First sunbird shots

Hein · 4th February 2007

Hi Guys,

Spend 30-45mins at SBG today to try to get some shots on the sunbirds.. Had to leave there at 0930 because of studies ... The birdies were starting to feed around that time

Thanks to t7330 and explorerZ for guiding me to where those birds are...

Any comments?? Appreciate some, since it's the first time I'm shooting those small birdies.. Dang they are hard to find in the morning....

1. 1/125s f/5.6 ISO400

2. 1/125s f/5.6 ISO400

3. 1/125s f/5.6 ISO400

4. 1/250s f/5.6 ISO400

Mendis · 4th February 2007

I like these very much.

Especially the first one.

Hein · 5th February 2007

Originally Posted by Mendis

I like these very much. Especially the first one.

Thanks for the comments.. Luckily I managed to know where those guys hide.. Hehe, the Heliconia path...

Any more comments on how to improve, or what to look for??

Mendis · 5th February 2007

Me not qualified to give comments for improvement

But, I have learnt that the glance of the bird is important. Eye contact and direction of face is critical; Sharpness on the eyes.

For sunbirds, Now that you have a nice portrait of the female, try taking one of the male olive back. Simplify the elements to bring more focus onto the bird

But, I like environmental shots too. I try to balance the elements most of the time. Example, I like one because the subject is at the rule of thirds. And the flowers in the picture do not distract at all; furthermore, the flowers actually enhances the picture by balancing.

CT 3833 · 5th February 2007

I would suggest you all to visit Mendis home page. I can only say there are a lot to learn for newbie like me.
Mendis, what a fantastic works you have. Impressive!

ExplorerZ · 5th February 2007

congratz on your finding.

Newguy69 · 5th February 2007

Nice, keep up the good work

Hein · 5th February 2007

Originally Posted by Mendis

Me not qualified to give comments for improvement But, I have learnt that the glance of the bird is important. Eye contact and direction of face is critical; Sharpness on the eyes.

For sunbirds, Now that you have a nice portrait of the female, try taking one of the male olive back. Simplify the elements to bring more focus onto the bird But, I like environmental shots too. I try to balance the elements most of the time. Example, I like one because the subject is at the rule of thirds. And the flowers in the picture do not distract at all; furthermore, the flowers actually enhances the picture by balancing.

Hmmmmm... Looking at your pics, I'm still wondering why you are not qualified for comments

Originally Posted by ExplorerZ

congratz on your finding.

Hey, thanks a lot man.. I really owe you one for pointing me to the right place

Originally Posted by Newguy69

Nice, keep up the good work

Thanks man

Mendis · 6th February 2007

Originally Posted by CT 3833

I would suggest you all to visit Mendis home page. I can only say there are a lot to learn for newbie like me.
Mendis, what a fantastic works you have. Impressive!

Oh dear!

thanks alot for the kind words. *blush*
I try my best.. and there are really alot of birders here much better than me! Starrynight, Chngpe, Authur, Sharkspin.. so many ah!

Mendis · 6th February 2007

[quote=Hein;2819018]Hmmmmm... Looking at your pics, I'm still wondering why you are not qualified for comments

Hi Hein,

Thanks for your kind words bro. Me still have lots to learn from the masters man. The real qualified ones even say they are not qualified ah!

birder · 8th February 2007

Hi Hein,

Nice pictures you got there. No 1 looks very good. But oll of them looks over sharpened and over saturated to me. Just my 2 cents. Hope you don't mind.

cheers
M

Hein · 8th February 2007

Originally Posted by birder

Hi Hein,

Nice pictures you got there. No 1 looks very good. But oll of them looks over sharpened and over saturated to me. Just my 2 cents. Hope you don't mind.

cheers
M

Thanks birder...

Did some USM there, but no saturation adjustment as I can recall.... You guys agree it's oversharpened???

Thanx

broccoli · 9th February 2007

Very well done exposure...good details....

Mendis · 9th February 2007

nope.. not oversharpened.

#1 is great overall. #2 is the eye contact and direction of the bird, #3 a little soft on focus or motion blur. #4 is the composition, to me, not balanced as the flower is overpowering.

my 0.05cents worth heh.. But your USM settings looks ok to me. Lighting maybe brighten up a little..

starrynight · 9th February 2007

I like no 1 best!

did not look over sharpen to me ...

5th February 2007	#5
CT 3833 Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 828	Re: First sunbird shots I would suggest you all to visit Mendis home page. I can only say there are a lot to learn for newbie like me. Mendis, what a fantastic works you have. Impressive!

5th February 2007	#6
ExplorerZ Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: West Legion Posts: 6,786	Re: First sunbird shots congratz on your finding. __________________ multiply \|\| deviant \|\| APAD 08

5th February 2007	#7
Newguy69 Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Third rock from the Sun Posts: 1,773	Re: First sunbird shots Nice, keep up the good work

6th February 2007	#10
Mendis Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Hougang Posts: 1,039	Re: First sunbird shots [quote=Hein;2819018]Hmmmmm... Looking at your pics, I'm still wondering why you are not qualified for comments Hi Hein, Thanks for your kind words bro. Me still have lots to learn from the masters man. The real qualified ones even say they are not qualified ah!

8th February 2007	#11
birder Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Singapore Posts: 74	Re: First sunbird shots Hi Hein, Nice pictures you got there. No 1 looks very good. But oll of them looks over sharpened and over saturated to me. Just my 2 cents. Hope you don't mind. cheers M

4th February 2007	#1
Hein Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Singapore Posts: 711	First sunbird shots Hi Guys, Spend 30-45mins at SBG today to try to get some shots on the sunbirds.. Had to leave there at 0930 because of studies ... The birdies were starting to feed around that time Thanks to t7330 and explorerZ for guiding me to where those birds are... Any comments?? Appreciate some, since it's the first time I'm shooting those small birdies.. Dang they are hard to find in the morning.... 1. 1/125s f/5.6 ISO400 2. 1/125s f/5.6 ISO400 3. 1/125s f/5.6 ISO400 4. 1/250s f/5.6 ISO400 __________________ Nikon D700 + Nikkor AF-S 24-70mm f/2.8G ED Gitzo 1530 + Markins Q3

4th February 2007	#2
Mendis Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Hougang Posts: 1,039	Re: First sunbird shots I like these very much. Especially the first one.

5th February 2007	#4
Mendis Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Hougang Posts: 1,039	Re: First sunbird shots Me not qualified to give comments for improvement But, I have learnt that the glance of the bird is important. Eye contact and direction of face is critical; Sharpness on the eyes. For sunbirds, Now that you have a nice portrait of the female, try taking one of the male olive back. Simplify the elements to bring more focus onto the bird But, I like environmental shots too. I try to balance the elements most of the time. Example, I like one because the subject is at the rule of thirds. And the flowers in the picture do not distract at all; furthermore, the flowers actually enhances the picture by balancing.

9th February 2007	#13
broccoli Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 544	Re: First sunbird shots Very well done exposure...good details....

9th February 2007	#14
Mendis Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Hougang Posts: 1,039	Re: First sunbird shots nope.. not oversharpened. #1 is great overall. #2 is the eye contact and direction of the bird, #3 a little soft on focus or motion blur. #4 is the composition, to me, not balanced as the flower is overpowering. my 0.05cents worth heh.. But your USM settings looks ok to me. Lighting maybe brighten up a little..

9th February 2007	#15
starrynight Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 447	Re: First sunbird shots I like no 1 best! did not look over sharpen to me ...