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Post by Bailey on Apr 22, 2018 7:36:02 GMT
I was sitting in my chair on the verandah trying to photo birds in flight. There is no shortage of birds, but way too quick atm. When they are perched or stationary on something it's a lot easier   |
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Post by Bailey on Apr 22, 2018 7:48:38 GMT
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Post by whippet on Apr 22, 2018 13:51:24 GMT
Never do what you want them to, do they.
Unable to comment on your photography bailey - but the birds are stunning.
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alexr
Established Forum Member
Posts: 555
Open to constructive criticism of photos: Yes
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Post by alexr on Apr 22, 2018 16:38:26 GMT
Bailey, as whippet infers, you have still not signed up to 'open to constructive criticism of photos' but in other threads you have suggested that you are willing to develop, and I presume that is one of the reasons you have created this thread, so in that spirit I have some suggestions, but if you don't wish me to do so I apologise and won't do again.
I will preface my comments with that I have little experience of bird photography but in one of my other regular forums there are an awful lot of birders so I am exposed to a lot of their images and discussions. One of the biggest discussion points is always about backgrounds, and there seem to be two main camps, those that like them completely clean, and those that prefer to see something of the environment. I am more in the latter camp, but I do find the very bright areas on your first distracting. Personally I would crop out the blue areas and extend the canvas more to the right. This also has the added benefit that the bird is looking 'into' the frame as well as putting the branch into a corner which I find more pleasing. I like the sharpness of the detail, but I wonder if the eye could be lightened slightly.
Regarding the second, maybe it is the upload to imgbb but it doesn't look as sharp as I would have liked. On the composition itself I have 3 real issues: firstly I always try not to clip any part of the animal, unless it is a clear decision to zoom right in. Secondly vegetation in front of the subject is always difficult, often not a lot you can do about it but it is a shame there is so much, perhaps some could be removed in post processing. And finally I find its head uncomfortably tight to the edge of the frame.
That all said, as whippet says, they are beautiful birds. As it happens I will be in Melbourne next month so looking forward to seeing some of what to me is exotica, but to you is in your back garden!
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Post by whippet on Apr 22, 2018 18:28:26 GMT
Oops, sorry.
What I was meaning, was that I am not an expert, so would not qualify to comment on the quality of the pictures.
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Post by jjr1770 (Judy) on Apr 22, 2018 19:27:49 GMT
Bailey, try using a shutter priority at 1/800 or 1/1000 and make sure there are no
background distractions. I like bright sunny days with blue skies. Tracking
the birds is hard because they are fast - it takes a lot of patience.
Your first bird is very nice; just a bit of cropping is needed.
The parrot is fine - maybe a bit brighter, but it's in it's natural setting
so there will be distractions.
Just take a lot of photos and you'll get keepers.
