Some shots from my backyard C&C welcome

[HerkFE]

Just got my D7000 and went and played around in the backyard as you can see there is quite a bit of activity to capture. I snapped about 70 photos these are what I thought were the best all are unedited except for cropping. Feel free to give feedback or adjust things to help me get better.

#1


#2


#3


#4


#5


#6


#7


#8

 

[Rick58]

Good wildlife photography is tough. You'll really need to get in closer or get a longer lens

 

[HerkFE]

Good wildlife photography is tough. You'll really need to get in closer or get a longer lens

Yea I am limited by my current kit to 105mm, I guess my next purchase should be the 70-300mm if this is something I am going to do more frequently.

 

[Ballistics]

I actually like number 8. Probably could be composed a little different to make it stronger, but there's something about it I like.

A long focal length is definitely needed.
Some of these would have benefited from different POV's and better focus imo. Keep it up though.

 

[HerkFE]

This is the other shot I kept that was similar to #8

 

[Rick58]

I'm afraid the lighting killed this one for you

 

[HerkFE]

One more, I had the moon alone and didn't find that very compelling the blurred tree seemed to make the shot a bit better.

 

[Rick58]

Sorry. I feel like the Grim Reaper, but your moom shot has the same size issue as the others. It's just too small to be interesting. I'm afraid in photography, size often matters.

You should try to find objects that are more within your reach until you can expand your equipment. The stick just looks like a stick that got in your shot and doesn't really contribute anything.

Don't get discouraged. You just need to find subjects that can fill the frame and, above all, look at the subject and ask yourself if a complete stranger will find it interesting. Then carefully study your object and find an angle that will magnify that interest.

EVERYONE has equipment limitations. You just need to understand yours and work within it.

 

[HerkFE]

So when you say fill my frame you mean things I can get closer to? Or pictures that have less open space around the subject at the same distances I am shooting in? For example I was only about 5 feet away from the lizards I shot. The bunny was 15 feet away at most. I guess what I am struggling with is exactly how to still shoot nature shots with my current kit and achieve a filled frame. I appreciate the honest feedback as well just trying to better understand how to utilize that feedback.

 

[Rick58]

Less empty, uninteresting space should be your goal by any means possible. You can either do this by moving in closer or by zooming in if your equipment will allow it. As you expand your knowledge in photography you'll see there are differences between the two, such as depth of field and compression, but first things first...Fill the frame.
View attachment 39702
I just did a real fast crop of your bunny. By doing so, I did away with alot of useless background. Cropping works towards filling the frame, but in doing so, you also lose quality.

 

[kundalini]

I think Rick58 is referring to having the subject have 'prominence', not edge to edge fill the frame. But more importantly, is detail, identifiability if you will. So in essence, yes, you need to get closer. More times than not, I do prefer to have some environmental context to the animal I'm shooting, which is why I suggested 'not edge to edge'. Lighting is as important as anything else though and with experience you will begin to see the light that is favorable and when it's time to lower the camera and enjoy the moment for what it is. Sometimes silhouettes work nicely, but seeing fins, feathers and fur help the viewer indentify with the subject and has immediate impact. Often the best way to convey this is with a heavy crop because you can't always be close enough to the subject to attain that identity.

I'm not claiming to be a good wildlife photographer because there are many on this forum that will have me for lunch with amazing shot, but here are a few examples to help get my point across.

Rabbit

Humming Bird

Downy W'pecker

Nuthatch

Squirrel

Silhouette



Don't be discouraged in the early days, this is a time for learning and experimentation with available equipment. Nothing wrong with that because it teaches you where you are deficient or lacking with equipment to achieve your ultimate goals. Saves some money too since you won't be chasing a dream, but narrowing in on what is missing.

Keep shooting and have fun.

 

[HerkFE]

Tried to incorporate some of the feedback given here. Still smallish in size but the colors and light were awesome this morning so I gave it a go.

 

[Rick58]

View attachment 39778
Well, I'm afraid for interesting wildlife photography, it's still the same...too small.
Your photo leads me to a another problem. Postitioning your subject. Notice how your bird is in the upper right hand corner, looking out of the frame. Due to this postition, no one see's or cares what's under or behind the bird. Your eye goes to the birds head and follows his vision right off the frame. I brought the bird down to the lower 3rd of the frame. Not only is he (or she) filling the frame better, but, the eye now follows the angle of the bird to his head, where he's looking across the open frame