Close ups with flash

[Ollie]

Hi all.

Just thought I would post these relatively close up shots of the birds in my garden today to show what can be achieved using flash when the light is fairly poor.

All these were taken using a Canon 40D with a Canon 400mm f5.6L lens combined with a Canon 580EX11 flash unit and a lambency flash diffuser. The flash is mounted on an off camera bracket. The whole set up was monted on a hide clamp fastened to a bedroom windowsill

I will be the first to admit they are not perfect by any means but I think they are very acceptable for the conditions. I had to use a fairly high ISO speed to get anything like a decent shutter speed due to the light and the fact that with the birds being close I had to use F7.1 or F8.0 to get the DOF required.

Any comments good or bad appreciated.

Thanks

Roger

Taken at F7.1, ISO 640 @1/200 sec


Taken at F8.0, ISO 800 @1/60 sec


Taken at F7.1, ISO 640 @1/160 sec


Taken at F8.0, ISO 800 @1/80 sec


Taken at F7.1, ISO 640 @1/200 sec The lght was a bit better for this one.


Taken at F7.1, ISO 640 @1/125 sec


Taken at F8.0, ISO 800 @1/125 sec

[Tormentil]

Originally Posted by Ollie

I will be the first to admit they are not perfect by any means but I think they are very acceptable for the conditions.

I think they are very acceptable.

[Lancashire Lad]

A superb set of images by any standards.

If I was to be super-super-critical, I would say that the pixel shaped catch light in the bird's eye (on a couple of the photo's) looks just a little unnatural, but other than that, can't fault them at all. Wish I could get some as good.

Regards
Mike.

[jennyb]

That's a great set of images, Roger. Flash makes all the difference.

I have not got the hang of flash yet and would love to learn how to use it.

Jenny

[Ollie]

Originally Posted by Lancashire Lad

A superb set of images by any standards.

If I was to be super-super-critical, I would say that the pixel shaped catch light in the bird's eye (on a couple of the photo's) looks just a little unnatural, but other than that, can't fault them at all. Wish I could get some as good.

Regards
Mike.

Thanks Mike.

The couple you are talking about are if I am correct are the ones where I have had to adjust the catch light myself. As sometimes with flash the catchlight from the flash falls in an unnatural position and I haven't made a very good job of adjusting it. Never sure which is the best tool for the job in PS Elements 7
Roger

[Ollie]

Thanks Ben and Jenny.
Jenny if you need any help with flash please ask it's easier than you might think.
Roger

[Helo]

Good shots, although personally I think using a flash always looks unnatural with birds photography. Perhaps a little more space around the birds would improve the overall image - the birds, imo, fill the frame just a tad too much.

[zan]

They look lovely to me. You can tell there's been flash used, but they are not any worse for that really. Considering how they would have been without flash, I think they're really nice

[Ollie]

Originally Posted by Helo

Good shots, although personally I think using a flash always looks unnatural with birds photography. Perhaps a little more space around the birds would improve the overall image - the birds, imo, fill the frame just a tad too much.

Thanks Helo

I can see where you are coming from about the birds filling the frame but this was my intention to see what the effects of the flash were as close up as possible.

Thanks also Zan

Roger

[glsammy]

I'd be pleased with any of these, especially if they were from my garden, locally known as the black hole..

You can tell flash has been used but in my opinion it's not overdone. Nice ones Roger.