NEW TO PHOTOGRAPHY

[Designer]

Ok, I get it,so my photos should tell more of a story..how about this shot?

Not necessarily. It depends on what kind of photo it is. For journalism it is nearly imperative that the photograph should engage the viewer and inform the viewer about something in the photo.

For portraiture, a story is not necessary.

For fine art photographs, I like to read a short explanation of the photograph that the photographer has written to introduce the viewer to the shot, or give some background to help the viewer understand how the shot developed.

For the animal shots, it is something like a portrait, so we see the animal or bird doing something that is entirely in keeping with its character, and therefore no "story" is required.

Now on that extreme crop of the birds' head, no, I liked it better the way you posted it originally. So what if you cropped the tail and legs? You'll sometimes miss getting everything in the frame, and sometimes you get a wonderful shot, so it all works out in the long run.

 

[Designer]

LOL!! I'm sorry if I am being a pain but can I ask a question? It is my first time using this site,this forum,I recieved a message that I recieved a trophy. What does that mean?

The forum software keeps track of how many times someone gives you a "like". Or whatever. Have you seen those icons?

 

[JacaRanda]

Now that I know you are an adult Kiki, I am wondering if some of your photos were taken at Laguna Niguel Regional Park? If so, my wife and I shoot there often and I have referred several people there to TPF.

I meant to mention,that I looked through your link to your photography..Amazing photography. You are what I strive to be!! I LOVE all the photos of the birds,just amazing!

Thank you for the compliment. I want to go further, but I got where I am by doing what you are doing.
Personally, I think photography (wildlife/bird) is similar to golf. In a short amount of time and a good amount of practice, you can be about as good or bad as most.

Keep posting, asking for critique, reading, watching videos; repeat and you should see significant growth in your photography in a relatively short amount of time.

I enjoy reading Photography Tips and Tutorials for Beginners

 

[kiki]

Now that I know you are an adult Kiki, I am wondering if some of your photos were taken at Laguna Niguel Regional Park? If so, my wife and I shoot there often and I have referred several people there to TPF.

I meant to mention,that I looked through your link to your photography..Amazing photography. You are what I strive to be!! I LOVE all the photos of the birds,just amazing!

Thank you for the compliment. I want to go further, but I got where I am by doing what you are doing.
Personally, I think photography (wildlife/bird) is similar to golf. In a short amount of time and a good amount of practice, you can be about as good or bad as most.

Keep posting, asking for critique, reading, watching videos; repeat and you should see significant growth in your photography in a relatively short amount of time.

I enjoy reading Photography Tips and Tutorials for Beginners

I hope to grasp ALL of it one day soon! If you wouldn't mind,can I ask you a few more questions? What kind of a camera do you work with,and lense? What mode do you usually shoot in. I'm assuming when shooting wild life you basically have to set your camera to 1 aperture,shutter and ISO,you have to be ready at a moments notice to snap that pic! So my question is,what do you set you camera at? If i wanted to catch goo dclear action shots,say of a bird in flight and im using my sigma DG 70-300mm lense,what should i set my camera to,to be able to catch crisp clear photos,without having to change anything? Does any of that make any sense?

 

[Designer]

Does any of that make any sense?

It makes perfect sense. At least asking and thinking about it will help. Frankly IMO catching a really good shot of a bird in flight (BIF) that is perfectly framed, well exposed, in focus, and everything else is difficult. It is, however, one of those things that every wildlife photographer tries for. And once you get one, you want more. And more.

JacaRanda will tell you all about his gear and settings, and if you're lucky, his wife will tell you as well.

Good luck and have fun!

 

[Designer]

Oh, more to learn;

There is a green dot on (most) avatars when someone is online.

If you want to communicate directly with JacaRanda, click on his username and start a private message (PM). Most users have as default that a PM will go directly to the user's e-mail and the member will see it in his email without the need to log onto TPF first. It's a way to speed things up.

 

[JacaRanda]

Like yours, my camera is a crop frame camera. You can read about the differences of full frame vs crop frame here.Full Frame Sensor vs Crop Sensor Which is Right For You - Digital Photography School Generally for wildlife and birding you will want or need more reach. Having a crop frame camera helps along with the lenses. Your 70-300 is a good starting lens in terms of reach and versatility, but at some point you will wish for even longer.

Before upgrading to a newer crop frame camera, I shot mostly in aperture priority mode, wanting to control the depth of field. There were times when I switched to shutter speed priority (hummingbirds) when I definitely wanted to get wings stopped in motion. Now I shoot mostly in manual mode because my camera allows me to use auto iso while also allowing me to use exposure compensation.

I have 3 custom settings set on my camera, and the one I use initially is set to manual mode, auto iso, f8, shutter 1/1600. If something moves quickly these are a good starting point based on the lens I use most.

Your settings really depend first on how much light there is. If your camera has auto iso, I would turn that on and choose a shutter speed around 1/800 but that heavily depends on how fast or slow (the kind) the bird is. The smaller the bird, generally the faster shutter speed would need to be. Other things crucial to success are selecting the autofocus mode (continuous focus) and selecting the proper focus point(s). Some of this will be determined by your camera model. You may get the urge to upgrade soon feeling your camera lacks some functionality and limits you. My suggestion is to hold off as long as you can. Continue learning the camera you have along with, composition, sweet spot of your current lens or lenses, bird behaviour, metering, reading histograms etc.

