eric
|
Robert wrote:Jeff, you missed the vital ingredient, YOU, your experience and fieldcraft are a major factor. Thrust that camera and lens into another photographers hands and you may well not see the same results. I say a resounding Aye to that!! I had this great idea today, back the car away from the bird feeding area in the garden. Climb in the back, lower the (darkened) window enough to point the lens out of, wrap up in dark colours and baraclava. I looked like a bank robber waiting for the getaway driver to arrive. Discovered the 500mm was too long....went in house to get 300mm. Sat for 20min taking shots of branches at different ISOs waiting for the birds. Went back into the house to get fresh battery. Sat for another 20 mins. Threw some more food out on the lawn. Sat for another 20mins. Nothing. Went back in the house for lunch. I had barely bit into my sandwich....birds everywhere. |
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blackfox
|
why wrap up in camo gear , if your in the car they take no notice of you . whatever you're wearing . I have a spot where this will be applied shortly as I now have a lifting rear window . normally got to hang out of the drivers door but movement more than anything spooks them ..do this again it will work |
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blackfox
|
this one was taken today hanging out the drivers door d300s and Tokina 400 f.5.6 M/F well why not by jeff and jan cohen, on Flickr |
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blackfox
|
and again out of the window today , pulled up on a roundabout on the ind. estate and shot out of the window  christmas dinner by jeff and jan cohen, on Flickr |
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Eric
|
blackfox wrote:why wrap up in camo gear , if your in the car they take no notice of you . whatever you're wearing . Not camouflage......I was cold with the window down. |
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jk
|
blackfox wrote: |
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blackfox
|
I find if you leave the engine running it imparts shake to the pics , mind you I have got a 2.0 litre diesel , I just switch off and wait scatter a bit of food it always works |
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Graham Whistler
|
These chaps keep eating all bird food and scaring off a super Charm of Goldfinches this morning. Attachment: Sq2524.jpg (Downloaded 33 times) |
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Graham Whistler
|
GS Woodpecker in garden this morning. D850 500mm lens ISO2500 1/250 F9 this is about 1/3 of full frame. Sorry about on a feeder best shot I could get. Attachment: GS Wood2544NR.jpg (Downloaded 32 times) |
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Eric
|
Wren through double glazing, curtain reflection fogging, rain and 5000iso..... and far too much necessary de-noising. Attachment: 3872F486-9DBA-4EBA-96A7-1A3F10F8B467.jpeg (Downloaded 25 times) |
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jk
|
Not at all shabby Eric. I think you worry too much about it. Fine image of little jenny! |
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blackfox
|
A good shot given the obvious and written problems , but as with everything in wildlife photography we sometimes get the image but forget the fact that in reality we should never have taken it ... This is one of the reasons that most wildlife'rs need large bursts and large buffers in the hope that at least one comes out o.k . If I have time later I will try to clean that image up a bit for you Eric |
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Graham Whistler
|
Super pix Eric with not bad at all through a window! Noise is a fact of life even with these new DSLRs but I find up to 3200 ISO can be delt with quite well in Photoshop CC. For best results you need to work on the NEF file as shot and needless to say best results only if you get a correct camera exposure in first place. My woodpecker shot above had good exposure but noise reduction on NEF file in PS. |
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Eric
|
jk wrote:Not at all shabby Eric. I think you worry too much about it. Fine image of little jenny! Thanks. You notice I am concentrating of the smallest birds in the vain hope when I go for bigger ones, it might be easier? |
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Eric
|
Graham Whistler wrote:Super pix Eric with not bad at all through a window! Thanks....at least I didn't process the one that had Christmas tree lights reflected around the birds head. |
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jk
|
Eric wrote:jk wrote: Focus is easier but noise issues remain the same. |
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blackfox
|
just had a quick play with your download Eric , if ii had the original theres a lot more could be done with it , but I think your not doing your best out of the files looking at this  erics wren by jeff and jan cohen, on Flickr |
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jk
|
That version looks sharpen (more contrasty). That is a perception rather than a reality! |
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Iain
|
One from a few hours out this morning. Attachment: DSC_2587.jpg (Downloaded 10 times) |
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Eric
|
Iain wrote:One from a few hours out this morning. Luvly. Willow? |
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Iain
|
Yes it's a Willow tit we have a good showing at a few sites up here. |
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Eric
|
300mm on D500 Attachment: 759EA262-9AD4-4F2A-B201-0D0C9D46B291.jpeg (Downloaded 8 times) |
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Iain
|
What iso was that at Eric? |
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Eric
|
Iain wrote:What iso was that at Eric? 3000....but have been experimenting with Affinity Photo NR etc Edit 3600iso |
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Eric
|
Which one do you prefer, lads? Attachment: 657A4BA0-F971-4362-9BB6-F9F45BD34D8F.jpeg (Downloaded 6 times) |
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Eric
|
0r this one... Attachment: 7C463EC5-7F56-4025-88D4-DDC6BA53B4AE.jpeg (Downloaded 6 times) |
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Eric
|
Or this one.... Attachment: 19988521-974D-4FFB-BB83-B288A1BFBA2C.jpeg (Downloaded 16 times) |
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Eric
|
All 3 shot at around 1500-2000 and mucked about with in Affinity. Have to say they don't look as sharp as the preposting files. |
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Eric
|
Another from same time as egret..... Attachment: 395B8C63-DA87-482B-BE3D-F1CF0C9879DF.jpeg (Downloaded 13 times) |
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Graham Whistler
|
Well done Eric some very good pixs there! I'm after Kingfishers in the morning. |
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Eric
|
Graham Whistler wrote:Well done Eric some very good pixs there! I'm after Kingfishers in the morning. Good fortune |
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Eric
|
Ok one last one before bed. Thank to Jonathan I rechecked my method of importing raw files into Affinity and managed to get it to work..... Full frame image on 300mm....so losing some dof and probably a bit of excitement wobble as he/she was getting so close. Attachment: 8CB2EE38-FE1C-4BB3-8F6F-032B1A745CD1.jpeg (Downloaded 13 times) |
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Eric
|
Another one of the egret's hunting prowess.... Attachment: 5600FCDF-39C7-4D06-A464-C886EAFAB7D7.jpeg (Downloaded 12 times) |
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Iain
|
I'd go for this one. |
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Iain
|
The software on the forum doesn't do the pic's any favours. |
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Robert
|
That's why I started my Flicker account. |
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blackfox
|
thats super Eric , looks like you might have cracked it .well done |
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Eric
|
Robert wrote:That's why I started my Flicker account. I would be interested if Iain, Jeff and Graham use links to external storage as opposed to imbedding in the forum? I've been wondering if my method of downsampling for the forum has been a bit too brutal? Will have a few tests. But I am a bit anti storing my photos on the net willynilly. If the penalty for more security is poorer quality postings on this forum, so be it. But it would be nice to show images closer to their actual IQ. |
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blackfox
|
I would estimate that 99% of my pics on here are hosted via Flickr , Eric it's a time tested safe hosting platform . O.k these days if your in to mega storage on there you have to pay , but a free account is up to 1000 images and it's one of the best display platforms I have found especially if your up loading high res images. Plus a forum will always display at a restricted size due to its own limitations even from Flickr .. but you then only have to click on the pic to take you to the full size image on there , which if you want will include your ex if data |
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Robert
|
I have a feeling all my images on Flicker are already cropped to 1024 max side, because, at the time iirc, you had to pay on Flicker if you had more than a certain level of data, (Gb) stored, so I opted to post smaller images. Also I tried to post smaller images at a time when 1024 was quite large for a screen. The other bonus with storing the images off the forum is you can post more than one image per post which I thought from day one of this forum software was a poor choice, I vaguely remember Steve was going to fix that, it never happened after he took huff about something, I never did know what. With Lightroom you can simply drag an image to a folder and hit 'publish' and that will place the image directly in your account. Posting it FROM Flicker into a forum is a bit more complex, involving going through about four layers of pages to get to the posting code, but it's not that hard once you get the hang of it. I am going to have to prune some of my images because I am closing in on the 1,000 limit, I can't justify paying to host. I could get a website hosted for what Flicker are asking for 1,000 images. Methinks they are being greedy, there should have been a stepped rate for smaller users, OK, start at 1,000 but than another step at say 5,000 images for a bit more £. I think they are asking way too much. |
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jk
|
I keep thinking it is time for us to do another migration to a better software but the biggest issue is finding a forum software that gives integrated forum and gallery as the customisations required are not great. The last move was a lot of work for both Steve, and myself. Like Robert I dont know why Steve suddenly decided not to help and more. I guess after selling his Goldwing forum he found better things to do. |
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blackfox
|
I decided for the moment to go PRO on my Flickr account , based on a hopefull return to it becoming a community again , and although I looked I couldn't find a cheaper alternative . Also over the years I have accumulated over 7000 images on there that have had in excess of 7 million views , , so I guess somewhere along the line I'm doing something right |
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Graham Whistler
|
Kingfisher shoot today in very dull weather but here is a sample more later: Nikon D850 with 500mm lens and x1.4 1/320 sec f8 ISO 2500. Attachment: _DSC2628.jpg (Downloaded 7 times) |
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blackfox
|
Superbly detailed shot graham |
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Robert
|
The fish doesn't look too happy. |
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jk
|
Nice catch Mr Kingfisher and Graham! |
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jk
|
How close were you to the kingfisher? |
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Eric
|
Graham Whistler wrote:Kingfisher shoot today in very dull weather but here is a sample more later: Nikon D850 with 500mm lens and x1.4 1/320 sec f8 ISO 2500. Quite exquisite Is that fill in flash in its eye? |
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Graham Whistler
|
The hide was about 60 feet from the birds and these 850 images are using about 50% of the full frame. This shot similar to other ISO 2500 same very dull light. A lady photographer shared the hide with me and also using a D850 but the all new 500mm f4 AF-S light weignt FL lens super bit of kit and much lighter than my older Nikon 500mm f4. Very similat controls to my new 500mm lens and Eric she also has a 300mm lens like yours. I have given her our dslr.net details and she has promised to join and post some of her images from todays shoot. Attachment: _DSC2603Tiffnr.jpg (Downloaded 18 times) |
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Robert
|
Really good images Graham, and Eric's Egret, lovely. I really wish I could join in but one has to be realistic, without the gear I would be wasting my time. You need a good, long fast lens and some knowledge of the subject. |
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Eric
|
Lovely capture Graham but I think I prefer the first image. Partly the fish contribution but also the crop size. I've just looked back at my recent egret and wader images and now feel I've made the birds too large in the frame. It's made me wonder about something Mike said to me that his best images are 1/3 bird 2/3 habitat. Maybe a bit of post rationalisation on his part, not having the tele reach we have, but I do feel there is some truth in the relative framing. It's a bit like these big tvs.....if the close up shots of peoples faces are bigger than real life when sitting in normal viewing position, they take on a more invasive aggressive feel. Not saying your kingfisher is aggressive 😆 Would be interested in views about bird size v habitat contribution to framing. |
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jk
|
Interesting thought Eric. Doing underwater photography is similar to bird photography except you have the added limitation of needing to manage your air and buoyancy. Initially I wanted to fill the frame with the subject either in the initial shot or by cropping. Eventually I decidedthis response resulted in a 'stamp collection' style of photography. Now I look for the fish to be against a good background with good lighting. This tends to result in a 1/3 ratio of subject/background. |
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Eric
|
jk wrote:Interesting thought Eric. We were given a 55" tv just before Christmas by a friend (long story). I've resisted going that big because when the newscasters come on, their heads were normal size (as if they were sitting across the room from me) so I didn't pay much attention to them. But now they are bigger, I feel compelled to listen to them despite the rubbish they are reporting. It's weird. AND.... all the poor make up, sagging skin, wrinkles and pimples are so much more evident. I can even see NOISE on the images Mary Nightingale (as it's a bird topic) has a turkey neck hanging down and my wife's ski jumping toy boy hero's have all got acne and freckles. It destroys our fantasies. I think there's a lot to be said for being small and unobtrusive. But seriously I am going to give my subjects a bit more air. Maybe backing off the cropping won't mean as much noise reduction. |
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blackfox
|
The only thing I find wrong with Graham's shot above the central composition perhaps move it to the left a bit , I was always told to leave the birds /subjects room to look into edit on this my reply above was actually to robs now reposted image below . |
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Robert
|
I posted a reply about the previous Kingfisher photo, but during editing I thought I had double posted ti but in correcting that I seem to have deleted it, I can't seem to reinstate it so I am calling it quits, I don't have the energy to retype it all even if I could remember what I said. I do remember that I thought the fish became the subject rather than the bird, and that the moss on the perch was for me too sharp and became a visual distraction. I did repost Grahams Kingfisher to save flipping back and forth to view it during the discussion. Attachment: _DSC2628.jpg (Downloaded 13 times) |
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blackfox
|
here's one of my shots just before xmas , a song thrush on the berries , taken with my Panasonic g80 and Leica 100-400 and a download using Flickr as the host . 50 shades of brown by jeff and jan cohen, on Flickr |
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Robert
|
blackfox wrote:The only thing I find wrong with Graham's shot above the central composition perhaps move it to the left a bit , I was always told to leave the birds /subjects room to look intoSorry about that Jeff, I got in a right muddle. I frequently type posts then forget to click the 'Post Reply' button, but sometimes I am doing it twice and double posting, I thought I had double posted, so deleted, but I hadn't, so I lost the whole post and couldn't find it again in history to extract it, and re-post. The brain must be in meltdown. Your bird above with the red berry is lovely, like you say, give it some space to fly into. I try to do that with cars and bikes racing, leave plenty space in front. Unless you are creating an identification portfolio they need a bit of room to spread their wings. |
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jk
|
Eric wrote:jk wrote: I have 42" screen in Spain and a 38" here in UK in a smaller room. I find that more than enough. I cant see the need or desire for massive screens. To each his/her own! |
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blackfox
|
just seen a sigma 150-600 C for £524 ex cat return looks as new , very tempted |
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Graham Whistler
|
Less crop with this one? Attachment: Kingfisher2729.jpg (Downloaded 13 times) |
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Graham Whistler
|
This is what he did under water! Attachment: _DSC2657.jpg (Downloaded 19 times) |
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blackfox
|
total stunner graham |
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blackfox
|
and now your taking the proverbial |
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Robert
|
614 is lovely, the fishes expression isn't visible... and lot's more room. 615 is amazing. But it's a technical set up and I suspect a LOT of misses, unless it's a video camera? The little fish seem to be cowering, can't blame them! |
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Graham Whistler
|
D850 normal pix as the others. I did shoot a video with the D850 with the same setup looks good but can not post it here. |
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Robert
|
Graham Whistler wrote:D850 normal pix as the others. What, post 615? Did you use an underwater housing? |
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Graham Whistler
|
No I just told the camera to breath deeply and hold it's breath. No underwater kit required.Same lens used was as for all the pixs so you tell me how it was done? The Kingfisher catches the fish in just over a second fom departing the perch and ariving back to eat it's catch. |
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jk
|
It is using an aquarium on a bird table just above water level or on the bank? The photographer is in the hide so can see the branch and the aquarium with the same lens and just has to focus on the fish in the aquarium and wait. |
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Eric
|
My favourite is the 614...lovely composition, perfect exposure and focus, fish looking other way (so as not to distract Robert lol). Excellent work. Sorry, don't like 615.   Looks too contrived. The light pond bed material makes it look like a fish tank and the bubbles obscure the birds 'face'. I will leave the room now. |
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Eric
|
jk wrote:It is using an aquarium on a bird table just above water level or on the bank? I have often thought of building one of these in the garden... https://www.naturettl.com/build-bird-reflection-pool/ .....but I need to dig out a big hole for the sunken hide. And I suspect if I dug out a big hole in my wife's garden she would fill it in while I was in there. |
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Eric
|
jk wrote:Eric wrote: It was FREE! |
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Graham Whistler
|
JK is no fool! |
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Iain
|
In most cases I tend to try and keep some of the environment in the picture. Tight shots are good as a study. |
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Iain
|
Robert wrote:I posted a reply about the previous Kingfisher photo, but during editing I thought I had double posted ti but in correcting that I seem to have deleted it, I can't seem to reinstate it so I am calling it quits, I don't have the energy to retype it all even if I could remember what I said. Now I think this one is right, it tells the story of the Kingfisher on a branch by a pond/river where you find that type of branch and with a fish it's food. |
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Iain
|
blackfox wrote:just seen a sigma 150-600 C for £524 ex cat return looks as new , very tempted Go for it Jeff, you know you want it. |
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Iain
|
Graham Whistler wrote:This is what he did under water! Great shot Graham. |
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blackfox
|
took a chance today weather was diabollockel ,but wanting to test the sigma out I chanced it first off a normal shot cropped into a pano mode of a flock of lapwings , quite distant so well pleased  lapping it up by jeff and jan cohen, on Flickr |
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blackfox
|
and another from today tree top looking down in disdain a female ? merlin d300s , sigma 150-600c handheld  merlin by jeff and jan cohen, on Flickr |
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Robert
|
Nothing wrong with that Jeff, very nice. Seems sharp enough? |
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jk
|
Rubbish weather does not help as the light levels and contrast is low. Just wait until you get some sun! Posted results are certainly not at all shabby! |
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Graham Whistler
|
Well done Jeff two super pixs! |
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blackfox
|
I now have to mull over selling my Panasonic gear and going for a D500 plus bits my mate is selling |
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Eric
|
One from Graham Attachment: 0D16CE14-0C9A-4D76-AD6E-C244C8778A52.jpeg (Downloaded 13 times) |
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Iain
|
Looks like a good copy Jeff. |
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blackfox
|
Cheers Iain |
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blackfox
|
another p.o.v of the merlin  thats wizard by jeff and jan cohen, on Flickr |
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Robert
|
blackfox wrote:another p.o.v of the merlin I think this is a nicer pose, the plumages shows better. I really envy you being able to get so close to birds I never see. We have at least two established Badger sets within a mile and many more in the locality, apart from the occasional encounter I have never been able to even see them near their sets, let alone photograph them. I realise Badgers aren't birds but they are still beautiful wildlife. I was once driving along a country road near my home, very early one morning and saw two little animals leaping and doing acrobatics in the middle of the road, smaller than Squirrels, larger than Mice, perhaps Stoats? I just stopped in the middle of the road and watched them for a few minutes, they carried on as though I wasn't there, then suddenly they ran off into the grass. It was a beautiful display, about 20 feet away, I will always remember it. |
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blackfox
|
Probably stoats ,Fox brown with a black tip to the tail , got thousands of pics of them , on my way to the reserve yesterday I thought a dog was running down the middle of the road , it turned out to be a very large hare , probably got it on dash cam LOL |
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Robert
|
There you go you see! You have thousands of pix of Stoats, I have only ever seen those I mentioned, even living in pretty rural surroundings. I must be missing something. Perhaps I go to the wrong places or don't observe nature with the care it deserves. |
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blackfox
|
Look at my forum image rob , that one was blown up to poster size and used by springwatch in one of there series where they were office based , so every night the program came on it was right there on the screen in front of me .... I did e.mail the girl that had asked me for permission to use it and asked if it could be sent to me after the program .yes was the answer ,I'm still waiting |
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blackfox
|
I know this is the birds section , but I'm sure no one will mind me posting this as rob started it . a mother stoat taking a rabbit back to the nest for her kittens to feed on . I had to run along a river bank for about half a mile shooting all the way what a day that was .later on the kits came out to play .if you look on flicks its had 5466 views to date . the start of the run (EXPLORED) by jeff and jan cohen, on Flickr |
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Graham Whistler
|
638 great Curlew thank you Eric hope you can find one for me later this month! V1 will be with you Monday. Dramatic Stoat pix almost too sharp! |
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Robert
|
blackfox wrote:I know this is the birds section , but I'm sure no one will mind me posting this as rob started it . a mother stoat taking a rabbit back to the nest for her kittens to feed on . I had to run along a river bank for about half a mile shooting all the way what a day that was .later on the kits came out to play .if you look on flicks its had 5466 views to date . Amazing Jeff, thanks for posting. I think what I am trying to get at is that nature photographers, birds or mammals have an affinity with their subject, now which comes first, the affinity or the excellent photography I don't know. I tend to be more drawn towards large large, heavy machines but I really enjoy and appreciate nature photographers work. I have spent most of the morning clambering over a scrap yard. |
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Eric
|
Robert wrote:blackfox wrote: My personal experience was being initially drawn to the outdoor to watch nature.....using biniculars and scopes. I didn't even own a camera back then! After getting involved with the RSPB in Norfolk in the early 70, I took up filming birds...mainly because I had more intimate knowledge and special access to key locations in the area. ie I was able to get closer than the general public. I didn't get a still camera till 1975! Even then I stuck with movies for wildlife preferring to do black and white photography for everything else. Fast forward through the professional years and its only now that I have rekindled my interest in bird watching....and apart from a few garden bird photos over the years the bird photos on this forum are the first I've ever taken. I have to say it's harder than product, interior and architectural photography....the subjects move. So in my case the affinity with the subject came first. |
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blackfox
|
my actual journey started a few years back ( 4mp was the top limit so go figure) I have always had good cameras through my life ranging from 35mm sir through to 2 and a quarter square mamiya c330 with a full set of lenses . own darkroom etc but apart from a brief few years doing studio work bringing up a family etc I never settled into a niche . fast forward a few years to the birth of digital and the lad was a teen at the time I realised that this was fascinating and combined with interest from the lads at work I got my first digital camera it took digital pics had no memory card or screen so very hit and miss about 0.5mp if I remember , chopped and changed a few times and found a niche photographing coins and artefacts for the lads in the metal detecting club by this time having progressed to a 3mp spy type camera with 1 cm close focus . then a holiday to Egypt and the chance of diving in the Red Sea saw me getting a underwater housing for a 4mp canon compact I had at the time . totally loved it but still no itch.... however I did take photos of some of the birds on the beach (feathered ) and when I posted one with the wrong name it got me investigating further that was it I was hooked ... little did I realise how specialised it was and how much I would spend over the years on a hobby |
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Eric
|
blackfox wrote:... little did I realise how specialised it was and how much I would spend over the years on a hobby Ain't that the truth! Met a lady some years ago with a Leica M6, her camera bag was bristling with thousands and thousands of pounds worth glass. In response to my “wowâ€, she said “ I know, I know I shouldn't, but I just love buying presents for my camera†|
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blackfox
|
