Kingfisher (male) Finally got closer

[Paulstw]

Totally natural shot, no hide, no bait, no perch. Just walking by with my camera and flash.



Really chuffed after all the work I've put into this. Sleepness nights, really low points and wanting to give up. I like that it's a different shot to the usual bird on a perch shot.

Canon 1D MKII
400mm
f/5.6
ISO1000
1/400th
Flash on 1/8th power

Was trying to balance ambient light (it was dark) with flash, because I had to keep it up to 1/400th and flash sync speed is 320th or so on the 1D.

Anywho, it's been good to share the journey so far.

Paul

[EOS_User]

Re: Kingfisher (male) Finally got closer

Well done; hard work always pays off in the end.

I'd have been ecstatic just to get close enough to a 'naturally wild' KF, let alone grab a shot...

Cheers;

Lee

[Paulstw]

Re: Kingfisher (male) Finally got closer

Well done; hard work always pays off in the end.

I'd have been ecstatic just to get close enough to a 'naturally wild' KF, let alone grab a shot...

Cheers;

Lee

Cheers Lee. I see this pair everyday on my walk. I can get about 10ft away from just walking by, but they don't mind that. It's when you stop that they fly off. Keeping disturbance to a minimum I've spent most of the time just walking by taking grab shots as I walk. Kept to keeping their existence to a minimum lately because they are pairing up so just watching was good enough for me.

[paulr5604]

Re: Kingfisher (male) Finally got closer

Nice shot Paul Congrats on getting closer

[Hereford_EOS]

Re: Kingfisher (male) Finally got closer

Great shot Paul, I've not seen a kingfisher so close so well done

[S_J_P]

Re: Kingfisher (male) Finally got closer

Considering I've never got within 100' of one of these beasties, that capture is just so impressive Paul, a testament to your dedication and perseverance

The flash has given it a slightly surreal, almost photoshopped look though, do you think there might be mileage in burning the bird and/or dodging the background a little (or boosting the shadows and reigning-in the highlights) to redress the imbalance between fore and background?

[Nathaniel]

Re: Kingfisher (male) Finally got closer

Nice one Paul. I hope you keep one for me in May.

[Paulstw]

Re: Kingfisher (male) Finally got closer

When I consider the well taken shot from my friend Steven of a different kingy, yeah mines does look a tad bright. I never go back and retouch an image and post something different. However, I've done it for this one.



Not sure about it at all.

Here's Stevens.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/40658018@N04/10383345695/

[Alan_H]

Re: Kingfisher (male) Finally got closer

Well done Paul, you say that you were trying to balance ambient and flash but there does not seem to be much ambient so could you have tried HS sync and used a higher shutter speed, I know that when using HS sync the flash distance reduces ( inverse square law don't ask me to explain) comes into effect but as you were on 1/8 power and you could increase this might not be a problem, sorry if I am talking from where the sun don't shine just a thought, great to get so close

Alan

[Paulstw]

Re: Kingfisher (male) Finally got closer

Well done Paul, you say that you were trying to balance ambient and flash but there does not seem to be much ambient so could you have tried HS sync and used a higher shutter speed, I know that when using HS sync the flash distance reduces ( inverse square law don't ask me to explain) comes into effect but as you were on 1/8 power and you could increase this might not be a problem, sorry if I am talking from where the sun don't shine just a thought, great to get so close

Alan

Cheer Alan :) I would love to have a fully auto flash, but I have to make do with a manual flash for now. Plus factoring in that you have a split second to time it right before they fly off. I'm pretty happy with the result :)

[Stan]

Re: Kingfisher (male) Finally got closer

Its a super pose Paul but really neither the original or Stevens look quite right - there seems to be little feather detail - I think it is caused by the flash more than anything, a reason I never use flash for birds. With your 1D you could have doubled the ISO and dialed in perhaps +2/3 exposure compensation and still kept a reasonable shutter speed

Stan

[Paulstw]

Re: Kingfisher (male) Finally got closer

Stevens one Stan was in bright sunlight. I was just showing how bright the feathers can be in the right light.

It's not really been a popular pic to be fair. A bit of a downer for me today actually. I was all excited about this pic. I think people who go to purpose built photo hides for this sort of thing have made this venture look far too easy.

[AndyA]

Re: Kingfisher (male) Finally got closer

When I consider the well taken shot from my friend Steven of a different kingy, yeah mines does look a tad bright. I never go back and retouch an image and post something different. However, I've done it for this one.



Not sure about it at all.

We're all learning new skills in one way or another, both camera skill and processing abilities. Sometimes, an image can be worth a little extra time and attention.

[Paulstw]

Re: Kingfisher (male) Finally got closer

We're all learning new skills in one way or another, both camera skill and processing abilities. Sometimes, an image can be worth a little extra time and attention.

Dunno Andy. I can spend hours deciding on an image. I'll edit it, walk away for ages and come back to it. If it still looks good to me I'll then put it into PS for some finishing. To go back to the start on an image hurts my head lol

However, working on it on my MAC at home is such a welcomed change. Never mind, i'm not going to give up on the daylight shots. This one was taken at 7am this morning. It was still pitch black outside.

[Alan_H]

Re: Kingfisher (male) Finally got closer

Paul do not let it be a downer any image of a Kingfisher is a + and not to be in a hide is extra

Alan