An Ongoing Project

I think we all have them, some project that we are working on.  In this case I am talking about a particular photo that I am trying to get.  I work on it from time to time.  I would just like a really good cardinal picture.  Here is my latest attempt:

ISO 640 50mm 0ev f/4.5 1/500

Really I think it would have helped if I had used my kit lens for this photo.  I used my 50mm and then cropped it later.  The good thing about using the 50 is that you get really good detail.  In this case though I just needed to be closer, and the the kit lens, which is a 28-135mm would have helped a bit here.  Looking at the photo again now I am also thinking I should have tried using my flash, just to maybe separate the black and red of the birds feathers.  I’m not sure if that would have worked, but it’s worth a try, so maybe next time I am working on this ongoing project, I will give it a try.

Cheers!

Panda on a Perch

A Red Panda in this case.  This panda definitely rates high on the “awww” scale, I think it is the fact that it’s fur looks so soft:

ISO 400 f/5.6 1/50 135mm

The toughest part of getting this photo, is actually being able to see the animal, it likes to hang out in remote parts of its enclosure.  Not a whole lot I can do about that.  I think next time, I will shoot in full manual mode, try to get the shutter speed a bit faster.  I am also thinking I should have tried a higher ISO.  I think I will also try getting a shot with the flash on, I’m thinking that might have helped fill in the darker parts of the panda’s fir.

Cheers!

Harris hawk with Flash

Those of you who read my blog (thanks) know that I have been working on some photos of a Harris Hawk.  You can see my previous posts here and here.  The picture in this post was taken using a flash.

ISO 200 50mm f/2 1/250

This was the best shot of the morning, and I like that you can see the various shades of brown in the bird.  When I put it up to 200% magnification, it holds up pretty well in terms of clarity with the exception of the tail feathers.

This shot was taken using a 50mm lens.  It was also handheld because I forgot my tripod (umm, hello!) it was a bit early, but still.  I do usually pack up my camera gear the night before, for exactly this reason.

From the comments in the original post  I have one more way that I am going to approach this bird.  Thanks to all who left their thoughts!  So far this flash version is my favorite, but what do you think?

Cheers!