New to wildlife.....

[TIM9G]

Hi, I am new to wildlife photography. I have only been interested in it for just a couple of months but really starting to get into it and now regularly visit the zoo. Here is some of my work. Any thoughts and feedback welcome.

http://9g-photography.fotopic.net/c782427.html

http://9g-photography.fotopic.net/c773999.html

http://9g-photography.fotopic.net/c741530.html

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Tim9G
Plenty more pictures at..............

www.9g-photography.fotopic.net

[IanC_UK]

Not bad shots, are you in the UK ? looks like Marwells little Snow Leopard critter ?

Most of the shots look a little soft, and dont have that "pop" as you look at them, how are you shooting ? hand held ? which lens? camera ? using raw ? any post processing done on them ?

I have been told this is a little soft too ! Marwell, 20D, 100-400L handheld

[cfcRebel]

Originally Posted by TIM9G

Hi, I am new to wildlife photography. I have only been interested in it for just a couple of months but really starting to get into it and now regularly visit the zoo. Here is some of my work. Any thoughts and feedback welcome.

http://9g-photography.fotopic.net/c782427.html

http://9g-photography.fotopic.net/c773999.html

http://9g-photography.fotopic.net/c741530.html

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Tim9G
Plenty more pictures at..............

www.9g-photography.fotopic.net

You have some nice shots there, Time. Keep up the good work and welcome to the forum.

[KaplanMultimedia]

Nice shots. You have a good eye, but it looks like you need to buy some better glass. I didn't see any pictures that were really tack sharp.

[TIM9G]

I use Canon EOS 350D with Sigma 50-500 lens. I shoot in L not RAW and pictures are all hand held. Maybe its time to get a monopod. Any tips on how to make the pictures less 'soft'?

Tim9G
www.9g-photography.fotopic.net

[IanC_UK]

Originally Posted by TIM9G

I use Canon EOS 350D with Sigma 50-500 lens. I shoot in L not RAW and pictures are all hand held. Maybe its time to get a monopod. Any tips on how to make the pictures less 'soft'?

Tim9G
www.9g-photography.fotopic.net

I cant see the exif info from your online gallery, it wont allow right clicks, so have had to make some assumptions,

seems quite a lot of noise on some of them, appears you were having to use high ISO settings

the general rule of thumb for handholding is to keep the shutter speed equal to the focal length you are shooting at, ie 500mm = 1/500th shutter speed.

Try downloading a trial version of noiseware, and also try a little editing in photoshop or similar package, if it was possible to downlaod an image from your site i would tryand show what affect a little tweak can have

A tripod or monopod will definitely help with the sharpness too

There is an awful lot of potential there, the camera and lens are capable of producing good sharp images

[cfcRebel]

Sigma 50-500 aka Bigma can produce some sharp image when you feed him enough light.
A few tips (just my opinions):
1. If you shoot in Large/Fine Jpeg, make sure your 350XT is set to use parameter 1. Or even better, customize your parameters and bump the Sharpness to far right.

2. When shooting with Bigma, I use my tripod 99.99% of the time. At 500mm, i can't hold the lens stable enough for sharp picture.

3. Use ISO400 or higher when using Bigma to get good shutter speed. Unless the light is really really really good, then can use ISO200. 350XT handles noise better than 300D. I prefer a noisy picture over a blurry one.

4. The sweet spot(aperture) of my Bigma is at f/8. You can do some test on yours too to fine out.

5. If the subject allows, Bigma + tripod + cable release = sharp sharp picture.

Happy snapping.

[lostprophet]

Originally Posted by TIM9G

I use Canon EOS 350D with Sigma 50-500 lens. I shoot in L not RAW and pictures are all hand held. Maybe its time to get a monopod. Any tips on how to make the pictures less 'soft'?

Tim9G
www.9g-photography.fotopic.net

If you can't get a monopod or tripod you could always cut down on the vodka Tim

All the shots on my site have been sharpened using the High pass filter in photoshop. I will have to come round your place one day and show you how to do it. But I know that focus fixer is very good as a friend of mine sharpened the new USAF F16 shots in my RIAT gallerey.

JUST A THOUGHT EVERYONE
As a few of us have been to marwell since the little snow leopard appeared how about a POTN day out??

Andy ( counting down the days till the airshows )

[IanC_UK]

i metup with mojo_uk when i was there, didnt pre arrange it lol i think he was talking about a meet up in another thread, would have to make the visit soon, before the little b***** grows up lol

[lostprophet]

Originally Posted by IanC_UK

i metup with mojo_uk when i was there, didnt pre arrange it lol i think he was talking about a meet up in another thread, would have to make the visit soon, before the little b***** grows up lol

well im off work on tuesdays and sundays but have a week off jan 16th to 22nd but I have to rely on TIM9G for the lift

[mojo_uk]

Hi Tim

Just had a look through your gallerys and you have some great shots there for someone new to animal photography.

As to the softness of the Snow Leopard images I think it's a lot to do with the fence. Because of the distance between the outer barrier and the main fence you can't get close enough to completely throw it out of focus. Most of my images taken on the same day as IanC_UK's were also very soft. I use a 100-400L + 1.4 extender on some shots with monopod but the light in that enclosure is not good at the best of times. I too will have to go back soon to try and get some better shots.

It would be great for us all to meet up there one day. Let me know what days are best for you. I'm off work with a bad back at the moment so am flexible on a date.

Here is one of the better images of the cub I got on my visit.

[IanC_UK]

Good point Mark, the enclosure is very difficult to actually photograph without metalwork appearing in the shot !

[TIM9G]

Well thanks for everyones tips and advice! I enjoyed your example pictures and learned a lot from people. I didnt expect so much useful info. I use the photoshop sharpen filter but didnt know about the high pass. Another trip to Marwell is due. What are the odds for a day off without any rain?!?!

Thanks again
Tim
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www.9g-photography.fotopic.net

[IanC_UK]

no worries Tim, as for the trip to Marwell on a day off without rain , im not a gambling man, and i dont think you would get good odds anyway

[mojo_uk]

Originally Posted by IanC_UK

no worries Tim, as for the trip to Marwell on a day off without rain , im not a gambling man, and i dont think you would get good odds anyway

If you go the same day as me you are certain for good weather, it's always nice there when I go.