3-DSCN3910 The Feeder is Empty and It's Wet Outside
The robin comes to the window to ask for food
The robin comes to the window to ask for food
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Oct, 2015Views
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Behind The Lens
Location
I took this photo through the kitchen window above the sink. I used to put out food for the birds and watch them as they fed. The food had run out and this particularly charismatic robin was trying to attract my attention. There are some food bits sticking to the window among the rain drops which are a constant in the island of Ireland!Time
I honestly can't remember, probably in the morning.Lighting
No, but I was fortunate it was a time of day when the light didn't show any reflection on the glass. To be honest I just picked up the little camera and snapped fast making sure there were no interior lights on to cause reflection.Equipment
This was taken with my first camera a little Nikon S8200. I had never been particularly interested in photography until it snowed in my newly adopted country and I bought a camera to record the scenes. It was from then that I became more fascinated in taking shots. The little camera is so adaptable and until recently was the only one I had and carried everywhere in my pocket until I decide to get try and get my mind around the technicalities of something more sophisticated. I still like to think that so much of the photographer's creativity is in his mind and sometimes can be inhibited my concentration on the technicalInspiration
It was one of my earliest shots. I've always lived and worked in a world of art, crafts and design but having left my country of Zimbabwe and working constantly to earn a living, I thought now that I had reached that penshioned off age I had to try another creative outlet. The image of the crystal raindrops just slightly obscuring the bird who was so intently trying to attract my attention was irresistable. Now that expensive film is no longer a consideration I was learning that I could experiment endlessly at no cost. In the past I used to argue that I had to concentrate on holding a particularly emotive image in my mind, it was rather like not being able to write down a tune, that way I would remember it better. Nowadays the hard drive mind is too full and what better way to store those moments than to record them using an order out of chaos design sense!Editing
At the time I took this image it was all I could do to learn how to get a photograph out of a camera and on to a computer being absolutely new to the digital world. Later I downloaded the Google site of Picasa and discovered I could tweak with a few of their edits. On this photo I can honestly say that all I did was to adjust the auto focus, the camera had done the rest!In my camera bag
Oh I must sound like - as I am - the complete amateur novice whose passion is in her mind and little else. Having become more interested as time went on I knew I had to bite the bullet and learn how to stamp the image with more of my creativity so I bought a DSLR. As I'm very small with a serious spine problem and cannot carry anything heavy I chose to buy the light weight Nikon D5500 with its kit 18-140mm lens. I now have a Nikkor 50mm 1.18 lens I'm trying out for close subjects. One day I'll get a tripod but the less I battle with the better as I always have two greyhounds on leads in the other hand. They are brilliantly behaved and know exactly when they are required to stand absolutely still while their madam fumbles around grabbing a camera and trying to focus in the incredibly fast changing light of coastal Ireland. I nearly forgot .. being vertically challenged I often carry a small fold up stool that I can stand on to get more height if I need it to see, or help the composition. Of course I still keep my original old little Nikon in my pocket for instants!Feedback
Never stop experimenting with a subject and always have a camera of some sort within reach. Hence I still keep a little point and shoot in my pocket. often the animal, insect subject is less distracted by a tiny lens and of course it is far more discreet when trying to take street shots. Wildlife of any sort are instantly distracted by a lens suddenly pointed in their direction so be patient. Keep the lens focusing on all sorts of things other than them until the subject has grown used to it. If you miss the shot - which is usual - hang around quietly, they usually return. Try and find something else to fit in the frame and create interest and above all concentrate on the negative space; if that is pleasing you will be sure that the composition is comfortable. I've found that the more you play the more you see until you find yourself staring at a manhole cover on the street and wondering how best you can illustrate the cast iron patterning. Always experiment with different heights and angles, forget about the stares as you lie prone taking shots of footprints etc it adds to the fun! Remember texture and pattern mean as much as colour in a successful shot.Just play like a child with new eyes ..
