Backyard Wildlife

[Rilmas]

Firstly, I wanted to see if you could take a quick look at these pictures and tell me how they look on your computer. I took these today outside of my bedroom window using my DRebel with a 75-300mm IS lens on manual focus. The squirrel pictures are unedited except for cropping. The bird photos, I had to adjust the curves and brightness/contrast. I'm still a newbie to photography so I haven't mastered the whole art of metering and lighting. : )

The reason I want you to look is because on my computer, they look as close to perfect as I could get them. My friend said they look washed out and dull on her computer. I want to post them on my Pbase gallery, but not if they look as badly as she says they do. Here's the link...

http://www.marinediscoveries.com/backyard.html

Secondly, I almost filled up a 512mb card today practicing on these birds and squirrels. That's approximately 145 pictures (give or take). Of these, only about 10 or 15 came out well enough to consider keeping. Some of the problems were my fault due to poor lighting and just plain out learning errors. Others came out poorly because of the bird's fast movements. With that said, for you experienced photographers (mainly bird photographers) out there, is it normal to have only a small handful (of an almost completely full card) come out half way decent or am I *really* that bad?? LOL

Any pointers on photographing these fast moving little creatures would be greatly appreciated!! Also, any constructive criticism on the photos that I gave a link for is also welcome. I have a lot to learn and I'm hoping you guys can help point me in the right direction. : )

[Scottes]

Squirrel looks a little oversharpened, which is bas because some of the highlights are blown out (but not many, just small spots). Ease down the highlights a little and do a little less sharpening and it will be great.

Chickadees need some contrast. They look a little dull. Kinda looks like you shot through a semi-clean window.

The sparrow could use a little more sharpening, and a little more contrast.

Titmouse could use a little more contrast.


That's approximately 145 pictures (give or take). Of these, only about 10 or 15 came out well enough to consider keeping.

Those are actually fantastic results, really. I shoot birds a bit... OK, inside joke - I shoot a LOT of birds. I'd be very happy if I went out tomorrow and shoot 150 shots and consider 15 to be keepers. Those are good odds.

You've got some good shots here, outside of the noted about post-processing. Considering pose and composition... The squirrel is very good, the first chickadee is good (wait for the head to lift) but the second doesn't work. The sparrow is very good, and capturing a titmouse *anytime* is good. This one works well because of the seed IMHO.

Try to get a catchlight in the eye like in the titmouse. Use your pop-up flash if you have to - even if it's too far away the pop-up will often be enough to add a catchlight. Be aware that this will slow down your shooting rate so do it when you *need* to do it.


Take a look in the Post Processing forum. At the top is a Sticky post about tutorials. There's one in there about contrast which will help you a bit. But make sure your monitor is "calibrated" - this[/url link may help, and make sure that you can differentiate ALL the steps on the strip on [ur=http://bryce-alive.net/calibrate/]this (http://www.normankoren.com/makingfineprints1A.html) page.

You're off to a great start. Keep up the good work.