My first few shots (Again)

[forevergreen]

Sorry if look stupid but my first post has disapeerd so here are my first few pics again.
If they are a bit small you can click on them to mae them bigger
Iknow they are not great but could you please tell me what i need to do to improve and what you think so far?

[Ollie]

Hi forevergreen. Basically you need to get a little nearer to your subject as the birds are a little small in the frame. I don't know what camera you are using so can't really give advice on settings. The Blackbird photo. The camera has focused on the white flowers in front of the bird instead of the bird making the bird out of focus.

Keep practicing as that's the way to get better.
Hope this helps
Roger

[HowlinWolf]

The shot of the blackbird is out of focus. It appears that your AF system focussed on the flowers. Anything that has eyes should have them in focus! Your main problem is that your subjects are just too small in the frame: you need a longer lens or just get closer. Another point is watch your backgrounds. I check out the background as I position myself to shoot, assessing it using the depth of field preview. A poor backdrop can be rectified in post processing, but it's easier (and more believable) to get it right in camera.

Keep at it, though. It takes a lot of practice to start producing good images.

HW

[Brocker]

Hi Forevergreen,
I agree with Ollie. It appears that you are shooting from some distance which is why there is a slight focus issue. You do not mention which camera you are using and what settings. This would help to give a little more advice. As with all animal/bird photography, you need to get as close to the subject as you can. Close enough so that your camera is not shooting at its top end. This itself takes some skill. Another good pointer is to manipulate the surroundings to draw the birds in close. Use a hide or a shed and bring the feeders in closer over time so the birds get used to the surroundings. The most important thing is practice, practice, practice and of course, a whole lot of patience.

[forevergreen]

Ok thanks for the advice so far ill try to get closer and ill watch my focusing on shots and the point about a backdrop makes sense to, Its a bit silly photographing a polar bear with a car in the background. Thnaks for the advice so far guys ill take these in to account. I f you need o nkow im using the Fujifilm 5700

[big bill]

Hello forevergreen,agrre with all thats been said what to do is to take control of the camera and take it off the auto setting and put it onto Aperture Priority wher you select the aperture,if you use an aperture of about 5,6 this will throw the backgroung out off focus and concentrate on the eye on the bird next thing if you can select your point of focus to the middle focus point and use this then focus on the eye/head of the bird then the remainder of the bird will be in focus and use the longest part of your camera you will need to use a tripod or rest the camera on beanbag or something to stop camera shake and your pics should improve.
Hope this helps all the details to change the settings will be contained in your instruction book for the camera best of luck look forward to seeing your shots.

[forevergreen]

Ok ive got some more pictures and i took what you said into mind these birds are regulars to my garden so i got my self near to where they like to perch and left out some bait of chicken fat with seeds in it. They seem to like it

url=http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/archive/showphoto.php?photo=51467][/url]









Again these arnt brilliant but i think they are a bit better and i had to be patient to get them. What do you think? tell me what ive done wrong so i can improve and ill do my best
Thanks

[mh68]

Theres a definite improvement in these newer shots - the 2 Thrush images are nicely framed with a good sized subject.You should find an improvement in image quality by shooting in good light(ie sunnier conditions) - it looks dull in the shots youve posted, which reduces detail.
I noticed when looking at the exif info for the thrush shots that picture quality is set to "normal". If there is an option to go higher, set the camera to the highest image quality for best results.
Definitely heading in the right direction though

Mark H

[HowlinWolf]

You still have focus problems, as demonstrated with the robin shot. The point of focus can be seen on the bush in the left of the shot, behind the subject, and also on the rail to the right of the bird. Are you shooting with lens wide open? If so, your depth of field will be very shallow. Your focusing needs to be accurate to get the sharpest results.

Another point. Shooting in dull/overcast conditions does not reduce detail. Direct sunlight causes contrast problems, with shadows and highlights being beyond the dynamic range of the camera sensor.

