| Joined: | Thu Apr 19th, 2012 |
| Location: | United Kingdom |
| Posts: | 4424 |
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Despite having been home for a couple of days my mind hasn't caught up with me! Have been following these conversations but was too tired to join in.
Eric, When was the last time you photographed erratic birds in flight?
May I suggest it's one of the most difficult modes of photography and requires tons of practice.
When I go motor racing, the first day is rubbish, keeping tight frame on the cars I'm lucky to get 25% of my shots with all the car in frame and cars (even on a race track) are reasonably predictable. Me thinks you need to go out every day for a week at least to get half good, practice makes perfect they say and I think this is one activity to which that applies in spades.
Perhaps to make things easier start with a loose frame and tighten up as your aim, anticipation and reflexes improve.
Bit like driving on ice, easy with practice. Back in the 70's a good friend of mine called on me at my workshop, it had just snowed and the tracks around the disused army camp where my workshop was were very slippery. We decided to try his rally prepared car out. Down a long straight with a 90ยบ right at the end I pulled his hand brake on hard and we spun off! LOL OK I took my friend by surprise, but I kept doing it and after about an hour my friend could keep the car on the track despite whatever I did with the handbrake. He went on to win the next rally a few days later. His first outright win. Practice...
Last time I (still) photographed birds in flight was last year...it was also the FIRST time I ever froze birds in the air. I did make 16mm films of birds in flight back in the 70s....when I was 40 years younger and the footage was invariable supportive to close up bird footage e.g. Birds on nests. So in real terms this is only the second time I've pointed my lens skyward or at least at a moving bird with a still camera.
I KNOW you are right that it takes time to 'warm up' on a new subject. In fact I always encourage Jan to take shots of anything before starting her flower photographing. A bit like priming the lawnmower
....not a classic analogy.
I remember David Bailey being asked how to perfectly photograph a mushroom. He answered "photograph the mushroom every day for a year...that will probably do it".
Ask me to photograph kitchens, bedrooms, restaurants and machinery ....I could do it in my sleep (especially bedrooms
) But take on a new subject and I find it soooo hard. Not sure I will get a return to the reserve this week ...and I do think repeating the experience quickly would be better, to imprint the method.
But I am taking the 'gear' with me to Scotland next month...so who knows what I might see that will speed up my technique.
Last edited on Sat Aug 26th, 2017 16:52 by Eric
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Eric