Oktoberfest Challenge - Yv - more added, birds at 50mm

  • Thread starter Thread starter Yv
  • Start date Start date
Yv, you are definitely making great progress with these birds. I am really surprised that you are using f5.6 and getting them so much in focus.

As you know I have been doing something similar. I have never used flash to shoot birds before and I am very surprised about the timing. Any taken with flash shows the birds with their wings spread for take off. This means that the birds are responding incredibly quickly to the flash - starting to take off before the shutter closes.

I know that some people use fill flash when shooting birds but don't understand why they don't get the same problem. Maybe using a longer lens and having the flash further away from the bird???

Many thanks for your explanation of what you are attempting. I am interested to see your progress.

Jenny
 
jennyb said:
Yv, you are definitely making great progress with these birds. I am really surprised that you are using f5.6 and getting them so much in focus.

As you know I have been doing something similar. I have never used flash to shoot birds before and I am very surprised about the timing. Any taken with flash shows the birds with their wings spread for take off. This means that the birds are responding incredibly quickly to the flash - starting to take off before the shutter closes.

I know that some people use fill flash when shooting birds but don't understand why they don't get the same problem. Maybe using a longer lens and having the flash further away from the bird???

Many thanks for your explanation of what you are attempting. I am interested to see your progress.

Jenny
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Absolutely spot on Jenny, they respond very quickly and yes, the plan is to use a longer lens [I dont have a long prime to use for this month], further increasing the focal 'field' at similar apertures, and to have the flash further away and more diffused, but to get the detail and wing spans seen here. With more flexibility from a zoom lens and a flash on a stand, I should be able to increase both hit rate and the 'artistry' of the compositions.... in theory... :nuts:
However, this current technique is very encouraging as whilst they naturally respond to the shutter noise, [and I think its the mirror noise they are reacting to before the flash, going to play with mirror lock up settings]they are coming straight back to the feeder, already having worked out that the noise isn't happening every time and they can still get food, which is currently the aim - pavlovian training if you like ;)
 
Yv said:
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Cracking shot, I've never seen a robin look more majestic! I look forward to seeing more :thumbs:
 
So I am sitting here, trying to think of a hundred different excuses not to go to tesco, and the D300 is looking at me, armed with the 50mm. The pets are gathered round in various spots in the dining room, being unusually calm and quiet, so what else is there to do but point the camera at them. Backgrounds are a bit cluttered, can't control where they were sat, so blurred as much as possible by using f1.4, all lit by the normal overhead light and shot at ISO1600.

Thimble

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Scrappy

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Maisy

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Mr Mumble

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just happy snaps :D
 
jennyb said:
Beautiful shots, Yv, especially considering the light conditions. Your animals are very well behaved!

Jenny
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:lol: :lol: no they are not, just ask any TP member that has been here! That's why I grabbed a peaceful moment. Thanks Jenny, it is nice to capture them whilst relaxing :thumbs:
 
ace! Mr Mumble looks just like Domino.. a cat we had in the 80's.. even sat the same with her paws tucked under like that (or do all cats sit like that?).

Our JR won't pose for the camera like that.. every time i get down low and point the camera at her she comes over and starts licking my neck :bonk:

Well taken shots there... every one with nailed focus :thumbs: Then again, you would never have posted them unless they were nailed :D
 
Mr Mumble looks content!
 
Yv said:
Keeping things nicely on target for my month, a couple more. I went up to manchester yesterday and did a shoot with my daughter, her B/F and my new grandson. I don't really do babies or young children, prefer them a bit more 'directable' but right at the end of the session, as we were packing up, he finally fell asleep, so grabbed a few with the 50mm and a couple of those props we had planned some 'lovely sleeping bare baby' type shots that people love these days - didnt happen of course :lol:

1 - presented to you on a plate, is 6 week old Luca

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2 - squashed face time :lol:

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Only done quick edits in LR on these, nothing fancy yet.
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Congratulations, Grandma, although I believe all your effort was a few years ago. Hope Bobz and family are3 all doing well and that the production wasn't too stressful on you and the old Geeza!
 
Love the white cat tbh....
 
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