Male Golden Whistler
Southern Tasmania - Australia
Southern Tasmania - Australia
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Oct, 2015Views
2764
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Awards
People's Choice in Kit Lens Macro Photo Challenge
Canon Rebel Camera
Contest Finalist in Colorful Birds Photo Contest
Peer Award
Absolute Masterpiece
Superb Composition
Top Choice
Magnificent Capture
Superior Skill
All Star
Outstanding Creativity
Genius
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Impressed
Top Ranks
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Behind The Lens
Location
This will probably be a huge disappointment to many of our wildlife photographers! I took this photo through the front window of my house. I was sitting at my desk in front of my computer editing photos at the time! If you look closely, the reflection of the window can be seen in the birds eye! Having said that, the photo certainly was very much planned and not a matter of luck. The bird and its partner have nested nearby for a few seasons. I noticed in previous years that they gather nesting material from the coconut fibre liners in my plant hangers I have around the house. I simply moved the plant hanger closer to where I needed it, and over quite a long period of time they became accustomed to me watching them. After they were aware of my presence and knew I wasn't a threat, I gradually moved the hanging baskets closer, and after another week or so, the baskets almost touched the window! Golden Whistlers also very territorial and react to their own reflection in the window so while the female is now currently incubating her eggs, the male spends much of his time admiring and whistling at himself on the other side of my window, not three feet away from where I am sitting! (He is still visiting as I type this!)Time
Eventually I was able to open the window, but just enough to poke a lens out. I took hundreds of photos throughout the week, however this shot was taken mid morning when the birds were most active.Lighting
The shot has been taken using natural lighting, though there would be reflected light off the window and the light coloured wall of the house.Equipment
I was using a Nikon D7100 combined with my "plastic fantastic" Micro Nikkor 40mm f/2.8G Lens. Anyone who is familiar with this lens will know that to get macro shots you need to be practically on top of the subject. This, and the other "Whistler" shots on my page were all taken within 6 inches of the bird! The shot was handheld with no other equipment involved and was taken: ISO 160, 1/60 sec at F5.6Inspiration
I have always loved photos that show amazing detail and clarity. I think that the structure of a feather is one of the most beautiful and amazing things to behold in nature! What more inspiration could I want!Editing
I take everything in RAW and post-process in Lightroom. Normally I increase sharpness and clarity. This image was taken in the shade so I increased the warmth and brought out the yellow to give a more accurate representation of the subject.In my camera bag
I do a lot of hiking, so when out I typically take a Sigma 17-50mm F2.8 which is a great all-rounder, as well as my Nikkor 40mm. A tripod is a must, but having said that, for the sake of my back I have recently purchased a light-weight Manfrotto. Time will tell whether it has the stability I need. I am a hobbyist, so photography is an equipment journey as much as a learning journey so I am still learning what gear is the most valuable to me, and how to get the best out of it. My long term goal when finances (and the missus) permit, is to upgrade to full frame camera. (Probably the Nikon D810)Feedback
My advice is probably no different to many other photographers. Above all is patience. It took me a year of observation and effort to get a wild bird to come within 6 inches of my lens. I took hundreds, if not thousands of shots during the space of that year to get the result I was trying to achieve. Always be thinking ahead. Think of weird, seemingly impossible shots and how you'd go about getting it to happen. You'll lose a lot of sleep, but it will be worth it!
