Birds dislike flash photography. Proof inside...

[robertwsimpson]

Just for giggles, I popped the flash on for a few shots. These actually came out nicely, I think. Shooting into the sun...

Sleeping:



ANGRY!:

 

[LaFoto]

"We are NOT amused!"
Nice.

 

[robertwsimpson]

I've got 2 cactus v4s on the way... I might have to get there REALLY early and set up some lighting... it could create some cool stuff with the sunrise behind it...

 

[Overread39]

Neat series and yes it does seem like you woke some poor chap up!

And a remote lighting setup - would love to see some results from that! I guess the trick is knowing where the birds will be appearig, but yes a great chance for some backlit shots that are not silouetts.

 

[robertwsimpson]

Well, luckily for the frequent visitors to the little preserve, the birds are usually in the same spots... a lot of which are east facing from the boardwalk. There are 2 or 3 spots that will definitely yield results. I've never used off camera flashes, so the only variable will be my lack of experience.

 

[Overread39]

Hmm with the cactus can you adjust the settings from your camera for each flash or just triggor them? If its the former I suspect you will need a few dummy shots really early into the setup and then balace your output based on the results since I don't think cactus will support auto flash shooting (thus far I think only the new pocketwizards support this).

 

[robertwsimpson]

yes, I am sure that I will have to run the flashes on manual. I wouldn't have them more than 10 or so feet away from me really, so I think I would be ok.

 

[belongus3]

Carefull ...she might bite ! There ok ....dosen't seem the sun efected your shots

 

[icassell]

Great series (albeit a tad overexposed on head on the second image IMHO). Really does looked ticked off at you.

I love GBH's.

 

[robertwsimpson]

I'm still working on getting the hang of correct exposure on my 50d. As far as I can tell, I have to have some flashies on the screen, or when I get back, the whole thing will be horribly underexposed, and when I pump it up to proper exposure, super noisy. I just have to figure out how many flashies to go for. Birding is the most challenging for me!

 

[icassell]

... Birding is the most challenging for me!

Wow, ain't that the truth! If its not exposure issues, then its issues with the d*** things not keeping still long enough! I understand why the pros use those very long lenses so they can have some fiddle-room. I find myself often getting only one chance to get it right (and usually fail miserably).

 

[robertwsimpson]

This trip made me pretty desperate for a 70-200 f/2.8 IS and a 1.6x teleconverter. time to start working on the wife...

 

[icassell]

This trip made me pretty desperate for a 70-200 f/2.8 IS and a 1.6x teleconverter. time to start working on the wife...

Well, I have a Sigma EX 100-300 f/4 and a 1.4X and a 2X, but they're STILL not long enough (IQ with the 2X isn't very good) ...

I've been thinking about getting the Canon 400 f/5.6 or the new Sigma 50-500 OS.

Don't tell the wife how much a Canon 500 f/4 costs This and/or the Canon 600 f/4 are the standard lenses of pro bird photographers. You'll either be sent packing or committed to the nuthouse.

 

[robertwsimpson]

lol I definitely would not be able to get her to go for one of those lenses right now. too much real life getting in the way for such a specialized thing. 70-200 is still versatile enough for me to be able to justify it. with the new version out, I should be able to pick up a nice used one for a good price. I think I will spring it on her as an "out of debt celebration" for me. I'm already crossing my fingers.

 

[icassell]

Well, that lens should do a lot for you and not just for birding! I wish I had bought that one instead of my 50-150 f/2.8, but I didn't know as much at the time. Fortunately, herons and the like are pretty big birds and not as demanding on focal-length as the songbirds