There are two important considerations in a picture like this. First, you have to have enough depth of field so both the head of the peacock and the tail feathers are sharp. Shallow depth of field has no place here. The head protrudes quite a distance from the background feathers, and that means you need at least f/11. Second, if you are shooting on aperture priority to select the amount of depth of field, at the same time you must be conscious of what the shutter is doing. If it is too slow for the lens you're using, the ISO has to be raised. This is the main danger of using aperture priority because you focus your attention on DOF and forget about the shutter. I took this shot at 100mm on my 100-400mm Canon zoom, and the settings were 1/500, f/11, 2000 ISO.
4 Comments
Jun 28, 2018, 7:32:38 AM
Jim - Hi Steve, Yes, I use auto ISO and manual mode for a number of situations. Particularly birds in flight and other action situations. I've written about this in my free monthly eMagazine, Photo Insights. If you don't subscribe to it, and you want to, use the link at the bottom of the home page of my website that says 'Sign up'.
Jun 28, 2018, 7:20:34 AM
Steve D - Hi Jim
What is your opinion of setting your camera to manual, to allow you to choose what aperture and shutter speed to want, and set the iso to automatic
Do you ever use the technique
Thanks
Steve D
Jun 28, 2018, 7:14:14 AM
Jim - Hi Richard, I don't have a 5D Mark IV. Instead, I now shoot with the 1Dx Mark II. But this peacock photo was taken with a 5D Mark III when I was still using it. Now my wife has it.
Regarding Italy, for the greenery I like May to June. I did two photo tours to Tuscany and Cinque Terre last year in October, and that was good because we didn't have to get so early for sunrise and I liked the position of the setting sun. So, both seasons have their advantages.
Jun 28, 2018, 12:35:59 AM
Richard - Hey Jim,I forgot to ask you when you were in Italy. What is the best time to visit? On to the Peacock,is this with your 5D IV? Thank you very much & great shot here & on your trip. Also,I feel like I should pay for your great information,thanks again,Richard.