My very first DSLR images

[John]

Well I took my canon 30D camera and 100-400 IS USM lens out for the very first time today and got the following images. They are not brilliant but that's because I haven't a clue how to use it yet. Don't forget I have never handled a camera like this, never mind the lens that is attached to it.

I have to give a special mention to possibly the two worst photos in the list. The Wren and the Treecreeper.

The Wren has been totally cropped down from a small bird in the corner of a very large photo. It was taken about 70 feet or more away from me in very dark conditions, deep in a wood. the fact that I cropped it down so much makes it remarkable that I have even got an image of it never mind that you can actually recognise what it is. If I had done that with my digiscoping set up the resulting image would have been total nonsence.

Next the Treecreeper. First thing is that I have never photographed a Treecreeper before so that was a nice surprise that I even got any sort of an image of one. The next thing is that this bird was possibly about 100 feet away and again I have cropped it right back. As the Wren it is amazing that I have got any sort of an image from it.

Once I get used to this camera I can see that I might get the odd decent photo out of it.

I am going out with a few WAB members tomorrow so that they can show me how to use this combination but I think that it will take a very long time before I start to produce the goods as it is so totally different from what I am used to.







Remember that this image of a Wren is the result of a massive crop. The whole thing only represents about a 20th of the whole photo, possibly even smaller than that. It also had to be lightened considerably as the original image was very dark.


This image of a treecreeper was taken possibly 100 feet away from me and was another massive crop and again is probably only a 20th of the total image. I would never have gotten away with that with any digiscoping images.


John

[Alan]

Great stuff John! For a first attempt with a DSLR, you couldn't get much better! The good light makes all the difference.. Love the colours of the Pheasant - if only it held it's head up so you got a catch-light in its eye... next time!

Alan

[John]

Originally Posted by Alan

Great stuff John! For a first attempt with a DSLR, you couldn't get much better! The good light makes all the difference.. Love the colours of the Pheasant - if only it held it's head up so you got a catch-light in its eye... next time!

Alan

Do you mean like this one?



John

[cherrybee]

Well done John an excellent first time even though 2 of them were cropped right back they are still very good and the colours are beautiful especially the pheasant.Very well done

[Alan]

Originally Posted by John

Do you mean like this one?



John

Yep, nice one! Now tell him to back-up a little so his head's not as close to the edge

Alan

[John]

Originally Posted by Alan

Yep, nice one! Now tell him to back-up a little so his head's not as close to the edge

Alan

I cropped it to get it to that position. I don't know, you can't please some people.

Only joking.

This is going to be one heck of a learning curve as it is so vastly different from type of photography I usually do.

John

[cherrybee]

Originally Posted by Alan

Yep, nice one! Now tell him to back-up a little so his head's not as close to the edge

Alan

Picky picky
Thats a great shot John

[Alan]

Originally Posted by John

I cropped it to get it to that position. I don't know, you can't please some people.

Only joking.

This is going to be one heck of a learning curve as it is so vastly different from type of photography I usually do.

John

Yes, and I'm sure you'll learn loads tomorrow! Nothing like talking to someone with more experience about techniques. It cuts to the nitty-gritty, without having to trawl through books. A *much* steeper learning curve.. Just tell them all not to speak at once lol..

Alan

[Bushcraft]

Some really nice shots there John, it was not so long ago that I was in the same boat, but you will soon get used to the new features and being a 30D it's got a good layout on the menu so its easier to learn with. Anyway as I say, you took some great shots!!!

Best wishes
Kris

[Words]

They're great shots and I'm deeply jealous! When I look at pictures like that I just know I'm going to have to upgrade to a DSLR at some point. It's another world entirely. Enjoy!!!