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Photography Question 

Audrea Telkamp 		 

Birds on the Water


 
  3-Yard Unsatisfactory Example
3-Yard Unsatisfactory Example
48mm, f/4, 1/250 sec, iso 100, pattern metering mode

Audrea Telkamp

  
  50-Yard Unsatisfactory Example
50-Yard Unsatisfactory Example
48mm, f/5, 1/500 sec, iso 100, pattern metering mode

Audrea Telkamp

  
  3-Yard Satisfactory Example
3-Yard Satisfactory Example
47mm, f 2.4, 1/100 sec, iso 100, pattern metering mode

Audrea Telkamp

  
 
I am struggling when photographing birds on the water. Sometimes the images are crystal clear and other times lack the clear focus I desire (under the same general circumstances).
Also, when the sun is out the whites blow out. I usually am out from 6 - 7:30am to avoid overly bright conditions but to no avail.
My "subjects" are anywhere from 3 yards away to 50 yards.
I think the problem may be the light reflecting off of the water disturbing the camera's auto exposure settings. Perhaps if I could get exposure under control, the focus would be remedied. I have tried many "recipes" in manual mode but there are so many combinations.
Could someone provide me with some manual settings/techniques to try? My camera is capable of 5.0MP, 5X Optical Zoom, focal length (35mm equivalent) is 38 - 190mm, aperature range f 2.0 - 2.4 (although the camera lets me select from 2.0 - 8.0), the lowest ISO setting I have is 100, and I usually use the teleconverter lens (1.7x).
I am including 3 sample images:
1. An unsatisfactory 3 yard example (single wood duckling): 48mm, f/4, 1/250 sec, iso 100, pattern metering mode.
2. An unsatisfactory 50 yard example (Common Merganser with babies on her back): 48mm, f/5, 1/500, iso 100, pattern metering mode.
3. A satisfactory 3 yard example (2 mallards): 47mm, f/2.4, 1/100 sec., iso 100, pattern metering mode.
I hope this helps!! Thankyou so much in advance!!


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June 20, 2004

 

Maverick Creatives 		  Looks like you require a circular polarizer. In a pinch you can use polarized sunglasses in front of the lens.
Gary


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June 20, 2004

 

Dave Cross 		  Hi Audrea.

Gary is 100% right, get yourself a polariser, that will kill the glare from the water (you rotate it until you see the desired effect).

Also, lose the teleconverter unless you absolutely need to use it. All converters (particularly 'low cost' ones) introduce a certain degree of softness into the image.

If you still get blown highlights dial in about -0.5 to -1 stop of exposure compensation (your manual should tell you how to do it).

Of course the other problem with photographing ducks (well female ones anyway) is that they are camouflaged to be invisible against the water (a fact demonstated very well in your first sample :-), if you can get low down so that they are against something else (not the sky) they should show up better.

Let us know how you get on and post some samples.

Cheers
DC


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June 21, 2004

 

Audrea Telkamp 		 
 
  Minus 1 stop example
Minus 1 stop example
48mm, f/3.2, 1/800, iso 100, pattern metering mode, light source: d65, -1 step exposure compensation.

Audrea Telkamp

  
 
Thank you Gary and Dave! I tried dropping 1 exposure stop and it really seemed to help. I couldn't get as low as I would've liked since the bank was steep. I still am not fully satisfied with the clarity - I did have the teleconverter on and I wish I hadn't of. I never thought this little guy would come so close. Next time I'll leave it at home, it doesn't help much for distance anyway. I think for the clarity I want, I need a different lens. I would greatly appreciate any words of wisdom in that category (my camera has a 58mm screw-in). Thank you so much for your advice - it was most helpful!


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June 28, 2004

 
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