Need advice on camera settings

[blevine15]

Can someone ofer me any advice on how to shoot a subject, (birds for me), in the shadows or shade against a brighter background. The colors always look subdued. I can bring them back a bit in Photoshop but I would like to get closer to the mark with the camera. I use a Canon 20D, 100-400mm lens and sometimes a 2X converter.

Thanks

Bob

[PacAce]

That's always been a problem for us bird shooters and the only way around that is to use a flash for fill lighting. However, that's easier said than done because it's already a pain carrying a heavy lens around without adding on the weight of the flash. And for the flash to be effective for a longer distance, you should also attach a "better beamer" lens to concentrate the light. And that make the whole set up even bulkier.

I went around the Philadelphia Zoo today with my 1DmkII, the 70-200 IS L which just a hair heavier than the 100-400 IS L and the 550EX flash. After 2 hours of walking around and taking pictures, my arms and back were killing me! A backpack on my back didn't help any either. :)

Anyway, getting back to your question, another thing you might want to try is to use the partial metering so that you are only metering the bird. This will cause the bright background to get blown and washed out but at least you should have a properly exposed bird. However, if your bird is so small that it doesn't even fill up the partial metering circle, then don't bother with the shot 'cuz it won't be worth fixing with PS anyway.

[blevine15]

I use the 20D. How would I set the camera for partial metering?

Thanks again for the advice.

Bob

[PacAce]

I use the 20D. How would I set the camera for partial metering?

Thanks again for the advice.

Bob

Take a look at page 71 of your 20D manual. It shows you now to do it.