back on track ,another shot from yesterday , dull conditions , 600mm..1/80th sec.. hand held think this lens is a keeper ...  steady on by jeff and jan cohen, on Flickr |
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Robert
|
That full frame Jeff? If so no vignetting that I can see, and sharp enough, the bokeh isn't too distracting, easy enough to smooth out any distracting elements anyway. The vignetting was the biggest issue I had with the various lenses I tried back in 2006-7 or thereabouts. The Nikkor 400, f/3.5 was a good lens and with the TC301 X2 converter was a good, fast 800, but keep coming back to it being not 'my subject' and my lack of real affinity with the birding world, better sticking to plants and flowers, I know where to find them and they don't fly away. |
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blackfox
|
It's full width rob , with about a third off the top , . There is a bit of movement in the beak but I'm well pleased at that shutter speed Han£ held to , don't think even my Panasonic could beat that |
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Robert
|
Well a Duck has to quack! Yes it's a keeper. |
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Iain
|
blackfox wrote:I know this is the birds section , but I'm sure no one will mind me posting this as rob started it . a mother stoat taking a rabbit back to the nest for her kittens to feed on . I had to run along a river bank for about half a mile shooting all the way what a day that was .later on the kits came out to play .if you look on flicks its had 5466 views to date . Like this one Jeff. My mate had a shot like this rejected from a wildlife competition for being to offence. |
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Iain
|
blackfox wrote:back on track ,another shot from yesterday , dull conditions , 600mm..1/80th sec.. hand held think this lens is a keeper ... I think your right. |
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Robert
|
Iain wrote:blackfox wrote: But Grahams Kingfisher photo with the fish in it's beak might have been OK? That's nature? Unless it's some sort of pacifist organisation then that's what you get with nature, they don't have table manners, they lead a life of survival by whatever means they have evolved to use, or die? |
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Iain
|
Robert wrote:But Grahams Kingfisher photo with the fish in it's beak might have been OK? That's nature? Kingfisher with a fish was fine. |
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Robert
|
Iain wrote:Robert wrote: There's no justice. |
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blackfox
|
one from today a blue tit in the reed bed . getting to like this rig  hanging on by jeff and jan cohen, on Flickr |
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blackfox
|
another shot from today , appalling light iso800 at 1/125th sec hand held . says it all really  rock'n'robin by jeff and jan cohen, on Flickr |
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Eric
|
blackfox wrote:one from today a blue tit in the reed bed . getting to like this rig That's superbly sharp, Jeff. What were setting? |
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blackfox
|
surprisingly Eric it was f6.3 or wide open, at 600mm, iso 800 at 1/160 sec hand held. Nikon D300S and sigma 150-600 C in a deep dark wood to with yet again no sun |
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Eric
|
blackfox wrote:surprisingly Eric it was f6.3 or wide open, at 600mm, iso 800 at 1/160 sec hand held. Stunning |
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Graham Whistler
|
Two good pixs chaps but Robin colour bal far too warm!Both very good sharpness. |
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blackfox
|
I always like to process them vibrantly graham , probably due to the lack of light in this part of wales in the winter months if done normally they would be dull,drab and dreary .just my style but it works for me |
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Eric
|
Graham Whistler wrote:Two good pixs chaps but Robin colour bal far too warm!Both very good sharpness. Yes, Robin too hot for me as well but I know Jeff likely his birds bright. Here's another curlew, to calm you down Attachment: C4EB022C-37F3-493D-8CDF-A64245B3DC9E.jpeg (Downloaded 25 times) |
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Robert
|
Haven't (knowingly) seen a Curlew in years, I really like them. My trouble is I can look at something and not 'see' it. I seem to do it all the time, looking for something and eventually somebody points out it's right in front of me. Yes I feel the robin is a little 'dayglow' but it's bright enough, Jeff seems to like his subjects well saturated. I like things which are heavy! Eric likes quiet images... Each to their own. A little diversity is good. |
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Eric
|
Robert wrote:Haven't (knowingly) seen a Curlew in years, I really like them. My trouble is I can look at something and not 'see' it. I seem to do it all the time, looking for something and eventually somebody points out it's right in front of me. I've even got some in black and white. Attachment: D6B0ADE1-97A8-49DA-B662-5AB7C4236C1B.jpeg (Downloaded 21 times) |
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blackfox
|
another shot from yesterday ,long tailed tit looking the wrong way long look away by jeff and jan cohen, on Flickr |
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blackfox
|
distant buzzard from yesterday . according to exif data its 126mtrs away  guardian of the gateway by jeff and jan cohen, on Flickr |
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Iain
|
That combo is working well for you Jeff. |
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blackfox
|
oystercatcher on grass  mudthumper by jeff and jan cohen, on Flickr |
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blackfox
|
taken through a double glazed window this morning while laid on the settee adjusting the camera menu , I was wondering why it was so slow shooting , and it seems despite doing a re-set on the previous owners custom bank settings they were still being applied giving me a burst rate of 2.5 fps , now found a clear slot and got it humming along at 8 fps  through the looking glass by jeff and jan cohen, on Flickr |
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blackfox
|
another robin , spot the non deliberate mistake grrrrrrrr i want my toes back by jeff and jan cohen, on Flickr |
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Robert
|
You forgot to double the red saturation? That's the only thing I can think of, it seems to have a full complement of toes? |
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blackfox
|
Not on the right leg ,I clipped it , yep toned it down a bit to |
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Robert
|
Ah, realise now... No matter, nice picture. |
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Graham Whistler
|
Jeff the Robin pix is very good that lens is giving you very good results. Just wish you would get colour balance right! |
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jk
|
blackfox wrote: another robin , spot the non deliberate mistake grrrrrrrr
OK a question. Eric, Graham and Jeff. Is it possible to make an Action that does this background cleanup? |
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blackfox
|
looks fine on my screen graham . I like impact in my images |
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jk
|
Sorry not as good as Jeff's. Spot the robin! Attachment: Z7-1-1081-1.jpg (Downloaded 21 times) |
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Eric
|
jk wrote:blackfox wrote:another robin , spot the non deliberate mistake grrrrrrrr Yes, but you need to insert a pause to manually input your masking, as this will be unique to each image. |
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jk
|
Quick and dirty I know but compare the first image versus this image. Attachment: Z7-1-1081.jpg (Downloaded 21 times) |
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jk
|
Which is better? Which is sharper? First or second? |
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Graham Whistler
|
Bit better light this evening in Titchfield Haven. Attachment: Godwit2780.jpg (Downloaded 19 times) |
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Robert
|
jk wrote:Which is better? Hard pressed to tell without zooming in, would have been easier had they been next to one another, one seems slightly warmer than the other, compared with the slides I am scanning at the moment, they are both very sharp. |
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jk
|
Those pair of images were from LR Classic CC and Capture One Pro v12. My feeling is that the results are similar but I find it easier to use COP these days. |
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jk
|
Next tests will be my 400mm f2.8 AFS and 200-500 AFS VR on D850 and Z7. I will need to go to the gym. |
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Graham Whistler
|
This a moment later and light fading fast!Sorry bad marks Whistler, previous shot was over cooked in Photoshop and it shows! Attachment: Godwit2783.jpg (Downloaded 17 times) |
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jk
|
Hmmm, I liked the first image as the blue sky was reflected in the way. |
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blackfox
|
first image Jonathon , second looked overcooked |
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blackfox
|
err Eric ,believe it or not that background is S.O.C no cloning or messing about at all , its the reeds over the other side of the pool .. hard to get but it is possible as this shows . you need to move north we have perfect outdoor studios but talking to the pool management today they have a work party going in tomorrow to cut the reeds back so , don't go to the estate agents yet  |
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Eric
|
blackfox wrote:err Eric ,believe it or not that background is S.O.C no cloning or messing about at all , its the reeds over the other side of the pool .. hard to get but it is possible as this shows . Jeff ....not sure what you are referring to as I haven't posted anything on that subject??? Was it someone else's comment? |
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Eric
|
Still getting greenfly in the pansies. Attachment: E32F03CF-648D-4B46-BC74-41A1B21F3B6A.jpeg (Downloaded 13 times) |
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Graham Whistler
|
Super, he looks well fed. |
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blackfox
|
oops sorry , it should have been in reply to Jonathon , but you replied to him so I linked via your reply totally innocently of course . think I'll break the whiskey out in a bit to clear the cobwebs of my mind |
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jk
|
I'll join you with the whisky Jeff. |
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blackfox
|
coal tit from today in the rain, shouldn't really have gone out  lump of coal by jeff and jan cohen, on Flickr |
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blackfox
|
when checking another shot in todays series , I happened to look at the shutter speeds which is something I dont normally bother with . the coal tit shot above , WAS TAKEN AT 600MM AT 1/30TH SEC HANDHELD at 800iso . stunned am I |
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jk
|
I had ago with the method that Jeff is using to reduce background clutter and noise. The method is just a variant of what I use for portrait images so not a new technique but a variation of a technique. Very useful but a bit time consuming. |
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blackfox
|
I timed myself actually doing a few photos , and it takes me roughly 3.5 minutes from raw file to finished j.peg ,so not really time consuming , it only takes longer if there are any bits that need cloning done |
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blackfox
|
teal reflections , 1/80th sec handheld  time will teal by jeff and jan cohen, on Flickr |
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jk
|
Hi Jeff, Not sure I like the effect on the reflections in the water in the teal photo. What does the original look like. |
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blackfox
|
Not sure what you mean jk , it's more or less s.o.c , just slow shutter speed , I definetly haven't messed around with it . |
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Robert
|
Looks OK to me, just the reflection is upside down but I guess we can't blame Jeff for that, it's probably that lens. BTW, I didn't realise it was VR... Or have you snuk in a Z6 with it's inbuilt VR or IS? |
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Eric
|
jk wrote:I had ago with the method that Jeff is using to reduce background clutter and noise. I suppose this comes back to my basic premise that we ought to be able to get the result we want out of the camera without any editing. A forlorn hope with UK weather and the serendipity of casual photography ( as opposed to controlled environments etc) In essence it comes down to deciding if the requirement for alteration affects the subject, the background or the whole image. Separating the subject from the background (by whatever method) enables the alteration of the two parts independently. But it takes a few moments to effect this. Isolated changes such as noise reduction, sharpening, depth of field boketh are easily done, but to me, the NEED to do this (even a few minutes) on every photo, takes away some of the charm. Coming from a commercial photography background, where in reportage situations we weren't ALLOWED to alter photos, it smacks of not being able to get it right first time. I know that with wildlife, so many things conspire to make this extremely difficult to get the perfect result from the camera. But part of me wonders if there's more pleasure in just getting the best you can out of the camera ....even if it falls short of a gold standard. |
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blackfox
|
heres the original shot cropped in l/room . nothing else done . I GET THE FEELING YOUR ALL OVERTHINKING IT I'm just amazed it even came out at all , given the vintage of the camera and shutter speed ,hand held as well at 600mm  origional by jeff and jan cohen, on Flickr |
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jk
|
IMHO The reflections in the rippled water detract from the very fine pictureof the teal. I dont have any solutions as wildlife it is not speciality. |
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jk
|
Eric wrote:jk wrote: I agree Eric and Jeff. Sometimes we overwork/overthink the problem or image. It was one of the reasons why I posted my HDR image off the trees around the stream and also a straight image. Yes the HDR image has a little more shadow detail but when you consider that I could have produced the same result with a quick curves change then it does question why overekaborate by taking 5 images @50MB/image then blend them together and output when one correctly exposed image with a small curves tweak will produce the same output. |
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Robert
|
jk wrote:I agree Eric and Jeff. Sometimes we overwork/overthink the problem or image. For sunset/sunrise it's the only way to avoid blown out and grossly under exposed parts in the same image. It also avoids having to push and pull the extremes of the exposure values. While it can be done, I have heard this argument before, I believe that contributes to the lack of image quality, resulting in disappointment with the final image. With a 24Mp DX camera or the equivalent FX, you have to enlarge the image far beyond normal needs to even see the noise in most cases. I have been bracketing all the images I have taken of my fathers slides, I don't always use all of each set, and sometimes the median exposure is all I need, but it costs nothing, digital film is free, even at 36Mp, once I have the images I want, the originals will be consigned to the digital bin, I will just keep one TIFF from which I can make as many JPEGS as I wish, at whatever size. The slides I am copying are very variable, from almost back to the very faintest image, very over exposed. With one exception I have been able to salvage all of what I believe were my fathers rejects. I am about to move on to his 'keepers' which he used to use to do slide shows. The D800 produces very malleable images which are a joy to work with. Once processed they are producing some lovely pictures. Extracting usable images from wrongly exposed transparencies is a challenge I haven't been able to meet until the D800 and it does it beautifully, my only wish is that he could have seen the advances in photography since the mid 1960's when he made these slides. |
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Eric
|
Robert wrote:jk wrote: For your project HDR must be a godsend. Of course the primitive old fashioned way to deal with sunset/sunrise exposure was graduated filters. . |
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Robert
|
Eric wrote:For your project HDR must be a godsend. Absolutely, I have tried with each successive (digital) camera since the D1, to copy these slides, finally I got there, partly the HDR, partly the high resolution and partly the very forgiving nature of the D800's exposure latitude, I can only guess at what the 810 and of course the D850, are capable of, but to coin a phrase, these are 'good enough'. When I was working, building and someone said "that's near enough" There would be a resounding chorus from his mates, "But Is it right?". Well, yes they are, exposure wise anyway. In fact a couple of them are outstanding. |
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Iain
|
blackfox wrote:heres the original shot cropped in l/room . nothing else done . Nothing wrong with it Jeff. Had the Teal been still the reflection would be perfect. |
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blackfox
|
Cheers Iain , it was moving quiet fast at the time ,I think you have to be a birder that's used to catching fast motion as it occurs to really appreciate it . As I keep saying what I find incredible is how sharp it is at that shutter speed |
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Iain
|
It's like motor sport if you pan at the right speed the slow shutter suspend doesn't matter. |
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Robert
|
Agreed but the wing and other movements can mess with that. Cars and motorbikes benefit from wheel and background blur but generally with birds it's detrimental. |
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Eric
|
I think Jonathan was eluding to the unusual pattern effect on the water. Lovely shot of the Teal but have to say I find the 'texture' like pattern effect of the water ( I know it's natural) distracting. |
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Graham Whistler
|
This is a U-Tube link to some 4K movie I shot at same time as the other Kingfisher pixs last week follow below: https://youtu.be/of1UXC75fzI It vis with the D850 and same 500mm lens set-up. |
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jk
|
Eric wrote:I think Jonathan was eluding to the unusual pattern effect on the water. Yes I was. The teal is superbly sharp, but find the reflection in the ripples to be less pleasing. |
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Robert
|
Perhaps to slightly reduce the vibrance or contrast, saturation? (prominence) of the reflections would improve the image? Would need to be very subtle. Dam, the image has gone onto a previous page. Usually reflections are less intense than the object being reflected but here it's a very intense reflection, probably the lighting. Re posted the image to save having to go back to previous post. origional by jeff and jan cohen, on Flickr |
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blackfox
|
o.k so heres another mid week shot , robin in the rain 600mm hand held at a incredible 1/50th sec  robin in the rain by jeff and jan cohen, on Flickr |
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blackfox
|
a chaffinch deep in thought in deep woodland  cheeky chaffy by jeff and jan cohen, on Flickr |
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jk
|
Robin and chaffinch are great. Gone are the ripples! |
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Eric
|
Went to photograph ducks....saw this on the way to the reserve... Attachment: ED59BD74-D2F1-4E1F-B73C-DF715CFFCB40.jpeg (Downloaded 15 times) |
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Eric
|
Ladies day...... Attachment: 1E46B0AA-F408-4769-8186-3ACFEF0AEFB0.jpeg (Downloaded 15 times) |
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Eric
|
Don't you love redheads? Attachment: 72558EC4-D473-4B52-8B34-19451D2787A6.jpeg (Downloaded 15 times) |
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blackfox
|
Nice one Eric ,, although there is still evidence of noise , is it the D500 Or just your processing .. the best one being the middle shot Really weird as this was the camera I was aiming for |
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Eric
|
Sadly the weather was naff and the birds were 30m away...so not worthy of more cropping. It's a bit easier with bigger birds... Attachment: 3FF9B425-F1CE-455D-BB09-FF331B5B7486.jpeg (Downloaded 14 times) |
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Eric
|
blackfox wrote:Nice one Eric ,, although there is still evidence of noise , is it the D500 It's actually the D850! In camera NR set to Norm. ISOs 2500-3200. NO post processing moves to reduce noise. The problem does seem to be the distance I am from the subjects. 90-100feet with 500mm on duck size birds still needs a fair amount of cropping. In contrast the Whooper....bigger and closer doesn't seem to broadcast noise as much. |
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blackfox
|
Ahhh but surely the D500 would need less cropping ? . I do know what you mean though bad weather seems to be the norm this year , and when it's nice my family seem to find me jobs to do |
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Graham Whistler
|
Super detail in the swan. |
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Eric
|
blackfox wrote:Ahhh but surely the D500 would need less cropping ? . I do know what you mean though bad weather seems to be the norm this year , and when it's nice my family seem to find me jobs to do That would have been difficult to effect....the D500 wasn't with me. |
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blackfox
|
slightly better weather today so I took a chance of some more practise , sods law it just started to rain as I got the swan  swan necked by jeff and jan cohen, on Flickr |
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blackfox
|
and gulls are never far away when you live on the coast  head 'n' shoulders by jeff and jan cohen, on Flickr |
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Eric
|
It was getting seriously “dark over Will's mother's†towards the end of yesterday's day out. These 3 were more accommodating distance wise. The ducks were at 5000iso....so I've no idea why noise isn't more evident like in previous days 3000 version. Attachment: 239944DE-C86E-4CF0-9365-4A1224B3F18F.jpeg (Downloaded 11 times) |
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Eric
|
This tufty was literally next to the pochard... Attachment: 95300729-1315-4A6B-8356-12C8E044411C.jpeg (Downloaded 10 times) |
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Eric
|
One last swan.... Attachment: B7F46F71-175C-4777-A9C6-E3AB24FDC6B6.jpeg (Downloaded 10 times) |
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Graham Whistler
|
Looks good Eric colur balance spot on. Jeffs Swan looks pink, what went wrong there? These Redshank in Farlington Marsh this afternoon big blow up. D050 and 500mm lens but they were a long way out. Attachment: Redshank2864.jpg (Downloaded 10 times) |
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Graham Whistler
|
At last saw a Curlew too still big blow up but came back after a long walk happy! Both pixs at 1600 ISO. Attachment: Curlew2834.jpg (Downloaded 10 times) |
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blackfox
|
now re-done that swan shot (thanks graham ) it was linked via flickr no idea what went wrong but I probably rushed it ,hope this is better  swan necked by jeff and jan cohen, on Flickr |
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Graham Whistler
|
Spot on now and very sharp. Later several hundred Brent came in with the tide, D850 again with 500mm plus x1.4 2500 ISO 1/2000 sec at f8 (wide open) 25 point tracking focus. Attachment: Brent2884.jpg (Downloaded 27 times) |
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blackfox
|
Thanks graham , and here was me thinking it had the hots for a flamingo LOL |
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blackfox
|
one from this morning slightly better light , but I think the camera is over-exposing a bit . . pose for the camera by jeff and jan cohen, on Flickr |
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Robert
|
I've found that Jeff, I normally keep my D200's and D3 dialled back 1/3 of a stop in decent light. I don't use the D300S in daylight enough to know about that, but I see no reason to think it will be different |
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Eric
|
Watched this guy working his ticket for several minutes Attachment: 08AF57F4-EA4F-43BF-BEA6-070C5D6833D1.jpeg (Downloaded 23 times) |
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Eric
|
Caught in mid drip... Attachment: 46D11FB6-C083-45ED-B195-EAF6DB06FAC0.jpeg (Downloaded 24 times) |
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Iain
|
I see that Graham's egret has made it into this months bird watching magazine. Well done Graham. |
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blackfox
|
yes Robert I remember it well from previous bodies , d200, d300s, and d7000 all suffered from it if my memory serves me rightly , this one does seem a bit worse than my previous body , could be a combination of body and lens together , but not a problem as I'll just have to dial it in I think about -0.7 looks about right .worst way I'll just have to find enough for a more modern body |
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Graham Whistler
|
Thanks Ian! Jeff that is a very good pix but I still think you are a tad warm, exlosure is spot on.I agree with Robert I keep -0.3 on some of the time but very often birds can be against light backgrounds on very bright sky and plus is the order of the day. There is no doubt that pulling back under exposed is to be avoided at all costs, as Eric also agrees noise hits very hard. |
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blackfox
|
not seen it but well done graham |
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blackfox
|
thats just my style graham , I have gone from a mirrorless screen that what you see is what you get to a very old screen that I cant quiet get right , but I'm working on it . |
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jk
|
Iain wrote: I see that Graham's egret has made it into this months bird watching magazine. Well done Graham. Congratulations Graham. |
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Eric
|
jk wrote:Iain wrote:I see that Graham's egret has made it into this months bird watching magazine. Yes well done Graham....pity they didn't print it as big as it deserved. |
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blackfox
|
another one from yesterday ... goldfinch on reeds  golden gaze by jeff and jan cohen, on Flickr |
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Graham Whistler
|
Has that helped? Good pix nice and sharp, good detail but too much contrast and a tad warm. For me this is now a very good picture by most standards! Attachment: Corrected.jpg (Downloaded 16 times) |
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Robert
|
Difficult territory Graham. Jeff likes his style and that's his prerogative, I feel it is a bit pink but I think you have gone too far, to me, it's dull and lifeless in your version. Your version may actually be true to nature but nature is (usually) supposed to be dull, camouflage is natures way with most things. Jeff on the other hand isn't trying to depict nature as nature intends, but to create a spectacular picture, from the form and pose of the bird, combined with the background to create a pleasing piece of art, for the ordinary viewer. When I first saw this image I was very impressed, despite little bells saying it's 'a bit pink'! Graham, you are no ordinary viewer! You come from a background of colour perfection, Jeff if enjoying his wildlife photography and making adjustments to his images as he feels appropriate. To me the magic is in capturing the pose and in combination with the background, a delightful image. The exact colour balance don't matter too much to me, as long as it's not spoiling the image. Levels, to me are much more important and if you check your version of 'corrected' you will see you have lost the white end. I have 'corrected' that and this, to me is MY perception of what I feel is a good balance but I suspect that for every person to adjust this photograph, each result would be different. Do we go with straight out of the camera, basic adjustments to get it close to nature natural, or adjust it to our own taste? I respect Jeff's right to make the adjustments he feels are appropriate, right to wrong in our eyes. For what it's worth, my version, hope you don't mind Jeff... This is Graham's 'corrected' with the levels corrected and a bit of pink put back... But I still like the original, right or wrong. Off out to photograph the stars... at 04:30! Attachment: Corrected2.jpg (Downloaded 16 times) |
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blackfox
|