HW

[forevergreen]

Hmm ill have to seeabout the focus problems im not sure why its happening but i think the image quality thing went bad because i had to make the picture smaller to get it on the archives. Perhaps the the subject is out of focus because i dont have a very steady hand? ill have to get a tripod on beanbag like you said

[HowlinWolf]

Out of focus images is not the same thing as camera shake, although with long focal lengths it's advisable to get all the support you can get.

When re-sizing images for web use, you need to sharpen the reduced image to compensate for all the data that's been lost in that particular process, but that's not your real problem. Check out your camera manual for autofocus operation. It should give adivice on how to use it to best advantage. As good as modern AF systems are, they're not infallible.

HW

[mh68]

Originally Posted by forevergreen

Hmm ill have to seeabout the focus problems im not sure why its happening but i think the image quality thing went bad because i had to make the picture smaller to get it on the archives. Perhaps the the subject is out of focus because i dont have a very steady hand? ill have to get a tripod on beanbag like you said

Your image quality has suffered due to the high ISO (800 in this case)...these cameras dont perform as well as DSLRs at high ISOs so try to keep this as low as possible for the best quality.Obviously you`ll get slower shutter speeds so a tripod or other support may be necessary to get sharp results.
If possible set the camera focus to spot focussing which is more accurate, and try to focus on the birds head/eye, half pressing the shutter to retain focus while recomposing the shot if necessary.

HW, remember we`re talking about the small sensor on a superzoom compact, not a DSLR which does indeed pick up lots of detail even in poor light. A flatly lit image in dull conditions at normal shooting distances wont yield the same fine detail with a superzoom as it would with a DSLR, or compared to a well lit image in better light.Its one of the restrictions of this type of camera, and the only way to get maximum detail in poor light with these cameras is to get very close to the subject, not often possible unless using a hide of sorts.Thats not just my opinion, but that of the majority of experienced superzoom users too.

Mark H

[big bill]

The newer shots are a big improvement on your first ones and I agree with all thats said above your exposure is slightly out you have over-exposed causing detail to start to burn out in the highlights ,again this can be corrected in your photo software,what do you use?

[forevergreen]

Originally Posted by big bill

The newer shots are a big improvement on your first ones and I agree with all thats said above your exposure is slightly out you have over-exposed causing detail to start to burn out in the highlights ,again this can be corrected in your photo software,what do you use?

I use the finepix viewer i have a fujifilm camera im not sure if thst sort of software is on it ill have to look i think phtoshop would help more there...

[stephen p]

Hello Buddy,

Your pictures have definately improved. How long have you had the camera?
Reason i ask is, when i started i made sure i knew how the camera worked inside out. It doesnt happen over night learning how your camera works, keep using it, learning all the settings etc.
And the most important parts to photographing wildlife is PATIENCE and RESPECT for your subject

I highly recommend this book aswell, gives you all you need to know.

Amazon.co.uk: Wildlife Photography (Lonely Planet How to): Books: Andy Rouse

[RantingSquirrel]

Hi, I echo what the others have stated. One note on your earlier pics is that they look a tad over exposed. I presume your camera may be set to 'evaluative'/matrix metering? If possible try and change it to centre weighted (I am unsure if you camera has spot metering) and only use the center focus point (not multiple). That should help exposures. If that fails in dial in negative exposure compensation (it should be called ev / exposure compensation on your camera) if your pics come out washed out, you may need to try it out a few times to determine how much compensation is requred.
Hope this helps

[forevergreen]

ive had the cam about 2 weeks saturday i suppose i should read the instruction manual.... should i take notes remember? i could take with me to read in car.... shorten that horrible wait before food in a restaraunt i think practise will help too..

[big bill]

You cannot be expected to remember everything about the camera if it helps to make notes then do so at the same time that you are writing them down you are mentally remembering it all but practice is the best form of learning and reading the manual inside out until it comes out your ears.
But you can see the differrance in your pics from when you first submitted well done keep at it

[Brocker]

Stay with it Forevergreen. Your photos are improving all the time. If I look at my first photos (I am a hoarder and don't delete anything ) I can see a massive difference and so can others so read, practice and be patient and it will all fall into place soon.