Visit to Currumbin Bird Sanctuary

[Myrtle]

Here's a few shots from the many I got while there.

Not happy with the image - could have been sharper. Would be interested in people's opinions of its composition


This is my version of being artistic


And the obligatory dragon shot - again this could have been a bit sharper.


Linda (who needs a VR lens!)

[Bluebell]

Looks like a good place to visit.
I really like your artistic tree fern shot the best of these.
Composition wise, both the kingfisher and the dragon would benefit from more space in "front" of the animal
or the direction it is facing. In this case that would be on the RHS of the picture.
The kingfisher shot might look better with a vertical or portrait style crop.

[zafra52]

The composition of the images, as far as I am concerned is fine in all of them, with the second being the best for obvious reasons. However, I suggest next time you take a tripod with you, use the image stabilizer of the lens/camera, or at last resort (if unable to do any of the above) use the highest ISO your camera allows without introducing artifacts. But perhaps you already know all of this.

[Myrtle]

Composition wise, both the kingfisher and the dragon would benefit from more space in "front" of the animal or the direction it is facing. The kingfisher shot might look better with a vertical or portrait style crop.

Thanks Bluebell - couldn't do much with the kingfisher cropping as there was a dirty great piece of branch just to the right of him and I wanted to crop it out - maybe should have tried a bit of cloning instead. Understand what you say about more space in front rather than behind - thanks.

However, I suggest next time you take a tripod with you, use the image stabilizer of the lens/camera, or at last resort (if unable to do any of the above) use the highest ISO your camera allows without introducing artifacts. But perhaps you already know all of this.

Zafra - wasn't til I looked at my pics on the computer that I realised the movement I had in quite a few shots - stupid thing is I have both a monopod and a tripod sitting in the cupboard!! Will play with the ISO as well as that was only set at 100 - thanks for the tips - all greatfully received as I have so much to learn.

Linda

[zafra52]

You are most welcome, Linda. Unless you are a professional in which case it is a bit like changing gears when driving - I guess; we all forget this or that that camera/lens setting when now and then take the camera for the occasional picture. Next time you visit Corrumbin, you will plan your trip better and will take some spectacular images.

[Bluebell]

Any new camera has a steep learning curve attached. I should know, I'm still on it, but it gets easier every time you practice.
I find it helps me sometimes to go out with one subject in mind and just shoot that with different settings to see how it works best. Starting with plants was good for me because they sit still! That way I can concentrate on things like background, perspective, varying the depth of focus, getting the focus right, and speed settings etc for that one subject.
It's tempting to just shoot everything that you see when you have a great location like Currumbin though!

[Myrtle]

Hi Zafra And Bluebell

The scary thing about all of this is that I am off to Australia Zoo tomorrow
Oh for my point and shoot camera - at least the practice will do me good!!

Linda

[rflower]

Hi Linda,

compositionally wise ...
I think the first is composed well. The bird is all in the frame, but takes a fair component of the total frame. It is even looking at the camera, which has got to be a bonus.

The dragon shot is OK too. I personally would have liked to see the whole dragon in the shot.

Looking at the exif for your shots (I use firefox, and have downloaded the addin FxIF, which shows the exif when you right click on a photo - if the photo has been stored with the exif info), you have used a very low shutter speed at ISO 100. The first 1 says 1/20 second at 130mm. Unless you have pretty stable hands (and/or) a VR lens, you will probably get some camera shake at that speed.

As others have mentioned before, I would recommend pushing the ISO up to at least 200, maybe 400. That should help you get a bit quicker shutter speed (if the light is poor). I shoot at 200 ISO most of the time on my D80, and very rarely go below that.

For your trip to Australia Zoo tomorrow, maybe put the camera in "A" (for aperture) mode, dial the ISO up a bit, and set the aperture where you want for the effect you are after.

Ohh Yeah ... Have fun. I am sure you will have a ball, learn some things and come home with some photos you are happy with. As long as you are striving to get better, and learning each time you go out, what more can you ask for.