Hmmmm I prefer mine but as Robert says it's down to individual taste , I like to give my photos impact it's always worked for me , not going to change my style now , To me both your versions look pale / pallid but it's your choice , a few years back in the era of using windows we did a check on several different monitors as my lad had them available and every single rendition of the same photo was totally different .. In the era of the i.mac they are usually the same but people using laptops to view or process will have problems with there colours due to changing angles of view .. leave it at that ... off to hopefully get some red/ ginger/pink / orange squirrels later LOL |
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jk
|
Robert wrote:I've found that Jeff, I normally keep my D200's and D3 dialled back 1/3 of a stop in decent light. I don't use the D300S in daylight enough to know about that, but I see no reason to think it will be different Yes all my Nikons have been used with -0.3 or -0.7 EV compensation. However for BIF I used +1.5EV so I get underwing detail. The D500 gives good results for this setting. I am finding my Z7 seems to work best at 0EV so maybe Nikon have adjusted the metering a twaek. |
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jk
|
Robert wrote:Difficult territory Graham. I like Robert's adjustment of the photo. But I do find the reed brush flower a little detracting. The bird is outstanding. I never really appreciated the beauty of the goldfinch. |
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blackfox
|
first of yesterdays birds shots , a nicely posing kingfisher with the background water reflecting the clear blue sky of snowdonia  i'm stumped by jeff and jan cohen, on Flickr |
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Graham Whistler
|
Well done very good Kingfisher pix! This morning, at last, a Goldfinch landed on my posing stick I put next to the bird feeder. Not quite as crisp as I would like but at last a bird has posed for me even if only for a split second! D950 with 500mm and x1.4 quite a big blow up ISO 1600 1/320 sec at F8 Attachment: Goldfinch2906.jpg (Downloaded 33 times) |
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blackfox
|
lovely pose graham , I'm not playing tit for tat but to me that looks very pallid , dont know if its the upload to the forum etc but if it looks o.k on your monitor it could be why your seeing mine as too vibrant ... it does raise the question though .. |
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jk
|
I would say that the image is probably colour correct as it came out of camera but looks like it needs sharpening. We need to be careful that Sat/Vibrance sliders dont become a defacto +50! I have to say that I tend to use Sat +12, Vib +27 or thereabouts for my Nikon images but much less for the Fuji cameras. |
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Eric
|
Just +20% contrast will do the trick. 😉 Attachment: 05B06E96-1EAF-45C4-B728-612146EDE90A.jpeg (Downloaded 30 times) |
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Graham Whistler
|
Yes thanks thats a lot better I put it up in a bit of a hurry and light was very flat this am! |
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blackfox
|
Yep 100% better |
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jk
|
Yes much better. Interestingly due to the increased contrast it looks sharper as well but this is normal. |
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Robert
|
One of the 'new' adjustments in Lightroom is Dehaze, it's very powerful and I use it very sparingly, 3 - 10% at the most in normal images. I believe it's a complex algorithm similar to highlight and shadows, which increases the micro contrast of detail at the dark end. It can transform an image without affecting the overall settings. A sort of detail extractor, it can bring out otherwise invisible (or unnoticeable), detail and texture. |
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Eric
|
Robert wrote:One of the 'new' adjustments in Lightroom is Dehaze, it's very powerful and I use it very sparingly, 3 - 10% at the most in normal images. Yup...got it in Affinity Photo as well...it's very good. I use it to lose some of the 'haze', or rather, internal reflection when photographing through double glazing. In it's own way it adds contrast and clears any 'fogging' whatever the source. |
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blackfox
|
I find the most useful new additions is the preset boxes .. |
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Robert
|
blackfox wrote:I find the most useful new additions is the preset boxes .. Never use them. Odd you mention them, yesterday I noticed they seemed different, so I ran through the effects they produce. I couldn't find one which, to my eyes, improved the image and I tried several different types of image. I do however use the 'auto' adjustment in Lightroom. I find it can very quickly get me very close to the image I am seeking, usually it's a tad bright and slightly over done in the shadow recovery department, a couple of minor adjustments usually gets me right on the nail. There does seem to a distinct difference between the black and white point sliders in Lightroom, compared with Photoshop's Levels. If I have an image where the levels need adjustment, I go straight into Ps and do my shuffle technique. Way better, Lr seems to try to be clever and as far as I can tell it fudges the adjustment by stretching the levels each end only, instead of simply moving the left or right point. The result from Ps seems way better than using Lr to do that adjustment. Levels are fundamental for a good image. I have to say, I am amazed by the pliability of the D800's NEF's. I took quite a few exposures very early Thursday morning, the image quality and ability to recover dark detail is amazing. The D850 must be magic to work with. I doubt I will afford a D850 but it encourages me to try for a D810 later this year. I know there isn't a lot of difference over the D800 but I feel it will be worthwhile, a lot of small improvements add up. |
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blackfox
|
little grebe , just popped back up after a dive  shaking all over by jeff and jan cohen, on Flickr |
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Iain
|
Nice shots folk. |
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jk
|
blackfox wrote:little grebe , just popped back up after a dive Like that one Jeff. The ripples compliment the subject rather than detract. |
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blackfox
|
another kingfisher from last week , pissed off about the distracting reeds , but you takes what you gets  ye olde mossy log by jeff and jan cohen, on Flickr |
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jk
|
I understand what you are saying about the reeds. It is the reeds themselves rather than the reflected reeds that is distracting. Have you tried a mask and defocus with Gaussian Blur? |
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blackfox
|
one from yesterday ...  clutching at straws by jeff and jan cohen, on Flickr |
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Robert
|
Lovely Jeff. The reeds are much better here. |
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Iain
|
One from yesterday, early morning and the light was to say the least poor. Edit, looks darker on here than on my monitor. Attachment: DSC_3473.jpg (Downloaded 9 times) |
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blackfox
|
stunning shot Iain , direct upload problems that's why I always link via flickr |
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Iain
|
May have to consider doing it that way. |
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Robert
|
Hi Iain, do you have a Flicker account (or similar?) it might be worth trying images such as this by hosting them off the forum and linking, like Jeff and I do. The forum software can play havoc with some images, all forums are the same, unfortunately. |
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Eric
|
I know you won't believe me but I WAS up before dawn on the North Norfolk coast TWICE this week. That Graham Whistler is a hard task master. Attachment: D12D2982-AA59-433B-9480-E2919E9A7482.jpeg (Downloaded 14 times) |
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Robert
|
Eric wrote:I know you won't believe me but I WAS up before dawn on the North Norfolk coast TWICE this week. That Graham Whistler is a hard task master. No, don't believe you, you been photoshopping again! You are getting quite good, I bet you could make a living doing that! That nice Mr. Whistler wouldn't have done such a thing... We need more photographic evidence. |
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Eric
|
Here's a good reason for a zoom lens..... Mike Watson ( of Frampton fame) had a zoom.... Attachment: 55671D04-C4FE-4BC5-A316-31ABE107571F.jpeg (Downloaded 14 times) |
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Eric
|
I had the 500mm prime..... Attachment: 2410DE01-2522-4684-A8F1-7277C004FEF8.jpeg (Downloaded 14 times) |
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Eric
|
And the Pochards wanted to add to the muck up. Or should that be a Duck up? |
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Eric
|
Robert wrote:Eric wrote: I will photograph the Discovery tomorrow....you can see the mud. |
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Robert
|
Eric wrote:I had the 500mm prime..... DX or FX? The BIG dilemma. |
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Robert
|
Eric wrote: I will photograph the Discovery tomorrow....you can see the mud. OK, that might convince me but what about that nice Mr. Whistler? I don't believe he managed to prise you from between the sheets, long before dawn. |
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Eric
|
Robert wrote:Eric wrote:1min 50secI will photograph the Discovery tomorrow....you can see the mud. |
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Eric
|
Seriously, had a very good couple of days. Even Jan came out with her camera....but not at dawn. Will let Graham post some of his shots first. |
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Robert
|
Pleased to hear it, I spoke with Graham when he was at Whisley on his way up to your's he was very much looking forward to it. Come on Graham, where are your pix? |
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Iain
|
Eric wrote:I know you won't believe me but I WAS up before dawn on the North Norfolk coast TWICE this week. That Graham Whistler is a hard task master. Nice shot Eric but what type of Geese were they? |
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jk
|
Nice shots Eric. Swans are good. Make a good Valentine card (heart shape of pair). The sunrise silhouettes are good. |
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Graham Whistler
|
The Knotts took off in a hurry when they saw us. Sorry lots of noise as pushed ISO. It was so cold that my camera was almost too cold to touch! Attachment: Knots3043.jpg (Downloaded 13 times) |
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Graham Whistler
|
Later in the day from the Eric's nice warm Tonker-toy Car we watched waders enjoying a tasty worm! Sorry D850 plus 500mm AF-S ans x1.4 1250 ISO and much better light but we had hardly any sun apart from the 5 mins of sunrise as seen in Eric's pix. Most of the time very dull with mist so all shots of the massed waders out over the Wash no hope of crisp pix. What an amazing sight well worth getting up early to see it! Attachment: Godwit 3136.jpg (Downloaded 13 times) |
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Graham Whistler
|
You see what I mean by poor weather. Attachment: Waders3028.jpg (Downloaded 13 times) |
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Eric
|
Iain wrote:Eric wrote: Greylags. Later, when the light had risen this group flew into the pits. Seeing the white goose I jokingly said to Graham 'oh look a snow goose'. Half the hide dropped their bacon sandwiches and coffee flasks and grabbed there telescopes. We left the hide quickly. Attachment: FE0CA871-0983-400A-9612-030C4ED9DAD5.jpeg (Downloaded 13 times) |
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Eric
|
As Graham said, light was poor and the birds seems to be less inclined to come into the pits as they used to...so the groupings were less impressive. But the flights and murmurings over the Wash were spectacular as usual. There were about 40 people on the shoreline despite the cold and time of day. I cant help feeling that this modern day line of humans under their flight path was causing them to veer away elsewhere. Attachment: AFEF8290-A87D-49D7-9AEE-7BABA4CABF41.jpeg (Downloaded 21 times) |
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Eric
|
A little bit closer... Attachment: 5BA55551-42D4-4281-955C-AFF5F9F783D4.jpeg (Downloaded 24 times) |
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Eric
|
Colour temperature was all over the place with grey frosty blues apart from periodic sun glimpses. Everything was a bit desaturated....even the stonechats... Attachment: 3ED3AECB-64B6-4C54-82F8-B8CAF7E475A2.jpeg (Downloaded 20 times) |
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Eric
|
Even on summer days the murmurings are a visual spectacle rather than a photographic opportunity. I suppose video would add to the possibilities? Attachment: 8DACC8B6-4A18-46B5-B91D-91F09FD7D2D6.jpeg (Downloaded 23 times) |
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Eric
|
It's much easier on an afternoon in the garden.... Attachment: CF41786C-E550-4E94-AEC5-467FEEECCA38.jpeg (Downloaded 20 times) |
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blackfox
|
good shots lads , still playing with my camera settings as re-a post elsewhere , but a couple from today shooting in 14 bit raw and using spot metering , despite the crap weather (it was actually starting to rain ) I think theres a bit of improvement there .  50 shades of white by jeff and jan cohen, on Flickr see you in a bit by jeff and jan cohen, on Flickr the escape by jeff and jan cohen, on Flickr |
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Graham Whistler
|
Another from our recent Norfolk shoot. Attachment: Sunrise3013.jpg (Downloaded 14 times) |
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Graham Whistler
|
Another from our recent Norfolk shoot. Redshank Nikon D850 with 500mm & x1.4, slightly better light for this. Attachment: Red Shank 3064.jpg (Downloaded 17 times) |
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Eric
|
Graham Whistler wrote:Another from our recent Norfolk shoot. That sunrise crop is excellent, Graham. Mine didn't seem sharp enough so I left it full frame. |
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Iain
|
Eric wrote:Iain wrote: |
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Graham Whistler
|
Knots & Oysterchtchers at Snettisham early morning -1C and very dull! 5000 ISO 1/100 sec f8 VR Nikon D850 and 500mm f5.6 AF-S lens plus x1.4 Attachment: Knots Oystercatchers2922.jpg (Downloaded 14 times) |
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Graham Whistler
|
Needless to say Eric and I took the same Whooper Swans! Attachment: WhooperSwans2971.jpg (Downloaded 13 times) |
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Graham Whistler
|
Eric promised to get me a Curlew but did not quite get it close enough, so it is all his fault that it was a long way of prefect distance! Location, Brancaster Staithe camera car Eric, Nikon D850 with the new 500mm AF-S f5.6 lens plus x1.4, ISO 1250 1/400 sec at f10 VR on. Attachment: Curlew3101.jpg (Downloaded 12 times) |
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Graham Whistler
|
But the mussels in the White Horse a bit later made up for it all! Attachment: White Horse.jpg (Downloaded 17 times) |
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Robert
|
Mussels! One of my favourite dishes, lovely. |
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Graham Whistler
|
Fisherman with the mornings Mussel catch just a short distance from The White Horse Pub.About an hour before we had lunch. Attachment: Mussels3122.jpg (Downloaded 12 times) |
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jk
|
Very allergic to crustacea, huge chucking up. Cant even go past a stall selling whelks, etc without feeling sick. Many people (23%) are allergic as well but dont realise it. |
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Robert
|
jk wrote:Very allergic to crustacea, huge chucking up. Cant even go past a stall selling whelks, etc without feeling sick. I'm not! Bring e'm on... Lovely with chopped shallots and white wine. I'll have your share JK. |
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Eric
|
Robert wrote:Mussels! They were lovely. Graham very kindly gave me...ONE. In fairness I didn't give him any of my smoked cod and ****le hollandaise. |
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Eric
|
Another on a distant isle at Snettisham... Attachment: 8E34EBF2-5228-4F65-B284-3D0F6CA21652.jpeg (Downloaded 10 times) |
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Eric
|
Graham Whistler wrote:Needless to say Eric and I took the same Whooper Swans! Nice crop |
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jk
|
Eric wrote:Another on a distant isle at Snettisham... Love it. Fine picture of a beautiful bird. |
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Robert
|
Like that Eric, more natural than posing on a branch. The camouflage works well with the background, you have to almost search the image to define the bird. Edit: That's the second time I have posted to only find the image I was commenting is on a previous page. |
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Graham Whistler
|
Like that one Eric, I think that we got a few reasonable ones even in the very dull weather and cold! |
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Eric
|
Graham Whistler wrote:Another from our recent Norfolk shoot. Just realised why my shots are more distant than yours. I changed the lens from the 500+1.4 ....to the 300mm temporarily when we arrived. Here's some (distant) cormorants. Attachment: DFB2E000-1F64-400C-BE58-52ECC075BDD7.jpeg (Downloaded 30 times) |
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blackfox
|
nicely posing GSW from today in the woods  got yer !! by jeff and jan cohen, on Flickr |
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jk
|
Good shot, Jeff. Looks almost flash lit it is so bright. |
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Iain
|
It's nice when the sun is in the right place to light them like that. Nice shot Jeff. |
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blackfox
|
Thank you. Both ,''twas a lovely day today , and the low winter sun gave as Iain says a almost flashgun appearance to the shots this is actually taken in a wood but there's a large pool outside the hide that reflects the light back under a blue sky and lovely and quiet to , just 3 of us there today in the whole reserve |
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blackfox
|
another nice shot from yesterday , the blue is the sky reflecting on the pool  ye olde mossy log by jeff and jan cohen, on Flickr |
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Iain
|
A shot through the glass of the hide, I didn't want to open the window as it would have been away so took some shots then tried to open the window and guess what, it took off. Attachment: DSC_3736.jpg (Downloaded 26 times) |
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blackfox
|
Cracking shot though Iain well caught |
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Graham Whistler
|
Very nice both of you. |
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Iain
|
Thanks both. |
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Eric
|
I know it's a seedy play on words but... Attachment: E5A3F7DA-74F2-48E6-96B2-DFB47F6F9C06.jpeg (Downloaded 13 times) |
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Iain
|
|
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Eric
|
Iain wrote: I suppose Lickseeding would be better? |
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Eric
|
The wren came back to our pansies today. Can't believe how much insect life is still their for him/her. Even got shots with white fly on its head....may be that's an in flight meal for it? Attachment: 8CC037A9-AE9C-4013-9AD8-195656FC2E99.jpeg (Downloaded 10 times) |
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Iain
|
I like that Eric. |
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Eric
|
Thanks...here's another angle headshot Attachment: 06ED51EE-077B-4F3B-8394-0A5F75F11017.jpeg (Downloaded 11 times) |
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Robert
|
I like that one even more, the focus is spot on, the pose among the leaves is lovely. Edit: I don't know why but every time I comment on an image I start a new page and the image is on the previous. |
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Graham Whistler
|
Super pictures Eric well done. We now have snow in the South! |
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blackfox
|
Love the last one Eric |
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Eric
|
Robert wrote:I like that one even more, the focus is spot on, the pose among the leaves is lovely. I always thought you were a natural paginator. Thanks. It's clearly a female wren as it took ages to get her to pose like that. |
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Eric
|
Graham Whistler wrote:Super pictures Eric well done. We now have snow in the South! Sorry to hear that. Wally enjoying sun here. Attachment: 1088518E-8CC8-430C-AE0B-B57AD278F8FF.jpeg (Downloaded 14 times) |
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Robert
|
I thought all Wrens were females? What would I know... |
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Eric
|
Beginning to realise how much the forum messes with posted photo detail. The wagtail detail has just gone. Think I need to join Flickr |
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Robert
|
It makes a big difference. I posted a thread several years ago about this and posted comparison image via Flicker and via the forum software. The difference is noticeable, also, it enables multiple images per post. The image degradation is almost universal across all forum software, it hits some images worse than others. The other advantage is it's easy to repost someone else's image in a quote when pagination puts the image being discussed on the previous page. One downside is if you modify or move an image on Flicker it sometimes breaks the link to the linked post. Some years down the line it can be hard to remember where that image was posted. I have culled quite a few images from Flicker to provide 'elbow room' since the new limitations to the free account came in. One of my kitcar forum threads will now look a bit sad because many of the images I deleted were posted there. |
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Eric
|
Robert wrote:It makes a big difference. I posted a thread several years ago about this and posted comparison image via Flicker and via the forum software. The difference is noticeable, also, it enables multiple images per post. I suppose as an option we could email our images to interested members. This dove's eye is so sharp (at this end) it hurts. Attachment: BFB2320D-A795-4BF0-A937-BFF4084000B9.jpeg (Downloaded 14 times) |
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Robert
|
Eric wrote:I suppose as an option we could email our images to interested members. Hmmm, Think that would be a step back to before bulletin boards! Posting an image to Flicker is very easy with Lightroom, simply drag the image to the Flicker panel and click Publish. I expect it can even be done from an iPad... At the other end, posting an image from Flicker is slightly more complicated, you have to select the image, then click through various versions of the image to find the 'Share' version, click Share, then copy the BB url, paste that in the forum post wherever you want the image to appear in the post. In fact you can have a post containing as many images as you wish and mix images with text, rather than the images below the text. I am hoping the latest 'owners' of Flicker will simplify and streamline the access to the images, it does seem overly complex to me. But it works. |
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Eric
|
Robert wrote:Eric wrote: Don't use Lightroom, so would have to explore other ways. I suppose I could use my Dropbox... https://www.dropbox.com/s/eq5i7txcb2freu4/DSC_6068_00065.jpg?dl=0 https://www.dropbox.com/s/ezjsfy252yv1ftq/DSC_6129.jpg?dl=0 But it doesn't imbed the image, just a link. |
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Robert
|
Don't think DB will do the trick, Flicker or similar would be the only way unless you already have a website and can upload images, using the images url to post here. Perhaps Iain or Jeff have suggestions? I'm sure there will be alternatives to Flicker, I just never explored that avenue. |
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Eric
|
Robert wrote:Don't think DB will do the trick, Flicker or similar would be the only way unless you already have a website and can upload images, using the images url to post here. Don't see why DB should be any different to Flickr in terms of handling high res files without loss. I used it extensively for transferring clients artwork and images for printing. The problem seems to be delivering it INTO the forum in a visible format as opposed to a link. Maybe there's another way to share files from DB? In the meantime, here's a Blacktailed Godwit... Attachment: 0AF1FD4C-208D-45DF-9BE1-20B6B21A90DC.jpeg (Downloaded 17 times) |
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blackfox
|
Don't know what the hell your doing rob it's a two click job to post from there to any website . To late to run through it now ,will step by step tomoz |
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Robert
|
Don't know how you manage to post images from Flicker two clicks... It takers me ages just to navigate to the image. I find it hard work, if you have an easy way to do it I would appreciate the info. Please will you open a new topic, don't like going too far OT on this birding thread. It seems almost the only active topic at the moment. |
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Eric
|
Robert wrote:Don't know how you manage to post images from Flicker two clicks... That's a good idea, Robert ....to start a new thread. Apart from methods of posting from Flickr it would be good to open up the discussion wider... on ideal file dimensions, dpi, and file format for best online viewing. Part of the loss comes from the need to downsize files to meet the 2mb forum limit. It would be useful to know what others are doing to maximise reproduction quality. |
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Robert
|
Done. Hopefully it will develop to include such topics. |
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Iain
|
Going back to the wren shot, Nice shot again. Anyway I thought all wrens were called Jenny!! |
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Iain
|
Experiment from Flickr. Its a old pic I'm using as a test. [img]  DSC_9368 by Iain Clyne, on Flickr/img] |
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Iain
|
That seems to have worked but a bit big. |
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Eric
|
Iain wrote:That seems to have worked but a bit big. That's a lovely shot Iain....don't find it BIG. But wonder if you need to define size in Flickr? I need to have that Flickr tutorial I've got Roberts disease.......posting about images on the previous page. Wonder why we need pages? On another forum they don't have pages it's one long thread. You are directed to the last post you read when you click on the thread. |
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Robert
|
It's catching Eric! Iain, you need to resize it before you upload to flicker, also you don't need the [img before the paste. The [img ----- /img] is provided by Flicker, the rest takes care of itself. |
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Eric
|
Iain would you repost it again from Flickr ( on this page) and then do it again via the usual forum upload ...so we can see the difference one above the other. |
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Iain
|
Flickr DSC_9368 by Iain Clyne, on Flickr |
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Iain
|
Through Forum Attachment: DSC_9368.jpg (Downloaded 113 times) |
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Eric
|
Wow...that explains a lot. Thanks. |
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Iain
|
There is a big difference |
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Eric
|
wrong Thread sorry |
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Iain
|
Eric wrote:wrong Thread sorry That's what happens as we get older. |
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Robert
|
That is a big difference, the forum software creates a mush, any subject with fine detail and texture is going to suffer. Hasten to add, most if not all forums suffer the same image degradation. The storage overhead over the years could become unsustainable over time to store larger files on the forum server. |
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Robert
|
Eric wrote:wrong Thread sorry If it helps the birding community it's not in the wrong place. |
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Eric
|
Robert wrote:Eric wrote: True but since you started a new thread on how to use Flickr ....better I put it there. |
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blackfox
|
now posted new thread |
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blackfox
|
that's irrelevant lovely shot |
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Graham Whistler
|
Nice pix Ian. Yes I agree, pixs have always looked a lot better before loading on the Forum but I think we can still ejoy looking at others members work as we all suffer with the same loss of uploaded image quality. |
