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DIY Challenge #5: Shoot birds but beak careful

April 5, 2020

Only the head is red on the Red-bellied Wood Pecker.

The easiest way to do this is when there’s a bird feeder within range of your camera. Just set the camera on a tripod, and fill the frame with the feeder. Use auto focus on the feeding station, then lock in the focus by changing it to manual. To fill the frame with the feeder as the subject, use the longest focal length you own. This could help you determine whether (or not) you could use more lens. Whatever the focal length, it will have to suffice now since who’s going to bake sales?

Remember to set the WB for the prevailing light color. Shoot in A or Av with the maximum aperture, and dial in a rather high ISO (800) just to keep a high shutter speed.

Image 1: Find and photograph a bird in a tree. Use Shutter priority (S or Tv) to set a speed that’s fast enough to keep the bird in the shot.

Image 2: Focus on a feeder, then set your camera and longest lens on a tripod as listed above. Switch to decafe if you’re like a soon-to-be-retired dentist who’s running out of patients.

Once you have taken both pictures Attach both images in jpeg format to an email and send to jack@jackcarlsonphotos.com.

New Rule:  Images may be from any place where you can find  bird brains. Immediate or extended family members do not qualify.

  Old Rules:

  1. I know what some of you are thinking, but no dice: POST-PRODUCTION IS STILL NOT ALLOWED for the images you send.
  2. While this isn’t a structured class, it’s the same instructor.
  3. Feel free to send questions/comments or a recipe for peanut butter cookies in the note that accompanies your images

 

 

 

Filed Under: DIY Photo Challenge

Weekly Photo Tip

Wondering if you need a tripod? Don’t be lazy.

Magnus the Camera Clubhouse cat deciding whether to help re-pack Christmas decorations.

I had 2 shots remaining on the roll of Tri-X 120 black/white film. Magnus, the Carlson Camera Clubhouse Cat was hanging out on the table as I was about to dismantle the Christmas tree. What a perfect time for an impromptu portrait session. The camera’s built-in flash was just high enough so that the light output didn’t get directly into his eyes, but was reflected by the lights on the tree. The cat is actually much sharper in reality than he may appear to you in this scan of the print. A tripod could have helped here and I do own several of them but the clubhouse floor was covered with boxes so making a trip to get one of those 3-legged camera supports just didn’t seem worth the time and effort. 

As I’ve written countless times, a tripod is your friend. Please remember that when you’re about to be overcome by laziness.

The camera I used for the shot of Magnus

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About Jack

A classically trained musician since childhood, Jack Carlson always had the “ear” of an artist. It was only a short step to develop the artist’s “eye” as well.

The portfolio of this certified photographer reveals images that emphasize mood and composition. Their purpose is to present a feeling in addition to portrayal of person, place or thing. Sometimes that feeling is nostalgia; other times it is serenity.

Each photograph tells a story.

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Apr 15
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Documenting Nature at the CBG –5 Saturdays– Starts April 15

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