Squirrel picture needs comments

[Rudha]

sigh.

????
edit: lol nevermind that my only concern if i said anything wrong about composition and stuff

 

[Ron Evers]

Here is a grey squirrel for you.

EXIF IFD0

* Camera Make = Canon
* Camera Model = Canon PowerShot S5 IS
* X-Resolution = 180/1 ===> 180
* Y-Resolution = 180/1 ===> 180
* X/Y-Resolution Unit = inch (2)
* Software / Firmware Version = PhotoScape
* Last Modified Date/Time = 2010:02:01 10:29:18
* Y/Cb/Cr Positioning (Subsampling) = centered / center of pixel array (1)

EXIF Sub IFD

* Exposure Time (1 / Shutter Speed) = 1/200 second ===> 0.005 second
* Lens F-Number / F-Stop = 80/10 ===> ƒ/8
* ISO Speed Ratings = 200
* EXIF Version = 0220
* Original Date/Time = 2010:02:01 10:29:18
* Digitization Date/Time = 2010:02:01 10:29:18
* Components Configuration = 0x01,0x02,0x03,0x00 / YCbCr
* Compressed Bits per Pixel = 5/1 ===> 5
* Shutter Speed Value (APEX) = 245/32
Shutter Speed (Exposure Time) = 1/201.73 second
* Aperture Value (APEX) = 192/32
Aperture = ƒ/8
* Exposure Bias (EV) = 0/3 ===> 0
* Max Aperture Value (APEX) = 116/32 ===> 3.63
Max Aperture = ƒ/3.51
* Metering Mode = center weighted average (2)
* Flash = Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode
* Focal Length = 70800/1000 mm ===> 70.8 mm



We have greys, blacks, reds & chipmunks on our property.

 

[Dao]

It does look like chipmunk because of the lines. But after all, it is a member of Ground squirrels.

The photo, especially the subject, seems a little underexpose. Is your camera SX210 capable of do spot meter (instead of matrix). In this example, the background is very bright so the light meter (in matrix mode) did not know your main subject is the center dark object.

 

[Anisha Kaul]

That is a simply amazing photograph, Ron :hattip:
Can you list out the shutter speeds and other technical details of this pic.?

 

[Anisha Kaul]

In this example, the background is very bright so the light meter (in matrix mode) did not know your main subject is the center dark object.

Thanks for replying, That was perhaps because I didn't use the manual mode!
and the tree was far and I used the zoom too, but I thought bringing in some branches would make it look natural

 

[Dao]

In this example, the background is very bright so the light meter (in matrix mode) did not know your main subject is the center dark object.

Thanks for replying, That was perhaps because I didn't use the manual mode!
and the tree was far and I used the zoom too, but I thought bringing in some branches would make it look natural

It is not because of the manual mode unless you know what setting you really need. Most of the photographers rely on the light meter to determine the correct exposure. However, if the light meter give you a wrong reading (because it does not know what you really want to capture), auto or manual mode will yield the same result since it based on the same light meter readings.

However, based your experience (like from this photo), you know the camera light meter (in matrix mode) will give you a underexpose photo, so next time you may dial the exposure compensation to +1 or +2 (if your camera has this feature). And if your camera also has a "Spot Meter", the light meter readings maybe more accurate in this situation.

 

[vtf]

There are better times of the day to take photos, but basicly if you know how to work with the light a good photo can pretty much be taken at anytime.

 

[sobolik]

I've yet not started studying the camera but I will soon,
The following photograph was taken by me in the morning, through zoomed lens, in the kids and pets mode

How could this have been improved by the manual mode, any comments?

Manual mode is in no way superior. PERIOD. It is like a lefty asking how could this salad be improved if I made it with my right hand?

Manual mode results in the same exact exposure as any other mode if the same settings are used.

Manual mode allows you to override the cameras best guess if you KNOW that the best guess is wrong.
The meter assumes everything is neutral gray.
Snow is not gray It is white. Manual allows you to override the settings so snow ends up white.
Black dark scenes are not gray. Manual allows you to override the settings so snow ends up as seen.
And other things.

Manual is not some sort of esoteric pinnacle after a pilgrimage that the great gurus have arrived at. It is often times the opposite. An annoying frustration if you miss apply it.

Your photo looks dull because it is grayish. Try a white balance to adjust the snow and a brightness adjustment. You can correct a camera's best guess in post processing also.