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jk
|
Iain wrote:There is a big difference There certainly is! It is all over the image but especially on the water droplets and top of the head. The image quality is really crushed by the forum software. I think we need to look again at this technically to find out what and why this is happening. I dont have time at present but I am open to suggestions, help, alternatives. |
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blackfox
|
one from me yesterday posted via flickr . I will do a off i.mac upload right after to after .. flight practise by jeff and jan cohen, on Flickr |
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blackfox
|
direct upload off desktop Attachment: flight practise .jpg (Downloaded 16 times) |
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blackfox
|
hmmm basically as sharp , but the red channel seems subdued . surely though it's far easier and cheaper for j.k to just upload via flickr , for one its a free account if kept too under 1000 images , its easy to use (apart from rob ) that is . and although a smaller size if interested you can direct link back to flickr and get all the exif data if required (as long as its posted ) never felt the need to hide mine |
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Bob Bowen
|
On my 8 year old 27in cinema display Flicker looks better by far. Also I used Photo Mechanic when I was working in the Press world for sorting and captioning images, and still do to cull images before putting into LR. That programme has a direct upload tool for Flicker etc from the browser. Later no use if you don't have as it costs. Still have mine as a hangover but would not buy if retired and not tax deductable. |
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blackfox
|
great tit in the woods yesterday  mossy logs always work by jeff and jan cohen, on Flickr |
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Eric
|
blackfox wrote:hmmm basically as sharp , but the red channel seems subdued . surely though it's far easier and cheaper for j.k to just upload via flickr , for one its a free account if kept too under 1000 images , its easy to use (apart from rob ) On my screen there is a very visible difference in detail ...the feet, the eye the underwing are all softer on the direct upload. I tend to agree that if the idea is to demonstrate the best execution of your image on the forum, then for the moment using Flickr is preferable. I also think Graham's point is interesting. We tend to display our best wares in the gallery and more usually reserve the threads for photos that demonstrate a point being discussed....and therefore need not be top quality. The Bird thread has changed that to a degree because of the greater interest in perfecting and showing results. |
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Eric
|
Clever little tit. Eating one 'handed†while hanging upside down.... A more sedate pose.....  |
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blackfox
|
yea I came back and woke you old fogeys up again |
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Eric
|
A couple more from this morning.....  |
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Robert
|
Lovely Eric. I like the one handed bit. Never seen anything like that before, except of course our 'Polly' parrot, who regularly ate food, peanuts and the like, held in it's claw. |
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Robert
|
blackfox wrote:yea I came back and woke you old fogeys up again Less of the "old fogies", Cheeky so and so! |
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blackfox
|
I would have taken the left hand green twig out entirely Eric it's obvious it's been cloned |
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jk
|
Those are great Eric. Lovely shot of the red and black thingy bird. You will need to tell me the name. Not a bull finch but maybe a male/female variant? You really need to help me with the names. |
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Eric
|
blackfox wrote:I would have taken the left hand green twig out entirely Eric it's obvious it's been cloned No cloning on any ...sorry, no cigar. |
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Eric
|
jk wrote:Those are great Eric. Male Bullfinch and Male Brambling |
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jk
|
Eric wrote:jk wrote: Didnt realise that male bullfinch was so short of blue. |
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Eric
|
jk wrote:Eric wrote: Ah that may be me. The bird was in deep shade so I adjusted white balance to warm it up. May have over cooked it. Better?  |
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Eric
|
Unfortunately the lady Bullfinch was too distant and in the shade. So this is a heavy crop and not worth doing anything with.... |
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Iain
|
Seems we have been a good few days for Bullfinch's. DSC_4048 by Iain Clyne, on Flickr |
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Eric
|
I think in every camera bag we should carry secateurs.... |
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Eric
|
Iain wrote:Seems we have been a good few days for Bullfinch's. Very nice shot Iain. Interesting the colour difference between a bird shot in deep shade and open light. Perhaps I should go back and do some more white balance adjustment on mine. |
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blackfox
|
surely that's the reason for Lightroom ?? |
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Robert
|
blackfox wrote:surely that's the reason for Lightroom ?? Yer don't get Lr on an iPad, or if you do Eric seems to avoid it. On second look It would take some cloning out in Lr... Go on, somebody clone it out. Lets have a competition to get rid of Eric's twig. |
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Eric
|
Robert wrote:blackfox wrote: I use Affinity photo on iPad....far better than LR. I was introducing a bit of light hearted banter. Here's one I cloned earlier...  Getting an iPad pencil on Friday....it's wore out my finger doing that. |
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Eric
|
Managed to get a better shot of female Bullfinch today.... |
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Robert
|
That's really good Eric, how did you do that feather in the middle? I was going to have a go but I couldn't figure how to do that feather. If it's that good perhaps I better unearth my iPad and load Affinity Photo. Done it again!!!! It did it one time too many, I changed to 50 posts per page. If it's a problem I will put it back to 20 but I'm fed up with commenting on a previous post to find it 's on the previous page. |
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Eric
|
Robert wrote:That's really good Eric, how did you do that feather in the middle? I was going to have a go but I couldn't figure how to do that feather. I hadn't done any cloning with Affinity until Jeff mentioned it. So I had a look at it for this image. Nothing like a challenge. The biggest problem using an iPad is the accuracy using your finger. So I've ordered an apple pencil, which will give finer control like a digitiser tablet....the iPad becomes a touch Wacom. As you know, I am Photoshop thru and thru but until they release a full version for iPad (supposedly this year) Im using what is widely acknowledged as the best iPad image editing suite. It does everything PS can do ...well the stuff we use regularly... although in slightly different ways that need some relearning. Because of this I can't easily explain how I did the bit you are referring to...would need to demonstrate next time we met up. Have to say, this bird photography coupled with taming the iPad as a photo editor has proved a pleasant distraction post retirement. Still trying to master the techniques that get results like Iain and Jeff...but it's fun trying. Here's another photo, which if you are quick, you can comment on before the next page  |
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Eric
|
Robert wrote:
You may now have to go back and edit all your posts that ARE NOW on the right pages as the images. |
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Robert
|
I'll live with it, can't be assed to go back now. In any case JK, or someone may want to revert to 20 posts? Very nice Pic. |
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Graham Whistler
|
Good retouching work and super pictures. |
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blackfox
|
grey wagtail on a dull grey day  just chillin' by jeff and jan cohen, on Flickr |
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jk
|
Make sure you get the right pencil. They now do two models. One for 1st generation iPad Pro and a different one for the new 2nd generation iPad Pro. They are not interchangeable! |
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Graham Whistler
|
Jeff that is a super pin sharp photo and colour spot on, love it! |
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jk
|
Graham Whistler wrote: Jeff that is a super pin sharp photo and colour spot on, love it! Yes it really is super sharp. Great shot. This is something I keep meaning to ask everyone. How do you sharpen? What software? What are your typical settings? Do you use a formula or just do it by eye? |
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Iain
|
A dunnock from today. DSC_4205 by Iain Clyne, on Flickr |
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Graham Whistler
|
Ian another super pix I must get my camera out!! |
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Eric
|
jk wrote:Make sure you get the right pencil. They now do two models. One for 1st generation iPad Pro and a different one for the new 2nd generation iPad Pro. They are not interchangeable!yup...already made that mistake, returned for replacement, just arrived |
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Iain
|
Two form today. They look so much better posting them from Flickr. Eric, this Bullfinch isn't as strong a red as the other. Its amazing the variations of marking/colour in the same species.  DSC_4240 by Iain Clyne, on Flickr DSC_4232-Edit by Iain Clyne, on Flickr |
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blackfox
|
a quick hour down the estuary for me today , and a nicely posing greenshank  the king of the cut by jeff and jan cohen, on Flickr |
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blackfox
|
and another one  the green green grass by jeff and jan cohen, on Flickr |
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blackfox
|
why thank you kind sir , I toned the p.p down a bit now .. still a learning curve with this one |
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blackfox
|
just been playing with uploaded sizes on flickr ,, here's first one at 1600 pixels wide  the trots by jeff and jan cohen, on FlickrHMMM displays no differently on here but a lot more impact on flickr |
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Robert
|
blackfox wrote:HMMM displays no differently on here but a lot more impact on flickr Both at the same size? There is quite a bit of shadowy plumage below and behind the neck, which has potential to get blurred by noise... |
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Iain
|
Nice shots Jeff. |
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blackfox
|
Normally rob I upload to Flickr at 1024 or 1400 pixels after a chat with m6 lad we came to the conclusion that due to Flickr downsizing all uploads then 2048 would be more logical .. of course that is also affected by the size of your own viewing screen ,but with the advent of ever larger screens I think it's needed . But as always that's subject to change  |
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blackfox
|
All my p.p is done initially in lightroom , then exported to p.s where I layer the image ,apply n/r to the background£ layer , resize for the net , then apply sharpening to the subject as needed using smart sharpen , On a straightforward. Image it usually takes around 3 minutes from raw file to finished photo |
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Eric
|
iPad pencil arrived.... and working. Now just need some more photos to use it on. |
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jk
|
Which iPadPro do you have Gen1 or 2? I will be interested to hear how you get on. |
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Eric
|
jk wrote:Graham Whistler wrote:Jeff that is a super pin sharp photo and colour spot on, love it! Probably out of step with everyone else as I am trying to leave behind the desktop and work exclusively on an iPad. It's they way forward but still lagging behind desktop processing ( Photoshop and Lightroom) at the moment. Until full PS is available on iPad I am persevering with Affinity. Historically on the desktop I used high pass filter and mid contrast sharpening techniques I created and made into PS Actions. Of course they don't work in Affinity ...so I need to revisit the sequences and see if they can be recreated in Affinity. In the meantime, I am doing very little sharpening while I am getting to grips with basic techniques and new equipment!. I have used the Clarity (or 'make more noise slider') sparingly and of course unsharp mask....but mainly on a brush rather than global, and just enough to make a difference. I've never used any PS adjustments more than 20%...on the basis that if it needs more adjustment, it was wrong in the camera. I've yet to translate this mantra onto Affinity's interface sliders. |
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Eric
|
jk wrote:Which iPadPro do you have Gen1 or 2? It's the 12.9". 2nd Generation 512gb. The missus has been using one on her iPad. There are two negatives...the clicking noise of the pencil on the screen and I've discovered it doesn't set the 'source point' for cloning. I still have to touch the screen to select the source and then the pencil with clone as normal. I suspect the second generation pencil will solve this as it has double tap options which may offer more. But of course that needs a different iPad. On a positive note there are les finger marks on the glass. |
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Graham Whistler
|
Jeff and Ian super photos thanks for sharing them with us. It's about time this project got a star rating from one of our watchers? |
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Robert
|
Indeed, one of the 24,238 watchers, I don't think they are all unique views, many must be return visits. It would be nice if some visitors would join in and comment, somebody out there keeps coming back to view Grahams outstanding thread and all the contributions. Well done, many outstanding images, a âï¸âï¸âï¸âï¸âï¸ thread. |
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jk
|
Eric wrote:jk wrote: You can turn off the click sound. |
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Eric
|
jk wrote:Eric wrote: It's not the click so much as plastic tip tapping the glass |
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Robert
|
Eric wrote:It's not the click so much as plastic tip tapping the glass Ear defenders? |
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Robert
|
Test image A Harris's Hawk, from Graham, passed through Ps and saved without the ADOBE Colour settings. Frankly I cant see any difference between the two images?  Harrris's Hawk 3 by Robert, on FlickrThis is as Graham sent it to me, I have been unable to post this image via the forum software.  Harrris's Hawk1771 by Robert, on FlickrI was unable to post any versions of the image via the forum software for some reason, as I hit the post button I get a screen full of gobbleygook. Nice Hawk Graham. Perhaps I might suggest doing a quick process from the original NEF, or an adjacent file from the camera to see if it's just this one file. I can open it here easily, it's just when I try to post it with the forum software. I can post other images via the forum software, just not the Hawk, despite saving it again as a JPEG from Photoshop. I don't really want to take it into Lr if I can help it, Ps should be able to save a valid file. Perhaps it's worth trying to save is as a TIFF? Might try later, I'm coughing and sneezing fit to bust right now. |
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Eric
|
There's a tiny bit more contrast in the bottom image. The birds 'cheeks' are lighter but the background greenery is darker. The tail feather whites are also minutely whiter. But I am probably being a bit anal. That's a lovely bird. It's body looks bigger than a normal Harris hawk...perhaps cos it's fanning its tail? |
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Graham Whistler
|
Robert thanks for that never had that happen before: Pix was taken with D500 and my old friend 80-400 mm AF-S lens |
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jk
|
Eric wrote:There's a tiny bit more contrast in the bottom image. The birds 'cheeks' are lighter but the background greenery is darker. The tail feather whites are also minutely whiter. But I am probably being a bit anal. Agree. Look at third tail feather from left. The grey splodge at base of feather is less detailed in upper image. Tiny differences! |
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Graham Whistler
|
Could only get a Starling on my garden posing stick this morning. Attachment: Starling3235S.jpg (Downloaded 31 times) |
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Graham Whistler
|
From a higher angle you can see my naughty trick. Robert these files load spot on no problems. Attachment: Food3237.jpg (Downloaded 27 times) |
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Graham Whistler
|
Sadly light gone now so this is at 5000 ISO and it shows! Nikon D850 with 500mm and x1.4. Attachment: LongTailed Tit3198.jpg (Downloaded 27 times) |
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blackfox
|
another practice shot from this morning , pics are coming out over saturated even in raw , I have now changed the colour setting to neutral to try and get this right ...old camera mixed with new p.p I suppose will get it right one way or another  flight control by jeff and jan cohen, on Flickr |
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blackfox
|
lovely graham , we all feed the birds |
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jk
|
Great shots Graham and Jeff. |
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Graham Whistler
|
Up early this morning to see what comes into our garden at first light. This Goldfinch was taken with D850 and usual 700mm lens 1/200 sec VR hand held f13 1600ISO Attachment: Goldfinch3275NRs.jpg (Downloaded 24 times) |
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Graham Whistler
|
Same set-up a few moments later on the posing stick. Raining again, used memery recall on the 500mm PF lens even in dull light it can save the day, the bird was only there for a few seconds. Attachment: Starling3277NRs.jpg (Downloaded 24 times) |
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blackfox
|
nice shots graham |
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Graham Whistler
|
This afternoon at last the Goldfinch landed on my posing perch. 4 hours waiting today to get this pix! Attachment: Goldfinch3312NRs.jpg (Downloaded 23 times) |
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Graham Whistler
|
Blue Tit came too! Attachment: B Tit3307NRs.jpg (Downloaded 22 times) |
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blackfox
|
lovely graham especially the goldfinch .. |
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blackfox
|
a few weeks to the camera settings and things have come along nicely , one from this afternoon , fieldfare and grub ... taken from the mobile kia Sportage hide  the fare of the field by jeff and jan cohen, on Flickr |
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jk
|
Haaha. Kia Sportage hide! Nice shot. |
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blackfox
|
nuthatch from today , made a few adjustments to camera settings that really seemed to have changed the whole dynamics of the camera ,, its been a case of re-adjusting to how I used to do things ,, falling into place nicely now  hanger on by jeff and jan cohen, on Flickr NUTTY by jeff and jan cohen, on Flickr |
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Graham Whistler
|
Good pixs again Jeff you are way out with colour balance again! This is a newly fledged one only 30 sec out from nest, D500 with 80-400mm Nikon lens Attachment: YoungNuthatch.jpg (Downloaded 123 times) |
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blackfox
|
That looks all pale and washed out on my I.mac and I.pad graham , each to there own I suppose , it s only a hobby , what I can't understand and with no disrespects IF I was that far out on colour balance then surely someone else who views my photos would have picked up on it on Flickr , to my knowledge your the only one that has raised a doubt and that's out of over 7million photo views on Flickr |
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Graham Whistler
|
I have worked as an advertising photographer for many years and if I did not know how to get colour balance spot on I would have no clients! My Lacie 324 pro monitor is profiled to give perfect colour balance so your Mac must be way out and needs sorting. That Nuthatch photo was in the RPS Exhibition so I can tell you the judges there are very fussy about colour: QED Your Nikon if set correctly will give spot on colour every time and over the years with many Nikon Pro DSLRs I have never had to correct colur balance in post production. You can see what others do on this forum, plenty of good colour balance from 95% of members! Please get it right or you will be laughed at your photography is good and needs simple corrected colour not hard to do. |
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Graham Whistler
|
Jeff if you look at your Greenshanks pixs I can tell you that colour is spot on. Sorry to go on about this but the Nuthatch pixs are way out and all I am trying to do is offer you help. |
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blackfox
|
I appreciate that graham , all I can say is they must be better fed up here .. as a matter of interest graham I have done the another shot from the same set , which apart from cropping to the same size is TOTALLY UN-EDITED , yes there is a slight difference but no where near as extreme as your version of one , btw if it makes any difference mine were shot in full direct sunlight .. all I do is enhance slightly to bring out details . but certainly not enough to get laughed at  unedited by jeff and jan cohen, on Flickrand below edited version NUTTY by jeff and jan cohen, on Flickr |
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Eric
|
Of course lighting has a lot to do with it as well. That fledgling photo was no doubt taken in Spring lighting? This is a d500 photo (one of my first attempts!) ....jpeg... straight out of the camera in low afternoon winter light. No post capture adjustments whatsoever.  |
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blackfox
|
you using that colour enhancing seed again Eric |
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Iain
|
This was taken today in bright light soc checked on a calibrated screen and posted to Flickr. DSC_4415 by Iain Clyne, on Flickrand another from today,  DSC_4395 by Iain Clyne, on Flickr |
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blackfox
|
super shots iain , looking at both erics , iains and mine and comparing them their seems to be very little if any difference in colours ..so once again over to you graham .. I will add that initially my pics were a touch over saturated but I think I have tamed the beast to the point of I'm happy with the results .. and time will tell |
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Graham Whistler
|
Eric and Ians are spot on. This was the poor tatty worn out mum feeding the young 1/2 hr before they fledged. Attachment: Nuthatch0567S.jpg (Downloaded 116 times) |
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Eric
|
Iain wrote:This was taken today in bright light soc checked on a calibrated screen and posted to Flickr.<br /> Is that a juvenile Reed Bunt, Iain? |
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Iain
|
First year female. |
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Eric
|
Iain wrote:First year female. You had me panicking and flicking through Cirl and Ortlan before reason took over. I had a Chiffchaff on my water bath yesterday. Took me by surprise this early...so no camera to hand. I understand some do overwinter now, or...i was told it may be a Siberian one making its journey via UK. I shouted “добро пожаловать†(welcome) but it b*ggered off. So I am guessing it was a UK bird. |
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Iain
|
Eric wrote:
We have a lot of over wintering one up here which surprised me as it's that bit colder up here. |
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Eric
|
Iain wrote:We have a lot of over wintering one up here which surprised me as it's that bit colder up here. Global warming? |
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Iain
|
Eric wrote:Global warming? either that or they have all bought polar fleeces |
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Graham Whistler
|
Bird Brain? Wendy gave me this "fun" pres for a serious photographer of birds. According to info they take no notice of you and just get on with eating the food you kindly leave out every day. I duly set myself up this afternoon at peak feeding time. First the Starlings arrived and sat at the end of the garden in the highest tree making one hell of a noise. I focused camera on my posing stick checked exposure and after 5 mins they flew off never to be seen again today! Later nearly dark and by now 3/4 hour standing still my 78 yrs was letting me know it was hot cup of tea time. Then the Golfinches came and perched in a slightly closer little tree, as per normal.(set 5000 ISO) One flew down saw me, the whole lot took of & went to bed hungry. Attachment: BirdBrain.jpg (Downloaded 168 times) |
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blackfox
|
probably because your colour balance was wrong |
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blackfox
|
one from this afternoon . in poor light  passing through by jeff and jan cohen, on Flickr what up doc by jeff and jan cohen, on Flickr |
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Eric
|
Graham Whistler wrote:Bird Brain? Wendy gave me this "fun" pres for a serious photographer of birds. According to info they take no notice of you and just get on with eating the food you kindly leave out every day. Brilliant! Surely you have room for a chair under there? All that's missing is a pair of gloves... Attachment: 16F0FCF3-00DF-483D-AE5E-74CC28A5CC52.jpeg (Downloaded 166 times) |
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blackfox
|
I have one of the mesh versions of that ,totally unused ,I now realise why its never been unwrapped |
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jk
|
Graham Whistler wrote:Bird Brain? Wendy gave me this "fun" pres for a serious photographer of birds. According to info they take no notice of you and just get on with eating the food you kindly leave out every day. I think that I would be scared as well. Reminds me of a quote from Macbeth..... something about the woods at Dunsinane moving! |
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jk
|
Jeff, the first owl picture is fine but the second looks strange (owl stuck on background). I guess it is the white edging around the owl. Both shots super sharp. |
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Iain
|
Graham Whistler wrote:Bird Brain? Wendy gave me this "fun" pres for a serious photographer of birds. According to info they take no notice of you and just get on with eating the food you kindly leave out every day. I think the Goldfinches might of been flying off laughing saying “look at that silly old bu***r he thinks we can't see himâ€. |
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Eric
|
jk wrote:I think that I would be scared as well. “...until Great Birnam Wood to high Dunsinane Hill shall come against him." I think we should rewrite it ...until Great Whistler Wood .... |
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Graham Whistler
|
Thanks for your comments! Yes plenty of room for camera and tripod and seat. I tried it in the summer but had let it - me inthe garden all day and I got good pictures of our two very shy Jackdaws. If you sat in shade in a bush it would work well. |
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blackfox
|
short eared owl going in for the kill . death from above by jeff and jan cohen, on Flickr |
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jk
|
Good catch. Field mouse? |
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Eric
|
Graham Whistler wrote:Thanks for your comments! Yes plenty of room for camera and tripod and seat. I tried it in the summer but had let it - me inthe garden all day and I got good pictures of our two very shy Jackdaws. If you sat in shade in a bush it would work well. Graham I should just advise you that you can only use that cover on your own property! If you go out and use it in public locations, the police may charge you with 'Loitering within tent'. |
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blackfox
|
voles 14 miles x 3 miles of salt marsh heaving in goodies ,,, my best from today of the shorties leave the male hen harrier for now  highlights of the day by jeff and jan cohen, on Flickr |
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blackfox
|
