On Sat, Jan 9, 2021 at 9:01 PM Fischer David <carolinabirds...> wrote:
> Steve, et al.
>
> I have used the canon EOS 7D (as well as 7D mark II) and 100-400 mm canon
> zoom lens. This is a great set up to learn bird photography. Regarding
> settings, I would recommend you start with the TV or shutter speed priority
> mode, especially to get sharper images of birds in flight. Your shutter
> speed should ideally be 1000th of a second or faster to freeze the action.
> The camera will then select the right aperture (f stop) setting for your
> lighting conditions and selected ISO setting. You can put the ISO setting
> on "auto" which means the camera automatically selects this also, but
> beware that unless you have very good light, it may select a high setting
> that results in a noisy image. Wayne mentions he leaves the ISO at 200,
> but you can get reasonably clean images with the 7D at ISO settings up to
> 1000 and I've shot plenty of images with higher ISO settings that are more
> than adequate for documenting rare birds.
>
> You asked about shooting birds in flight. I also recommend checking out
> instructional videos on you tube. As a general rule when shooting a flying
> bird against a bright sky you will need to adjust the exposure compensation
> setting upward 1-3 stops so the bird doesn't appear too dark but instead is
> properly exposed. You can do this from the Q button menu.
>
> Getting birds in focus, whether flying or perched, can also be a
> challenge. I recommend using a single spot focus point or maybe this plus
> some additional points nearby (especially when trying to track birds in
> flight). Again check out you tube videos.
>
> Lastly, go out and take lots of images and see what works for you.
>
>
> David Fischer
> Cary, NC
>
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Wayne Hoffman <carolinabirds...>
> To: Christopher Hill <Chill...>
> Cc: steve stevens <stevevonsteve...>; carolinabirds <
> <carolinabirds...>
> Sent: Sat, Jan 9, 2021 6:10 pm
> Subject: Re: Request for Photography Tips
>
> Hi -
>
> First, I am going to quibble a bit with Chris. His tips are very good for
> getting the best-lit photos. However, if you are trying to document
> sightings, rather than (or in addition to) creating art, then you need to
> learn how to take photos in whatever conditions you have. If you cannot
> get to a point where the sun is directly behind you, take photos anyway.
> Or, take a few, then try to move into position to get the better ones. In
> other words, do not let the perfect be the enemy of the adequate. Learn
> how to take photos that are side-lit, even back-lit. Your best photos from
> an artistic perspective likely will come in Chris's early morning light,
> but if the Kirtland's Warbler pops up in front of you at noon you still
> need to know how to get a serviceable photo at noon.
>
> 1. Once you have invested in the camera and lens, the cost of the next
> digital photo you take is incredibly low. All you are really doing is
> re-arranging electrons in your storage media, and all it costs to take the
> next shot is a tiny bit of the electrical charge in the battery. So, take
> lots of shots, and learn to be ruthless in discarding the poorer ones.
>
> 2. Bird photography very often requires quick reactions, so it is helpful
> to anticipate the camera settings you are going to need for the next bird
> you encounter. If you wait until after you find the bird before deciding
> what ISO, what f-stop, etc. often the bird will be gone before you are
> ready. If you are trying to photograph flying birds, it will usually be
> gone before you are ready. It also helps to have the autofocus somewhat
> ranged in in anticipation of the next bird you expect to encounter. If you
> have a flock of songbirds working through a hedgerow in front of you,
> pre-focusing on the branches where you expect a bird to pop up can save
> precious seconds. If you had just been focusing on a TV soaring hundreds
> of feet away, it might take the camera a while to find its way back to
> relatively close focus.
>
> 3. So what settings should you use? I am not familiar with the program
> options on your new camera, but pick one that usually meets your needs, and
> learn it well. It used to very common for bird photographers to leave the
> camera set on Av (aperture priority), and set the aperture (and ISO) for
> the overall light conditions, but I recently read a review that recommended
> using "Tv" (shutter priority) on the particular new camera being reviewed.
> The reasoning had to do with the order in which that particular camera
> adjusted aperture and ISO. I still use Av, and set the aperture anywhere
> from F4 to F8 depending on overall light conditions. I leave the ISO at
> 200 most of the time. Thus if I have a bird hopping around in the shade,
> and it moves into the sun, the camera will adjust the exposure to
> compensate, and I do not have to change any settings - just keep focusing
> and shooting. Probably others can give you better advice on what works
> best for your camera.
>
> Hope this helps -
>
> Wayne Hoffman
> Wilmington
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "carolinabirds" <carolinabirds...>
> To: "steve stevens" <stevevonsteve...>
> Cc: "carolinabirds" <carolinabirds...>
> Sent: Saturday, January 9, 2021 12:26:01 PM
> Subject: Re: Request for Photography Tips
>
> That is a good rig for bird photography. I think you will be pleased.
>
> I’m not a real photographer but I like it when my casual bird photographs
> look pleasing. So my tips would be
>
> 1) get close.
> 2) have the light coming from directly behind you. When you learn to
> shoot with your shadow extending directly toward the bird, you will be
> surprised at what a difference it makes.
> 3) shoot in morning light, that golden hour when the low light coming from
> behind you has some color to it. Right now, probably 7:30-9am. Earlier as
> the season progresses.
>
> Rules are made to be broken, but those, in my opinion, are the basics.
> And I know you said flight photography too. I’m ignoring that part though
> the same three rules apply.
>
> Chris Hill
> Conway, SC
>
> > On Jan 9, 2021, at 11:49 AM, steve stevens <carolinabirds...>
> wrote:
> >
> > CAUTION: This email originated from outside your organization. Exercise
> caution when opening attachments or clicking links, especially from unknown
> senders.
> >
> > Hello,
> >
> > After years of deal hunting I recently put together a camera setup that
> might be appropriate for birds/wildlife (canon 7d mark i, 100-400 lens) and
> was curious if anyone had any resources or guidance on how to best use
> these tools. I'm an absolute beginner (as all my blurry eBird photos show)
> but I'm particularly interested in trying to learn how to photograph
> waterbirds/birds in flight well.
> >
> > Thanks!
> >
> > steve
> >
> > Chapel Hill, NC
> >
>
>