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Post by Bailey on Apr 23, 2018 1:25:59 GMT
Never do what you want them to, do they. Unable to comment on your photography bailey - but the birds are stunning. Hi whippet, No problem. Feel free to offer any constructive suggestions. You don't need to be an expert. All I ask, and as I have mentioned on numerous occasions in other threads, is that the reasoning behind the suggestions is given as well. |
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Post by Bailey on Apr 23, 2018 2:26:13 GMT
... I will preface my comments with that I have little experience of bird photography but in one of my other regular forums there are an awful lot of birders so I am exposed to a lot of their images and discussions. One of the biggest discussion points is always about backgrounds, and there seem to be two main camps, those that like them completely clean, and those that prefer to see something of the environment. I am more in the latter camp, but I do find the very bright areas on your first distracting. Personally I would crop out the blue areas and extend the canvas more to the right. This also has the added benefit that the bird is looking 'into' the frame as well as putting the branch into a corner which I find more pleasing. I like the sharpness of the detail, but I wonder if the eye could be lightened slightly. Regarding the second, maybe it is the upload to imgbb but it doesn't look as sharp as I would have liked. On the composition itself I have 3 real issues: firstly I always try not to clip any part of the animal, unless it is a clear decision to zoom right in. Secondly vegetation in front of the subject is always difficult, often not a lot you can do about it but it is a shame there is so much, perhaps some could be removed in post processing. And finally I find its head uncomfortably tight to the edge of the frame. That all said, as whippet says, they are beautiful birds. As it happens I will be in Melbourne next month so looking forward to seeing some of what to me is exotica, but to you is in your back garden! Hi alexr and thank you for your suggestions. This is my first foray into nature photography. My comfort zone is landscapes and events. Personally, if I have a choice, I prefer a blurred background but I see where you and others are coming from regarding a clean background. (Mrs bailey prefers any photos I take with her in it to have clear in focus backgrounds.) But at the end of the day as long as the subject of the photo pops out from the background (clear or blurred) then I would be happy. But when foliage or structures are in the bg it is harder to achieve. In the first photo I don't have a lot of choice. I am hand holding the camera with focal length at 600mm and aperture wide open to help get the fast shutter speed I need in this situation without having to bump up the ISO too much. The camera was in shutter priority with shutter speed set to 1/1000s and ISO set at 400. To get the bg sharp (increase the DOF) I would need to stop down the aperture which would then require a slower shutter speed (not desirable) and/or shortening the focal length. I have taken your suggestions regarding cropping on board and recropped the image to my understanding of your suggestion. Yes, I can see how the blue area could be distracting but my reasoning was that it tends to act as a bit of a cushion (possibly because it is distracting) bouncing the eyes back towards the bird. I don't have a lot of leeway in the photo because of the long focal length but I like the recropped v2 better . I have also spent a bit more time lightening the shadows and highlighting the bird's eye a bit more as you suggested. 
The second photo (of the rosella, I think) was just a lucky opportunistic photo without any time for planning anything. I was in the kitchen when I saw 2 of them feeding on the ground. I just ran to grab my camera and started shooting through the kitchen window (which was not very clean btw) hence the lack of sharpness. If I tried to go outside to photograph them I am sure I would have disturbed them and they would have flown off. It was cloudy at the time which forced me to use a slower than desirable shutter speed without bumping up the ISO any higher, which also contributed to the less than tack sharp photo.
Bailey, as whippet infers, you have still not signed up to 'open to constructive criticism of photos' but in other threads you have suggested that you are willing to develop, and I presume that is one of the reasons you have created this thread, so in that spirit I have some suggestions, but if you don't wish me to do so I apologise and won't do again. One main reason I have not signed up to 'open to constructive criticism of photos' is because, as I have mentioned in other threads, I have found on this web site only 1 or 2 constructive suggestions from other members here, even though many members have signed up to 'open to constructive criticism of photos'. So to me I doubt very much I would receive any unless you are suggesting that if I sign up to 'open to constructive criticism of photos', then all of a sudden members will start giving each other constructive suggestions. Somehow, I don't think so. Thank you again very much for your suggestions. As a result I feel v2 is a better photo now, and I hope you continue to go on and give constructive suggestions to other members as well now, especially if they have signed up to 'open to constructive criticism of photos'. |
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Post by Bailey on Apr 23, 2018 3:15:49 GMT
