How to take pictures of birds against the sky?

[glsammy]

Originally Posted by momji1971

It was just a tip, not a right or wrong kind of thing.

Graham, I'd be interested to know the names of the canon pro's you know have their set-up like that. So I can have a chat with them to discuss they're reasoning behind it. (PM them if you want.)

It was a couple of Canon pro's that taught me to use manual for BIF and the reasons why.

Again this isn't a right or wrong thing just different horses for courses.

Regards.
Stu.

I'm talking about the cameras, not the photographers.
The Canon10D upwards at least all have the rear wheel, which default function is to apply exposure compensation when in aperture or shutter priority modes. So whilst your scanning for your shot you can apply the compensation as you shoot. For instance, if your tracking a bird with trees as the background you'd probably need to have negative compensation to raise your shutter speed. When the bird breaks from the trees to a sky background, you'd quickly turn the wheel to give positive compensation to lower the shutter speed to prevent silhouettes.
Simple to say, not always so simple to remember which way to turn the wheel though!
In manual mode the rear wheel doesn't work in that way, hence why I always shoot in AV mode.

[momji1971]

ah sorry Graham. I'm always open to new ways of shooting if it gets me that extra shot! Thats the only reason I asked.

cheers.
Stu.

[pete-c]

Originally Posted by StRoRo

Is there any techniques for taking pictures of birds against the sky?
Especially in over cast conditions, I just seem to get silhouettes.

I have a canon 50D and I have set to spot to judge the exposure of what is the centre of the view finder only but its still not good.

Is it just a case of manually setting it to over expose for ½ - 1 stop?

Try this

Canon EOS-50D Set-up Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART

Pete