Bird Photography

[Graham Owen]

I'm enjoying going through todays shots...

[Bonish Photo]

Graham, the last few posts are amazing work!

Some of the best I've seen on ANY forum, and better than anything I've seen in any magazine short of National Geographic!

I used to work for a photographer in Florida and we shot the Miami Ballet and those birds remind me of capturing the ballet acts, or Ninja dancing like Luca commented on.

I wish I could go out shooting with you one time. I'd love to sit and pick your brain and learn a few tricks!

Keep up the great work and cant wait to see more shots!

[Graham Owen]

Thank you Pat, I can feel my head swelling, well, not really, but you sure know how to make me feel proud.

I think the secret is keeping alert, and constatly trying to learn the birds flight patterns, their favorite trees, angles of approach and departure. I think it just boils down to putting in time and attention, and getting in tune with the birds.

Thanks again!

Cheers,
graham

[gldiana]

I wholeheartedly agree with Pat. Graham those photos are nothing short of fantastic, I say you should start submitting them to magazines.

[DianaT]

Just can't think of what to say---just please keep posting more and more of your fantastic bird photos----I can't even choose a favorite----love so many for different reasons---seriously, I have not seen any bird photos that are better than yours.

Also, thank you for your tips---can't wait to try some of them. I have tried panning before and seem to have very little luck with it---any more tips you can share will be appreciated.

One last item---since I grew up in the San Gabriel Valley, I am curious as to where near Burbank you are going??

Diane

[Graham Owen]

Hi Luca and Diane,

The lake I visit is in Encino, along the L.A. river, basically the Sepulveda Basin, very close to the 101 & 405 fwys. If the freeways are open it takes me ten minutes to get there, and other times, considerably longer.

I couldn't make it there today, my son dislocated his shoulder yesterday, and had a couple of medical appointments today. A few days ago when I shot the egrets fighting out on the lake surface it inspired me to try something different yesterday. Instead of positioning myself tight to the edge of the water, I stood back a ways, with the sun at my back, waiting for egrets to fly by between two trees, along the water’s edge. When an egret landed along the edge I slowly moved into position behind it, waiting for another egret to come in for a fight. The birds never stop annoying each other and constantly assert their presence. Luckily the light was unusually sweet yesterday and I captured many dozens of nice images. I hope to go back very soon, possibly tomorrow morning for a couple of hours, and I’ll stand back again hoping for some action shots. I do find that shooting at the water’s edge, with birds flying over water, allows the sun to reflect light up from below, which can brighten the underbody and wings.

Now that I think about it..... Yesterday evening I visited the lake at sunset, not many birds around, and I spent quite a bit of time talking to a few other photographers. It was the first time I had seen more than three photographers at the lake at the same time. I was handholding my D300 and 300 f/4, the other three guys were shooting a D3 with a 500VR, Canon with a 500, and a Nikon D700 with a 400 /2.8 I feel much more nimble and quick shooting un-tethered to a tripod, the other guys were using center-weighted metering, auto ISO, shutter priority, and focus using the focus button on the back of the camera, instead of the shutter release. I shoot matrix metering, aperture priority, manual ISO, and I focus with the shutter release because it allows my thumb to constantly dial in EV adjustments on the rear command dial. I like to be in full control of the camera, and if the whites are blown out, I can only blame myself. I feel like I'm still getting warmed up for the local birding season, and finally my fingers are doing their thing without my having to think about it. Bright sun, white bird, adjust EV dial to admit less light, either 1/3 or 2/3. I have a friend who also uses the rear command dial on his Nikon the same way I do, but, with center weighted metering, the adjustments are the opposite of those needed for matrix metering. The center-weighted metering wants to make the white bird gray. But, the guy shooting the D700 last night said he achieved perfect exposures with center weighted without ever adjusting EV. I think I'll just keep doing what I've become accustomed to and it's nice to know that camera technology these days allows for people to acquire nice images with different schemes that they find most suitable, comfortable and effective.

About helpful tips, I could use a few, especially with respect to how to go about submitting images to magazines. I have never had any of my bird photographs in magazines before and wonder if the best way is to write an article to accompany the images. Perhaps a simple photo essay, or a basic how to article, or, interesting info about the birds habits and behavior? I guess it depends on the type of magazine. I don't feel expert enough to do an article about anything photographic, since I've only been shooting SLR for just over two years, and I'm constantly reading photography how-to books. I can say that photography has become a driving passion in my life for the past couple of years, and I wish I had discovered this joy years ago. I have had a few fly fishing photos in magazines, including cover shots, but the editors found me and emailed a request. I have been assuming the best means of generating income is selling large prints to interior designers who cater to the up-scale SoCal market. Like everything, that can be hit and miss, great one month and slow the next. I have also been shooting corporate headshots to help pay the bills, and it can pay very well, is also hit and miss, and my heart would be much better served if I can shoot birds and other wild things rather than people. For now I’ll shoot anything, well, almost. I hear the birds calling me!!!

Cheers,
Graham

[Edd]

Hi Graham,

I'm sat here with my jaw resting on the space bar Fantastic shots once again.

I would suggest Outdoor Photographer magazine for starters, over here in the UK they always seem to have readers portfolios as a regular section. Regarding the article just tell the story of the day and give a few basic tips.

I'll look forward to reading that one !!!!!!

Keep up the good work.

Ed

[Graham Owen]

Hi Ed,

I have been thinking about what I might be able to compile that would prove interesting to read, as well as worth looking at. Later this winter I hope to write something I feel proud enough to submit for potential publication.

I visited my little lake a couple of times in the past week, but the temps are hot, humidity is dry, accompanied by harsh light, which makes capturing pleasing images challenging at best. I can't believe I even got desperate enough to photograph a sleeping goose...lol...

Here's a heron flying towards sunrise...


Heron gliding


I wish I had the eye in focus on this fast flying red-winged blackbird


Osprey overhead


Spotting a fish


Egret sunny side up


Goose Down


I'm really hoping for better conditions and light next week.

Cheers,
Graham

[Edd]

That last one makes me want to go back to bed

Ed

[Graham Owen]

another heron and egret

[Graham Owen]

It had been almost a week since last visiting the birds, and yesterday I decided to go for some sunset action, and struck California gold....

[Edd]

Fantastic

I'm filling up the bird feeders in the morning and start to get some bird shots lined up.

Ed

[Mitchell]

as ed puts it that last photograph is Amazing! Iove how the sunset lights up his wings

[gldiana]

Hi Graham,
the last photo is really gorgeous, the light is fantastic and you captured it in a very unusual way. Your shots of egrets are much better than most I've seen anywhere else.

[Graham Owen]

Hi Ed, Mitchell and Luca,

Thank you, I'm really happy that you like the photos. Typically I would go to the park in the morning, but after looking at all of the recent sunset images I think I'll go more often for the orange sunset light. I also captured frame filling images a large flock of gorgeous white pelicans circling high over the lake, they laned somewhere else, but I know that soon they will be the dominant birds at the lake, due to huge quantities of fish to be eaten.

I really enjoy this time of year when the birds are so numerous and active, it really provides me some quality subjects to practice with my camera.