Peter Dexter
Well-known member
Those are really gussied up.
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Welcome to the new site. Here's a thread about the update where you can post your feedback, ask questions or spot those nasty bugs!
Walking around
- Thread starter Jim Olson
- Start date
Jim Olson
Well-known member
And that is only a few of the rides... There was about 6 more...
Jim Olson
Well-known member
I was looking over the fence again today...
Jim Olson
Well-known member
My child Lars, let me use his Canon EOS Rebel T7 today. I connected with NFC to my phone and that way I could lay the camera on the ground & shoot up.
It was funny looking at the world from a different point of view.
It was funny looking at the world from a different point of view.
Asher Kelman
OPF Owner/Editor-in-Chief
We can fight back!
Jim Olson
Well-known member
You're right... Dandelions are taking over the world!!!
Jim Olson
Well-known member
I was playing with the “Exposure Triangle“ today to get the wings of a hummingbird. I tried many different things until the hummingbird flew into my lens so I took the shot.
Here is some of the exifdata.
Make & Model Canon EOS 50D
Aperture 7.1
Exposure Time 1/2000 (0.0005 sec)
Focal Length 81.0 mm
F Number 7.1
ISO 3200
I only cropped & straightened, no other corrections.
So my question is what should I have done to get less noise?
Here is some of the exifdata.
Make & Model Canon EOS 50D
Aperture 7.1
Exposure Time 1/2000 (0.0005 sec)
Focal Length 81.0 mm
F Number 7.1
ISO 3200
I only cropped & straightened, no other corrections.
So my question is what should I have done to get less noise?
Asher Kelman
OPF Owner/Editor-in-Chief
Can you post the uncroppwd picture?
Jim Olson
Well-known member
The jpg was too large so I did reduce it by 10% but here it is.
I have to work today so I'll check back after 12 noon
I have to work today so I'll check back after 12 noon
Asher Kelman
OPF Owner/Editor-in-Chief
With your lens, you can try zooming in so more pixels are devoted to the bird.
Consider flash
Consider flash
Robert Watcher
Well-known member
Jim. My suggestion is to not waste your time trying to improve this image with post processing. Don’t be worrying about the inconsequential things like trying to reduce noise. You want to put your effort into figuring out how to take better pictures of hummingbirds.
There are several things that you can do to improve your hummingbird photography if this is your setting. The two areas where your efforts can go are to improving the lighting on the subject - and getting rid of the distracting background.
Believe it or not, you do have full control of these. Changing your camera position - possibly from an angle that would provide better lighting for the subject and possibly provide a cleaner background. Or if you are able to, move the feeder so that it is a distance away from the trees.
Your best friend when trying to discern what will provide a good image of hummingbirds - a Google search “hummingbirds” and click on Images link at top of search page. While you may not be able to achieve the same results as many of these, the pics give you an idea of what it is that appeals to you about the picture. Most often it is good lighting and a simple blurry background. once you recognize these qualities, you can try emulating them by demonstrating better control over your shooting environment. While you may not have the ability at this time, many of the better images shown may be a result of introducing flash or strobe to control the lighting and wing motion.
here is an example screen shot from a Google Search to show what I mean
There are several things that you can do to improve your hummingbird photography if this is your setting. The two areas where your efforts can go are to improving the lighting on the subject - and getting rid of the distracting background.
Believe it or not, you do have full control of these. Changing your camera position - possibly from an angle that would provide better lighting for the subject and possibly provide a cleaner background. Or if you are able to, move the feeder so that it is a distance away from the trees.
Your best friend when trying to discern what will provide a good image of hummingbirds - a Google search “hummingbirds” and click on Images link at top of search page. While you may not be able to achieve the same results as many of these, the pics give you an idea of what it is that appeals to you about the picture. Most often it is good lighting and a simple blurry background. once you recognize these qualities, you can try emulating them by demonstrating better control over your shooting environment. While you may not have the ability at this time, many of the better images shown may be a result of introducing flash or strobe to control the lighting and wing motion.
here is an example screen shot from a Google Search to show what I mean
Robert Watcher
Well-known member
If you don’t have the opportunity to shoot at this location again and are satisfied to have the photo you took, here is a suggestion of how it can be balanced a little bit in postprocessing so that the bird shows a little better. But if you attempt to reduce noise, it would just result in blurring out of any details on the bird.
Jim Olson
Well-known member
I just lightened & straighten the same image.
Peter Dexter
Well-known member
I think you were shooting at a pretty high speed because you stopped the wing motion. For hummingbird photos I have a trick for you . Place the feeder close to a place where you can afix a stick/small branch for them to land on. They will while they wait for an opening and you can get nice pictures of them without a red feeder in the image.
Jim Olson
Well-known member
Very good info and I'm just playing with the camera to stop action. I did have the tripod set up in the dining area, and I can move closer to the hummingbird feeder & zoom in a little more. But I do have a problem with the background in the dining area but I can move to the feeder in the front yard.
Asher Kelman
OPF Owner/Editor-in-Chief
An old branch with insects would help of you can fix it somewhere!
The hummers’ food is the insect. The fuel for chasing them is the nectar we all know about!
Asher
The hummers’ food is the insect. The fuel for chasing them is the nectar we all know about!
