Aquatic birds

[Willy wombat]

Im fast running out of patience with the 70-300G. Lense lusting. But beggars cannot be choosers.

Enjoy these three shots.

[img]http://www.fototime.com/{6C955473-01AC-4FF9-9CE0-DEA5279F2586}/picture.JPG[/img]


[img]http://www.fototime.com/{7703AFA5-CDEC-45B4-9B4F-0EF36974B2FC}/picture.JPG[/img]


[img]http://www.fototime.com/{6826BEA8-0578-440C-8025-B5707E5A732C}/picture.JPG[/img]

Comments on these images appreciated. Without buying a new lense - How can i make them better? Do you like the composition?

[avkomp]

Willy, I have gone down the same road as you with the bird shots.

The shots of the birds in flight have quite harsh light on them and blown highlights.

I have yet to produce really good flight shots but the experts tell me that early morning light or late afternoon light will be less harsh.

You need fill flash to remove strong shadow area under the wings. The really keen guys seem to use a device called a better beamer which basically extends the range of your flashgun.

The shot with the cormorant is nice as a landscape that happens to have a bird in it.

I thought I was taking half decent bird shots until I was advised to have a look at http://www.naturescapes.net and see what the pros were doing.
This made me realise how much I had to learn.
It is well worth a look at what these guys are doing and incorporate this in your work.

There is plenty of literature on the net also. Have a look at http://www.birdsasart.com run by a guy called arthur morris. even try to get hold of some of his books such as "the art of bird photography"
Is kinda like going back to school.

Hope this helps.
Steve

[kipper]

I'll post up pictures of my better beamer that arrived last week.
When I get my full rig I'll post shots up of that aswell.

[Manta]

I'll post up pictures of my better beamer that arrived last week.
When I get my full rig I'll post shots up of that aswell.

I look forward to that Darryl - I've never heard of such a beastie before.

To me, a passionate Mercedes owner, there was no such thing as a 'better beamer' !

[avkomp]

A better beamer, whilst also an expensive car, actually looks like a radar feed horn or a wedge shaped gizmo which slips over the head of your electronic flash. It has a Fresnel type lens at the wide end which causes a narrower beam from the flash, increasing range.

I will be interested in before and after test shots at various ranges with say a sb800

Steve

[Willy wombat]

Willy, I have gone down the same road as you with the bird shots.

I thought I was taking half decent bird shots until I was advised to have a look at http://www.naturescapes.net and see what the pros were doing.
This made me realise how much I had to learn.
It is well worth a look at what these guys are doing and incorporate this in your work.

There is plenty of literature on the net also. Have a look at http://www.birdsasart.com run by a guy called arthur morris. even try to get hold of some of his books such as "the art of bird photography"
Is kinda like going back to school.

Thanks Steve

Those links hold some impresive shots. I guess I am still limited by the equipment i have on offer as to the quality of images i can produce. I should make the most of good lighting conditions - you are right. Im sure that would help help improve quality in my images. I am reasonably happy with them (given the harsh lighting conditions) but I know i have a long way to go!

[Willy wombat]

I'll post up pictures of my better beamer that arrived last week.
When I get my full rig I'll post shots up of that aswell.

That would be good kipper.

[Manta]

A better beamer, whilst also an expensive car, actually looks like a radar feed horn or a wedge shaped gizmo which slips over the head of your electronic flash. It has a Fresnel type lens at the wide end which causes a narrower beam from the flash, increasing range.

I will be interested in before and after test shots at various ranges with say a sb800

Steve

Thanks for that Steve. I too will be interested in the comparison.

[marcotrov]

Steve I've been thinking of getting a better beamer for the Sb800 and 80-400VR combo. How much is one? How effective is it and at what distances? Hope that's not too many questions?
marco

[kipper]

It cost me $78 inc shipping. I think it was like $55 plus $24shipping from NPN (Naturephotos.net). You can get them from NSN (Naturescapes.net) for the same price too.

Came with brackets, good velco straps/shimmies and two fresnal lenses (one spare).

You might be able to find a local supplier of them who knows.

[avkomp]

unfortunately I have neither a sb800 or a better beamer so I cant comment how much it is or how far it works.

I use my metz-60ct1 with my 80-400 and that seems to work ok.

I have even heard that you can make a cheap version of better beamer by buying one of those $5 page magnifiers and making a simple frame which will fit over your flash.

have a look here http://www.birdsasart.com/accs.html#BEAMER
or google better beamer
for info and pricing on the better beamer. around $44usd

has a picture of a guy using one so you see what it looks like
Steve

[avkomp]

whoops, kipper beat me to the post.

his info is more current, seeing as how he just got one. BTW I just trialled neat image.
works much better than noise ninja

Steve

[marcotrov]

Thanks guys. Be interesting to see what difference it makes.[
cheers
marco

[kipper]

/....

[kipper]

Well it actually is suppose to use less battery power as you're using the fresnal lens to project the light further. So you get longer use out of the battery aswell. All the pros use them so there must be a reason.

They also use off camera flash brackets so that the flash reduces the chance of steel eye. Again not sure how true this is.

[avkomp]

one good thing about my metz 60 is that it is designed to provide flashes for 8hrs (depending on how much light is needed of coarse) but this is offset against its bulkiness.

am thinking about buying a sb800 so I save a kilo or 2 or extra weight in my backpack.

Steve

[Oneputt]

Boy that naturescapes site is good