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On Friday 21 Jan 2005 I had a day off work and decided to give the Nikon 80-400 VR a workout during a three hour stroll through the Newcastle wetlands. All shots were taken hand held. A sample appears below. A larger version and the other images can be found here.

As usual I greatly value your comments both good & bad.

Peter,
Where's about the wetland in Newcastle? I'm interesting in organize a day trip workshop there in the near future with all my long lenses.

Peter

I find it hard to comment on ducks but there are a few pics here that I think have captured the moment very well.

I like very much the Egret’s nesting and landing in a tree. Well captured and good composition IMO.

There is only one that I did not like and that was the Egret mother and chicks. Not definitive enough.

Chris

sirhc55 wrote:There is only one that I did not like and that was the Egret mother and chicks. Not definitive enough

Chris

I agree completely. I couldn't get any closer and this was the BEST shot I took. In truth I posted the pic cos I think it shows the problem in getting shots like this with the 80-400 VR. I am working on a critique of the lens which I'll post mid next week and this is one of the pics I'm using.

And thanks for the feedback. Knowing what doesn't work is more important IMHO than what does work.

Stubbsy, Great pics. The VR certainly makes a difference in the hand held telephoto shots.  BTW I THINK that the first bird is a Plover. Someone please correct me if I am wrong.

Regards
Meic

birddog wrote:Where's about the wetland in Newcastle? I'm interesting in organize a day trip workshop there in the near future with all my long lenses

The wetlands are at Shortland - about 5 minutes from my place! They open at 9:00 am and entry is $5

The wetlands homepage is here

Very well laid out, maps are provided. There's a hide in a tower built next to the egret nesting colony and lots of other spots to take good shots. Ground is level and it's reasonably family friendly. There is a cafe/kiosk and a picnic area and a conoeing area.

I went there to check it out for exactly what you suggest, so you've preempted me!

I have also been talking to some friends who own a vineyard and another who works at Peppertree about the possibility of a photo outing during vintage where we get access to take shots of the entire winemaking stage from picking through to crushing. This is very time crticial so if we do proceed it needs to happen in the next few weeks since vintage is close to starting. Do you have any thoughts (eg should we look at this for 2006?)

Cheers

meicw wrote:BTW I THINK that the first bird is a Plover.

Thanks. I was hoping someone might know - hence the "What bird is that" title. I've now changed it to identify the bird correctly.

Cheers

I love wine and wineries!!! And I love photography so if you organise it I will make a big effort to make it up from canberra!

stubbsy wrote:

birddog wrote:Where's about the wetland in Newcastle? I'm interesting in organize a day trip workshop there in the near future with all my long lenses

The wetlands are at Shortland - about 5 minutes from my place! They open at 9:00 am and entry is $5

The wetlands homepage is here

Very well laid out, maps are provided. There's a hide in a tower built next to the egret nesting colony and lots of other spots to take good shots. Ground is level and it's reasonably family friendly. There is a cafe/kiosk and a picnic area and a conoeing area.

I went there to check it out for exactly what you suggest, so you've preempted me!

I have also been talking to some friends who own a vineyard and another who works at Peppertree about the possibility of a photo outing during vintage where we get access to take shots of the entire winemaking stage from picking through to crushing. This is very time crticial so if we do proceed it needs to happen in the next few weeks since vintage is close to starting. Do you have any thoughts (eg should we look at this for 2006?)

Cheers

How's about some where around 19 or 26 February? i love to go to the vineyard and watching all those action, Peppertee is a nice place to visit and have lunch.
Perhaps I will start a thread in Sydney section for member who're interested and this will be limited members to attend workshop, i think we do one at a time or one in a day, say wetland one Saturday and vineyard the next week-end.
What's your thoughts?

birddog

Those dates sound reasonable so I'll get back to my friends to firm it up. My inclination is to have two separate days since there's a fair bit of ground to cover (I could easily have spent 4 or 5 hours in the wetlands), but it's a big ask to try and get people up here twice close together.

