The Spoonbill

[Bruce A]

Any comments on exposure, framing etc would be appreciated. This was taken after heavy rain a little while back unfortunately in the middle of the day. I played cat and mouse with this fellow for a while, everytime I got close he's move away, I'd move back and he'd come back. It got quite comical. The other thing I'm not overfussed on the bokeh -I think it's because of the 18-200 zoom at all the way to 200. any thoughts?


spoonbill6_sml by banphotography, on Flickr


Camera Nikon D90
Exposure 0.003 sec (1/320)
Aperture f/7.1
Focal Length 200 mm
ISO Speed 400
Exposure Bias 0 EV
Flash No Flash

[wags2gc]

Could you have used a larger aperture? If there was enough light, a larger aperture would give you a better Bokeh. Just my 2 cents worth!

[Bruce A]

Yes, I could have (and should have) used f3.5 on this lens given the light. I agree that may have improved the bokeh. I only had this lens (a good single lens to carry) but I wish I would have had my old 80-200mm f2.8 at the time. Thanks for your thoughts.

[JFSanders]

Looks like you are focused on his legs to me. They are sharper than his bill and eyes. Did you use a tripod? Handholding at 200mm is pretty hard to do. Jim

[Bruce A]

I had no tripod with me that day, it was an unexpected event (I know - always be prepared), I was trying to focus on his eyes (or face) but his legs and fore part of his bill do appear sharper. I did use some pp on his face with Capture NX2 to bring out the coloring a little - maybe that could have softened it a bit - or maybe it was me

Thanks to you both for your suggestions.

Here is another shot of the same bird, the apeture was f.8 on this one and looks a little better to me.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/banphotos/5559910563/

[JFSanders]

If I get caught out like that I immediately drop to a sitting position and set my elbows on my knees. Second photograph is sharper but you have lost highlight detail in the feathers it looks like. Jim

[Bruce A]

Thanks Jim, I reworked the image, deleted the link from the previous post and put it in a new thread: Spoonbill (no2). It looks better to me. Appreciate you comments.