Bailey, try using a shutter priority at 1/800 or 1/1000 and make sure there are no background distractions. I like bright sunny days with blue skies. Tracking the birds is hard because they are fast - it takes a lot of patience. Your first bird is very nice; just a bit of cropping is needed. The parrot is fine - maybe a bit brighter, but it's in it's natural setting so there will be distractions. Just take a lot of photos and you'll get keepers. Hi Judy, Thank you for your comments. I appreciate them I have a whole new appreciation now of the skill and effort involved in nature photography. As mentioned in my previous post, I had my camera set to shutter priority to lock in a fast shutter speed. I will keep persevering as time permits. It's all good fun |
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Post by Bailey on Apr 23, 2018 5:29:46 GMT
... That all said, as whippet says, they are beautiful birds. As it happens I will be in Melbourne next month so looking forward to seeing some of what to me is exotica, but to you is in your back garden! I hope you enjoy your visit here . You will be coming at my favourite time of the year, weather wise (Autumn). The weather is sensational atm with a string of sunny maximum temperatures in the mid to high 20'sC, but very dry. Although the mornings can be a bit chilly and cloudy/foggy until the sun burns through. The weather starts getting a bit cooler in May as we approach Winter, but we usually still have some really nice weather days in May. Enjoy your stay. |
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Post by Andy on Apr 23, 2018 10:45:35 GMT
One main reason I have not signed up to 'open to constructive criticism of photos' is because, as I have mentioned in other threads, I have found on this web site only 1 or 2 constructive suggestions from other members here, even though many members have signed up to 'open to constructive criticism of photos'. So to me I doubt very much I would receive any unless you are suggesting that if I sign up to 'open to constructive criticism of photos', then all of a sudden members will start giving each other constructive suggestions. Somehow, I don't think so. I fail the see the logic here. Whether or not members do or don't provide constructive criticism of photos on this forum is not a justification to not be open to it. |
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Post by Bailey on Apr 23, 2018 10:58:09 GMT
I fail the see the logic here. Whether or not members do or don't provide constructive criticism of photos on this forum is not a justification to not be open to it. The point I was making is that so far I have found only 1 or 2 posts with constructive suggestions. If there are many more, then I would appreciate someone posting links to at least some of them or a list of members who regularly post suggestions because I can't find them. The way I see it, because of the lack constructive suggestions I don't believe I will get any even if I said I was open to it unless you believe for some reason if I suddenly said I was open to it then members would start giving each other constructive suggestions. If I ever see more members offering constructive suggestions to other members then I will "formally" declare myself open to it.I hope this clarifies any confusion. |
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Apr 23, 2018 14:15:57 GMT
The way I see it, because of the lack constructive suggestions I think we need to clarify the purpose of this forum, as it seems to me that you may have gotten confused here. This forum, as per some previous comments I made in other threads, is predominantly here to help members with their Photoshop Elements questions and problems, NOT to review each others photographs. The reason we have the "open to constructive criticism of photos" button is due to the fact that we do have areas on the forum where members can share their work and this gives others an idea whether or not the member in question would appreciate any comments on the work they have shared, be that in the "Show your Work" board or in their own user gallery. As I also previously stated, most members will actually ask for comments if they are not sure on the execution of their work. Just because someone posted their work and has the "open to constructive criticism" active, does not mean that one has to pass comment, unless specifically requested by the member, as I say, this is not this forums main purpose and is not why members post their work. If you are looking to have your work critiqued on a regular basis you have a few options: 1) Find another online community that is set up for just that; 2) Select the "open to constructive criticism" option, post your photo in the "Show your Work" board and ask members to give you constructive suggestions, or 3) Get a professional portfolio review either through an online service or in person from a respected photographer in your area. To keep banging on about members not giving constructive suggestions and using that as your reason not to "declare" yourself open to the same, is in my opion just hogwash. If you were truly interested and receptive in receiving suggestions on your work, you would just select that option, post your work and ask for suggestions. At the moment, I'm afraid, it just looks like you want to dish out your advice without others being able to comment on your work; a very one-sided affair. |
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Post by cats4jan on Apr 24, 2018 0:03:59 GMT
They may not be flying, but they are wonderful photos of beautiful birds.
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Post by Bailey on Apr 24, 2018 4:29:05 GMT
They may not be flying, but they are wonderful photos of beautiful birds. Thank you cats4jan I think the bird on the ground is a rosella. I have no idea at all what the one perched on the branch is  . I still like v1 of the bird on the branch but alexr's advice was very helpful in creating a better composed and edited v2. |
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. I still like v1 of the bird on the branch but alexr's advice was very helpful in creating a better composed and edited v2.