evansrobinson // Armchair Photography
Learning Experience
Let me be the first to point out that the focus is off in this photo. Somehow I have managed to get it the wrong way around with the tail in focus, not the head. Whoops! Normally, this would be a deal-breaker for me, but I still quite like this image, as it was from my first real opportunity to photograph birds with my father (his specialty).
After Whakatane, we proceeded onwards to Napier, where we visited an Australasian gannet colony at Cape Kidnappers. It was quite crowded with adults, and babies in varying stages of hilarity. On average, the adults will make 4 passes before landing, to ensure that they land by the right nest and not on another gannet. Imagine circling the block 4 times before parking to make sure that you park in your own driveway and don't run over the neighbours in the process. Either they are very careful birds or we live in a reckless society.
I have always known that bird photography is challenging. Even with these gannets served up on a silver platter, I still managed to botch the shot. I have developed a newfound respect for the level of difficulty that is bird photography!
Some things I learned and hope to remember for next time:
1. Birds in flight require a shutter speed of at least 1/1000th of a sec. And birds at rest require a shutter speed of at least 1/400th of a sec.
2. As much as I enjoy shooting wide open, it is exceptionally difficult to keep a bird's eye--let alone entire head--in focus, especially when it is flying towards you! Perhaps a narrower aperture would be helpful.
3. Come prepared with a new camera body--or failing that, borrow some of my dad's toys :).
4. Learn how to clone extraneous wings out of the edge of my shot.
Learning Experience
Let me be the first to point out that the focus is off in this photo. Somehow I have managed to get it the wrong way around with the tail in focus, not the head. Whoops! Normally, this would be a deal-breaker for me, but I still quite like this image, as it was from my first real opportunity to photograph birds with my father (his specialty).
After Whakatane, we proceeded onwards to Napier, where we visited an Australasian gannet colony at Cape Kidnappers. It was quite crowded with adults, and babies in varying stages of hilarity. On average, the adults will make 4 passes before landing, to ensure that they land by the right nest and not on another gannet. Imagine circling the block 4 times before parking to make sure that you park in your own driveway and don't run over the neighbours in the process. Either they are very careful birds or we live in a reckless society.
I have always known that bird photography is challenging. Even with these gannets served up on a silver platter, I still managed to botch the shot. I have developed a newfound respect for the level of difficulty that is bird photography!
Some things I learned and hope to remember for next time:
1. Birds in flight require a shutter speed of at least 1/1000th of a sec. And birds at rest require a shutter speed of at least 1/400th of a sec.
2. As much as I enjoy shooting wide open, it is exceptionally difficult to keep a bird's eye--let alone entire head--in focus, especially when it is flying towards you! Perhaps a narrower aperture would be helpful.
3. Come prepared with a new camera body--or failing that, borrow some of my dad's toys :).
4. Learn how to clone extraneous wings out of the edge of my shot.