We all know that sunrise, sunset, and overcast conditions offer the most beautiful lighting for photographing nature. Sometimes, though, a harsh, direct sun is the only way to bring out the intensity of some colors. I can think of two examples: (1) the intense turquoise and blue colors of tropical water are best photographed when the sun is high in the sky, and (2) iridescent feathers of certain bird species really pop with direct sunlight. This is a Burchell's starling I captured in Sabi Sabi which is a private reserve adjacent to Kruger National Park in South Africa. My settings were 1/200, f/8, and 640 ISO. I shot this with a Canon 5D Mark II in 2013, and at that time the noise was significant with high ISO settings. That's why my shutter was so slow -- because I hesitated to raise the ISO too high for fear of excess noise. I took the picture with a Canon 500mm f/4 lens along with a 2x teleconverter, giving me 1000mm of focal length. Today, with better technology in the Canon 1Dx Mark II plus the incredible noise reducing capability of Neat Image software, I would have used a shutter speed of at least 1/1250.
2 Comments
Jul 9, 2017, 3:43:38 PM
Mel Geer - I want that image!!!
Hi Jim, great to see these daily blogs I can continue to learn photography from you without you having to repeat it to me 2 minutes later. Only 9 months to go before Africa again, Carol and I are counting the months. Have a great Sunday
Mel
Jul 9, 2017, 1:47:02 PM
Jim - Hi Mel, I always think of you when I post bird pictures -- or when I take them. I especially love birds with outrageous colors, and neon blue is at the top of the list. I've already sent this guy an email, letting him know that you're coming and what to get a shot just like this . . .