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A few more bird shots from recent times.

I'm not too happy with my efforts. Need lots more practice.

Variegated Fairywren


Silvereye

Looks like you got nice and close to the Wren!!!

I had heaps of trouble with Superb Fairy Wrens with my D70... The blues would blow out way too easy. The D2X seems to be much better in this regard. How much flash was used? Maybe it's output was too strong and that's helped in causing the blown blues.

Paul

NikonUser wrote:How much flash was used? Maybe it's output was too strong and that's helped in causing the blown blues.

-0.7 EV on the Sb-800. Yeah, it looks like the blues are blown.

It landed on a branch a few meters away. I didn't zoom out and ended up chopping off a little bit of it's tail feathers. So cropped in tighter to see if I could save the shot.

agree with the comments about blown blues.

Paul: as far as the d70 blowing blues on the wrens, but the d2x not, it seems to me that both are capable of doing the job, I believe the true answer is that you became more experienced and by the time you had the d2x, you had it under control.

The problem with photographing birds, apart from the fact that they can just fly away when they want, is getting the light right.

The sweetest light is in the early mornings and late arvos so whereever possible you want to avoid shooting in harsh light.
using flash definitely helps with plumage, but remember that some birds have areas that are way more reflective than others.

when in doubt you are better to use less flash rather than more.
I wouldnt use more than -1ev for fill flash.
sometimes you are looking at -2 depending on how bright the hightlights are.
use the flashing highlight display until you get a feel for things.
it is your friend

you were lucky to get the wren so close, around here 400mm isnt enough.
Steve

Thanks heaps Paul and Steve for the comments and suggestions.