My First Experiences

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DanG

DanG

Well-known member
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Turned 60 so my children bought me a camera (at my request). A Nikon Z50. Then I bought the Nikon 500pf lens because I want to take photographs of birds. Spent some early mornings at Nickerson Beach (by ocean) in the Long Beach area of Nassau County. There are some great shore birds.

I wold enjoy some critique because I'd like to improve. So far, its been humbling. Some real duh moments where I've made hour long mistakes with settings, etc. Been reading Steve's books to help cut down the bone head moves.

The Lightroom has also been a trip. The photos of the Sanderling is one of the artistic options with some other adjustments.

Well here goes....



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Looks like a great start. How fun. Number one is a real frame filler. On two and three, the subjects are heading out of the frame. It's going to be more pleasing to the eye, when you get them flying into the frame. Steve has an awesome video on adjusting noise in Lightroom that is worth watching once or twice. Congratulations on the new photo challenge, it really is gratifying to try and master. Have a blast.
 
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The images look fine, especially for a first time out. I'm not really much for critiquing someone's photos because those of us who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones... :)

Since you asked, I have a couple suggestions that may be worth considering as you move forward with your wildlife photography,
Try to use as fast of a shutter speed as you can without getting too high in ISO. I'm not that familiar with a Z50 but you should be able to have ISO up to about 3200 without encountering excessive grain and noise. Your photos look to be shot on sunny days so you most likely could have gone up to 1/2000 or maybe even 1/3200 second shutter without encountering really high iso numbers. The reason I suggest this is there is a little motion blur especially the sanderling and the higher shutter speeds minimize that.

Compositionally try to keep some "breathing" room in front of the subject. It is better to have them looking into the scene than about to run out of it. Just makes for a more visually appealing image. Not a critique, I'm also a wildlife photographer and sometimes we just have to get the shot and don't have time to wait for the perfect composition and wild critters don't always want to pose just right for us.

Overall, I would recommend Steves books. Two that would be particularly good (and I've read them and they have great info) would be:
"Secrets to Stunning Wildlife Photography" - one of the best books on the topic I've ever read.
"Secrets to Exposure and Metering for Nikon"

I haven't read his Lightroom course but I would assume he handles the topic in the same easy to follow way he has written about other topics.

As a new owner a mirrorless camera, you may also want to look at: "Secrets to Nikon Autofocus System - Mirrorless Edition".

If you haven't read any of Steve's books they are written in a very conversational tone. They are not full of esoteric jargon. He covers some complex topics but does it in a way that can be applied to our photography and are easy to remember.

Bottom line, nice work on the images you shared. Looking forward to seeing your next crop of photos.

Jeff
 
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Ductape said:
Looks like a great start. How fun. Number one is a real frame filler. On two and three, the subjects are heading out of the frame. It's going to be more pleasing to the eye, when you get them flying into the frame. Steve has an awesome video on adjusting noise in Lightroom that is worth watching once or twice. Congratulations on the new photo challenge, it really is gratifying to try and master. Have a blast.
Click to expand...
Ductape, I really appreciate your words. I agree about the flying into the frame comment and i will work on it! Also, will check out Lightoom noise video. Thanks for the encouragement.
 
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jeffnles1 said:
The images look fine, especially for a first time out. I'm not really much for critiquing someone's photos because those of us who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones... :)

Since you asked, I have a couple suggestions that may be worth considering as you move forward with your wildlife photography,
Try to use as fast of a shutter speed as you can without getting too high in ISO. I'm not that familiar with a Z50 but you should be able to have ISO up to about 3200 without encountering excessive grain and noise. Your photos look to be shot on sunny days so you most likely could have gone up to 1/2000 or maybe even 1/3200 second shutter without encountering really high iso numbers. The reason I suggest this is there is a little motion blur especially the sanderling and the higher shutter speeds minimize that.

Compositionally try to keep some "breathing" room in front of the subject. It is better to have them looking into the scene than about to run out of it. Just makes for a more visually appealing image. Not a critique, I'm also a wildlife photographer and sometimes we just have to get the shot and don't have time to wait for the perfect composition and wild critters don't always want to pose just right for us.

Overall, I would recommend Steves books. Two that would be particularly good (and I've read them and they have great info) would be:
"Secrets to Stunning Wildlife Photography" - one of the best books on the topic I've ever read.
"Secrets to Exposure and Metering for Nikon"

I haven't read his Lightroom course but I would assume he handles the topic in the same easy to follow way he has written about other topics.

As a new owner a mirrorless camera, you may also want to look at: "Secrets to Nikon Autofocus System - Mirrorless Edition".

If you haven't read any of Steve's books they are written in a very conversational tone. They are not full of esoteric jargon. He covers some complex topics but does it in a way that can be applied to our photography and are easy to remember.

Bottom line, nice work on the images you shared. Looking forward to seeing your next crop of photos.

Jeff
Click to expand...
Jeff, Thanks for this useful information. I've been enjoying Steve's conversational tone so fa and I continue to purchase more of his resources. Sadly I had the shutter speed high on that Sanderling shot so it's driver error....I likely moved slightly. Believe i was dug into the sand on my stomach. All of your comments are well received.
 