new camera arrived today a D7200 ,took it out for a test run , and pleased with the results so far , came home and done a small micro adjust and learned how to change focus points etc .. very pleased with the lack of noise and fast response .. nice and light and seems to do the job .far better metering system ( GRAHAM) and iso levels and will do for my needs  branch line by jeff and jan cohen, on Flickr |
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blackfox
|
one from today day 2 with the d7200 , looks like a good buy ?  misty cream by jeff and jan cohen, on Flickr |
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Iain
|
That look good Jeff. Nothing wrong with the D7200, I used it for wildlife before I got the D500 |
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Graham Whistler
|
Yes sitting down works, with back to house in Bird Brain outfit just 19 feet from posing stick. This is nearly all the frame hardly any crop D850 700mm. Attachment: Starling3355.jpg (Downloaded 91 times) |
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blackfox
|
one from yesterday , flock of turnstones in flight , don't recall ever having got them in flight before . birds of a feather by jeff and jan cohen, on Flickr |
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Graham Whistler
|
Well done Jeff that is an award winning pix 10 out of 10 if I was judjing in a comp! Colour balance is spot on as is your focus. Keep up the good work. |
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blackfox
|
cheers graham , I suspect the metering was out on the other body or just due to age ... this D7200 is giving extremely good results from the off . |
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blackfox
|
and another shot from Saturday, this is a massive crop to so I'm quite impressed  stoney broke by jeff and jan cohen, on Flickr |
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jk
|
blackfox wrote:one from yesterday , flock of turnstones in flight , don't recall ever having got them in flight before .That is, as Graham says, a really stunning shot. |
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blackfox
|
thanks jk . another short eared owl from sat .all shots taken handheld btw forgot my tripod  quartering the cut by jeff and jan cohen, on Flickr |
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Eric
|
Just testing iPad  |
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Eric
|
One from a couple of weeks back I forgot to post... And one from the garden....  |
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jk
|
Nice shot Eric. Sharpness is certainly there. How much PP are you doing? |
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Eric
|
jk wrote:Nice shot Eric.None on the Dove photo ...just cropped a tad. None on the Brambling itself....but I couldn't resist losing the branch behind it in the original....  |
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blackfox
|
kestrel from today , drying off . lots more to follow  air dryer by jeff and jan cohen, on Flickr |
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Eric
|
blackfox wrote:kestrel from today , drying off . lots more to followNice capture Jeff. They always fly off when I pull over. |
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blackfox
|
I simply walked up to it Eric , no camo gear just jeans and a sweatshirt it was that warm , and it looked down in disdain at me |
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jk
|
Lovely picture of the dove Eric. I guess it is a collared dove. |
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blackfox
|
had a surprise visit from rob and his son today , and I took them on a quick (all day ) guided tour of the north Wales hotspots , aided by glorious sunshine and extra high tides . my highlight was this lovely purple sandpiper performing its dodge the waves dance . here by the sea and sand by jeff and jan cohen, on Flickr |
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jk
|
Great image Jeff. Love sandpipers and the way they scurry around. Love the colours (spot on for me). |
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blackfox
|
Thanks Jonathon , it was a stunning day to be fair ,several targets to go at and we got every one of them ,the Kashmir goats on the mountain even played nicely , .. had a mega week and still got tons of really good stuff to process .. .. |
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blackfox
|
another one from Fridays mega trek , a obliging turnstone  is this my best side by jeff and jan cohen, on Flickr |
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jk
|
I wish my bird knowledge was better. All those different names. |
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Eric
|
jk wrote:I wish my bird knowledge was better.In Norfolk it's called a Stunrunner. |
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Eric
|
jk wrote:I wish my bird knowledge was better.There was a tv programme recently that showed a Cornish town where the Turnstones came up into the streets at high tide. They are waders and cant swim so avoid the incoming tide like the plague. They sit out high tide on the promenade and streets eating tourist bits like chips. They are very easily photographed being close to humans so much. Not like here in Norfolk>:( |
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Graham Whistler
|
I am in Scotland taking pixs of Siskins with D500 with 500mm AF-S Lens. This is out at 15 feet so did not need x1.4 found local posing stick and put some food on it. Got plenty of good pixs today more to come when I get home. Try another session in morning. Attachment: Siskin1288s.jpg (Downloaded 215 times) |
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blackfox
|
a flock of curlews , a grab shot as I was debating with Robert whether to go when these flew past , came out rather well and suits a pano crop . best viewed full size . by clicking on pic and going to Flickr  flocking curlews by jeff and jan cohen, on Flickr |
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Eric
|
blackfox wrote:a flock of curlews , a grab shot as I was debating with Robert whether to go when these flew past , came out rather well and suits a pano crop . best viewed full size . by clicking on pic and going to FlickrHave to say that's a terrific capture. And to get them so sharp from that distance. |
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chrisbet
|
best viewed full size . by clicking on pic and going to FlickrActually you get the same image here on a desktop as you do on flickr |
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Eric
|
chrisbet wrote:Agree the size is the same but theres more contrast on the Flickr version....eg the white dots on the wings are more punchy.best viewed full size . by clicking on pic and going to FlickrActually you get the same image here on a desktop as you do on flickr |
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chrisbet
|
Ahh - I see what you mean - I assume you inserted the flickr url into the upload icon or did a copy & paste? Just as an experiment, try using the blue cross to upload directly to the server and paste into the post. |
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Graham Whistler
|
Yes very good! |
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blackfox
|
here's a direct post to the forum  |
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blackfox
|
as can be seen by the direct upload above the colour balance has been totally thrown out of kilter by a direct upload .in fact it looks like two totally different pictures back to the drawing board methinks |
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chrisbet
|
That has done something odd to the colour! |
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chrisbet
|
 Looks OK if I upload a screen shot ! Did you use the Blue cross button to upload fro your hard disk? |
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blackfox
|
yep certainly did |
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blackfox
|
a Flickr cut and paste and a direct upload from desktop blue cross code is this my best side by jeff and jan cohen, on Flickr Attachment: is this my best side .jpg (Downloaded 164 times) |
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jk
|
Yes it is something about the way the image is rendered from the gallery compared to Flickr that really dulls the image quality. I wish I understood the why of this but I acknowledge that it happens which is why I raised the topic about finding a better forum software. Maybe Chris can comment on the why of this. |
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blackfox
|
At least this proves it's not a freak , both shots have a direct comparison . What the actual answer is I don't know , I have never come across this before on any other forum and I post on lots , even Facebook does a better direct upload than here ,, compression I understand but what's altering the colours so drastically ? |
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chrisbet
|
I think it has something to do with resampling the image on resizing - I have turned it off in the blue cross upload routine now, so images will be at full resolution and size - question is, can we contain them on the page! |
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chrisbet
|
Well that one looked HUGE before posting but scaled down WITHOUT resampling but a big file - so the cost of good quality is storage space and processing time, colours are exactly as the original seen via image viewer on PC. Have another go with uploading the original curlews image from your hard disc using the blue cross - let's see if it was the resampling doing the damage. |
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chrisbet
|
It's not the rendering FROM the gallery, it's the uploading TO the gallery that is the issue - same resampling code is in the normal gallery upload routine AND in the PP photo gallery. Edited to add - I have amended the Ultra gallery upload setting to preserve original images as well - so you can upload up to 5 images at a time to the gallery and preserve resolution. |
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blackfox
|
Will re.post in a bit but surely the simple and cost effective answer is to host from Flickr |
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chrisbet
|
Except that flickr changes the URLs so images disappear after a while to non flickr users. Also you need to leave the forum to upload the pics, then get the link to paste in to a post. Blue cross uploads from the forum direct to our server without leaving the post and if you want to post elsewhere you can use the forum url to your image. Additionally, since the image is hosted on the same server as the forum, it will load faster than having to go out to the flickr server and pull the image down from there to display. |
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blackfox
|
right try again using the blue cross code  still no better ???? |
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blackfox
|
weird when posted it was still that sludge blue , ten minutes later its larger and proper colour , is then something happening backstage ???? |
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blackfox
|
try this one from today , direct up load not been posted elsewhere yet  |
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blackfox
|
I do believe you have cracked it chris W.D |
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chrisbet
|
I sincerely hope so!!! I have done a cut & paste - left side of image is flickr - right is from the gallery. Actually there is better definition from the gallery!  |
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chrisbet
|
If you want to see the image at max size - click on the recent images thumbnail on the left of the main pages. Here's an enlargement of part of the gallery image:  |
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jk
|
That is much better. In fact it is a world of difference. Thanks Chris. |
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blackfox
|
try this one a slightly different pose . showing his wet breast feathers  |
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blackfox
|
one from yesterdays mega day out , I promise not to post all 600 shots  |
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blackfox
|
and another one  |
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Graham Whistler
|
Is there room for me to put one up too? Another Sickin but next day D500 500mm AF-S FL at 15 feet through a double glazed window. Much softer early morning light. Attachment: Siskin1319.jpg (Downloaded 79 times) |
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Eric
|
Graham Whistler wrote:Is there room for me to put one up too? Another Sickin but next day D500 500mm AF-S FL at 15 feet through a double glazed window. Much softer early morning light.Lovely soft light, Graham....perhaps a tad more contrast? |
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Eric
|
I wondered why I was getting tiny bird poo down the side of my car. It's a Long Tailed Narcissist.  |
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Graham Whistler
|
What fun, we also had some sun in Scotland Attachment: Goldfinch1331s.jpg (Downloaded 69 times) |
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Graham Whistler
|
This is a slightly larger file from same shoot. Attachment: Siskin1292A3s.jpg (Downloaded 68 times) |
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Eric
|
Graham Whistler wrote:This is a slightly larger file from same shoot.I hope you brought that posing stick back home with you? It's a cracker! |
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blackfox
|
some lovely shots there graham |
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jk
|
Great shots Graham. The red faced thingy is very good. |
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blackfox
|
high flying buzzard yesterday  |
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blackfox
|
female reed bunting yesterday big crop  |
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blackfox
|
another shot from yesterday a short eared owl diving in for lunch  |
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blackfox
|
and finally a short eared owl coming out of a backlit misty marsh. |
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chrisbet
|
I like the high flying buzzard - I was watching one the other day while walking the dogs but it was way too high even if I had the Nikon with me - on the phone it was probably less than a pixel! |
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Graham Whistler
|
Mostly Gulls in Titchfield Haven today but this Redshank came in reasonable range for the D850 and 500mm lens: 1/1250 sec f11 ISO 1250 Attachment: Redshank3378.jpg (Downloaded 336 times) |
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Graham Whistler
|
These chaps were also out in the Solent today having fun in the sun and strong wind same camera and lens as above. Attachment: Wind Surfing3400.jpg (Downloaded 324 times) |
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Robert
|
Nice Redshank Graham. We get windsurfers here, quite popular off Walney Island, some of them take off, big time, maybe 30, 40 feet above the water, quite spectacular at time especially when the light is right. The only issue is the wind farm which provides the background get's a bit dominant. |
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blackfox
|
nice redshank graham , though I find the angle of the reeds very distracting . a bit more thought could have got the reeds straight and the birds reflection to. again with the windsurfer nice sharp shot but the top of the sail is missing . |
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jk
|
Nice image Graham. Is that picture of the redshank lodged in Flickr or the forum database for your post? I cant see the file location data. |
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Eric
|
It's been precipitating all day here...but life outdoors still goes on.....  |
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jk
|
Obviously your Discovery attracts the birds. |
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Graham Whistler
|
Eric build them a dry bird house? I had good weather in Scotland another D500 pix. Attachment: Nuthatch1412.jpg (Downloaded 215 times) |
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Iain
|
One from last week that I just processed. DSC_4774 by Iain Clyne, on Flickr |
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Graham Whistler
|
Nice shot Ian, here is another Siskin from Scotland. Attachment: Siskun1195.jpg (Downloaded 170 times) |
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Iain
|
Good detail in that Graham. |
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Eric
|
Graham Whistler wrote:Nice shot Ian, here is another Siskin from Scotland.Are you starting to gift wrap them, Graham? Lovely bird detail ...but I feel it's competing with the amount of lichen surround. |
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blackfox
|
nice shots by graham , Eric , and Iain well done |
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blackfox
|
couple of mine a grounded shorty and one in flight head on with a gnat under right wing   |
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blackfox
|
a purple sandpiper , from when my chauffeur Robert took me along the coast a week or so ago  |
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blackfox
|
looked at the pic above and realised that I had really ****ed up the white balance in p.p .. I suppose this boils down to changing cameras , not trusting the w/b on them and altering it without need .. I do see where graham is coming from with the rendering of the w/b .. hope this now rectifies it a bit .. shows we are never to old to learn .. both shots taken within a second or two of each other . and teaches me to trust the camera more and not photoshops rendering of it ..  |
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Eric
|
Whilst the first one may be slightly over warm, it depends what time of day and year as to how warm the camera captures the scene. Backing off the wb, as you have done. makes the bird more pristine but I think it's a little bit cold/blue. Either way both lovely photos, well done. This is the best purple sandpiper I've got (unedited straight out of camera).....  |
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Eric
|
This bird watching and photography can be a frustrating pastime. Mike (of RSPB Frampton fame) and I were in Alsace in September. In Munster, we were after the storks that nest on the rooftops. Even an experienced birder can miss the obvious.....  |
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blackfox
|
a great spotted woodpecker from yesterday at my local n/r where I took rob on his recent visit .  |
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Robert
|
Very good Jeff, those claws tell a story, some grip there. Does it announce it's presence with a little drilling? The one near here lands on a tall telegraph pole and it's rattle, rattle, rattle! Very loud, everybody knows it's there. |
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Graham Whistler
|
Nice one Jeff shame about end of tail but you are doing great with colour balance now! This is a male GS Woodpecker from my Scotish trip, quite a big blow up from the D500 with 500mm lens ISO 1250 1/250 sec at f10. Attachment: WP1173A3s.jpg (Downloaded 110 times) |
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Eric
|
During a short break in the wind and rain, this chap popped into the garden for a snack...   |
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blackfox
|
thanks for the nice comment graham , heres a couple more from yesterday gsw with full tail . it was really close only cropped side to side , and a long tailed tit with the longest tail I have ever seen   |
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Eric
|
blackfox wrote:thanks for the nice comment graham , heres a couple more from yesterday gsw with full tail . it was really close only cropped side to side , and a long tailed tit with the longest tail I have ever seenThat is what you call a long tailed tit. |
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blackfox
|
had a stunning afternoon yesterday with the short eared owls coming in rather close , virtually frame filling in fact    |
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jk
|
Wow. Those owls are close! Loving them. |
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Graham Whistler
|
Super shots well done! |
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blackfox
|
thanks Jonathon and graham for the nice comments , yesterday was a day to remember the shorties were as you can see virtually flying in under our feet , I missed a stunner of one perched on a log six foot away as a big fat woman pushed past me to take a selfie with a mobile phone . the owl as expected did one .. but non withstanding we also had close fly pasts by ring-tailed hen harrier , a barn owl came out at 3.30 for over a hour , plus kestrels and buzzards . just looking on Flickr and spring watch team have faved a buzzard shot .. and the mobile 4x4 hide has just passed its m.o.t |
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chrisbet
|
My 70-300 turned up today - weighs more than all my other lenses put together! So - thought I'd try it out and this chappie turned up in the garden  - no time to fine tune the exposure and shooting through a double glazed patio door - daren't open it & scare the bird... |
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blackfox
|
just had a surprise visitor myself a sparrowhawk decided to land right outside our living room window for about five minutes ,eyeing up the bird feeders .. taken through double glazed window at a angle so pretty good . had to zoom back for the full height one   |
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Graham Whistler
|
Nice pix again. We had one take out a starling yesterday but it took 20mins to eat most of it but was under a bush in corner of garden so no pixs. |
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jk
|
Good shots through the glass Jeff. Chris, we have those here in Cornwall. I think it is a rook but I need confirmation of identity. |
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chrisbet
|
Might be a juvenile rook but more likely a crow. |
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jk
|
I have difficulty with rook, crow, raven and chough (easier to spot). Would be nice to have a side by side comparison, with same relative scale. |
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chrisbet
|
Adult rooks have bare skin behind the beak & under the eyes so look white/grey. |
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blackfox
|
Chris it's a crow |
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chrisbet
|
blackfox wrote:Chris it's a crowAs I thought  - we get crows, magpies and jays in the garden - all same family. |
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Robert
|
This is definitely a white(ish) bird. |
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chrisbet
|
Not a crow then .. |
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Robert
|
No more a crow than I am an ornithologist! |
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jk
|
Robert wrote:This is definitely a white(ish) bird.Lovely work Robert. |
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blackfox
|
it's a black headed gull ( there heads are actually brown ) coming into breeding plumage. Mediterranean gulls are similar but with a redder beak and there heads do go black .. BTW there is no such bird as a SEAGULL lots of variants of gulls though |
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Robert
|
blackfox wrote:BTW there is no such bird as a SEAGULL lots of variants of gulls though I studiously avoided the term SEAGULL! So perhaps I am learning, a little, slowly. Thanks for the clarification on the white(ish) bird, the photo was taken at Haverigg, across the Duddon estuary from home. The birds had been driven in by the tide, the bulk of them were slowly retreating along a spit some way from my viewpoint, definitely beyond the reach of most lenses. |
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chrisbet
|
If you have ever been bombed by one of them you call them something else entirely - digested crabs are just the worst However, Jonathon Livingstone Seagull is a good book! |
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Iain
|
A Brambling from yesterday. May be my last shot of one before they fly off for the summer. DSC_4988 by Iain Clyne, on Flickr |
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Robert
|
Not a bird photo but the picture to provide background for a quick bird story. I had just taken this exposure to start a sequence of test exposures with my equatorial mount, I walked back to the car to leave the camera clicking away on it's own at 9 minutes past midnight when I saw three Swans almost silently flying over the col where I was parked. They were very low and very close, maybe twenty feet away? I was quite startled by their sudden appearance, the road must be close to 1,000 feet above sea level, it was a surreal experience, the outstretched necks and massive wingspan in silent flight. I have seen Buzzards circling very high above that area in very poor light, I don't know if they would tackle a group of three Swans, in the dark, actually bright moonlight. A you can see from the photo. |
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blackfox
|
a few from yesterday and today (thurs) mega high tide tomorrow and I shall be out with a mate chasing the owls yet again . I think that will probably be the turning point as its been such a good owl season I have a few thousand un edited owl files .I need to concentrate on other birds for a change .. all shots below taken hand held with d7200 and sigma 150-600c what a combo      |
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Iain
|
Nice set Jeff |
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blackfox
|
couple more from Friday . I must add I'm extremely pleased with the definition im getting from the d7200 and the sigma 150-600 C.   |
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Graham Whistler
|
More good sharp pixs with good colour balance and sharp focus! No need for me to post any more bird pixs as Black Fox is doing such a good job for us all! |
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Graham Whistler
|
Nice one Ian I have not seen any this year. |
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blackfox
|
Graham Whistler wrote:More good sharp pixs with good colour balance and sharp focus!please dont stop posting yours on my account graham .. its only a hobby and with birds every day is different |
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blackfox
|
a nice reflection shot of a coot from yesterday .. |
|||||||||
blackfox
|
oops I forgot these from over the weekend ,my first decent shots of the very elusive bearded tits , right time right place .. there must have been 70 to 80 people in the hide trying for these shots   |
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jk
|
I think that seeing the different photographic styles and also locations makes the images more interesting. I dont think that we need to be competitive over it as parameters are different. Jeff has said how he uses seed and maggots to tempt the birds in. I know people who get really sniffy about that as it is unnatural. That said it is actually part of fieldcraft. Then there is the 'no Photoshop' brigade. We need to embrace the fact that there are great cameras, lenses, tools, techniques, but knowledge and fieldcraft are very valuable. My bird expert friend who goes all over the world and he gets amazing photos that are totally natural but they are not as good/sharp as those from Graham, Iain, Eric or Jeff. |
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Robert
|
jk wrote:I think that seeing the different photographic styles and also locations makes the images more interesting. I agree, diversity is good, we all have own styles and the localities influence the species available too. It would be sad to see any of you abandoning posting, for any reason. The question of commenting is a difficult one, I comment when I see an image which resonates with me, the fact I don't always comment doesn't mean I don't like the image, but countless 'liking' are pretty bland and can clutter the thread with chatter detracting from the images. I recently (mistakenly) joined a star watching forum, not only were images severely limited in size both pixel count and quality, members are also actively discouraged from complimenting the poster, which amazes me because the work required to produce high quality astro images is astounding. The forum admin regard complimentary posts as post count farming, according to their rules you can be barred for doing it??? I think the proof of success of this thread lies in the topic views count and that is down to the high quality of the images. Edited: To correct errors and add clarity. |
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chrisbet
|
I have refrained from hitting the like button ... I agree, some forum admins are so anally retentive - as long as posts are relevant and polite then I see no reason not to post. Having wandered off topic, I'll get my hat ( if I had one...)  |
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jk
|
We allow wandering here. Wandering shows that you have a creative thought process. Those that are fixated on single trains of thought often are very 'successful' as they are seen to be focussed, driven or determined, but in my experience they are frequently people who lack real vision, creativity and unfortunately frequently of lesser intelligence. Theresa May are you listening...... no you never have. QED. |
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chrisbet
|
Lol - couldn't agree more - in my "ideal" world, anyone who "wanted" to be a politician would NOT be allowed to become one... You may have noticed I am fond of horses - they live in the moment, totally connected to their world and that is something I try to do as well, shame some of our leaders don't join our world ... I need more Chianti ...  |