More info: 10 Top Tips for Shooting Birds in Flight Bird Photography - Improve Photography

 

[JacaRanda]

Another link I have bookmarked and covers pretty much everything. Extremely useful!

Secrets of Digital Bird Photography

 

[kiki]

Does any of that make any sense?

It makes perfect sense. At least asking and thinking about it will help. Frankly IMO catching a really good shot of a bird in flight (BIF) that is perfectly framed, well exposed, in focus, and everything else is difficult. It is, however, one of those things that every wildlife photographer tries for. And once you get one, you want more. And more.

JacaRanda will tell you all about his gear and settings, and if you're lucky, his wife will tell you as well.

Good luck and have fun!

I always have fun,though sometimes get very frustrated when a shot doesn't come out the way I had hoped.. What do you like to photograph,and do you have a link so I can see your photos?

 

[Trever1t]

Now that I know you are an adult Kiki, I am wondering if some of your photos were taken at Laguna Niguel Regional Park? If so, my wife and I shoot there often and I have referred several people there to TPF.

I'm not sure where the place is that you mentioned above. I live in California (recently moved here from Montreal Quebec) The photos were taken at a place called Contra Loma Reginal Park in Antioch California.

Hi neighbor! I'm in San jose!

 

[kiki]

Like yours, my camera is a crop frame camera. You can read about the differences of full frame vs crop frame here.Full Frame Sensor vs Crop Sensor Which is Right For You - Digital Photography School Generally for wildlife and birding you will want or need more reach. Having a crop frame camera helps along with the lenses. Your 70-300 is a good starting lens in terms of reach and versatility, but at some point you will wish for even longer.

Before upgrading to a newer crop frame camera, I shot mostly in aperture priority mode, wanting to control the depth of field. There were times when I switched to shutter speed priority (hummingbirds) when I definitely wanted to get wings stopped in motion. Now I shoot mostly in manual mode because my camera allows me to use auto iso while also alowing me to use exposure compensation.

I have 3 custom settings set on my camera, and the one I use initially is set to manual mode, auto iso, f8, shutter 1/1600. If something moves quickly these are a good starting point based on the lens I use most.

Your settings really depend first on how much light there is. If your camera has auto iso, I would turn that on and choose a shutter speed around 1/800 but that heavily depends on how fast or slow (the kind) the bird is. The smaller the bird, generally the faster shutter speed would need to be. Other things crucial to success are selecting the autofocus mode (continuous focus) and selecting the proper focus point(s). Some of this will be determined by your camera model. You may get the urge to upgrade soon feeling your camera lacks some functionality and limits you. My suggestion is to hold off as long as you can. Continue learning the camera you have along with, composition, sweet spot of your current lens or lenses, bird behaviour, metering, reading histograms etc.

More info: 10 Top Tips for Shooting Birds in Flight Bird Photography - Improve Photography

All great info,thanks! If I may one more..So if im just walking around and taking random shots of nature or whatever,and i'm using my lense 70-300mm, what would be a good setting for me to put it on,so that most of my pics come out crisp and clear. Not to worried about catching birds in flight,this time. Is there a setting that i can set it to so i can just take my photos without having to change them? and do i have to change my settings if I use the full zoom?

 

[kiki]

Now that I know you are an adult Kiki, I am wondering if some of your photos were taken at Laguna Niguel Regional Park? If so, my wife and I shoot there often and I have referred several people there to TPF.

I'm not sure where the place is that you mentioned above. I live in California (recently moved here from Montreal Quebec) The photos were taken at a place called Contra Loma Reginal Park in Antioch California.

Hi neighbor! I'm in San jose!

So I guess you know Contra Loma Park then?

 

[Trever1t]

Now that I know you are an adult Kiki, I am wondering if some of your photos were taken at Laguna Niguel Regional Park? If so, my wife and I shoot there often and I have referred several people there to TPF.

I'm not sure where the place is that you mentioned above. I live in California (recently moved here from Montreal Quebec) The photos were taken at a place called Contra Loma Reginal Park in Antioch California.

Hi neighbor! I'm in San jose!

So I guess you know Contra Loma Park then?

Not at all, I'm an hour from your town is what I meant by neighbor

 

[kiki]

LOL!! I'm sorry if I am being a pain but can I ask a question? It is my first time using this site,this forum,I recieved a message that I recieved a trophy. What does that mean?

The forum software keeps track of how many times someone gives you a "like". Or whatever. Have you seen those icons?

Yes I see the icons.. But i'm still finding it hard to navigate,and know everything. I'll get in soon enough.

 

[kiki]

Now that I know you are an adult Kiki, I am wondering if some of your photos were taken at Laguna Niguel Regional Park? If so, my wife and I shoot there often and I have referred several people there to TPF.

I'm not sure where the place is that you mentioned above. I live in California (recently moved here from Montreal Quebec) The photos were taken at a place called Contra Loma Reginal Park in Antioch California.

Hi neighbor! I'm in San jose!

So I guess you know Contra Loma Park then?

Not at all, I'm an hour from your town is what I meant by neighbor

LOL,yes I know,I just assumed that perhaps you knew the location because you weren't living too far away.