"I See You..." Common Kestrel - Hyderabad
Name: Common Kestrel
Location: Hyderabad
Date: 05th Dec '15
Camera: Nikon D7100
Lens: Tamron SP 150-600mm F-5-6.3
E...
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Name: Common Kestrel
Location: Hyderabad
Date: 05th Dec '15
Camera: Nikon D7100
Lens: Tamron SP 150-600mm F-5-6.3
Exp: 1-500secs | F#: 6.30 | ISO: 560 | FL: 600mm
https:--www.facebook.com-Mano-Photography-1535399706712473-
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Location: Hyderabad
Date: 05th Dec '15
Camera: Nikon D7100
Lens: Tamron SP 150-600mm F-5-6.3
Exp: 1-500secs | F#: 6.30 | ISO: 560 | FL: 600mm
https:--www.facebook.com-Mano-Photography-1535399706712473-
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Dec, 2015Views
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Awards
Action Award
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Creative Winter Award
Curator's Selection
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Staff Winter Selection 2015
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Outstanding Creativity
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Peer Award
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Behind The Lens
Location
This photograph was taken at a small lake near my house. I am a self taught nature photographer. I predominantly take photographs of the birds.Time
Birds are generally active hunting for food early in the morning between 06:00 AM to about 08:00 to 09:00 AM. I woke up at 05:00 AM in the winter morning to be at the spot just when the first golden sun rays hit the earth. I guess I was very fortunate to have my favorite bird sitting on a small rock pruning.Lighting
Theoretically, early morning and late evening are considered as the Golden Hour because of the natural tone of the sun rays. I prefer early morning over the evenings for my photographs. I find that the low air pollution levels of the early morning makes the light even more beautiful as compared to late evening.Equipment
I use Tamron SP 150-600mm F/5-6.3 Di VC USD Telephoto Zoom Lens mounted on Nikon D7100 Body. I do not use a tripod because I find 'Hand-Held' more flexible than tripod. Especially when it comes to bird photography, a birds movement cannot be predicted. One has to be fast in tracking the bird. I personally found tripod/monopod limiting me in being flexible enough to track the bird. However, the downside of not using a tripod is that you cannot hold these telephoto lenses for long.Inspiration
Common Kestrel is one of my favorite birds. Its eye sight and its ability to track its prey almost makes it a Super-Bird as per human standards. I am fortunate to be able to take this shot at a very close distance. I believe I spent over an hour with this one taking various shots of its every moment. What I found most inspiring is the expression of innocence while it gazed straight at me.Editing
I use Photoshop Lightroom CC for post processing. I believe post processing helps improve your photograph only when your original photograph is perfect in terms of focus, composition, light etc. Over doing the post processing could have detrimental effects on the photograph to a point where the natural tone is lost. For this photograph, I wanted the reflection of the sun light to stand out. I have increased the shadows and dark's to about 20. For the sunlight, I have increased the saturation by 5 points.In my camera bag
I keep my equipment very simple and to the minimum possible. I carry the following in my bag Nikon D7100 Tamron SP 150-600mm F/5-6.3 Di VC USD Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 DG Macro Nikon 35mm 1.8g Water bottle (Most important)Feedback
Patience, hard work and determination are the three important elements behind a beautiful photograph. This is especially true when it comes to nature and wildlife photography. Since we cannot control the birds/animals nor is it ethical to disturb their natural habitat, one has to wait very patiently for the perfect moment. There would times when you might not be favored with the perfect shot. In spite of not getting that photograph, one has to motivate themselves to keep trying until you get it. From the technical stand point, ensure to compose the photograph within the camera instead of depending on post processing. Post process adds value in enhancing the photograph. As I pointed out earlier, over doing the post processing, would have detrimental effect on the natural tone of the photograph. Ensure that you compose the photograph within the camera in terms of subjects location, lighting, exposure etc.