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jk
|
chrisbet wrote:Lol - couldn't agree more - in my "ideal" world, anyone who "wanted" to be a politician would NOT be allowed to become one...I agree all politicians should be strangled at birth! Herodian principle. |
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blackfox
|
Of course I use seeds and mealworms ( not maggots jk) to attract the birds as you say it's part of field craft I.e getting the subject where your going to obtain the best view of it , it doesn't always work though , and with the likes of the larger species owls ,seabirds,waders etc a lot of it is down to studying habitats and also taking into account the direction of light , sometimes it's inevitable that you have to shoot into the sun though , it can be extremely frustrating at times when the birds don't want to play ball but you need that extra bit of dedication , on Thursday I spent the whole day with Andy rouse the well known wildlife photographer (on a personal friends basis) not a lesson waiting on the owls And I took around 500 shots , , once home and downloaded I think that only 3 or 4 shots were useable . He stayed on at the location waiting on the RIGHT light .. he may or may not have got it I'm yet to find out . But that's the name of this game dedication , realising that it may or may not all come together in a few minutes a day .. and take my shots of the bearded tits from last weekend , I waited 12 years for that opportunity , I may return on Sunday as a stork turned up on the reserve today .. |
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Graham Whistler
|
I agree put down food in our garden helps the birds to over-winter and bonus is I get the odd pix! No photography last two weeks winding up GWP and selling the company so I am now fully retired and very please to enjoy taking photos for fun! |
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jk
|
Graham Whistler wrote:I agree put down food in our garden helps the birds to over-winter and bonus is I get the odd pix! No photography last two weeks winding up GWP and selling the company so I am now fully retired and very please to enjoy taking photos for fun!Congratulations on the sale of GWP. Work is such a distraction! |
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blackfox
|
just a black backed gull shot from yesterday , there been a major firmware update on the sigma lenses and just done it yesterday morning , seems to have speeds up a/f and sharpened it a tad . taken hand held  |
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blackfox
|
a Dunnock from yesterday ,I do like whatever the firmware update has done to the sigma lens  |
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Robert
|
Looking good Jeff. |
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jk
|
Wow that is close. I have been debating with myself whether I seeing wrens or dunnocks on my walks in the country. Looking at your picture I am convinced that there seems to be large numbers of wrens along that lane. |
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Graham Whistler
|
Super pixs Jeff you are getting better by the day! I must pick up my camera on day soon, now I have sold GWP should have bit more time. Pair of GS Woodpeckers in garden this morning. Gardening today and no doubt friend Reg the Robin will join me! Attachment: Reg3456.jpg (Downloaded 43 times) |
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Robert
|
Graham Whistler wrote:now I have sold GWP should have bit more time. I think the reality will not meet your expectations Graham! You will almost certainly be busier than ever. Just try to fit some more bird or any other photography into your schedule. |
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chrisbet
|
There is never enough time once you retire - the days just get fuller and fuller - trouble is that I can never remember what it is that I did .... |
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blackfox
|
couple of little egret shots from a Sunday evening stroll along the estuary with the wife and dog   |
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jk
|
Nice work Jeff. Colour is good. |
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Iain
|
One from a recent trip out. DSC_5183 by Iain Clyne, on Flickr |
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Robert
|
Very nice Iain, is it a Red Kite? Not sure cause I can't see the tail from underneath. |
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Robert
|
Do Buzzards and other large birds of prey fly at night? Last night in full darkness after the Moon had set, something large flew past at very high speed, I just saw it in the corner of my eye, a black shadow then it was gone. A few weeks ago two Swans flew past in the dark quite close to the ground, much more slowly of course but still quite eery when not expecting them. |
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Iain
|
It is a Red Kite Robert and in answer to your other question there are Owl's like a tawny or a long eared owl that fly at night and have a large wing span. May have been one of them you saw. |
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Robert
|
Thanks Iain, need a radar camera which pops of when birds approach in the dark! It's a tiny pass in the Lake District about 900ft above sea level, probably the only way for the birds without climbing a lot higher. |
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blackfox
|
one of mine from the other day ,not been out much for a few days high winds are subduing a lot of stuff  |
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Iain
|
Nice one Jeff, I love the LLT. |
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Iain
|
Why is a yellowhammer doing the Goose step!! Attachment: DSC_5324.jpg (Downloaded 219 times) |
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chrisbet
|
Iain wrote:Why is a yellowhammer doing the Goose step!!Cos his thumb claw is stuck in the twig? |
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blackfox
|
super Iain one bird on my wish list . seen one once but no pics ... yet others get them regularly |
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blackfox
|
few from today keeping my hand in    |
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Robert
|
Very nice Jeff, particularly I like the last one, what bird is it? |
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blackfox
|
its a female (possibly juvenile) house sparrow rob , puzzled me for a bit to |
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jk
|
Is the middle one a robin? Never noticed the speckle in the head feathers before. Lovely shots. |
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blackfox
|
No Jonathon thats a male stonechat in nice breeding condition |
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Graham Whistler
|
More super pixs Jeff good lighting and nice and sharp. Just for a change a Hawaii Goose: Ne Ne. D500 Attachment: _DSC2634.jpg (Downloaded 182 times) |
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blackfox
|
Nice graham |
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jk
|
blackfox wrote:No Jonathon thats a male stonechat in nice breeding conditionThanks Jeff. Thought its legs looked too long and the head being all speckled. Now can I remember that for next time. |
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Robert
|
My fishing friend tells me this morning he saw an Osprey take a fish from a nearby reservoir, rotate it in it's talons (so it was facing forward, to create less wind resistance) then fly off with it in the Easterly direction of the Foulshaw nest. |
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blackfox
|
couple more from Friday a female stonechat and a first for me a cattle egret in flight , the smallest of the three u.k based egret types   |
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blackfox
|
a few geese shots from today including a bit of porn, and at the end of the day a nice low flying spoonbill .looking like a pterodactyl     |
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Robert
|
My own small offering, on my walk back up the pier this afternoon, I walked right past it before I realised it was there, it was amazingly patient, it even waited while I got my tripod out and mounted the camera on it because I couldn't hold the camera still enough! LOL I must have taken 10 shots because the AF was getting confused by the foreground and the background. I have no idea what it is. D3, Nikkor 80-200mm f/2.8 AF  A 100% crop. I missed a pair of Curlews which flew very close by. In passing, I am sure I saw a Seal swimming up the estuary as the tide reached it's fullest but it was some way away and would have needed a very powerful lens just to catch a glimpse of a very shiny black head which was only visible for fleeting glimpses. |
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Graham Whistler
|
Nice shot Robert it is a Ringed Plover. This time last year you Eric and I were photographing them fighting with the smaller Little Ringed Prover in Frampton Marsh at our Last of the Summer Wine event! |
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blackfox
|
couple more from mid week m black tailed godwit and greylag geese   |
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Graham Whistler
|
Jeff can not fault your quality, that D7200 is producing super images every time now! |
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blackfox
|
thanks graham , it does seem a lot better than the d300s . still yearn for some really good glass though |
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blackfox
|
storm Hannah day yesterday so sat indoors playing around , tried a couple of photoshop effect filters out here's the results . might not be to everyones tastes but I quite like them   |
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blackfox
|
and a couple more done today ,gradually refining it to get the effect I want   |
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jk
|
Top one looks great but I think the lower one looks like you need to feather the selected owl or use a different blend mode for the background. Just my opinion. Graham or Eric are the ones to ask. They are the experts. |
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blackfox
|
very much on a learning curve with this Jonathon , the bottom one had to be totally black ,the main reason I have started doing this is in the owl place your shooting at low flying brown birds against a brown sea marsh i.e brown on brown and also shooting into the light or low winter sun due to when they come out to play , so a lot of good sharp images have had to be abandoned due to lack of contrast . this is simply a way in my books to save them . I don't learn from books or u.tube or advice but by playing around and finding what I like , and my chief critic SWMBO then stands behind me and says its either good or not . |
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Iain
|
blackfox wrote:and a couple more done today ,gradually refining it to get the effect I want I like these Jeff. |
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blackfox
|
cheers Iain |
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Graham Whistler
|
The light on the owls is great. Perhaps you shoud use one of Robert's night skys as your plain black is a bit stark but your cut-out looks good. Well done Jeff! |
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blackfox
|
some from this week including a fairly rare male garganey duck and some black tailed godwits before they depart for Iceland to breed     |
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blackfox
|
three from the last week or so ,behind with my editing    |
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blackfox
|
mallard duckling doing a Freddy Starr  |
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blackfox
|
nice hour down the estuary last night (by the castle Robert)    |
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Graham Whistler
|
Very well done getting the House Martin!!! |
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blackfox
|
trying to catch them mating graham , I have in previous years , they were in the same spot this morning with bums raised ready but it was far to windy |
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Graham Whistler
|
Starlings have been busy as our garden is full of young fighting to get to food on our feeders. We have also had rats in serious amounts picking up food falling from the feeders. Council rat man has put down traps with poison and I have shot 9 to date with my air rifle. Now the foxes are there with a keen interest in eating rats so we have been rat free for several days! Attachment: Young Starlings1616.jpg (Downloaded 27 times) |
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Robert
|
Graham Whistler wrote:Starlings have been busy as our garden is full of young fighting to get to food on our feeders. We have also had rats in serious amounts picking up food falling from the feeders. Council rat man has put down traps with poison and I have shot 9 to date with my air rifle. Now the foxes are there with a keen interest in eating rats so we have been rat free for several days!Sounds like a battleground Graham, would a tray, suspended below the feeder prevent the feed falling to the ground? No Fox pix? |
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Graham Whistler
|
Have done that but big birds tip tray, have also greased the pole to stop rats climbing up! Do not want to stop feeding as birds have young to feed so are extra hard at work at the moment. At least it looks as if this batch of rats is finished. |
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Graham Whistler
|
On the left shot with D850 and 500mm lens and on the right same rat a few moments later shot with a .177 air rifle! Attachment: Rat.jpg (Downloaded 235 times) |
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jk
|
Good shooting Graham. I suspect that you are refreshing your skills from the years in Africa. |
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blackfox
|
a couple from today no dead rats though , the oystercatcher is on the estuary about 200 yds from home    |
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blackfox
|
quick trip to the estuary this evening to try for the house martins in evening light it paid dividends as the flock let me approach to with a few feet on foot , I moved very very slowly and gained there confidence and it paid dividends as seen below ,waled away feeling very smug    |
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Robert
|
Well done Jeff, get much closer and you will need the 60! LOL |
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blackfox
|
a few from yesterday ,one of those days when it all falls into place     |
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jk
|
Superb images Jeff. No less that I expect from you. The spoonbill? is fantastic. |
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Robert
|
Saw an unusual bird s afternoon in a very large rural garden near Lancaster. It appeared over some large bushes, swooped across the lawn and disappeared into or over some more bushes about 80 yards later. At first I thought it was a hawk, it was flying quite fast with a powerful wingbeat, the wings seemed smallish and were dark on the upper side, when raised the wings formed a steep V not unlike the character V. Then as it crossed the lawn I thought of Jeff's Owl, the body didn't look like an Owl but it could have had a flat face like the pictures Jeff has posted, even if I had had my camera with me there would have been absolutely no chance of photographing it, the whole thing was over in a couple of seconds. I will be spending some time in this garden so I will try to have camera ready, but if it repeats the same manoeuvre I will have zero chance of getting a pic. |
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blackfox
|
could be one of many small raptors rob sounds like sparrow hawk behaviour though |
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blackfox
|
thanks Jonathon |
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blackfox
|
a few practise shots with the new rig yesterday , testing out its A/F speed and accuracy more than trying to get a quality shot . the weather was pants grey overcast which didn't help . but I have to admit I was suitably impressed with a far higher percentage of b.i.f shots in focus SOMETHING WRONG HERE THIS IS NOT THE PHOTO I CLICKED ONTO POST ??????? |
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blackfox
|
     |
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blackfox
|
no idea how the puffin shot appeared .. unless its selected a title I have previously used ??? one for Chris to look into I have also noticed that there appears to be over sharpening halos around yesterdays shots , might be to do with the built in camera profiles so I have now done a re-set on them . trial and error I suppose |
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chrisbet
|
What Puffin shot? I see no puffins |
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jk
|
Puffins would be nice! |
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blackfox
|
Plenty of them will sort in a day or so |
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blackfox
|
as requested a few puffin shots assorted cameras , Nikon d300s , canon 1d3 ,Panasonic g80.. as you can seethes is very little if any difference between the photos over the years and camera/lens changes in fact if I reprocessed the RAWS again using up to date software .. it would be hard to tell without exif data .. the secret is simply getting close to your target where possible     |
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Iain
|
A few from a week away. DSC_6282-2 by Iain Clyne, on Flickr DSC_7139-2 by Iain Clyne, on Flickr DSC_6771-2 by Iain Clyne, on Flickr |
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jk
|
Nice shots. Going to have to help me with some names Iain. |
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Iain
|
From top to bottom, Bearded Tit male, Red spot Blue throat male, Juvenile Stonechat. |
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Graham Whistler
|
Ian super shots thanks for sharing them with us good to see you posting again. Jeff Puffin shots are spot on and great quality, I agree about older Nikons images still look good a lower ISOs but new models can be pushed a lot more and produce serious high def very big prints. |
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jk
|
Never seen a Red spot Blue throat before. Are reed beds their normal habitat? |
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Iain
|
Yes but you don't get many here. This one was in Norfolk. |
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blackfox
|
Super set Iain love the bluethroat and the bearded tit |
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blackfox
|
Back off to East Yorkshire next Sunday for a week ,hopefully get some more shots weather permitting we are also hoping to get in a boat trip under the cliffs for some sea level shots.. at least the tides are right for it |
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Iain
|
Hope the weather clears for you. |
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blackfox
|
Unfortunately doesn't look that way Iain ,but we shall just have to work around it Sod's law when you book early to ensure a pitch ..and a price |
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blackfox
|
a few back edits from earlier this year playing catch up while house-bound     |
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Eric
|
While Jeff is recuperating, here's a white wagtail... .   |
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Eric
|
...and a one legged Avocet juvenile... .  ...Ignoring what his parents are doing... .  |
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blackfox
|
nice shots Eric |
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blackfox
|
a few from yesterday couple sat in the garden soaking up the sun then the yellowhammers late evening when my lad took me out for a drive . recovering a bit better now its a day to day improvement     |
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blackfox
|
couple more from yesterday better shots of these hard to find yellowhammers   |
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blackfox
|
couple from today cormorants over high tide at high noon . this is one of the places I took rob in the spring .right beside the motorway but you have to know how to access it    |
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blackfox
|
and another cormorant shot , been away for a few days so nothing new to show  |
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Graham Whistler
|
Auper detailed pixs well done! |
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Iain
|
One from yesterday. DSC_8190 by Iain Clyne, on Flickr |
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jk
|
Fine catch Iain. |
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blackfox
|
Very nice indeed iaian |
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Robert
|
Nice one Iain! |
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Graham Whistler
|
Well done Ian not easy to get that! |
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Eric
|
Had a Willow Warbler drop in for a wash and brush up on my bird bath yesterday. Went to get my camera, found the batteries were flat, went to find fresh batteries, returned to find the little beastie was in too much of a rush to wait. So I got a 'wet look' photo as it left. 4 |
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blackfox
|
Nice shot Eric |
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blackfox
|
a few from the beach yesterday dunlin and ringed plover   |
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Graham Whistler
|
You are very lucky with all those birds so close to home. Titchfield Haven our local reserve has been very poor last two years, too many black headed gull nesting there.Last week for a change there were about 20 redshanks. Attachment: 3 Redshanks1682.jpg (Downloaded 193 times) |
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blackfox
|
nice graham |
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Graham Whistler
|
We are in Thieves France on holiday in a 1700c villa in quite a remote wooded area. Very few birds I thik to locals shoot a lot took me all afternoon to get in range of this very shy Spotted Flycatcher. They are on way S for winter now. Long time since I have seen one. D500 with my 80-400mm AF-S plus x1.4 quite a big blow up and at f8 sorry not much DOF. Attachment: _DSC1774.jpg (Downloaded 180 times) |
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Graham Whistler
|
30c today! Attachment: Pool1711.jpg (Downloaded 162 times) |
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Graham Whistler
|
Our holiday home for two weeks in quite remote countryside. Good weather and heated swimming pool and good food from the French supermarket 5 ks down the road in Thivirs.Sadly hardly any bird to be seen apart from the few Flycatchers getting ready to move to Africa for the Winter. Attachment: House1710.jpg (Downloaded 167 times) |
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blackfox
|
have a good holiday graham |
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Graham Whistler
|
Out agin after birds plenty of noise in the woods but too shy to come to camera. Weather here very hot 34C. This is our local chateau at the end of our little road. Very harsh light but D500 spot on exposure just a little lower contrast in Photoshop. Attachment: Jumilhac-Le-Grand1796.jpg (Downloaded 139 times) |
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jk
|
What is the name of that Chateau? I visited many of the Loire chateaux about 25 years ago. I think you are in Masif Central area near Clermont-Ferrand. It looks very fine there. It gets very cold there in the winter. |
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Eric
|
jk wrote:What is the name of that Chateau?Ch¢teau de Jumilhac |
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Graham Whistler
|
Chateau-de-Jumihac it is about 8 miles due East from our place. Eric tells me there is a series of lakes 5 miles due north from us about with possible birds stopping off on the way S so hope to go there before we go home this Sat. |
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Eric
|
Graham Whistler wrote:Chateau-de-Jumihac it is about 8 miles due East from our place. Eric tells me there is a series of lakes 5 miles due north from us about with possible birds stopping off on the way S so hope to go there before we go home this Sat.That looks like a nice chateau to visit and an interesting area that we haven't seen. Maybe next year! Don't hold your breath about the lakes. In my experience France is so big the birds are spread wider than in UK ...and are as a result far less approachable. Like many of the large lakes in the UK, the birds tend to stay at a distance from any people. Ok for binoculars but not so for photography. The French are also not very good at positioning observation hides .....except for shooting the birds! One of the (supposedly) best places for birds, just south of the Loire, is La Brenne, west of Chateauroux. It's a huge area of lakes and surrounding woodland where the French have done a better job of hide positioning. We hope to take a look next May....Boris permitting. One thing that has struck me on this thread and seeing Jeff's wonderful images....most 'birding' locations for the general public are only adequate for birdwatching with binoculars etc. If you want to photograph birds well...generally speaking you need to be able to get much closer than most public places allow. |
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Graham Whistler
|
Eric you are dead right about birds in France. Wendy and I drove up to the lake today it is great big dam but lake behind is 2/3 empty. Mostly brown dry mud sloping down all round to what little remains. Not a bird in sight! Locals say there has been very little rain this year, all the fields round here only short brown grass! Another 35 c today almost too hot to sit in the garden. Will swim later when sun goes down. Sory all this is way off topic!!! |
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Iain
|
And more to the point making us that are in 15c here in the UK very jealous. |
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jk
|
If you want green and pleasant then stay out of sunny climes unless you want tropical with high humidity. There is no perfect place on this Earth only a great place to be at that moment! |
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chrisbet
|
Lol - disagree - there is a perfect place and I shall be back there in Tuscany next Saturday |
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jk
|
chrisbet wrote:Lol - disagree - there is a perfect place and I shall be back there in Tuscany next SaturdayBut it is outside Boris-land so it cannot be perfect! |
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chrisbet
|
I'll raise a glass ( or several ) of chianti to being outside boring boris land |
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Graham Whistler
|
Thought of you this morning Chris two ladies rode up our little lane as I was trying to spot a bird to photograph. Even at 7.30 this morning 25c plenty of bird song all round me in the trees. |
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Eric
|
Graham Whistler wrote:Thought of you this morning Chris two ladies rode up our little lane as I was trying to spot a bird to photograph. Even at 7.30 this morning 25c plenty of bird song all round me in the trees.Hope you weren't in your camouflage 'tent'....that would have spooked the horses and the riders. If it's any consolation, it's 15deg here and I am soaking wet, due to pressure washing the patio....in a forlorn hope I can convince senior management we don't need new paving. |
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chrisbet
|
Early morning rides are the best - as the mist lies in the valleys and the hills float like islands. I hope you said "beaux chevaux" as they passed |
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blackfox
|
a few kingfisher shots from earlier this week at the reserve that rob likes    |
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Graham Whistler
|
Thoses are outstanding well done. Nearly two weeks in France and only one shot as posted of a bird!!!! In fact have now put my big lens away. |
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Robert
|
blackfox wrote:a few kingfisher shots from earlier this week at the reserve that rob likes Wow! Jeff, that's wonderful, as soon as I feel better (still suffering the after effects of the shingles episode I think) I must get down there, spend a day in the hide. The only Kingfisher I have actually seen was travelling so fast that it was just a bright flash of blue. To have one pose is almost unbelievable. |
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blackfox
|
it landed in bout six different places rob , and performed for over a hour .. stunning display with over 500 shots taken. I went yesterday again but as expected publishing photos of a wanted species brings every knob head and his wife out waving massive lenses and two or three cameras to boot . the bird landed for at least 3 seconds and was gone |
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blackfox
|
another one mirrorless silent shutter helps . hand held at iso 6400 |
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Graham Whistler
|
Very well controlled noise for 6400 ISO. Super set of Kingfisher pixs! |
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jk
|