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DanG said:
Jeff, Thanks for this useful information. I've been enjoying Steve's conversational tone so fa and I continue to purchase more of his resources. Sadly I had the shutter speed high on that Sanderling shot so it's driver error....I likely moved slightly. Believe i was dug into the sand on my stomach. All of your comments are well received.
Click to expand...
No worries. Sanderlings and many other tiny shore birds are really quick. Sometimes motion blur is just a reality of what we do.
 
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Nice start. Nothing useful to add to what's already been said. Particularly considering AF challenges with the body you're shooting I'd say you're off to a good start.
 
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DanG said:
Turned 60 so my children bought me a camera (at my request). A Nikon Z50. Then I bought the Nikon 500pf lens because I want to take photographs of birds. Spent some early mornings at Nickerson Beach (by ocean) in the Long Beach area of Nassau County. There are some great shore birds.

I wold enjoy some critique because I'd like to improve. So far, its been humbling. Some real duh moments where I've made hour long mistakes with settings, etc. Been reading Steve's books to help cut down the bone head moves.

The Lightroom has also been a trip. The photos of the Sanderling is one of the artistic options with some other adjustments.

Well here goes....



View attachment 25645

View attachment 25646

View attachment 25647
Click to expand...
Great start! Love the first one. Ditto to everything that’s been said.👍👍
 
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The sanderling is really lovely, except for, as others have said, he is about to leave the frame. But the colors are really nice, the wing position is great, his reflection in the sand adds a nice touch, and you caught a nice soft background that adds to the story by giving him a reason to be taking off. A very beautiful moment. The same mostly applies to the skimmer with the breaking wave, though again, he is about gone.
Hope this helps.
 
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You have a good start but the Nikon Z50 isn't recommended for BIF but since your children gave it to you................
A Nikon D500, D850, Z6ii, z7ii, or if you can afford it or can get it a (just released by Nikon), Z9 are better choices in my opinion.
The Nikon 500mm PF is a great lens for any long shooting. It's lightweight and has VR .
A good tripod with a gimbal head will be of great assistance in your keeper rate.
As far as the shots you posted I would suggest you study up on composition, the exposure triangle ie how this affects your shot, and shooting technique.
Once you grasp these concepts the key is practice, practice, and more practice.
All in all I would say you are off to a splendid start.
Good shooting to you!
 
Just thinking about number 3. There isn't much interesting about the out of focus area to the left (hope you used protection from the water spray) so I would go for a vertical crop maybe 4:3 ratio so there is more of the scene to the right of bird making it better balanced. Otherwise it is a nice action shot that tells me where the bird is and what it is doing.
 
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bleirer said:
Just thinking about number 3. There isn't much interesting about the out of focus area to the left (hope you used protection from the water spray) so I would go for a vertical crop maybe 4:3 ratio so there is more of the scene to the right of bird making it better balanced. Otherwise it is a nice action shot that tells me where the bird is and what it is doing.
Click to expand...
That is so nice of you to help me with this one. I went back about a week ago and moved the bird to the left so that it was in a better position. Learned by reading about the bird’s eye and where best to move the subject. Well now with your suggestion, changed aspect to 4:3 and I like it even more. It’s still noisy and has other issues but I like the overall image for reasons that are likely more personal. It’s a process but I love it.
 
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Nature Man said:
You have a good start but the Nikon Z50 isn't recommended for BIF but since your children gave it to you................
A Nikon D500, D850, Z6ii, z7ii, or if you can afford it or can get it a (just released by Nikon), Z9 are better choices in my opinion.
The Nikon 500mm PF is a great lens for any long shooting. It's lightweight and has VR .
A good tripod with a gimbal head will be of great assistance in your keeper rate.
As far as the shots you posted I would suggest you study up on composition, the exposure triangle ie how this affects your shot, and shooting technique.
Once you grasp these concepts the key is practice, practice, and more practice.
All in all I would say you are off to a splendid start.
Good shooting to you!
Click to expand...
Your help is important so thanks. I am going to buy a more appropriate camera. The z50 will be for my kids as they join me. One of my daughters has taken an interest so I will begin to bring on more equipment so we can go out together. This is a back 9 hobby! One of my granddaughters sees me now and wants to look at the photos. Thank goodness at 2 she’s not critiquing my shots lol.
 
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DanG said:
Your help is important so thanks. I am going to buy a more appropriate camera. The z50 will be for my kids as they join me. One of my daughters has taken an interest so I will begin to bring on more equipment so we can go out together. This is a back 9 hobby! One of my granddaughters sees me now and wants to look at the photos. Thank goodness at 2 she’s not critiquing my shots lol.
Click to expand...
Sounds great! Photography may become a wonderful father/daughter affair. Some of the best shots are made on the back nine :giggle:. Aren't granddaughters grand! Especially when they're toddlers. Rarely see mine except on holidays as they are grown and don't live close. All the best to you and yours in this new endeavor. It's a great and rewarding hobby. Have a wonderful Holiday season and keep us posted on your photography progress.
 
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I agree you've made a great start, for a first time out you gotta be happy with these?
Steve covers everything you'll need to help improve your photography so I would defineately get his ebooks.
Keep up the good work. (y)
 
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