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Sep, 2015Views
314
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Awards
Winner in Bird Attitudes...show me the SASS! Photo Challenge
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Superb Composition
Superior Skill
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terrysigns13
April 21, 2018
I'm so glad that you submitted this fantastic shot into my challenge. Congrats!!! This is the kind of photo I was hoping to see. Terry
Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
Behind The Lens
Location
Photo was taken on an Albatross Encounter trip in Sept 2015 .....about 10 Kms off shore of Kaikoura, New Zealand. The bird is a Salvin's Mollymawk. (mid-sized) albatross. It was voicing it opinion (furiously) among some larger Albatross (North Royals) and a couple of Giant Petrels.Time
Time approx. 10:30 am September is later winter early Spring in the Southern Hemisphere.Lighting
The best lighting for birds and bird in flight on the ocean is a lightly overcast day with a moderate breeze. The light is more uniform..... few shadow.. few bright spots The sea birds are dynamic soarers and use the wind effectively. Calm days are better for some birders, but to see a wider range of seabirds you need a good swell and wind. The rougher the better I reckon but it does add to the the process.Equipment
This picture was taken on a Nikon D7000 (now 3 upgrades ago). I now use Nikon D500 for the faster and effective capture of focus on birds in flight. The Other key settings were: ISO 640, f8, 1/1600 sec using a Nikon 70-200mm f4 lens. The birds are close in and I used 70mm setting. I have upgraded to the Tamron G2 lens series that have several setting to help optimise the focus. Good Quality at a significantly lower cost than the high end Nikon lens. It will pay to experiment with clear focus and depth of field.Inspiration
I am very keen on birds in flight and in particular sea birds .....alas time and other commitments don't enable me to get out as often as I would like. The Nov 2016 earthquake severely damage the State Highway 1 near Kaikoura and points north. The road is being restored but suffers badly during heavy rain events creating more slips on the damaged landscape that impacts the road. I also enjoy capturing terns and gulls for some of the local estuary areas and this can be a good opportunity to practice and become more familiar with with the birds flight behaviours. One still has to adapt to the boat movement...... but one thing at a time is useful. When photographing birds (really anywhere) it is critical to get the eye sharp, avoid shadows from wings and try a few different perspectives. Complete wings are may also be desired. The action of the bird and the interaction between species and individuals are also useful points to study.Editing
The original shot showed the other birds that were around the Salvin's. I choose to crop it to highlight the "attitude" of this bird. That was the only post -processing applied to these photograph.In my camera bag
In general.... the gear in the bag includes 105mm f2.8 Macro Nikon lens, 24-70mm f2.8 G2 Tamron , 70-200mm f2.8 G2 Tamron telephoto and the bigger telephoto is 150-600mm G2 Tamron f5.6. For pelagic trips.... I usually only have the 24-70mm lens and the 70-200mm lens in a small bag (weather proof) and always extra batteries. It is hard enough to stand still.on a moving pitching boat ....... let alone swing a larger 150-600mm round but some folks do that. but for me there is the risk of dropping it or worse over the side.....do I let go or ......do I not ... anyway the bird are often close whether on the water, landing, of in fly0by mode.Feedback
Come to Kaikoura NZ!!! Go out with Encounter. Easy to find on the WEB.... Tell them Rob Lawrence suggested you go Warm wind proof clothing and anytime of year is good ...... the abundance and occurrence of certain species can be seasonal if you are prone to motion or seasickness prepare your self. Get a look at a bird book to learn the species and seasonality.. if new to NZ or birding at sea. Once on board pick a spot that gives good clear views (but avoids any spray always be alert for wave motion and spray)) Generally the skipper drifts the boat when a sizeable flock is found. Continuously be aware of wave. Saltwater and camera gear don't mix well Keep your eye on the horizon for other species as you never know what can buzz by and have a look then be gone. When shooting, pre-check your exposure settings. Pick and watch for your target bird to fly by .....anticipate where you can get a clear series of it. Try to anticipate the motion of the swells. .... There are many cameras that enable rapid sequence of clicks. This works well so you can concentrate of focus. The D500 is light years ahead of the D7000 for grabbing and holding focus, but other models will work just fine. Setting a pre-focus spot can also be a technique.. There will be heaps of photos to discard but you will learn a few tricks to get more keepers than tossers. There are adding benefits to pelagic bird photography ...Marine mammals Whales and Dolphins If you think photography of sea birds can hard ..Try Dolphins Kaikoura has an abundance of nature photographic opportunities and then there are the sunrises and landscape All the best and enjoy...... that is the main point Cheers. Rob
