birds and bees

[ilya]

Here are four fotos from today's trip. Let me know what you think. #4 is the best. Ilya

#1: 75-300is @300, handheld, 1/1000, f6.7, 400iso

[img]http://images.fotopic.net/?id=1271163&outx=600&noresize=1&nostamp=1[\img]

#2: 75-300is @300; handheld; 1/750, f5.6, 400iso

[img]http://images.fotopic.net/?id=1271046&outx=600&noresize=1&nostamp=1[\img]

#3: 75-300is @300; handheld; 1/750, f5.6, 200iso

[img]http://images.fotopic.net/?id=1271200&outx=600&noresize=1&nostamp=1[\img]

#4: 17-40L, 1/750, f4, 400iso

[img]http://images.fotopic.net/?id=1271044&outx=600&noresize=1&nostamp=1[\img]

[new girl on the bloc]

i only see two photos, but they are both stunning! very good job! i love the contrasting colors; the green against the stark white of the bird.

[jim monroe]

hi ilya,
I likewise only see 2 shots but both are beautiful. The white of the bird against all that green is a natural.
Couple of questions if you don't mind. I tried some shots of both Great Blue Herons and Green Herons over the weekend and was totally unsuccessful, also with 300 mm lense.
I couldn't get close enough. How close were you able to get? and I assume these birds were out in the wild but was it in a park where they might have become more accustomed to humans?
I got pictures of the herons but from such a range that they had little detail and would have to crop what seems to me an extreme amount to get decent composition.
Did you crop a lot or these as taken?

[Mark Kemp]

The flying shot is impressive - very hard to get a good flying shot of anything. I think it is slightly spoiled by the blurring around the neck and shoulders, but its still very good.

The standing shot is the best though, I love the green colours and they set off the heron perfectly. There is even some detail in the feathers still.

I just get the feeling that there is a bit too much space in the frame. Perhaps if you crop the darker green from the top and maybe a touch from either edge? But its a small criticism, its still a great shot.

[CyberDyneSystems]

These are Superb! I am very taken with both images, the action shot is really one of the best "heron in flight" images I have seen. I am truly impressed.

The second shot (your number 3) is a wonderfull overall scene.

I need to find some of these Great Egrets myself,. they make a wonderfull photo. (but hard to expose properly those white birds are!)

[ilya]

NG - thanks! Something went awry...I'll repost the other two.

Jim - this was at the John Heinz Wildlife Refuge (Philadelphia). There is a huge marsh, and a wooden bridge that crosses right through the middle. Gives a great vantage point. There must have been about half dozen egrets and herons about 50-200 yards away. The flying shot - I'd say about 50 yards. Panned and snapped about 4 shots. There was relatively little cropping, and no levels/curves/color adjustments. The only thing I did use is a Highpass sharpening action, which I've just started using and love the effect, better then usm. On the standing bird, I Neat-imaged, and otherwise nothing except the highpass. It was really one of my best shots ever. I don't know enough to give you any more advice then that because I think it was luck, I think others may help more...

Mark - thanks, you are very kind. I kind of like the space because of the texture and the depth it gives. I think its a different shot if I crop it out.

CDS - your bird shots inspired me :)

and you guys haven't seen the best one yet!!

[ilya]

...here is the bee of the 'birds and bees'

#2 75-300is @300, 1/750, f5.6, 400iso


http://images.fotopic.net/?id=1271046&outx=600&noresize=1&nostamp=1


#4 and here is the best one... (17-40L, etc)

http://images.fotopic.net/?id=1271044&outx=600&noresize=1&nostamp=1

[henkbos]

Great shots, Ilya. You might be able to improve #1 and #3 a little by reducing the overblown areas (wing, flower).