Thanks to Sandhill Cranes, Canada Geese, and various ducks, our Fat Finch photo/bird walk last Saturday was a success. Four of us took out a group of twenty people for hints and tips on bird photography and we thought you’d like to see some of the results. For this post we’ve selected three photos that illustrate some of the suggestions we made last time in Eight Steps to Great Bird Photography.
First up is a crane in flight, taken by one of the leaders, Tomas Spross.
Tomas Spross 2012
For those of you interested in the finer points of photography, that photo was taken with a 300mm f-4 lenses set at f-11 and 1/2000th of a second. Notice the diagonal created in the photo by the bird’s body. Diagonal compositions often create a dynamic sense of movement in photographs and this photograph conveys the energy and speed of flight. Triangles have the same effect, illustrated here by the triangle created by the bird’s wings that leads your eyes directly to the bird’s eye which is at one of the Rule of thirds intersections. (More on that below.)
Next up is a fine photo of a Green-winged Teal taken by another of the leaders, Bosque Bill, as he likes to be known. This horizontal composition conveys the calmness of the duck. Note that the duck’s eyes are not at either side of the photo, so the viewers’ eyes aren’t led out of the photo before they notice the blue-green reflection on the water of the duck’s head .
Bosque Bill 2012
The other two leaders of the group, Linda Rockwell and Kent Winchester, never got around to taking any photos. We are waiting for participants to send us examples of their photos.
We end today’s post with a photo made by Matt Bruno, a participant who is ten years old. Matt was unable to go with us after the introductory talk at the Fat Finch store but he sent along three photographs he made earlier in the month. We’re using only one today, a shot of an American Kestrel that perfectly illustrates another point about composition.
Matt Bruno 2012
We have here another diagonal composition, the tree limbs beginning in the lower left and ending with the kestrel. Although the kestrel is perched in this photo, the diagonal gives you a sense of its kinetic energy, waiting for release when it swoops down on its next bit of food.
Rule of Thirds
Note the location of the kestrel’s eyes – precisely on one of the intersecting points resulting from the Rule of Thirds. (A subset of the Golden Ratio used by artists and architects since at least the time of ancient Egypt.)
Thanks to all who participated. It was a great morning of wild birds and photographers.
Tags: American Kestrel, Bird Photography, compostioin, Green-winged Teal, photographic composition, Rule of Thirds, Sandhill Cranes
Fat Finch — Backyard Birds, Birding & Blogging 
February 27, 2012 at 5:59 pm |
We had a great group of aspiring bird photographers at the workshop. They asked great questions in the pursuit of learning more about their cameras and how to apply that toward making better bird photos. We had great weather and some cooperative cranes, too.
February 27, 2012 at 7:43 pm |
It really was a wonderful workshop, and I enjoyed being one of the leaders. I was so busy answering questions that I took very few photos, but I’ll look this evening at the ones that I took.
February 28, 2012 at 1:44 am |
Good photos. I have a Canon F2 300 L lens which I use for sports photography, but find the birds too far away to get a decent photo.
February 28, 2012 at 9:42 am |
Jane, get one (or both) Canon extension tubes. I have the 300/4 and use a 1.4x very successfully. With your f/2 (I’m so jealous) you could use the 2x easily. That would give you a whopping 600mm, plenty for nearly every situation.