Have you seen this image? https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-49742285 Superb capture. |
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Robert
|
Perhaps inspired by Graham and Jeff's superb photo's. Does anyone know if Kingfishers have a season, like they up-sticks and fly off to Iceland or South Africa for the winter or are they here all year round? |
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Eric
|
Robert wrote:Perhaps inspired by Graham and Jeff's superb photo's.No. UK Kingfishers stay put in winter unless really harsh when they may leave their patch of river. Juveniles don't go very far from their 'birth' site. c. 5-10miles. In contrast mainland European kingfishers DO migrate to the Med. Suspect that's the colder mainland conditions. |
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Robert
|
Eric, that reduces the urgency to visit N Wales... I am in dereliction of my duty to at least try to photograph the Ospreys on a nearby reservoir were they have been reported to be catching fish and heading back to Foulshaw to feed their chicks. I really should be struck off. |
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Eric
|
Robert wrote:Eric, that reduces the urgency to visit N Wales... I am in dereliction of my duty to at least try to photograph the Ospreys on a nearby reservoir were they have been reported to be catching fish and heading back to Foulshaw to feed their chicks. I really should be struck off.THEY will have gone now. Huge migration on going here in Norfolk. Thousands of pink foot geese already here. Graham is joining me at the end of the month for another early morning high tide spectacular. Hopefully a little warmer than January.....only just thawed out. |
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jk
|
Robert wrote:Perhaps inspired by Graham and Jeff's superb photo's.Kingfishers do not migrate but remain in UK all year. They tend to stay in distinct territories and as such should not be disturbed. They are a protected species and disturbing them can lead to prosecution. Since Police are even rarer species there is little chance of this happening, of course. |
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blackfox
|
this has been a particuarly good year for them so far .. but last Monday was the best day I have ever had at this reserve in 4 years and its been absent for the rest of the week .it really is pot luck other species there is week include chiffchaff ,reed warblers , blue tits ,great tits,long tailed tits . goldfinch , thrushes , gold crests,nuthatch , massive flock of linnets . lots and lots of dragonflies, butterflies etc .. not bad for a reserve you can walk round in 15 minutes . anyway I was messing with one of the K/F images this morning to see how far I could crop in as obviously the Olympus MFT sensor is smaller than a aps-c sensor . so below is a very large cropped image .quite impressed me and at 5000iso to |
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blackfox
|
and the cropped one NOT WORKING SEE FOLLOWING POST DIRECT LINK TO FLICKR |
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blackfox
|
not sure what's going on its not allowing me to post a cropped version so heres a direct link to Flickr  up and away by jeff and jan cohen, on Flickr |
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Iain
|
Great capture Jeff but the crop has brought out the noise in the bird. |
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Eric
|
I am not sure what we are supposed to be looking at, Jeff? These latest images are the same crop as the one you posted earlier (in post 1227) and the noise level on the bird is the same in all of them to my eyes. I can see you've softened noise in the area around the bird but at ISOs over 5000 you can't avoid it without touching up, even on APS sensors. |
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Graham Whistler
|
Put this through PS noise reduction but the noice is beyond repair.It has been shot at far too high ISO. A high end Nikon would do better but I would never push beyond 3200 ISO. It looks soft as I do not know how to make blue cross work.There is just no detail in the bird. Attachment: Noise.jpg (Downloaded 199 times) |
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blackfox
|
o.k now altered in camera settings as it was obviously choosing to high a i.s.o so how's this one  |
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Iain
|
That looks better to me. |
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Graham Whistler
|
Thats much better, good detail! |
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blackfox
|
pigeon on the beach mid week  |
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Eric
|
blackfox wrote:pigeon on the beach mid weekWhat a handsome fellow! |
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blackfox
|
a flock of incoming redshanks this morning .. really starting to gel with this camera now . it's not been easy but feel that it's starting to fall into place   |
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Graham Whistler
|
Spot on what more can I say!! Eric and I are hoping to get the high tides in the Wash next week, lets hope the weather holds and the mass waders come in. |
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blackfox
|
another shot from yesterdays high tides . today was a total loss with everything too distant + rain  |
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blackfox
|
couple from todays high tide  |
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Robert
|
Graham Whistler wrote:Eric and I are hoping to get the high tides in the Wash next week, lets hope the weather holds and the mass waders come in.How is it going? I've been watching the weather it must have been a bit damp... Waders would be mandatory I would have thought. |
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Graham Whistler
|
Dawn today Eric and I were in the Wash (N Norfolk) for the extra high tide that bring in large numbers of waders. These are Knots and no way you could count them! Nikon D500 with 18-140mm lens. Attachment: _DSCASmall1823.jpg (Downloaded 121 times) |
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jk
|
Wow, whole lotta birds! |
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Graham Whistler
|
Zoom in a bit with the 500mm lens on D850 Attachment: _DSCSmall4164.jpg (Downloaded 107 times) |
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Graham Whistler
|
And closer Attachment: _DSCSmall4150.jpg (Downloaded 106 times) |
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Eric
|
jk wrote:Wow, whole lotta birds!Around 100,000 Knot (plus other waders) come off the sea to sit out high tide in the adjacent gravel pits. There were nearly that number of photographers there as well. The heavy rain had flooded some of the islands and the northerly winds had held in the tide for 24 hours causing almost tidal flooding conditions. Graham and I braved the elements for a reccie the day before but with today's forecast for sunshine we hoped we could get a seat in the hide .....no such luck. So all photos handheld in staring winds.  |
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Robert
|
Graham Whistler wrote:Dawn today Eric and I were in the Wash (N Norfolk) for the extra high tide that bring in large numbers of waders. These are Knots and no way you could count them! Nikon D500 with 18-140mm lens.Amazing! How do you count 100,000 birds? ...very quickly??? |
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chrisbet
|
Robert wrote:Amazing!Just get one per pixel ... |
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jk
|
Which bird did you focus on? |
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blackfox
|
jk beat me to it . we were wondering on the weekend where all the waders were ,now I know .. |
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blackfox
|
woke this little starling up yesterday also sheltering from the high tide and winds , taken from my mobile portable hide . engine off  |
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Eric
|
jk wrote:Which bird did you focus on?Actually that's a very good question. It's impossible in this sort of setting, to single out a bird, in the hope it will strike a perfect pose for you to take a decisive moment photo. It's very much a case of taking a photo to record the mass spectical, different to taking a solitary bird photograph. I did contemplate playing a peregrine call on the iPhone....to see if they all looked in my direction. I think the other hide occupants may have objected. |
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Eric
|
I have a question.... In Graham's first (wide angle) photo of the gathered host, there is a distinct gap in the crowd leaving an area of shingle empty of birds. Why?  When the birds did their usual shuffle about, no birds transgressed onto this area. No new arrivals filled in that area. It was weird. As if something nasty had been spilt there...yet nothing was visible. |
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blackfox
|
probably where king johns treasure lies buried , protected by evil spirits |
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Eric
|
Robert wrote:Amazing!The RSPB have people who are very good at accurate number counting. For my part if you take my approx photo area....superimposed on the hoard on the north side of the pits, I can actually count 30 across and 40 deep. So that tiny area is over 1000birds.  |
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Eric
|
blackfox wrote:probably where king johns treasure lies buried , protected by evil spiritsI've always thought that story to be implausible. 'Sorry your majesty, we looked everywhere and couldn't find anything†Assuming he actually DID cross the marsh and lose his treasure chests. The local wildfowlers and bait diggers even now know these marshes like the back of their hands. Back then it would have been no different. They would have been out there on the next low tide to recover it for themselves. Gone in 60 seconds, like the film. |
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chrisbet
|
I wondered about the gap too - maybe it is the landing strip - authorised birds only? |
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Iain
|
Eric wrote:I have a question....One of them probably farted and the rest got out of the way. |
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Eric
|
Iain wrote:One of them probably farted and the rest got out of the way.Well it must have been strong ...the gap was still there an hour later.  |
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Iain
|
I know a few people that would clear that gap and it still be there an hour later. |
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Graham Whistler
|
Ian that was very rude!!! Even when they were shifting about none went into that space. All very interseting. |
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jk
|
This link may answer your question. http://www.fitzpatrick.uct.ac.za/sites/default/files/image_tool/images/275/Publications/PDF_Archive/Africa_Birdlife/Volume_Index/Vol2/AB02%282%2932-38.pdf They do it for warmth! I think there is a protection element as well, a potential predator would be 'confused' by the choice. Fish do the same when stressed. (Link edited to remove excess http - Chris) |
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Robert
|
The link doesn't work JK... |
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chrisbet
|
Robert wrote:The link doesn't work JK...Does now - edited! |
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jk
|
Thanks Chris. |
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chrisbet
|
jk wrote:Fish do the same when stressed.Hmm - yes, when herded by dolphins & whales - then they all get eaten ..... |
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Graham Whistler
|
It could be that as they are not too good at landing on water they leave a space for their mates to land. Looking at other pictures with more birds arriving they all land there. Also look at the pointed spur of water at right perhaps they think rising water may come up there. Yesterday the Telegraph Paper published a full page spread picture taken there by a Paul Marriott. It showed a mass of birds no doubt taken by a very long lens (must be Canon) apart from a thin band of sharpness across centre pix it was all very unsharp!! Same birds when we were there. I have sent an e-mail to the picture editor complaining about a very bad picture and photographer not taking note of depth of field problems and stopping lens down more or using a wider angle lens like I did when I was having same problem with my 500mm lens. I also enclosed several pictures for him to see it will be interesting to see if they respond. Sorry I dare not put the pix up or Robert will kill me for copright issues. But see Telegraph Thursday 3 Oct 2019. |
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Robert
|
Graham Whistler wrote:Sorry I dare not put the pix up or Robert will kill me for copright issues. But see Telegraph Thursday 3 Oct 2019. Who Me! LOL Don't think so but the telegraph might and sue us too, so maybe better not. I wondered about the landing strip and the mirroring of the pointed inlet which will likely flood first if the tide rose further, that said they were right up to the waters edge elsewhere so landing strip seems to come out top. Any chance of some pix of the birds landing on the 'landing strip' please, sounds interesting? The link JK posted was very interesting, pointing out the causes, reasons and consequences of bird behaviour. It made a lot of sense. As for poor journalistic images, I don't think the Telegraph will bat an eyelid, it wouldn't get through the door at an exhibition but once the punter has paid for the paper, any interest in the DoF evaporates in the editors eye. I tried to find the image but all I could find was their idea of 'pictures of the day', the birds didn't make it... I am currently doing battle with the BBC about their website video's auto-playing when auto-play is turned off in my Safari preferences AND my BBC preferences, yet it still auto-plays and cancels my setting of 'No auto-play'. I don't think they are too bothered. |
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jk
|
Robert wrote:I am currently doing battle with the BBC about their website video's auto-playing when auto-play is turned off in my Safari preferences AND my BBC preferences, yet it still auto-plays and cancels my setting of 'No auto-play'. I don't think they are too bothered.Interesting. I have had the same problem with YouTube, and other sites. I think it must be something that is intrinsic to the way the files are presented or read by the browsers. Back on Topic - Bird photos! |
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Eric
|
I understand the herding for warmth but the gap never closed, changed shape or moved as they did. We have video and they ran round the space almost as though there was an invisible brick wall. Very odd. Having seen the Telegraph photo I must agree that it was poor. Especially as the guy was sat centre hide with his massive lens hanging on a gimbal head and tripod for over an hour. (We know this because we were stood at the back fighting to poke our lenses past people's heads for nearly an hour). We all know how hard it is to photograph birds, so it's not the fact he missed a shot, it's that he had a loooong time to review, check and try different options ...and he apparently didn't, if that's the best he got. On a sobering point, my friend Mike, who accompanied Graham and I, spent a few moments totting up the equipment value in the hide. He estimated there was at least £100,000 on show. ( including several 800mm lenses!) Poor old photographers.  |
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Eric
|
Robert wrote:Who Me! LOL Don't think so but the telegraph might and sue us too, so maybe better not.I confess I didn't see birds using it as a landing strip. There were many who simply dropped into the pack. It's a pity we can't add video to this site you would see the fantastic wave moments as they inexplicably shuffle....like cereal in the breeze. Here's some birds dropping in....  |
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jk
|
You can upload video to YouTube and link to here if you want to show video. One thought regarding the triangular area is that it could be the river/stream outflow through the gravel to the sea. Maybe the birds dont like it for this reason. |
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Eric
|
jk wrote:You can upload video to YouTube and link to here if you want to show video.Well I've added the video to youtube but it's come out very low quality...not sure why? Anyway it shows the flow I was talking about.... https://youtu.be/17QDnCuADwk Looking at the video I noticed that there is something large bobbing in the water edge of that empty space area. Can't make out what it is. Dead goose? Polythene bag? It may be its movement is putting them off using that shoreline...or it's somehow 'tainting' the shingle area? (Link edited - Chris) |
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jk
|
Eric, that url does not go to your video. What is the name of the video? |
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chrisbet
|
jk wrote:Eric, that url does not go to your video.Lol - link fixed .... Maybe a seal lying in wait for an easy meal? |
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jk
|
Thanks Chris. What was the issue? I can see the black thingy at the water's edge. I cant zoom in to see more detail on my iPad. |
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chrisbet
|
Extraneous ' at the end of the link. Video quality can be improved by selecting HD 1080 on the youtube settings - bottom right corner. |
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Graham Whistler
|
The Telegraph E-Mailed me I quote: > Dear Graham, > > Thank you for your email concerning the the images of Snettersham. > > We are grateful for you to take the time and trouble to write and > share these with us. Your comments and images will be shared with our > Picture team for their future reference. > Yours sincerely, > > Andy King > Editorial Compliance > ref:_00D2093Wf._5000J1bbpe1:ref |
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Robert
|
In other words a brush off. No more than I expected, at least they replied. The BBC have replied in a similar fashion to my complaint about BBC News videos auto playing. At least they suggested a workaround, which I haven't tried yet, haven't had time. |
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blackfox
|
talking about the BBC here's one of mine from the spring watch website tonight https://www.facebook.com/BBCSpringwatch/photos/a.101567969936720/2512706988822794/?type=3&theater |
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Eric
|
My take on the outing.. |
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Graham Whistler
|
One the first day on my recent trip to see Eric it was very wet but we went for a very interesting walk in a wood. This is hand held from the hide D850 with the 500mm f5.6 PF lens 1/200sec at f5.6 3200 ISO. Not a prize winner but very happy with the quality and low noise level in such low light 3200 ISO Attachment: Chaffinch 4091inch.jpg (Downloaded 146 times) |
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Eric
|
Graham Whistler wrote:One the first day on my recent trip to see Eric it was very wet but we went for a very interesting walk in a wood. This is hand held from the hide D850 with the 500mm f5.6 PF lens 1/200sec at f5.6 3200 ISO.That's interesting Graham, because the version of this image you emailed to me is significantly sharper and brighter. Methinks your down sampling for the forum is really downgrading the image...or the old enemy of software degradation is at work? |
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Graham Whistler
|
I have alway said this quality on forum is poor. Compar this with your similar image above. Sorry can not get it as big as yours as I can not get the blue cross thing to work, must be thick. This pix on my computer is pin sharp and it is on Facebook. Attachment: Lots of Kots.jpg (Downloaded 128 times) |
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Eric
|
Graham Whistler wrote:I have alway said this quality on forum is poor. Compar this with your similar image above. Sorry can not get it as big as yours as I can not get the blue cross thing to work, must be thick. This pix on my computer is pin sharp and it is on Facebook.I think part of the answer must be the blue cross problem you are having. |
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Eric
|
Graham Whistler wrote:I have alway said this quality on forum is poor. Compar this with your similar image above. Sorry can not get it as big as yours as I can not get the blue cross thing to work, must be thick. This pix on my computer is pin sharp and it is on Facebook.I've just downloaded your knot image and it's 300kb. My knot landing image is 3mb. Either you are downsampling the image too much or the upload route you are using is resulting in a very small = lower quality file. Need to get the blue cross working to see if that makes the difference. |
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Eric
|
Just to recap how I use the blue cross. When I click on the cross I get this window....  First to click on Choose Files... which opens a window into your folder system enabling you to select the photo to be loaded. The selected photo then appears as a small thumbnail next to Choose Files...  Then hit the Submit button. But this isn't the end of the loading! You then get a final screen where you have to hit ..Paste to the Editor.  |
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jk
|
Eric there is a tutorial in the forum help if you are having difficulties. https://nikondslr.uk/view_topic.php?id=1709&forum_id=27&jump_to=21231#p21231 |
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Eric
|
Sorry JK didn't realise. I don't have a problem. It is Graham that's having issues and I was trying to explain the sequence by showing screen grabs. |
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jk
|
Eric wrote:Sorry JK didn't realise. I don't have a problem. It is Graham that's having issues and I was trying to explain the sequence by showing screen grabs.Not a problem. I hope that you find it intelligible! |
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Robert
|
jk wrote:I hope that you find it intelligible!Reasonably, I wasn't aware of that tutorial, perhaps there should be a link to it in the upload window? It's the most complex image upload I have ever seen except perhaps for the Flicker one... If such a tech savvy chap as Graham is having difficulty, what chance do I stand? Usually you just browse for the image and select it, the forum software does the rest, which I suspect is where Graham is missing a step, I frequently forget to check the box to stop the image from going into the splash screen (if that's appropriate), then I have to delve into the gallery to make my mark! I think there are still a few in the gallery which need marking. While we are on the subject of uploading images, is there any way of setting the size of the uploaded image, I looked at the code which accompanies the image and there was a number 4 in the series of parameters, if that number was altered does that set the size of the image? If so is there some way of providing that control to the members? |
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Eric
|
Robert wrote:Reasonably, I wasn't aware of that tutorial, perhaps there should be a link to it in the upload window?I have to agree. Even though I know how to do it, the second Paste to editor stage seems an unnecessary step which can be overlooked. I also forget to tick the no splash box preference and have to get rid of images out of my gallery that were merely informative examples in posts. |
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Graham Whistler
|
There is no way I can see any screen that looks like anything on the demo page, perhaps it is Windows 10. No sign of a blue cross. |
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Eric
|
Graham Whistler wrote:There is no way I can see any screen that looks like anything on the demo page, perhaps it is Windows 10. No sign of a blue cross.I do wonder if you havent switched to the the new editor? I am sure Jonathan will have a slick FAQ on this but.... If you go into My Account on the Home screen and select Preferences, is the Board Theme set to Modern Editor??  |
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jk
|
Eric wrote:I do wonder if you havent switched to the the new editor?He was still Ultra theme, but he is now on Modern Editor. Please can you try now Graham. |
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Eric
|
jk wrote:He was still Ultra theme, but he is now on Modern Editor.The power of the administrator. Lets hope he doesn't get lost when he logs on and finds he's been remotely adjusted I think we are the only ones still up Jonathan.......and I am off to bed now. |
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Robert
|
I think it's time we retired the 'old' editor. Once members are used to it it's OK. We all need to be on the same page to avoid confusion. |
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Graham Whistler
|
 |
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jk
|
Eric wrote:I do wonder if you havent switched to the the new editor?It is here. https://nikondslr.uk/view_topic.php?id=1709&forum_id=27&jump_to=21231#p21231 |
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Graham Whistler
|
 |
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Eric
|
Robert wrote:I think it's time we retired the 'old' editor.Totally agree |
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jk
|
I have now set the Default Editor to Modern Editor for new members. Prior members can change if they want or ask me to change it for them. |
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blackfox
|
a black headed gull and rat , large crop  |
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jk
|
Good capture Jeff. |
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Graham Whistler
|
Titchfield Haven this afternoon Turnstones at low tide, Nikon D850 500mm f5.6 PF lens 1/640 sec f9 1600 ISO |
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Graham Whistler
|
 |
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Robert
|
Very good graham, nice to see such close up pictures of subjects in their natural habitat. |
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jk
|
Those are very fine and detailed images Graham. Well done, you must have been fairly close. |
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blackfox
|
excellent work there graham . super feather detail |
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Eric
|
Graham Whistler wrote:Graham...are these full frame or crops? Perhaps a personal thing but I prefer a bit more habitat space around the birds. |
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Graham Whistler
|
This is privious shot with no crop. I think crop is far better remove some of right.  |
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Robert
|
I can see Eric's point about habitat but once you seen one rock, you seen them all! I think there is room for a fine detail image, particularly when the bird is well situated on the focal plane, allowing very fine detail to be seen pretty well all over the bird. These would be superb images in a bird recognition book. I prefer the first example... |
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Graham Whistler
|
As you say Robert 1st pix is the best. Problem was they were very active and moving all time and almost too close with f9 DPF was problem and keeping single point focus spot on head and composing not too good with tail too near to the left. Bird photography is not easy and I was very lucky to get so near to these very active little chaps, I was looking down on them from the path round the harbour wall at low tide. The 500mm F5.6 PF lens with x1.4 is 700mm and wide open at F8, the low sun was also in my face. |
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Eric
|
Robert wrote:I can see Eric's point about habitat but once you seen one rock, you seen them all!Believe it or not, many successful wildlife photographers subscribe to the view that the birds or creatures should be only 1/3 of the frame. When it comes to bird identification then a full frame ('postage stamp' shot I understand they are called) is obviously more of an advantage but I like plenty of space round my birds. Which also saves me having to buy an 800mm lens. And anyway I like rocks...they aren't all the same. |
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Graham Whistler
|
Trouble was if I had paused to remove the x1.4 extender they would have seen me messing about and taken off! |
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Robert
|
Eric wrote:And anyway I like rocks...they aren't all the same. I probably seen way too many rocks! Is that 1/3 linear or area? By area I would guess it's about 1/6th? |
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Graham Whistler
|
More rocks less birds almost full frame tech bits all same just a few seconds bofore above pixs. |
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chrisbet
|
I prefer less background and more subject ... after all the whole point of the image is to please the viewer or to recapture a memory and if it does that successfully then who cares what other "professionals" think about the proportions and composition. If you are trying to win competitions it is a different matter .... |
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Eric
|