Asher
Robert Watcher
Well-known member
Maybe this will help you get an idea of what you can accomplish with your feeder and circumstances shooting through a window.
to start off - I have no specific knowledge related to photographing birds and these pics I am including are not the greatest examples because I had to shoot at very slow shutter speeds of 1/100’th second at higher 1600 ISO settings using the equivalent of 300mm focal length. As well, to not scare off the birds I had to set the camera up about 8 feet away from the glass and so there are variations in tonality as a result of the imperfections in the handmade glass in this old house window.
No these aren’t hummingbirds - which call for more skill to capture - but the point I am trying to make is that thoughtful placement of the bird feeder and creating a great distance between the feeder and the background, can result in nice isolation of your birds. This feeder (at my brother-in-laws house) is 4-6 feet from a living room window. It is level with the middle of the window so I didn’t have to shoot up. Behind the feeder is a large grassy field and houses on the other side of the lot, not too different from what you are showing in your picture with the feeder high showing sky. So those Things aren’t limitations. As well, I was using a slow 40-150mm kit lens (80-300mm equivalent) that cost me $150 New. So it is nothing special. I was shooting at f5.6/f6.3. With the camera set on a tripod in a darkened living room, about 6-8 feet behind the window.
The background blurring is natural. I have made no additional attempts to enhance it. I did sharpen the birds feathers and eyes in post processing to help with the softness resulting from my using slow shutter speeds with the quick movement and flightiness of the birds.
to start off - I have no specific knowledge related to photographing birds and these pics I am including are not the greatest examples because I had to shoot at very slow shutter speeds of 1/100’th second at higher 1600 ISO settings using the equivalent of 300mm focal length. As well, to not scare off the birds I had to set the camera up about 8 feet away from the glass and so there are variations in tonality as a result of the imperfections in the handmade glass in this old house window.
No these aren’t hummingbirds - which call for more skill to capture - but the point I am trying to make is that thoughtful placement of the bird feeder and creating a great distance between the feeder and the background, can result in nice isolation of your birds. This feeder (at my brother-in-laws house) is 4-6 feet from a living room window. It is level with the middle of the window so I didn’t have to shoot up. Behind the feeder is a large grassy field and houses on the other side of the lot, not too different from what you are showing in your picture with the feeder high showing sky. So those Things aren’t limitations. As well, I was using a slow 40-150mm kit lens (80-300mm equivalent) that cost me $150 New. So it is nothing special. I was shooting at f5.6/f6.3. With the camera set on a tripod in a darkened living room, about 6-8 feet behind the window.
The background blurring is natural. I have made no additional attempts to enhance it. I did sharpen the birds feathers and eyes in post processing to help with the softness resulting from my using slow shutter speeds with the quick movement and flightiness of the birds.
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Robert Watcher
Well-known member
I would think that this angle may provide just what you need. If you were to lower the feeder substantially and try and include the green hedge in front of the house in the background which should naturally blur out with a longer focal length. By lowering the feeder, you should also get beautiful directional light on the subject as a result of the roof overhang blocking out harsh overhead light. Give it a try and see if it helps. Once you get results you like, then you could try adding ticks and other things instead of having the feeder showing (which doesn’t bother me)
Jim Olson
Well-known member
This is great... TNX for the input...
I may have to set up the tripod in the front window today.
I may have to set up the tripod in the front window today.
Robert Watcher
Well-known member
If possible I would make an attempt to lower the feeder so that it is level with camera or even a bit below so you are shooting down just a little bit so blurred out grass or bushes can make for a more blurred background. Have fun.
Asher Kelman
OPF Owner/Editor-in-Chief
What a beautiful bird and so well imaged without a huge investment in costly gear!
What’s the name of this bird?
@Jim: With a humming bird, a simple add-on camera flash and a cheap “Better Beamer” type cone attachment to project the light further would allow a the fast Hummer wings to be caught, more sharply drawn, but well-exposed!
Asher
Robert Watcher
Well-known member
Not if he is shooting through a window Asher. The only way flash could be used is setup around the feeder with remote triggers
Jim Olson
Well-known member
One quick shot out the back window today.
Robert Watcher
Well-known member
well that is a drastic improvement isn’t it.
Jim Olson
Well-known member
Yes and this shot is not cropped.
Asher Kelman
OPF Owner/Editor-in-Chief
Next is more light. Can that window open?
Jim Olson
Well-known member
The window doesn't open.
Asher Kelman
OPF Owner/Editor-in-Chief
Jim,
Will Thompson would know!
I wonder whether a modern canon radio trigger fires through the window?
Asher
Will Thompson would know!
I wonder whether a modern canon radio trigger fires through the window?
Asher
nicolas claris
OPF Co-founder/Administrator
I doubt that any
A so noisy image, Jim (as I have several times already said) should avoid any ISO higher than 800!
Certainly but why would that help? As apparently Jim doesn't have a tripod to set the camera…
A so noisy image, Jim (as I have several times already said) should avoid any ISO higher than 800!
Asher Kelman
OPF Owner/Editor-in-Chief
Nicolas,
That’s a 70-300 Sigma, which at 300 mm unfortunately goes down to f 5.6.
@ Jim
1. Use aperture priority only set to 5.6
2. Set the ISO to 800
3. Speed is whatever it is.
Some blur on the wings in poor light, perhaps, but a perfect exposure of the head is the worthy payback!!
Asher
That’s a 70-300 Sigma, which at 300 mm unfortunately goes down to f 5.6.
@ Jim
1. Use aperture priority only set to 5.6
2. Set the ISO to 800
3. Speed is whatever it is.
Some blur on the wings in poor light, perhaps, but a perfect exposure of the head is the worthy payback!!
Asher