Photo Assignment August '07: Animals

[SharonLowe]

Thank you! I've tried several times over the summer, but I always end up with blur and a very frustrated self! I plan to try again over the next few weeks, once the kids are back in school and I can sit on the patio for a few hours undisturbed! I think using a tripod will also help a lot - that and a ton of patience!

The tripod isn't the issue though it will help that you won't get tired holding camera. You need a fast shutter speed plus a decent aperture so that you are focused correctly.

 

[MSWint]

Here's my hummingbird pics, unedited, uncropped.

 

[MSWint]

Unedited, uncropped

 

[shep]

Cincinnati Zoo
Canon S3
1/4
F 2.7
ISO 80

 

[DVC Jen]

I'm so excited! This is the first time I've been able to get a "decent" photo of a hummingbird! They are not great, but they have the bird in focus which is a major accomplishment for me!! I was out trying to get a few shots of a sunflower that had just opened up when this little guy flew into view. He seemed quite content to be within a few feet of my head. I just had trouble keeping him in the view finder! I'm just bummed that I was at the angle I was - my lovely airconditioner unit sits in this flower bed. Now I have an argument to put up a fence with climbing roses around it!!!LOL "I have to have a backdrop for the hummingbirds!" No pp, these are straight from the camera. I'm hoping when I run them thru they'll clean up a bit. TFL!

VERY COOL!

 

[DVC Jen]

Here's my hummingbird pics, unedited, uncropped.

Good job.

 

[LMarge]

Here's my hummingbird pics, unedited, uncropped.

Great work!! You're little friend has more color than our particular visitor! We have a ruby throated hummer that visits almost nightly - I plan to stalk him next week!!!

 

[LMarge]

We-Luv-Disney and DVCJenn,
Thank you for the compliments! And Sharon, thank you for the tips. I'm going to have to play around in the manual mode to see how fast I can get the shutter and then work on the aperture setting as well. I shot those in the Program mode, if I recall correctly. I'll check those settings and start there! I'm hoping that in the next 3 weeks I'll have lots of time to play and get to know my settings a bit more, before we head down south!!! Thanks again everyone!
Blessings,

 

[MSWint]

Great work!! You're little friend has more color than our particular visitor! We have a ruby throated hummer that visits almost nightly - I plan to stalk him next week!!!

Thanks! We have a couple of them, I believe this is a ruby throated as well .. but it must be a female. The males will "dive bomb" each other when they stop for a drink ... I'm working on getting one "attacking" another, but the timing needs to be perfect. Far as I can tell, they don't really come in contact, the just "buzz" each other at very high speeds.

 

[cpbjgc]

Taken while on our summer vacation at the Denever Aquarium. All were shot hand held in apeture priority mode using a Rebel XTi and a Sigma 17-70mm f2.8-4.5 DC. I am loving this lens! I used it almost exclusively on our trip and I am very happy with its performance.

Focal length: 19.0mm
Exposure time: 0.020 s (1/50)
Aperture: f/2.8
ISO equiv.: 800

Focal length: 17.0mm
Exposure time: 0.025 s (1/40)
Aperture: f/2.8
ISO equiv.: 800

Focal length: 36.0mm
Exposure time: 0.040 s (1/25)
Aperture: f/4.0
ISO equiv.: 800

(counts as watery because it is a swimming tiger!)
Focal length: 70.0mm
Exposure time: 0.077 s (1/13)
Aperture: f/4.5
ISO equiv.: 800

Focal length: 70.0mm
Exposure time: 0.0080 s (1/125)
Aperture: f/4.5
ISO equiv.: 800

Focal length: 70.0mm
Exposure time: 0.0100 s (1/100)
Aperture: f/4.5
ISO equiv.: 800

Focal length: 53.0mm
Exposure time: 0.017 s (1/60)
Aperture: f/4.0
ISO equiv.: 200

Focal length: 44.0mm
Exposure time: 0.033 s (1/30)
Aperture: f/4.0
ISO equiv.: 800
Exposure bias: 0.67

 

[handicap18]

Thank you! I've tried several times over the summer, but I always end up with blur and a very frustrated self! I plan to try again over the next few weeks, once the kids are back in school and I can sit on the patio for a few hours undisturbed! I think using a tripod will also help a lot - that and a ton of patience!

Nice job on the hummingbirds.

The tripod will help with holding the camera steady, but honestly you need a VERY FAST shutter speed. 1/8000th is probably best, though most entry level dSLR's only go up to 1/4000th and many PnS camera might not top 1/2500th (mine only goes to 1/1500th, but its an older one). Looks like the S2 can go as fast as 1/3200th which is pretty fast. But this only applies to getting the wings in a stop action. Getting their body steady is easier.

Keep it up. Always looking forward to more photos.

 

[Sanka]

Here's a few i've done

First are from the Magnetic Hill Zoo in Moncton New Brunswick
Capybara at Magnetic Hill Zoo

Niece and I feeding the deer

Next are of our cats
Tetley

Ralph

 

[dcg0317]

Some from a Whale watch DS and I went on, off the coast of NH.
All shot with Canon 20d, 300mm f/4 lens, TV mode (shutter priority)

1/2000 sec, WB manual, ISO 400, f/5.6

1/2000 sec, WB manual, ISO 400, f/5.6

1/2000 sec, WB manual, ISO 400, f/5.6

1/2000 sec, WB manual, ISO 400, f/5.6

1/2000 sec, WB manual, ISO 400, f/4

1/2000 sec, WB manual, ISO 400, f/4

 

[DVC Jen]

Wow - amazing whale shots. Would love to do that someday.

 

[LMarge]

Wow - amazing whale shots. Would love to do that someday.

Ditto here! Those are terrific photos - what a great experience as well!

 

[fuse04]

animals not usually my thing but here goes

Tiger shot thorugh wire fence

Any sugegstions as to how I could have taken this better very much appreciated

 

[fuse04]

 

[jann1033]

only have pictures of the mundane so i figured i'd try to create "interest" ie "danger"...where there would be none
"Feeding Frenzy"
# Focal length: 200.0mm (35mm equivalent: 374mm)
# CCD width: 19.27mm
# Exposure time: 0.0040 s (1/250)
# Aperture: f/4.0
# ISO equiv.: 100

Guess if i got stung...this was with my tokina fisheye and i was literally almost touching him actually i think i was a little to close since it's not sharp on his back
# Focal length: 17.0mm (35mm equivalent: 32mm)
# CCD width: 19.27mm
# Exposure time: 0.0025 s (1/400)
# Aperture: f/5.6
# ISO equiv.: 100

 

[LMarge]

only have pictures of the mundane so i figured i'd try to create "interest" ie "danger"...where there would be none
"Feeding Frenzy"
# Focal length: 200.0mm (35mm equivalent: 374mm)
# CCD width: 19.27mm
# Exposure time: 0.0040 s (1/250)
# Aperture: f/4.0
# ISO equiv.: 100

Guess if i got stung...this was with my tokina fisheye and i was literally almost touching him actually i think i was a little to close since it's not sharp on his back
# Focal length: 17.0mm (35mm equivalent: 32mm)
# CCD width: 19.27mm
# Exposure time: 0.0025 s (1/400)
# Aperture: f/5.6
# ISO equiv.: 100

You can see the fuzz on his little bee's knees!!

 

[grover]

i have been busy with my camera lately!
here are a few recent photos...

Prairie Dogs..love them..so cute!

a resting duck..

and one more PD..