raptor

bazza

Stunning shot Bazza

Thats a great shot Baz, well done

'Top Gun' shot Bazza.

Thanks for the comments all



I love taking this kind of photo, the challange of getting it correct makes the effort worth it. Ok it was taken at a bird of prey centre but that doesn't mean its any easier. For example this was taken with a Sigma 70-200mm f2.8 lens which may not mean much to those new to photography I know, but f2.8 means the camera can use a faster shutter speed without loss of light. This then means this type of shot can "freeze" the action.

So what to consider?

First of all the right photographic equipment for what you want to take pictures of, above is explained for fast action but say take a picture of a building time a photo can be taken and if not right taken again and again with a "slower" lens.

Other considerations is light and possible one of the most important aspects of photography. This dictates so much, night time usually means using extra lighting as in a flashgun or very slow shutter speed to allow more light onto the sensor, may be something like a 2 or 3 second exposure. Next is composition, being silly its no good having only half the subject matter in frame, thats plain stupid, here there is what is called "rule of thirds". So think of a picture with the subject in one third of the shot as a general but not hard and fast rule.

Have you noticed something often overlooked in the picture above? No? look again, the bird has room to fly into, not jammed up against the left hand side with nowhere to go. Give the subject sufficient room around it in case a hard copy "print " is desired, many a time a print cuts off the edges and leaves out one of the most important parts.

I never thought editing was the correct way to go with taking a photo, I believed and still do to some extent get it right in camera when taking the picture. Unfortunately this is not always possible so I have added to my arsenal of photograph gear Adobe Elements 10 editing suit in addition to an earlier version on another computer. It still amazes me how such an easy to use editing suit can make such a difference to an "average" picture.
One thing editing can do is remove unwanted object for a photo not noticed at the time of the shot, ie a waste basket in a park or a bit of paper on the ground, even completely removing people in the background.

Just one other point, so often coloured photos somehow just don't look right even though one can't put a finger on exactly what's wrong, so my favourite trick is to make it into a black and white photo instead . Clouds can be made to look very dramatic by doing this. See example below



Even editing black and white can make a difference between wishy washy and crisp

The more I got into photography the more I realise I how little I knew than before. Heavens knows how many times i have forgotten that by moving to another position the photo would be improved, or taking a picture with a tree growing out of the top of the head.

So anyone starting out what would be my tip? Hard question. I suppose one has to start with a camera obviously. A very cheap compact " point and shoot" can give very good results and really start anyone to understand photography and all it entails. Next consider before getting an expensive camera decide on what type of photography one wants to get into. For example doing studio photography requires different accessories as well as lenses best for the job. Again going completely the opposite end and you get into astrophotography or macro.

So many think that going on a photography course is the correct route to learn, I have to disagree entirely, you only learn what others have done and don't create your own methods and thoughts. Take for example your great painters in the past, Counstable for landscapes and Picasso for portraits, both highly desirable and pictures worth fortunes to name but 2, you don't even hear of copy artists let alone their pictures.

Its the same with photography David Bailey world wide known for his photos but has he passed on his knowledge and anyone seen any of his students work? I don't think so and if the answer is yes what do they fetch price wise in comparison?

So how does one go about developing their own style? the answer is all around you, all you need to do is look. Where? at newspapers- magazines- advertising photos- bill boards- buses the list is almost endless. All that is needed is to look from the photographers view point and not the subject. What angle was the photo taken- what background was used- what colours- what kind of lighting angles and you soon start to learn to pick the best and discard the rubbish. Bit like Woolworth use to be with sweets, pick and mix.

OOPs I am rambling on again and I am far from being expert infact I am getting more critical than ever before of my own work and can see loads of should of could of errors.

But a hobby is a hobby and as long as I am happy with what I take, that on the whole is what really matters.

Hope this is interesting and useful. I know not everyone will agree with the above, in fact it wouldn't be right if they did. It is purely my own thoughts,additions welcome but not criticisms

Bazza

Very enlightening Bazza.

Nice one - what bird is it Bazza ?

To be fair you get as many goes as you like at getting it right at a bird centre and the most difficult part (field craft) isn't required.

That said - if you're wanting to work on technique or photograph birds you wouldn't get the chance to photograph locally in the wild then there's no better place.

sorry phil don't know what bird it is but this is where it was taken

http://www.icbp.org/index/

Bazza

Unfortunately they don't actually list the birds they have on their site.

Looks a great place to visit though and it's good to see they have stuff to involve kids too.

Anyway - I did a bit of digging and I'm 99% sure that your bird is a Verreaux's Eagle.

http://www.birdsoman.com/Birds/030-H...eauxsEagle.htm

Spot on BIF...well done Bazza