Weekly Photography Challenge Thread (see first post rules before entering)

I’ve got night time long exposure mostly down. Only because I memorized all the settings to shoot at. I’m still working on daytime manual. I forget already what I need to adjust when it comes out “x” usually iso or aperture I think but I need to spend more time learning again

 

Nighttime is pretty forgiving and you usually have a little time to play with the exposure with it. I'm at the point where I can usually look at the scene and get it with my first exposure but I've shot a really lot of nighttime stuff also. Daytime I usually shoot in Aperture priority for general shooting unless the camera just whacks a scene all out. Full manual for special effects or any flash photography. It all comes in time and the more you shoot the more you'll remember everything.

For daytime I'll usually set my ISO and leave it unless I'm somewhere I need a faster shutter speed. Nighttime I'm always shooting on a tripod so I'll keep ISO around 100-200. I have left it at ISO 50 a few times just for fun. lol

 

I've spent most of my live in the woods hunting and fishing and compared to most pretty aware of the different wildlife including birds around me. Then thanks to Kevin I was introduced to warblers. There are more than a hundred species of them in the Americas, all pretty colorful and small little things. They are very difficult to shoot. Don't know where your at but you likely have a number of different warbler species around you. I've seen at least a dozen different species here but only have photos of 8 different ones. This time of year I start going on the hunt for them.

Any picture of such a small bird that seldom sits still is a trophy in my book

Spoiler

Yellow Rump


American Redstart


Yellow warbler

At the other end of the size spectrum I also shoot birds of prey given the chance. Which is what I wanted to do last week but work is rough right now with the largest go live in our history. But when work doesn't interfere with life I like to shoot baldies also. And see how close I can get to them without having them flush. Helps when they are working on a meal.

Spoiler

 

I'm trying to stay away from bird photography because I just know I'll have to have that 500-600mm F/4 if I go that route. Plus I'm more of a on the move photographer, I don't like to be in one place for too long. Also my camera is heavy enough at 6.5 lbs so I don't need any bigger lenses.

 

Yeah there’s nothing up here either. Peoples yards have just started to green up here.

 

Great pictures.

I'm in the Midwest so I'm sure I've seen some variation of a warbler. Really cool looking little bird so I'll have to keep my eyes peeled. Mostly see robins, doves and the occasional cardinal which I think is an awesome looking bird. Oh and the ever so charming blue jay.

Always been fascinated by birds of prey though. Particularly peregrines. We see balds every so often around here. Mostly too high to snap a photo though. Those things fly higher than most commercial airlines I swear.

 

That was taken with a nifty 50 handheld backwards on the front of the camera. Haha

I couldn't find my reversal ring with the camera mount on it. Still don't know where that got off to, probably in my old camera bag from the film days.

Hard to believe that was 4 years ago. I remember sitting in the front yard to take that photo and having to move back and forth to focus it then snap it at the right moment when it was in focus.

 

Helps even more if the bird is a close personal friend.

Spoiler

 

So when you guys going to get some strobes and revive the flash thread I started that ultimately failed? lol

 

Yep, no need to cut it yet LOL.

There are fewer than a hundred nesting pair of peregrines in the State of Minnesota. I know where one pair lives.

Spoiler

It happens to be in a State Park near a picnic area. I was getting out of the truck to go fly fishing and heard them. Instead of fishing ended up spending most of the day trying to get a decent picture. Almost 40 people around in the area and not a single one seemed to hear or see them. Which seemed kind of strange to me.

 

Beautiful bird. I’m easily distracted by these kinds of birds. It’s dangerous when I’m driving because I just want to watch them. I’m unaware of any peregrines around here though. Or nests for that matter. Mostly red tails and I think Cooper’s hawks are pretty abundant around here too.

 

For the newer guys looking to learn more, this book helped me on my way. Starts basic but has great info. Seriously, buy this book.

Understanding Exposure by Bryan Peterson. I have the 3rd ed, I see there's a fourth out now. Just know once you start there isn't really any stopping...

The stupid picture says $68. I'm not sure why though, they are new at $35 or used from like $7. Well worth it.

$25 Understanding Exposure, 3rd Edition: How to Shoot Great Photographs with Any Camera

https://www.amazon.com/Understanding-Exposure-3rd-Photographs-Camera/dp/0817439390

 

10-4

 

O.K., I'll go first. Yesterday in my backyard.

 

Good to see you back Don

 

Unlike button where are you??

 

I blame you for moving away and not teaching me

 

At least I got you hooked with that nighttime photography

 

According to Amazon -

You purchased this item on January 22, 2014.

Pretty sure you were one of the those, if not the one, that convinced me to get it. And it turned out to be one of my better investments I have made