Best settings for saturated Birds

Seem to have a lot of trouble getting the settings right on the saturated birds like Indigo Buntings, Summer Tanagers, Painted Buntings ... when they are full breeding colors and the sun is on them.

Any advice appreciated.

Jim Wright

If shooting jpegs use the nuetral picture style.

And if raw (goes for jpeg as well) have to use the RGB histogram to watch for any clipping, particularly in the red channel (very common issue).

And if you are then just adjust like any other blown highlight.

Light direction can make a difference as well, often just using some fill in hard light falling from high will mitigate the over saturation.

Ok .... will give it a try .... usually shoot in RAW.

Thanks,

Jim

I had that problem all the time with my 50D when photographing Vermillion Flycatchers. No matter what I did the red was just way blown out. The 7D seems to do a much better job with the colors. Not sure what Canon did but they fixed it.

Come over and shoot in the UK, we just have lots of "little brown jobs" solves the problem

I'm not sure what you are shooting with but in the past my Canon 20D,30D,40D and 50D have blown out reds. My 7D seems to be a little better but not much. Turn down your exposure compensation. How much depends on individual situation. I use anywhere from minus 1/3 to minuus a full stop. I worked out a pretty gooid formula by experimenting with red flowers in various types of light. They don't fly away and will give you an idea of what you have to do as far as adjusting. If the bird stays around for a while I will shoot a little bit above and below my original setting

Yes I think 7D is doing good job for me as well.... I have seen many pictures where I usually see blown out Red in Cardinals but I shot this male Cardinal and got the exposure right with little adjustment with my position to get the angle of light right.

http://www.flickr.com/​photos/sn_saraf/479174​9667/

Even I am struggling to get the exposure right in many other situations so practicing to hone the skills...I think that's the best way to go about it.

But yes the advice from our fellow Birders in invaluable so i keep looking for posts from everyone.

Thanks

NAIL YOUR EXPOSURE.

Sometimes you think you have it dead on, but clipping colors is a sign of improper exposure most of the time. Using a fill flash with a beamer to extend the light really helps when used properly also.

Keep trying and experimenting!