Jan 11, 2016 | California Nature Photography, California Wildlife Photography, News
I get asked that question a lot. In fact, I was speaking to a Canon employee at their Learning Center in Costa Mesa, CA last week and he asked me the same question. I think it is just like what cloths should I wear on a particular day. I change my camera settings to fit the situation. Since I am an outdoor natural light shooter here are my initial settings when I go out and photograph nature. f/8, 1/1500, ISO 400- I put my lens on auto focus and go to manual if the subject matter remains still. I shoot primarily in Manual or Aperture Priority. I adjust my settings as the circumstances dictate. I also use “live view” to determine my settings too. Click here for a description of live view. If I am following a fast-moving animal, I am usually on Auto Focus with a low or high burst rate, meaning how many frames I can click off at a time. Here are three different photos all using my initial walk around ready to go settings. I used a Canon 70×200 2.8L lens for all three photos. Note that having a glint in the eye of a bird helps make a bird photo better. Resting Pelican- Marina del Rey, CA Pelican- Marina del Rey Seagull- Marina del Rey One setting change on this seagull. The ISO was 200 not 400. That is why the photo is a little...
Dec 19, 2015 | California Wildlife Photography, News
It is really hard to get an animal to do something other than sit, when you have limited time. I once had a mentor tell me that, “let them see the blood and gore”, if you want a better score in competition. It needs to tell a story. Here is a simple example to get the point across. This California Brown Thrasher caught my attention while he was singing away. California Brown Thrasher- Mouth Closed California Brown Thrasher-Mouth Open- The title could be “Chatter-Box” Same bird, same position, only one photo has the mouth closed and the other has its mouth open. Does the title fit the photo? Which do you like the better? The morale of the example is let them see the guts and...
Dec 10, 2015 | California Nature Photography, California Wildlife Photography, News
As I said in a previous post, one of the three most important essentials to a good or great photo is IMPACT. So what do you do if you have a photo that looks pretty good but you feel it needs a little more juice. Based on my competition experience, I find that the judges know too that a certain photo needs a little more umph to get it in the merit classification. Often, the piece of advise is to add a border with the possibility of a stroke or key-line to hold the focus on the subject. These two items can really change how a photo looks. I know the purists will not like this but I think for the beginner photographer this is one easy approach without knowing a lot about Photoshop etc. Ready for Take-Off This shot was taken in Cape May, New Jersey. It was one of those anticipate and be patient shots. This Red Wing Black Bird never stayed still and it was windy in the marsh. When I looked at the photo in the computer I liked the action of the wings. It was perfect. I always wanted to get something like this but the situation never presented itself as it did on this day. As I looked at this image, I asked myself how can make this image even more impactful. When I do use Photoshop it would be for borders and key lines. Click here for description of a key-line. Ready for Take-off , with border and key-line This photo now has a black border and a little line that goes...
Nov 9, 2015 | California Nature Photography, California Wildlife Photography, News
When I first started being serious about photography a few years ago, I would hear speakers and presenters talk about the “rule of thirds”. It was usually when the subject of composition came up. Think of a tick tack toe grid, where the lines intersect is where you want the main focus or subject matter to land. It doesn’t have to be exactly at the intersection. This rule helps with composition/balance. You don’t want your subject to be right smack in the center of the photo. It does not sit right with the eye. You can use this technique for vertical or horizontal photos. Here are a few photos that will help get the idea across. Waiting for Love-Horizontal or Landscape One and Done- Horizontal or Landscape Ready for Take-Off- Vertical or Portrait Do you always have to use the rule of thirds. No you don’t have to use the rule of thirds but it will help your overall photo if you do. Here is a shot that won a lot of awards and does not follow the rule of thirds. Pretty Boy- non-conforming...
Nov 1, 2015 | California Nature Photography, California Wildlife Photography, Macro and Close-Up Photography, News
Sometimes, small is mighty. As in macro or close-up photography. First of all, if you are truly a macro shooter then look on your lens and if it says 1:1 then it is a macro lens, if it does not say 1:1 then it is not a true macro lens. It doesn’t mean you can’t shoot macro. Some cameras have a mode for macro such as my Canon G12. I use a Canon 100mm 1:1 lens. It is not an easy life as a 1:1 macro photography. To the average viewer it may look great. But, to the competitive eye it so so tough to get a great shot with a macro lens. So, I use a Canon 24-70 lens for close up and it does a great job at least for me. I guess it depends on what you want to convey to the viewer. For me, I don’t care what lens I use as long as the impact and sharpness is present. A story would help too. Take my advice to the bank, I have been there done that. Destructive Beauty This little guy was a great actor. He or she was all over the place. Again, patience and anticipation played a role in this award wining photo. Hover Fly Yep Hover Fly is the name of this critter. They look a little like a Yellow Jacket. They are harmless and sometimes you see them hovering in the air. This fly is no bigger than a dime. Was it shot with a macro lens or something else. I will never tell. Let me know what you...
Oct 19, 2015 | California Nature Photography, California Wildlife Photography
Another Word of Wisdom or WOW tenet. The eye has to be in focus, especially when photographing birds for competition, or your toast. If the bird’s-eye is not in focus you might as well just trash it, forget it and move on. Pretty Boy One of my favorite shots. The more you look at the wolf’s eyes the more they bore right through you. Keep looking if you don’t see what I mean. This is a difficult shot because of the depth of field between the end of the nose and the eyes. The nose is closer to the lens than the eyes. What to do? That is another blog down the road. Morning Sip This photo just seems to have a calming effect. Very simple, it’s a rabbit, but it has done well in competition earning awards and recognition from local, state and international competition. How do you think it would have done if the eye was a little off? Catch of the Day Remember competition bird eyes have to be in focus. This photo won Professional Photographers of America International Photographic Competition recognition. It was what is called a Loan Photo. The best of the best and was on loan for display through-out the USA. In another blog, I will show you the importance of getting the “catch light” in the eye of the subject. Click here for a definition of “catch light”. A photo with animal eyes which includes birds can be considered deficient if they don’t have a catch light. Click Here to see more bird shots and Click Here to see more award-winning photos....
Recent Comments