Better settings for getting detail on crows

[Paleo]

I took this picture at approximately 5 pm with the sun semi behind me. It was f/10, ISO 400 with a Canon Digital Rebel and the standard lens (I don't have any others at the moment) and I was a good distance away. I like the composition of the shot and the idea of the shot, but I was disappointed that more detail of the bird didn't come through.

Is this a lens issue or a PS thing?

[Laurenbiz]

If you want more detail, I suggest getting a telephoto zoom lens. I use my Canon 55-200mm lens when I want to capture images with subjects farther away. I've taken many photos at my bird feeder, interesting leaves up high in a tree, and sporting events when I'm sitting farther away.

But, this photo doesn't look as though you zoomed your lens out to 55mm at all. (Maybe you did, and you were still standing pretty far away - I'm not sure!)

[sk66]

It's a black subject issue.
To get any detail out of black (fur/hair/feathers etc etc) it needs to be very well lit, generally a 3/4 or frontal lighting will work best. Then you have to "overexpose" somewhat and then maybe pull it back in post.

[Paleo]

Thanks to both of you.

Yeah, I would like a telephoto lens and am saving up for that and a macro one. I was at 55 mm, but once I got closer, the bird flew off.

I will try the over expose tip. Maybe bump up my ISO?

[Elvie]

Use the exposure compensation, try +1, review the screen then tweak it. You could bracket it too to see the effect of the different settings

[Paleo]

I haven't played with bracketing yet. That is a good idea!

[inkista]

For me, with ravens, it's all about the direction of the light, and getting reflections. It's exceedingly easy to lose detail in shadow, since they're black.

[Paleo]

Those are amazing!

[inkista]

... and that's why I don't regret spending the big bucks on an EF 400mm f/5.6L USM. Sometimes, there simply is no substitute for a supertelephoto lens. Birding, alas, is one of those times.

Of course, better than the lens, though, is that ravens generally don't care that much if you get close to them. They're pretty people-tolerant birds. And here in San Diego, I can pretty much shoot one every time I go out. They're everywhere.

[sk66]

Originally Posted by inkista

... and that's why I don't regret spending the big bucks on an EF 400mm f/5.6L USM. Sometimes, there simply is no substitute for a supertelephoto lens. Birding, alas, is one of those times.
.

DON"T get into birding!!!
It's expensive, time consuming, and makes you geeky!
This is a shot of a common Grackle

If the lighting was anything other than "frontal" the bird would appear entirely black.