Back in March

[FlyingKiwiGirl]

I was searching the 'net for photography information and came across DPS. I was seeking to learn more about my dSLR, photography in general and in particular how to shoot birds better. This was after I was invited to contribute to an exhibition about an island bird sanctuary, my month to visit was September.

NZ Bush Robin

Well September is here and I'm heading to the island this Friday *gulp* for my 3 hour photo shoot. Personally I feel I've come a very long way and while I know there's much more to learn I feel that at least I have a good grounding of knowledge that will allow me to take some half decent shots or at least be able to think about what I want to shoot and how I'm going to achieve it, and I know how to think about composition, lighting, shutter speeds, aperture, external flash, diffusers, ISO, etc, etc Plus I will be shooting in RAW+JPEG just as the experts recommend! .

I'd just like to thank very much all the great people on here that take the time to respond to the multitude of threads and questions posted which usually means you're having to repeat yourself many times over. Your paitence and tireless efforts are very much appreciated. Cheers!

Now, any quick tips that will stop me from stressing

[SwissJon]

Yeah. One quick tip.. Relax and enjoy yourself.. Enjoying what you're doing really shows in photographs.. If you're stressed, you concentrate on the technical aspects and forget about the art. If you relax, your artistic side comes out, your photos ill be less boring, and you can leave the technical aspects to your subconscious.. A bit like driving.. You don't think about what gear you're in, or whether you need to put the windscreen wipers on, your subconscious knows, and does things without you consciously thinking.

Do the same..Relax. Think about what you're looking about, think about framing it, think about the story, the composition, the deth of field, and let your subconscious sort out getting the things you want into the camera.. You know how to do it.. Trust yourself.

[amy_bb]

Originally Posted by SwissJon

Yeah. One quick tip.. Relax and enjoy yourself.. Enjoying what you're doing really shows in photographs.. If you're stressed, you concentrate on the technical aspects and forget about the art. If you relax, your artistic side comes out, your photos ill be less boring, and you can leave the technical aspects to your subconscious.

A big +1 to this above.

I've been at my sports photo business for about a month now. I was nervous but excited the first set of games.
Photos: Good to Above average

I was more confident on my 2nd weekend of shooting and had a lot of compliments about my work.
Photos: Above Average

This past weekend, I arrived late, we were taxed w/mutliple logistics challenges (i.e. kid/family driving her to there) and my kid took a helmet hit to the ribs during his game which we thought may require an Xray (about halfway through the day).

Photos: mmmmmmNOT good

The moral of the story is, have fun and relax. Enjoy the experience. Think about what a beautiful spot you are at. How you know how to adapt to many situations now.

I'm not a birdie fan myself, but I look forward to seeing the pics!

[NgaiHill]

Back in March??? Which island are you going to?
All the best, have a great trip. We look forward to seeing some of the results when you get back.

[Bruce A]

I have only one word Shellie - "Plastics"

Hmm, no that was for the guy in "The Graduate"

Shellie, the word is "Valium"

Seriously, just go and have fun - you've nothing nothing to worry about. You shoot real good!

[mshockley]

Sounds exciting! As everyone else has mentioned, have a good time and try to relax. Looking forward tot he pictures

[mosgood]

Wow, how cool! Relax & enjoy...that's all I can add.

[zona5101]

Good luck! I am sure you'll do great!

[DanielLane]

Originally Posted by Bruce A

I have only one word Shellie - "Plastics"

Hmm, no that was for the guy in "The Graduate"

LMAO! Love it!

Kiwi, just go in there and rock it! You know you can and we all know you will. No biggy. Just shootin some photos like any other day. Have fun!!

[FlyingKiwiGirl]

Thank you very much everyone for your encouragement, I'm sure I'll be fine on the day, it's just the lead in that's giving me sleepless nights thinking of weather, things to take, possible shots, those sorts of things. I like that tip SwissJoh, to think of it like driving; trouble is I think I'm stuck in about 2nd gear! And don't even try to tell me how to reverse!

Bruce you are a dag (or as we used to say as kids- "you're a dag, no you're not, you're the whole sheep's a...."

NgaiHill- it's Mokoia Island, located in the middle of Lake Rotorua.

I've been down in my own bush garden practicing but the birds were few and far between today so I roped in a ring-in. And stuck a bead eye on it so I had something to focus on.