Sandhill Crane Series - Adults and Chicks.

Here again is another sequence of recent shots (past few months) for you to critique. Sandhills are one of my favorite subjects, and I have a large collection of images of them. here are a few recent favorites of mine. An interesting side note.....For some reason I am able to stalk these birds very well, and can normally get within mere feet of them. Therefore, my preferred lens is the 70-200 f/2.8 L lens. Most of these images are shot around 100mm! Obviously, there are shots here from different sessions, under different lighting conditions. I think, however, they each have their own unique appeal. I try not to do much PP work, and prefer to leave the natural lighting effects alone as much as possible. The detail in the full size image links below each picture here is really worth looking at.

http://canonbob.smugmug.com/photos/123688939-L.jpg
http://canonbob.smugmug.com/photos/123688939-O.jpg

http://canonbob.smugmug.com/photos/125500271-L.jpg
http://canonbob.smugmug.com/photos/125500271-O.jpg

http://canonbob.smugmug.com/photos/138372101-L.jpg
http://canonbob.smugmug.com/photos/138372101-O.jpg

http://canonbob.smugmug.com/photos/138372035-L.jpg
http://canonbob.smugmug.com/photos/138372035-O.jpg

http://canonbob.smugmug.com/photos/138372186-L.jpg
http://canonbob.smugmug.com/photos/138372186-O.jpg

Gorgeous images.

I like #1 for the serene, peaceful aspect of it. I like #4 over #5 as it is shot lower to the ground. I think all subjects are better shot at their own level - whether it is people, birds, insects, or flowers.

Can you give us more info on what your camera is set to - which picture style, RAW vs. JPEG, what exposure mode, etc.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Loupey

Gorgeous images.

I like #1 for the serene, peaceful aspect of it. I like #4 over #5 as it is shot lower to the ground. I think all subjects are better shot at their own level - whether it is people, birds, insects, or flowers.

Can you give us more info on what your camera is set to - which picture style, RAW vs. JPEG, what exposure mode, etc.

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I shoot exclusively in RAW. My most common mode is AV, but I constantly adjust aperture and ISO during my shoots. I basically call my shooting style "semi-automatic", as I go for the DOF first, and then adjust ISO to obtain desired shutter speed. White balance is normally left in Auto, and I'll frequently make adjustments in PP depending on the shooting conditions. Metering is often adjusted on-the-fly as well, usually depends on the location of the subject with relation to the light source. I'll have to pull the EXIF on these shots, and post them later (heading to bed now - early day of shooting tomorrow :thumbsup: ).

Very nice series Bob! I love the color of the birds. The ones I see around here are mostly a rusty orangish/brown color.