waterfowler's unite!

ok, kinda a lame title, but HI! I'm new and I wanted to share something besides horses. So, here's another subject that I love to photograph. Please keep in mind that I'm fairly new and with no formal training. I'm trying to learn how to make my pictures better so please feel free to critic! thank you in advance for the help!!!

What lens are you using and focal length are you using? Are they straight out of the camera or processed. The images look a little soft on the fowl themselves. The debris they are standing on seems to be more in focus. Now that might just be a little inaccuracy in the focusing, or it might be the lens front focusing a bit, which is part of the reason I'm curious.

First one is a nice capture. You might be able to clean them up in lightroom/gimp/photosh​op if you have it.

HI, thanks for the review. I am using a rebel EOS and a 70-300mm zoom. this day was the second day I had the zoom. I'm still learning how to use it. I've gotten better but still have lots of room for improvement. I don't remember what setting I had the camera on. thank you for the advise. I have a simple version of photoshop but haven't messed with it much either....I'm still in the way begininng stages.

Welcome aboard, You are coming to the right place for getting some help with your skills as there are some unbelievably talented folks on here.

Check out the Bird Forum for more on shooting waterfowl and birds specificlly.

I am not one to give much advice other than concentrate on getting your eye focused, if it is in focus you are on your way, also check out the "properties" on your photos and it will tell you your settings.

Watch those and you will see trends develop with your better pictures. A lot of folks prefer to shoot birds in AV mode, which was a good start for me!! Good luck!!

AV mode can help, but for flying birds sometimes you need a higher shutter speed than AV wants to give you.

Just keep that in mind

Thanks everyone! we are avid waterfowlers and I plan on going out to shoot something other than video. (long story) but I will try AV mode. I have been just using the pre-set modes and experimenting with those. I took some pictures of some pelicans last weekend as they flew over me but wasn't really happy with any of them and well, they were pelicans not ducks. lol.
If I would have read BEFORE posting this thread I would have went to birds but I didn't see the catagory in my rush to get something posted while cooking supper! lol. thanks again!