 

[Ron Evers]

That is a simply amazing photograph, Ron :hattip:
Can you list out the shutter speeds and other technical details of this pic.?

I added the Exif data below the picture.

Here you see a black & a grey with Exif data.

EXIF IFD0

* Camera Make = Canon
* Camera Model = Canon PowerShot S5 IS
* X-Resolution = 180/1 ===> 180
* Y-Resolution = 180/1 ===> 180
* X/Y-Resolution Unit = inch (2)
* Software / Firmware Version = PhotoScape
* Last Modified Date/Time = 2010:03:02 09:25:07
* Y/Cb/Cr Positioning (Subsampling) = centered / center of pixel array (1)

EXIF Sub IFD

* Exposure Time (1 / Shutter Speed) = 1/160 second ===> 0.00625 second
* Lens F-Number / F-Stop = 71/10 ===> ƒ/7.1
* ISO Speed Ratings = 200
* EXIF Version = 0220
* Original Date/Time = 2010:03:02 09:25:07
* Digitization Date/Time = 2010:03:02 09:25:07
* Components Configuration = 0x01,0x02,0x03,0x00 / YCbCr
* Compressed Bits per Pixel = 5/1 ===> 5
* Shutter Speed Value (APEX) = 234/32
Shutter Speed (Exposure Time) = 1/158.96 second
* Aperture Value (APEX) = 181/32
Aperture = ƒ/7.1
* Exposure Bias (EV) = 0/3 ===> 0
* Max Aperture Value (APEX) = 116/32 ===> 3.63
Max Aperture = ƒ/3.51
* Metering Mode = center weighted average (2)
* Flash = Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode
* Focal Length = 63900/1000 mm ===> 63.9 mm

I believe I had a Sony 1.7x tel-converter on the front of the lens for both these shots.

 

[vtf]

Our black squirrels have white stripes
KansasWhiteStripedSquirrel

 

[Ron Evers]

Our black squirrels have white stripes
KansasWhiteStripedSquirrel

Haha, I knew what to expect. We have them as well.

Here is a red.

EXIF IFD0

* Camera Make = Panasonic
* Camera Model = DMC-G1
Lens = Vivitar series 1, 70-210/3.5 @ f5.6
* X-Resolution = 240/1 ===> 240
* Y-Resolution = 240/1 ===> 240
* X/Y-Resolution Unit = inch (2)
* Software / Firmware Version = PhotoScape
* Last Modified Date/Time = 2010:04:11 11:46:33

EXIF Sub IFD

* Exposure Time (1 / Shutter Speed) = 1/320 second ===> 0.00313 second
* Exposure Program = aperture priority (3)
* ISO Speed Ratings = 200
* EXIF Version = 0221
* Original Date/Time = 2010:04:11 10:16:44
* Digitization Date/Time = 2010:04:11 10:16:44
* Shutter Speed Value (APEX) = 8321928/1000000
Shutter Speed (Exposure Time) = 1/320 second
* Exposure Bias (EV) = 33/100 ===> 0.33
* Max Aperture Value (APEX) = 0/256 ===> 0
Max Aperture = ƒ/5.6
* Metering Mode = pattern / multi-segment (5)
* Flash = Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode
* Image Source = digital still camera (DSC)

 

[Anisha Kaul]

Your photo looks dull because it is grayish. Try a white balance to adjust the snow and a brightness adjustment. You can correct a camera's best guess in post processing also.

I am not sure what I am speaking make sense but I want to say it:
The photo looked dull because the environment during the shoot was dull, so if I modify the settings the photo may look better but that would be unnatural/artificial, there's a flaw in my thinking??

 

[JDRoth]

I want squirrels like that where I live!

 

[Anisha Kaul]

Ron,

The photographs are amazing, but the Kansas looked ugly . I am thankful to you for showing the settings, I'll check my camera and those of them which are available in mine, I'll set and see what I can get.

 

[Anisha Kaul]

It is not because of the manual mode unless you know what setting you really need. Most of the photographers rely on the light meter to determine the correct exposure. However, if the light meter give you a wrong reading (because it does not know what you really want to capture), auto or manual mode will yield the same result since it based on the same light meter readings.

However, based your experience (like from this photo), you know the camera light meter (in matrix mode) will give you a underexpose photo, so next time you may dial the exposure compensation to +1 or +2 (if your camera has this feature). And if your camera also has a "Spot Meter", the light meter readings maybe more accurate in this situation.

Thank you for the constructive suggestion, I'll read and check up all this with my camera.