If we do the vineyards over a weekend (2 days) I have plenty of contacts to organise some good wine tastings for our members away from the general riff raff so we can get to sample the local wines as well as take photos. Also of note if we have a vineyard trip is the Hunter Valley gardens are also a great photo spot (lots and lots of flowers and shrubs) - not been there but it's a flower lover's paradise apparently - have to pay admission, not sure how much.

I'm happy to do any necessary legwork this end.

April might be a better time for a winery visit. Should be towards the end of the vintage, and the weather should be startiing to cool down a little

Also, I'm wary of doing too many things in too short a time, and burning out some of the people here; we all have our various lives to attend to, and while it's great to take lots of pictures and do lots of activities,some may have other activities and/or commitments that need their attention as well.

Gary

I'm mindful of burning people out too so maybe winery in 2006?

Stubbsy, are you shooting in AdobeRGB? Did you convert to sRGB before posting to web? While the pictures are great, they seem to be a little colourless and lacking in saturation. Maybe they're just too muted and subdued for my taste, as I would prefer the browns and greens to be browner and greener...

Yes, we may let the wineries off this time but the Newcastle wetland is the one I wish to do.
We only have two Saturday workshop, they're 5th + 12th Feb. After those days I didn't have anyone registered so the 19th or 26th Feb is good opportunity for wetland play.
Though the travelling is 2.1/5 hours each way, so as many members have their works and commitments, and the number is limited by 10 members, I think just let people have their choice, if anyone wants to come along then we will organize otherwise we leave it at other date.
As I have seen in the past, members all have their mixed date and time, we never get more than 10 members interested in one workshop.

Onyx wrote:Stubbsy, are you shooting in AdobeRGB? Did you convert to sRGB before posting to web? While the pictures are great, they seem to be a little colourless and lacking in saturation

yes indeedidy I do (Type II Adobe RGB in the optimise image menu) and no I didn't convert to sRGB. Thought Adobe RGB would be best since I'm using PS. Now I'm guessing not (newbies - sigh!) So do I change to Type I on the camera or do what you said in PS?

birddog wrote:19th or 26th Feb is good opportunity for wetland play

Like they say - "just do it" - put me down I don't care about the time it will take me to get there

OK, me too, I'll be there on one of the mentioned date and will confirm,

birddog

Should I start a thread in the Sydney forum or you?

Stubbsy,
Yes, please start the thread with max. of 10 members, they can bring their family along if they wish.

Stubbsy
You got the gear, the lens and the skill....now you need the secret to great photographs. Get closer! I know it can be difficult with wildlife...but you have to fill the frame with your subject. You are doing everything right....now get much closer and watch the magic happen. Also...no reason to handhold the camera with that lens..use a monopod. You have it all on your doorstep....now milk it.

Matt. K

I've only been taking photos for three years and so don't quite have your faith in my abilities.

So far as getting close I know what you mean. The little buggers heard me coming before I even saw them most of the time and flew off, although towards the end of the day I started to get the knack for it.
Didn't think about my monopod & left it in the car when I went there (doh)

birddog

I've started a thread here along with a poll and some details. SHould be a good day.

stubbsy wrote:birddog

I've started a thread here along with a poll and some details. SHould be a good day.

Thanks and I'm looking forward to the fun day!

stubbsy wrote:yes indeedidy I do (Type II Adobe RGB in the optimise image menu) and no I didn't convert to sRGB. Thought Adobe RGB would be best since I'm using PS. Now I'm guessing not (newbies - sigh!) So do I change to Type I on the camera or do what you said in PS?

Stubbsy, this topic of colourspace and management can open up a whole new pandora's box. If you shoot and process in AdobeRGB, I would suggest convertion to sRGB via 'Relative Colorimetric' intent. (Menu option: Image, Mode, Convert to Profile, then find the sRGB option, and ensure Intent under Conversion Options is set to Relative Colorimetric)

This colour management issue is one of the reasons why I shoot, process and output in sRGB (keeping it simple).

Link for reading: http://www.earthboundlight.com/phototip ... ntent.html


This wetlands meet sounds like a fabulous idea. It's a shame I won't be able to make it.

Onyx

Thanks for the info. More stuff to read

I'll have a look at the monitor calibration software since I've done nothing in this regard.