Whiskers' reflection
Inside cat, Whiskers, looking wishfully at the birds flying outside.
Inside cat, Whiskers, looking wishfully at the birds flying outside.
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Mar, 2016Views
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Action Award
Zenith Award
Spring Selection Award
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Outstanding Creativity
Absolute Masterpiece
Superb Composition
Peer Award
Magnificent Capture
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mariedelport
April 28, 2016
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Behind The Lens
Location
This photo of Whiskers was taken at my home in Colchester, Eastern Cape, South Africa. I am an amateur photographer who has recently purchased a small, lightweight bridge camera to use when I go out birding. While I was busy testing it out, as I am more acquainted with my old Nikon D90, I noticed Whiskers staring out of the window. The reflection in the window was perfect and as an added bonus Whiskers sat still for two seconds, mesmerized by the birds.Time
In a way I was lucky because I could not have taken this image during a better time of the day. Early morning and afternoon would not have produced the same result. This shot was taken during midday, at 12:24 pm.Lighting
I love using natural light and with Whiskers facing the light source at the window it just made my job so much easier. I always look at how the light falls on my subject and how I can use shadows to enhance the image. My camera settings were: f/5; 1/70 sec.; ISO-100; A 4.64; Auto WBEquipment
My bridge camera, Fujifilm FinePix S1, was handheld and I used natural light.Inspiration
I was testing out my new camera but if you look properly photographic opportunities always presents itself: The light, the inside cat longing to be outside with the birds, a good performing camera under low light. What more can a girl ask for?Editing
Yes. I did my test shots in j-peg and my post-processing in Photoshop. I used a High Pass Overlay, selected the cat, inverted the image and applied a gentle Guassian Blur in the background.In my camera bag
For our wedding photography I use a Nikon D7500, a 50mm Nikor, a 70-105mm Nikor and a 18-200mm Sigma. At this stage I use my bridge camera for bird, insect and landscape photography, as I walk alone and long distances and being a woman, safety is always an issue in SA.Feedback
To be a wildlife photographer you have to make snap decisions all the time. Bird photography is even worse. Birds move all the time and after three years of doing this I am more prepared to think on my feet and get the shot. Practice and then practice some more. I am always looking for the light source and the way it falls on the subject, where the shadows are, how to "frame' the subject. Walking around the subject, if time permit, will give you a better indication of the best composition. When I take a photo, I'm already planning the end result of my post-processed image.
