john17wi
Member
Hello group! I'm hoping to get some help from you seasoned photographers on how to better approach this subject the next time (hopefully) it occurs.
I LOVE owls, and have always wanted to get a photograph of one. Well, Friday night, walking through a local nature preserve about 1/2 hour before sunset, I just happened to look to my left and was stunned to see a handsome Great Horned Owl sitting in a tree at a pretty far distance from me (I admit...I'm terrible at judging distance). I couldn't believe it! So I'd like your critique on how I went about getting the shots you see below.
APPROACH:
1. Even though too far away, took some shots just to document the event in case the owl decided to leave.
2. Slowly started progressing along the path which was winding, but would end up right next to the tree the owl was in.
3. Kept my eye on other things except the owl as I walked so as not to spook it by staring constantly.
4. Stopped and snapped some shots every 10 yards that I got closer.
5. Didn't want to get too close and bother it, so took my final shots from what felt like a respectable distance away.
SHOOTING (Nikon D500 with 500mm PF 5.6 lens)
S-1250 A-7.1 ISO-AUTO(500) WB-Auto (I was nervous/excited and still had my shutter set for moving birds which led to the higher ISO)
After some of the shots were taken, I dropped my Aperture to 5.6, Changed the WB to sunny, and upped the EC to +1
Overall, I'm extremely happy to have had the opportunity, but know I didn't get the quality of shots I would eventually like to get. Admittedly, I'm not the best hand held photographer (especially when I'm excited like I was in this case! lol) so I think some of the softness can be blamed on me. Also, I found the light really challenging. It's weird, but it seemed bright, but inadequate at the same time. I think (and I could be wrong) that with the sun just starting to dip below the trees it maybe was just a hair later than would have been ideal. Again, with better skill at adjusting the settings perhaps I would have been able to combat that.
Anyway, thanks for making it to the end of this long post (if you did) I appreciate all your feedback and expertise!
I LOVE owls, and have always wanted to get a photograph of one. Well, Friday night, walking through a local nature preserve about 1/2 hour before sunset, I just happened to look to my left and was stunned to see a handsome Great Horned Owl sitting in a tree at a pretty far distance from me (I admit...I'm terrible at judging distance). I couldn't believe it! So I'd like your critique on how I went about getting the shots you see below.
APPROACH:
1. Even though too far away, took some shots just to document the event in case the owl decided to leave.
2. Slowly started progressing along the path which was winding, but would end up right next to the tree the owl was in.
3. Kept my eye on other things except the owl as I walked so as not to spook it by staring constantly.
4. Stopped and snapped some shots every 10 yards that I got closer.
5. Didn't want to get too close and bother it, so took my final shots from what felt like a respectable distance away.
SHOOTING (Nikon D500 with 500mm PF 5.6 lens)
S-1250 A-7.1 ISO-AUTO(500) WB-Auto (I was nervous/excited and still had my shutter set for moving birds which led to the higher ISO)
After some of the shots were taken, I dropped my Aperture to 5.6, Changed the WB to sunny, and upped the EC to +1
Overall, I'm extremely happy to have had the opportunity, but know I didn't get the quality of shots I would eventually like to get. Admittedly, I'm not the best hand held photographer (especially when I'm excited like I was in this case! lol) so I think some of the softness can be blamed on me. Also, I found the light really challenging. It's weird, but it seemed bright, but inadequate at the same time. I think (and I could be wrong) that with the sun just starting to dip below the trees it maybe was just a hair later than would have been ideal. Again, with better skill at adjusting the settings perhaps I would have been able to combat that.
Anyway, thanks for making it to the end of this long post (if you did) I appreciate all your feedback and expertise!
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