Robert wrote:I probably seen way too many rocks!To be honest I'm not sure, Robert. I don't, myself, subscribe to that sort of black and white view on framing. For me the image has always got to say something....even if it's a bird photograph. So I need to include more of the surroundings sometimes to help get the message across....or if nothing else somewhere to stick an even more helpful explanatory caption for my obscure thinking (according to Jan). Without something different....it's just a close up photo of a bird on a stick. Which is fine as a technical execution or record...I just want more fun with my images. This is what I mean, using the humble long tailed tit.... The basic shot...could be tighter cropped, could have background stick removed from its head etc to make it stand out as a shot of a long tailed tit.  But my preference is for more interesting unusual situations with more space around the subject to enhance the story....   |
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blackfox
|
those all work for me Eric ,nice |
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blackfox
|
couple of mine from yesterday grey wagtail in early morning sun , and a goldfinch through double glazing on my front garden feeder  |
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blackfox
|
couple of mine from yesterday grey wagtail in early morning sun , and a goldfinch through double glazing on my front garden feeder |
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Eric
|
Graham Whistler wrote:More rocks less birds almost full frame tech bits all same just a few seconds bofore above pixs.I prefer the other shots to this one. Somehow the stones look more like shingle, where as the greyer chunkier ones in the previous shots seem to enhance the image rather than distract. It emphasises a strong contrast between the delicacy of the bird and the hard rock. And after all it's a Turnstone not a Turnshingle. I am being very picky though Graham. |
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Eric
|
blackfox wrote:couple of mine from yesterday grey wagtail in early morning sun , and a goldfinch through double glazing on my front garden feeder |
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chrisbet
|
I am going to be even more picky - shingle is small ROUND stones - those are not round ... I'll get my hat |
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Eric
|
chrisbet wrote:I am going to be even more picky - shingle is small ROUND stones - those are not round ... I'll get my hatWould you prefer a Turngravel then? |
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Eric
|
Robert wrote: I prefer the first example... Me too |
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Robert
|
Robert wrote:I probably seen way too many rocks! I mean generally... Not meaning there are too many rocks in picture. I have been digging the stuff (rocks) all summer and it's responsible for my left arm almost hanging off, I have been to the doctors today and she told me I have probably torn a tendom with all my activity. it's certainly very tender. |
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Graham Whistler
|
To all our friends on the forum please watch this film about Albatross. Is it too late for all of us I ask? https://player.vimeo.com/video/218502282?app_id=122963&wmode=opaque |
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Robert
|
A powerful story. Thanks for posting. I don't know the answer. |
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jk
|
Thanks for posting Graham. Very powerful video. Unfortunately we are top of food and intelligence pyramid but cant see we are destroying the planet. If we tackle the problem it must be done on two fronts. Population and pollution. Pollution is easier but it is still difficult as it requires changes in behaviour. Population is much more difficult unless we (all countries) ALL adopt a - one child per pairing concept. This means each couple is only allowed 1 child, if you divorce and remarry (no more kids)! This is hugely difficult socially. We need to reduce population from 7.7B to <2B people. It would take 60 years for this to effect world population in a positive way and 100 years to achieve the necessary <2B level. I have strategies but no answer. The alternatives are not good, i.e. War, over-population and food and water shortages. Oh happy day! |
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Eric
|
Graham Whistler wrote:To all our friends on the forum please watch this film about Albatross. Is it too late for all of us I ask?Yes that's very sad tale. I am a bit surprised though. When I throw out of date meat and pies onto the lawn the hoards of gulls swoop down from no where and gobble it up. If I throw out other stuff, for example apple and pears (or parts thereof), they won't touch them. If I throw corn out ...some birds eat it, some wont go near it. My point is ....they seem to know what not to eat....so how come these sea birds are eating plastic tops? I can understand them accidentally scooping stuff up as they skim the waves but then actually swallowing it seems strange. I can equally understand them ingesting small plastic particles swallowed by fish or scooped up with the food ....that they subsequently eat. I can understand open mouthed plankton feeders scooping up floating plastic tops by mistake. But can't quite get my head round the amount and frequency these birds are 'getting it wrong'. The finches and blue tits even 'spit out' less than perfect sunflower seeds and peanuts. I can't imaging them even contemplating eating plastic seeds and peanuts in a container?? The same applies to fish. The whole art of rod fishing revolves around presenting them with the best artificial mimic of their normal food to fool them...and by all accounts it's a difficult skill to master. Fish won't bite for plastic flies. Maybe I am missing a point. But I don't understand why these birds have suspended all their knowledge/experience on what's edible in the oceans. |
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chrisbet
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I find it odd too and the cinic in me wonders whether it is somewhat staged... |
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Iain
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One form today taken with the Olympus set up. PA250104-Edit by Iain Clyne, on Flickr |
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Robert
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Eric wrote:Yes that's very sad tale.I agree Eric, my (limited) Darwinian knowledge suggest that the ones (species) who devour damaging non-food won't reproduce offspring with the same tendencies, if they do then they will suffer the same fate. Millions of species, large and small, have come and gone over countless millennia, which is a factor which will never end, least not while the earth spins. our tenure will be brief by comparison. |
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Robert
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Very nice Iain, it looks as though someone has carved smilies or hieroglyphics on the branch! |
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Graham Whistler
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Super picture Ian. |
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Eric
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Robert wrote:I agree Eric, my (limited) Darwinian knowledge suggest that the ones (species) who devour damaging non-food won't reproduce offspring with the same tendencies, if they do then they will suffer the same fate. Millions of species, large and small, have come and gone over countless millennia, which is a factor which will never end, least not while the earth spins. our tenure will be brief by comparison.Well I stand corrected...to some extent. Just read this explanation: “They are attracted by sense of smell, the plastic gets covered in algae which emits a chemical called dimethyl sulphite. This acts as an olfactory signal that ordinarily alerts the bird to the presence of krill†|
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Eric
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Iain wrote:One form today taken with the Olympus set up.Have you changed equipment Iain?? |
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Graham Whistler
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Evening Flight from last Autumn in the downs N of Chichester |
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Graham Whistler
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This from my recent trip to see Eric, very wet dull day in the woods. Nikon D850 500mm f5.6 PF lens hand held 1/400 sec f5.6 2000 ISO 1/3 of the full frame NEF processed in Photoshop CC RAW with mild noise reduction and sharpening. |
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Graham Whistler
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Titchfield Havcen Black Tailed Godwits Nikon D500 500mm Lens 1000 ISO 1/1250 sec f18 |
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blackfox
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nice set of shots there graham |
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Iain
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Eric wrote:Have you changed equipment Iain??Yes. Arthritis in my left shoulder and neck has got to the point that using the Nikon gear just caused pain and was spoiling my enjoyment of photography. So I've gone Olympus M1 and 300mm f4. |
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Graham Whistler
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Ian good luck with the new camera but please do not depart our forum! |
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jk
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Iain I hope your shoulder improves but I guess it is a long term problem that we will all face in time. Please continue to post here as you use the Olympus. I am camera neutral and we need to remember it is a tool not an item of jewellery. |
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Graham Whistler
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This is the same day as above and the Black Tailed Godwits take to the air. (For those who fdo not know the very similar Bart Tailed Godwits do not have the white bands on the wings.) This is also with a Nikon 500mm lens. |
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jk
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Nice shot Graham. How much of a crop of the full frame? What are your D850 AF settings? |
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Iain
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jk wrote:Iain I hope your shoulder improves but I guess it is a long term problem that we will all face in time.I have no intention of going anywhere any time soon. you can't get rid of me that easy. |
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jk
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Iain wrote:I have no intention of going anywhere any time soon.That is good. |
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Graham Whistler
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Godwits: The flight shot was using 25 focus spots and tracking AFC perhaps 25% crop. Group shot single spot focus 1/3 in and stop down to F18 for DOF most of shot used perhaps 10% off to tidy up. Both shots D500 not D850. |
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jk
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Graham Whistler wrote:Godwits: The flight shot was using 25 focus spots and tracking AFC perhaps 25% crop. Group shot single spot focus 1/3 in and stop down to F18 for DOF most of shot used perhaps 10% off to tidy up. Both shots D500 not D850.Thanks Graham. Thought that it was the D850 rather than D500. The D500 is ace for BIF. |
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blackfox
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a couple from yesterday using olympus omd1-mkii plus a 50-200SWD f2.8 +1.4 TC this is a older four thirds lens and useable via a adaptor a extremely cheap way into pro lenses on olympus .. due to the latest firmware camera updates there is no difference in focus speeds etc .  |
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Graham Whistler
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Good quality shots, well done! |
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blackfox
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thanks graham |
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Iain
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Two form the new set up, still getting all the settings sorted. Soooo many menu's.   PB060031 by Iain Clyne, on Flickr  PB060015 by Iain Clyne, on Flickr |
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Graham Whistler
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an those look spot on to me! What were ISO and exposure settings? |
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Iain
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ISO was 1250 and 5.6 320sec Olympus 300 f4 with 1.4tc so wide open. |
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jk
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As Graham says they look PDG to me! Just shows it is the user, not the tool, that makes the difference! |
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blackfox
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couple more of mine from last week with the olympus   |
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Iain
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One more from me. I think I have managed to get the colours about right and not too saturated as Olympus seems to like them. PB110024 by Iain Clyne, on Flickr |
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jk
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Very fine rendering and so sharp. |
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Robert
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These superb bird photographs just amaze me, I don't comment on every one, I run out of superlatives. The standard from you all is really good, I scarcely see any of these species, yet I guess there are some around me here and seabirds almost on my doorstep. There are almost certainly Kingfishers in the Duddon Valley and Woodpeckers I know are regular visitors to my friends garden, I HAVE seen them, I see the flocks of seabirds following the ebb and flow of the tide, I wish I had the fieldcraft and interest to get engaged with this branch of photography, it's very challenging both technically and from the fieldcraft point of view. While I appreciate the world of nature and have always had a keen interest, I find it difficult to immerse myself is the world of nature photography. Too many years of building rally cars and the like I guess! Do you find this easier to read? I have selected size 3 text, I find the standard text almost impossibly small to read even with glasses. |
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Graham Whistler
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I am off to Kenya on a bird photography quest next week will be with my friend Bob who lives there and is serious watcher of birds (with over 140 types in his garden!) and a Nikon D300 user I have posted some of his woodpecker pixs here in the past. Weather there at present bit wet so hope it clears. If I get some good material I will start a new Kenya Bird topic. I am travelling light with my D500, Nikon AF-S 80-400mm lens with x1.4 extender and for normal photography my very good and compact 18-140mm lens. So if I see elephants I will also be able to cope. Oyster Catchers below in Titchfield Haven 1/1600 sec f8 400 ISO with same 80-400 Nikon Lens and x1.4 extender. |
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jk
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Super close! Hope your Kenya pictures are as close and good. |
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Iain
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Have a good trip Graham. Hope you get plenty of pics. |
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Graham Whistler
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I am in Kenya for two weeks photographing wild birds with a friend Bob who is a local expert. This is a Crowned Crane and yesterday I took over 300 images of birds from Bob's Landrover and we were able to get very close a lot of the time. It has been very wet and thank goodness Bob knows how to get through some very rough wet places. All pixs on this trip will be in my new topic Graham in Kenya. All with Nikon D500 80-400 mm AF-S x1.4 or Nikon 18-140mm AF-S' Bob uses D300 with 18-200. We are off to Mt Kenya area in morning. No promises on getting intert but will do my best. |
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Robert
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What a wonderful picture Graham! Have fun near Mt. Kenya. |
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blackfox
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wow that's superb Graham ,enjoy the rest of the trip |
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Iain
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Been playing with the higher ISO on the Olympus. Taken at 3200iso PB260042 by Iain Clyne, on Flickr |
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chrisbet
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Iain that looks a bit fuzzy to me - the flickr image has obviously been resized, you might be better off uploading the image to the forum. |
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Graham Whistler
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Looks good to me Ian and I am impressed with low noise levels at ISO 3200. |
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Iain
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It's not too bad Graham, not up to FF standard but acceptable. Chris, it's sharp enough on my monitor and on my iPad. |
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blackfox
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a few skylark on the beach shots from the start of the week    |
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Graham Whistler
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Nice pictures Jeff this is the Kenya pix of The Pink Breasted Lark it is on the Kenya post but thought it would be interesting to compare with your Lark? D500 with 80-400mm lens plus x1.4 |
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Graham Whistler
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 |
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blackfox
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returned to the beach on xmas eve (despite the flu) with my lad ,walked on to the beach and the snow bunting was a few feet away camouflaged in the stones    |
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Eric
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Stacking over Norfolk... |
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Robert
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Wonderful Eric! What a spectacular image. This thread has many wonderful images, from so many members, the hit count is currently almost 100,000 views. Remarkable work, priceless thread, thanks to everyone who has posted, not just the images but also in many cases something about the images too, that is what makes it for me, almost a story. |
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Eric
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Robert wrote:Wonderful Eric! What a spectacular image.Thanks...but it would have been a lot better if the settings had been correct. |
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jk
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Eric wrote:Stacking over Norfolk...Great set. Is this a composite or all one shot. |
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Eric
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jk wrote:Great set.Straight shot ....but other geese cropped off left and right These might have made it harder to isolate a pattern.  LH413 Hamburg to Chicago...  |
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jk
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Great shots both. That LH413 image is super sharp. |
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Eric
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jk wrote:Great shots both.Maybe I should take up plane photography instead? |
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jk
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Eric wrote:Maybe I should take up plane photography instead?Well there are probably just as many people who do plane watching as bird watching, but they dont all take photos. |
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Graham Whistler
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Very dramatic LH413 thanks Eric |
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blackfox
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a good start to 2020 even if I did set my shutter speed to low ,all hand held some even single hand due to sun in my eyes    |
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Iain
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Another experiment with high ISO on the olympus. Taken @ 6400 P1070079-Edit by Iain Clyne, on Flickr |
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Robert
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Perfect natural framing there Iain. |
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Iain
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It was a pain to get Robert as I think they have springs in there legs. |
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Graham Whistler
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Ian that is very good perhaps I too should sell my Nikon kit? No I do like my D850 and the 500mm f5.6 PF lens focus is spot on I wish I had taken that to Kenya as I had too many focus failures on small birds with the D500 and 80-400 mm lens but I need that for the normal game pictures and two camera and two sets of lenses is too much to carry. |
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Iain
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That's the problem Graham, to take it all is too much weight. |
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Graham Whistler
|
Jack and Dora our local pair of Jackdaws nest in local chimneys every year but the house next door has upset Jack's plans for this year today! They use our garden for feeding but I only hope they show no interest in our chimney now. Nikon D850 and 500mm f5.6 AF-S PF Lens plus x1.4, 1/500 sec at f8 800 ISO blow-up of about 25% of total image. NEF processed in Photoshop CC with some USM. |
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Iain
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It's not going to get in that one. The houses over the back from me started a number of years ago with 4 Jackdaws. Now there must be twenty nesting in various chimneys. |
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Graham Whistler
|
Better weather today -3C but sun, so had first walk for the year in local reserve Titchfield Haven. Water frozen first thing so only a few Oystercatchers (also spot the 2 Redshanks) on an island waiting for the tide to go out. Nikon D850 with Nikon 500mm f5.6 PF lens plus x1.4 extender = 700mm ISO 1000 1/1000 sec f14 |
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blackfox
|
some chough shots from yesterday , only the second time I have ever seen them    |
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jk
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blackfox wrote:some chough shots from yesterday , only the second time I have ever seen themCornish bid or county bird of Cornwall. Great shots. |
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Graham Whistler
|
This is a Spanish Alpine Chough, Nikon D850 |
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jk
|
In the hills around me in the Valencia region we have choughs that live in the steep faces of the hills. They seem to live in large groups. |
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blackfox
|
still a rare bird up here though , this is only the second time I have ever seen one in about 15 years |
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blackfox
|
a couple of snow buntings from the same trip on Monday   |
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Eric
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Alpine Choughs are quite approachable and love cheese. Trouble is the message goes out when cheese is about.  Fortune favours the bravest  Late for Lunch......  |
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jk
|
Eric wrote:Alpine Choughs are quite approachable and love cheese.The Spanish ones look like this. |
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Eric
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I refrained from saying they were 'chuffed to bits' with the attention. AT LEAST FOR A FEW MINUTES. |
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Graham Whistler
|
Interesting pixs Eric. The ones I saw in Spain knew the cable car came up with tourists and food as did the many Long Tailed Fiscal Shrikes in Niarobi Game Park have a serious likeing to marmalade sandwiches! |
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Eric
|
Graham Whistler wrote:Interesting pixs Eric. The ones I saw in Spain knew the cable car came up with tourists and food as did the many Long Tailed Fiscal Shrikes in Niarobi Game Park have a serious likeing to marmalade sandwiches!And why not? I like them too! Lovely bird. Almost a cross between a magpie and a shrike with that tail. |
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Graham Whistler
|
Was looking at some D3X with Nikon 300mm lens images from S Africa trip 2010 this is not big blow up so 80% of image 1600 ISO 1/160 sec at f5.6: Quite a lot of noise compared with what we can do now with D500 and even better with D850.  |
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jk
|
That is still a very pleasing image and not really showing a lot of noise. I think we are being spoilt by the latest set of cameras. |
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Eric
|
jk wrote:That is still a very pleasing image and not really showing a lot of noise. I thnk we are being spoilt by the latest set of cameras.It's showing the amount of noise at iso1600, we now only accept at iso 6400+. |
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Graham Whistler
|
At the time I was very pleased with the D3X after my D2X it was a major improvement. I never went for the D3 but did get it's little brother the D300 still rated as one of Nikon's best DX cameras. My friend in Kenya Bob is still very happy with his as is my daughter Clare. At normal ISOs the D300 still takes super quality pixs. I agree JK they do all most photographers would ever need. I know if I was still working I would not be replacing them with Hasselblads latest 100 MP offering at £25,00 plus VAT for body only. A few years ago I used the 50 MP Hasselblad when I was doing an RPS workshop and at the time the finished A3+ prints looked softer then the same subject I took with my then Nikon D810. Too be fair the owner may not have set it up very well and we did put his camera images into my laptop in rather a hurry. I would like to have a go with the new Hasselblad but would need more than the 1/2 hour had using the 50 MP model. |
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Graham Whistler
|
Little Owls with D850 |
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jk
|
Graham Whistler wrote:Little Owls with D850Great photo. I am looking at it on my 30" monitor and it looks like they are actually sitting on my desk! |
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Eric
|
Graham Whistler wrote:Little Owls with D850Excellent....quality image. |
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Bob Bowen
|
Cracking image Graham. |
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Graham Whistler
|
Later same day poor light still D850 400-80mm AF-S at 400mm ISO 3200 1/250 sec f6.3 |
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blackfox
|
super graham |
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Graham Whistler
|
I think this may be of interest I will let you into some inside info. This is the pix as shot at my friend Pete's place on the river Ichin N of Southampton, he keeps Owls and other birds. He is a very good photographer and lets other photographers (for a very reasonable fee) photograph his nearly tame birds in his wonderful wild wood. The jessies on they legs need to be retouched out. Pix is as stated with D850 and 80-400mm AF-S lens without x4 extender but at full 400mm and VR. This was towards end of our session with my late photographer friend Malcolm, light was fading so ISO 3200 1/250 sec at f6.3 |
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Graham Whistler
|
This is the final image with slight crop and levels in Photoshop CC. Also cloning work to cover the bindings on the legs. Final work in Photoshop RAW to correct some of the noise and small amount of Un-sharp Mask. Final mounted A3+ print made on Epson Photo R3000 printer with Fotospeed Injk flow System and fine art 300gsm Fotospeed paper. I any of you are interested and would like more info about Pete's super set-up including his Kingfisher hide follow this link: https://www.petewhieldonphotography.co.uk/  |
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Graham Whistler
|
Eric found two faults that I have now corrected, thank you Eric. Pink still showing on baby Owl in centre and raise log slightly on right side. |
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Robert
|
What has happened to Grahams images? |
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chrisbet
|
Robert wrote:What has happened to Grahams images?They got deleted from his gallery somehow ... I have restored them from the backup. |
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Robert
|
Thank you Chris! |
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