Weaver Tucked in for the Night

[SATux]

Hi,

Took this in the dark with a flash and manual focus as I could not see inside the nest. No post processing. Please crit on composition and overall impact.

Thanks


IMG_1028 by SATux, on Flickr

Exif
Camera Model: Canon EOS 550D
Exposure Time: 1/200 sec.
Aperture Value: 7.38 EV (f/12.9)
ISO Speed Rating: 400
Metering Mode: Center-Weighted Average
Exposure Program: Manual
Focal Length: 100.0 mm

[Sterling]

That's a neat catch! Unforyunately, the on camera flash has produced the harsh, flat light they are known for.

[Peggyjom]

Just curious what you would suggest to try instead of the onboard.
A tripod and flshlight if you don't have any other light?

I like the photo it is neat you had the chance to capture.

[SATux]

Originally Posted by Sterling

That's a neat catch! Unforyunately, the on camera flash has produced the harsh, flat light they are known for.

Hi Sterling, I was using a Speedlite 430 EX. Could you recommend some postprocessing to improve it?

Thanks

[Sterling]

Ideally, you'd probably want to set up some off-camera lighting in conjunction with some lighting on the bird itself. This would allow you to model the spherical shape of that round nest. I'll leave it to one of the lighting experts to explain how to go about that. I don't think that is something that post processing can cure.

The problem with using the flash on camera is that it renders the scene as totally flat - there no way to tell if that nest is two feet or 6 inches thick. A globe shape lit from the front will look like a circular disc while if lit from the side will look like a 3 dimensional sphere.

[SATux]

Thanks Sterling, that makes perfect sense.