Too bright sky, too dark bird...

[daniel1983]

I had a couple of decent bird shots get ruined because the background lighting overpowers the photo. This has happened to me once before and I just cant think of the fix (I will post the other picture in few minutes).

This barred owl picture was from this morning. It was very foggy but bright. In all of the shots either the owl was too dark or the sky was too bright. Solutions?? Filters?

I spotted some beautiful swallowtailed kites nesting today, and definately do not want this problem when I start watching those guys. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Taken with a Rebel XSi and 70-200mm f/4 + 1.4 converter. Settings were 280mm, f/5.6, 1/640, ISO 400, Aperture Priority, Auto WB.

http://www.wildlifelouisianablog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/1-1003.jpg

[daniel1983]

Here is another shot of a gackle:
http://odatria.com/Pictures/Birds/1-1008.JPG
Taken with a Rebel XSi and 70-200mm f/4. Settings were 200mm, f/4, 1/800, ISO 1600, Aperture Priority, Auto WB.

[trailpixie]

There are a few things, but the most practical is to shoot with the sun at your back, preferably late afternoon or early morning so you have low light. Barring that, you can try to use a flash and a better beamer (light modifier), but that may cause some unnatural lighting appearance.

To my mind, picking the right conditions is the most important. My best shots ever where on a bright sunny day after six inches of snow fell. The ground functioned as a massive reflector allowing great color and even lighting with a nice blue sky.

Not every photographic condition can be made perfect.

With all that said, it appears that the shots you posted are pretty decent, considering the conditions.

[huntersdad]

You could try a CPL. Should help with cutting down the glare and make things more natural looking.

[shedberg]

A flash is the best way to go in this instance. In order to make the flash look more natural, dial it down to about -2/3 to -1.

I don't believe a CPL will help in this situation as it will darken the subject as well. Your best bet is a flash, trust me, I shoot a lot of birds against white skies and if you can't darken the background (ie: changing your position to put some dark foliage in the background), then the flash is the best way to illuminate the subject without blowing out the sky.

[daniel1983]

Thanks for the input everyone.

Sometimes the opportunity to snap some shots doesn't have the right conditions. I would rather not pass any opportunities by. With a teleconverter added, I have 280mm to work with so I don't usually have the benefit of repositioning myself well for most pictures. While walking through the woods, I had about 10-15 seconds to get off some shots of that barred owl before to flew off.

I will hook up the flash next time I am shooting in such bright conditions and see how it goes. Hopefully that helps some.

[shedberg]

Thanks for the input everyone.

Sometimes the opportunity to snap some shots doesn't have the right conditions. I would rather not pass any opportunities by. With a teleconverter added, I have 280mm to work with so I don't usually have the benefit of repositioning myself well for most pictures. While walking through the woods, I had about 10-15 seconds to get off some shots of that barred owl before to flew off.

I will hook up the flash next time I am shooting in such bright conditions and see how it goes. Hopefully that helps some.

Good luck Daniel! I'm usually in a similar situation, not much time to get the shot off, and nowhere near enough time to realign myself for the background. Just remember to set the flash exposure to -2/3 to -1 so it doesn't get that "flash" look.

Another great benefit of flash photography is it will freeze the action well, and produce a sharper image.

[daniel1983]

Good luck Daniel! I'm usually in a similar situation, not much time to get the shot off, and nowhere near enough time to realign myself for the background. Just remember to set the flash exposure to -2/3 to -1 so it doesn't get that "flash" look.

Another great benefit of flash photography is it will freeze the action well, and produce a sharper image.

Because I hate the 'flash' look, my flash exposure is almost constantly set to around -1 so that shouldn't be an issue. Thanks for the tip though.

Time is a killer. I have missed tons of shots simply because I couldn't get my camera up and ready in tme.

I need to develop a 'quickdraw' style of photography. They should have competitions for that sort of stuff.

...Had the opportunity to shot a few more owls today and hooked up my flash, but low and behold....no power for the flash. I left the switch on last time I used it....ha ha.

[shedberg]

Because I hate the 'flash' look, my flash exposure is almost constantly set to around -1 so that shouldn't be an issue. Thanks for the tip though.

Time is a killer. I have missed tons of shots simply because I couldn't get my camera up and ready in tme.

I need to develop a 'quickdraw' style of photography. They should have competitions for that sort of stuff.

...Had the opportunity to shot a few more owls today and hooked up my flash, but low and behold....no power for the flash. I left the switch on last time I used it....ha ha.

ARRGGHHH! hahaha, I feel your pain Daniel.