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Bird Legs

© Beth Spencer

Bird Legs

Uploaded: November 19, 2012

Description

Canon EOS 7d - Tamron 18-270mm lens, 1/80, f/9, ISO 100

Exif: F Number: 9, Exposure Bias Value: 0.00, ExposureTime: 1/80 seconds, Flash: did not fire, compulsory flash mode, ISO: 100, White balance: Auto white balance, FocalLength: 270.00 mm, Model: Canon EOS 7D

Comments

Beth Spencer November 19, 2012

This is a different one for me. I took it this fall when we were in Texas. I am also posting one that is similar. The ones I tried to get of him flying that day were all out of focus, so maybe I will find one in focus before I get through them all. #1499310

Jeff E Jensen November 19, 2012

Very nice, Beth! The lighting in the 2nd image is better than the first, the first is a bit flat. I do like the reflection in #1, so perhaps a levels adjustment? Also, I think you could crop both images, it feels a tad off to have so much room behind him. I'd do an 8x10 vertical crop, using the full height, putting the bird on the left ROT. Make sense?

#10426110

Aimee C. Eisaman November 20, 2012

The first one does seem flat and maybe a tad soft so I'd focus on the second image. I think Jeffs crop idea will work well and the reflection in the second image will show more once you do that. Too bad that frothy wave wasn't right behind the dark beak in the second one. Would have set it off better as it blends in a bit here. I don't mind cloning so I would use a mask and clone some of that white wave around the beak. :~) Look forward to seeing the changes. #10426605

Michael Kelly level-classic November 20, 2012

Not bad for a 270mm. I have to work hard to get these birds even with my 400mm. The white feathers also make this a tough shot. If you shot these hand held you may have your shutter speed to low which is why the shots look a bit soft. There is a rule of thumb which says your stutter speed needs to be at least the reciprocal of the focal length. In other words a focal length of 270mm needs to have a shutter speed of at least 1/270 of a second. Up your ISO in order to achieve that if you want the same f stop. Here I would probably open up to max aperture rather than up the ISO. I think the rest of the suggestions sound good. #10426786

Beth Spencer November 20, 2012

Ok, I did the edits as suggested and the first one was a bit flat so I tweaked that. The crops helped.
I also found a couple more and think they are a bit sharper. Mike I will try and remember that with the lens. It was the first time I was that close to one of these and I guess I was just really excited. Do you know Are these Snowy Egrets or some other kind? #10427092

Michael Kelly level-classic November 20, 2012

I am pretty sure they are Snowy Egrets. There may be some other type that looks similar though. The common egret is larger and has an orange beak.

I think your edit to punch up the color helped. #10427335

lisa anderson November 21, 2012

Ohhhh, I love these birds! Edit 1 of picture 1 is my favourite; it still looks a wee bit dark on my screen #10428816

Debbie E. Payne November 22, 2012

I am just jealous that you got these magnificent birds in the first place!! I do think the first one is slightly soft and a bit flat but I really like the second one and think that the edit helped. One of these days I need to find some birds to "shoot". There was a falcon couple in my backyard this weekend but by the time I got my camera (still in the boot and going slow) they were long gone. #10429287

Peter W. Marks November 22, 2012

I have legs like those! When I was down in Florida on Fort Myers beach a couple of years back and watching these magificent Snowy Egrets, the similarity was pointed out to me and I had to have therapy before I would wear my shorts again!

Have enjoyed this series Beth and have taken note of all the suggestions.

#10429412

Beth Spencer November 24, 2012

Thanks everyone! Peter, do not feel bad about the legs - Mine are like that only worse!!! #10431169

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