First attempt at bird photography

[Ospi]

Recived my new Sigma 70-300mm APO DG this arvo, though in typical ospi luck it was overcast and quite late as well (5pm). So i wasnt expecting anything overly good but i must say im quite suprised.

All hand held at 300mm.

http://img221.imageshack.us/img221/8981/bird1za5.jpg

http://img144.imageshack.us/img144/6747/dawn2cw1.jpg

http://img242.imageshack.us/img242/6529/plover2dm5.jpg

[cfcRebel]

I think you did great. When shooting bird against a cloudy sky like in #1, try increase your Exposure Compensation to +0.67 or +1.
I really like #3. Perhaps it's better to place the bird on the right as it was facing the left. Just a suggestion.:)

[apatchy]

Congrats on new lens, i agree with what fee said, but very nice shots anyway. I would be interested to know the names of these birds, cheers :) .

[Ospi]

Thanks guys, i know the last bird is a Plover, but not sure on the first two. Ill try getting some more when i get home and try the tips you gave me :D. cheers.

[kr88]

The third shot is fantastic, I agree with what Fee stated in his message regauding the backlight dark birds against a bright sky background... An added suggestion would be (if time permits) dial in the EC at 1/3 increments starting at +1/3 and going up to maybe +1 1/3 and view the results. In this way, you can see the results each 1/3 has. Before you know it, you will dial in exactly what you need in EC...

[Airedale1]

I really like the 2nd image.

[Reyno]

Nice captures for a first, congrats Ospi. Looking forward to more of your captures.

[Trace]

Pete, the first bird is a Wattle Bird, looks like the Little Wattle Bird. The second I have no idea and the third is certainly a Plover, but they are now called Lapwings

[apatchy]

Thanks Trace, i like to know the names of birds from different countries, so many with the same name but look totally different.

[switchblade5984]

my fav is #2 love the silhouette

[petrolhead]

I think no 2 is great

When shooting bird against a cloudy sky like in #1, try increase your Exposure Compensation to +0.67 or +1.
Would doing this may the bird stand out better or make the background darker?

[Ospi]

I would guess it would make the bird and background brighter. I havnt had a chance to try it yet but it will be interesting to fiddle with it and see how it works.

[jev]

I really like a feel of #2

[kr88]

I think no 2 is great

Would doing this may the bird stand out better or make the background darker?

I beleive the suggestion refers to the 1st shot in the series where the bird is slightly dark. Adding 2/3 to a stop of EC will lighten the bird up a bit and produce a lighter sky also. Your subject, the bird will have more color and detail against a grayer/whiter sky.

[Ospi]

K iv been looking through my 350D menu and im confused to what exactly i have to change to get this +2/3 EC etc. anyone clarify for me?

[kr88]

K iv been looking through my 350D menu and im confused to what exactly i have to change to get this +2/3 EC etc. anyone clarify for me?

I have not handled the Rebel XT, but I'm sure an XT User will post the correct method for EC. From what I can see on the WEB, there should be a button on the upper right side on the back of the camere near "AV" that has a +/- on it, this button when press with another may adjust the EC...I can't be sure....but take a look in your manual under exposure compensation....I hope this helps...

Any Rebel XT users out there that can shed light on using EC....

[Ospi]

Yep thanks kr88, read the manual and it said the same. Ill give it a crack when i have the chance.

[Mitcon]

Lovely shots, your off to a good start indeed. As Fee said with the first shot, maybe a little exposure compensation would have helped. Also if the bird wasn't that far away you could have used fill flash. On the 350D to dial in EC press the little Av button next to the right hand side of the LCD screen and then turn the mail dial while keeping the Av button depressed.

As for the birds, Trace was correct in that the first is a Wattle bird but just to clarify there are several types of Wattle bird. This one is the Little Wattlebird or also known as the Brush Wattlebird (Anthochaera chrysoptera chrysoptera (Eastern race. I've no idea on the 2nd bird for obvious reasons lol, though a lovely capture. Lasty the Plover, while many folks call them that Trace is again correct that it's not. It is a Masked Lapwing (Vanellus miles).

There is 2 races of Lapwing, the other is the Spur-winged Lapwing (Vanellus novaehollandiae) as the name suggests it has a sharp pointed shoulder spur but the Masked Lapwing also has these too. The main difference is the black banding on the back of the neck and the Masked Lapwing has much larger wattles.

[Ospi]

Wow very informative post Mitcon, very much appreciated. Ill be sure to name the Masked Lapwing correctly from now on :P. Thanks for all the comments, really gives me more motivation to get out there.