The snowy egret near my place this weekend seemed to be thinking about something very important.
It may have simply been waiting for dinner to swim by or for me to get too close for comfort.
Exposure date: 1/1250 @ f/11, ISO 400, -1EC, shutter priority, Canon 1D Mk2 body, Canon 100-400mm F/4.5-5.6 L IS lens at 400mm.
At last I became a distraction.
Perhaps it was a simpler urge to return to the nest as the sun sank lower but by this time I had increased my shutter speed in anticipation of flight.
Exposure data: 1/2000 @ f/11, ISO 400, -1EC, same, same, same
I have always hoped for the clear, sharp image of the bird in flight.
Recording details from the whitest feathers to the areas in shadows is a wonderful challenge. The birds are so bright in the sun that I've learned to try to expose for the brightest white spots.
Exposure data: same as previous
On this day the shadows may have offered as much interest as the highlights. I probably read way too much into the posture and movements of birds whose faces offer nothing we can recognize as emotion.
Raised as I was with cartoon animals as my guide I reflexively attribute human meanings to animal activities. They are beautiful and graceful regardless of what I imagine to be their deep thoughts.
Exposure data: 1/2000 @ f/8, ISO 400, -1EC, etc.
Beautiful! Makes me want to rush out and get a long telephoto lens.
ReplyDeleteThanks, John. I probably own too many lenses but the Canon Ls are as great as their reputation.
ReplyDeleteI lost all my Olympus OM camera gear in Katrina so I'm slowly rebuilding but around the Pentax offerings. 135mm is the longest lens I have currently. I guess I need to start shopping around again for something in the 300-500 range if I want to get some shots like yours.
ReplyDeleteIf you're not shooting for money I recommend shopping the 3rd party lenses, Tamron and Sigma. You'll often find comparable features at lower prices.
ReplyDelete