Random Pics

[Saluqi]

I got a fancy new DSLR for X-Mas and have been trying to learn how to use the thing, here are a couple of random pics:

Passage prairie that my friend trapped a couple of days later:
http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa198/Gos_Frieda/Clints_PRFA1.jpg

http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa198/Gos_Frieda/Clints_PRFA.jpg

Anne after a successful hunt:
http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa198/Gos_Frieda/DSC_0176.jpg
http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa198/Gos_Frieda/DSC_0181.jpg

Lou at home:
http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa198/Gos_Frieda/DSC_0202.jpg
http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa198/Gos_Frieda/DSC_0207.jpg

Rollers:
http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa198/Gos_Frieda/DSC_0216.jpg

Chance in the field:
http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa198/Gos_Frieda/DSC_0295.jpg

Frieda at home:
http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa198/Gos_Frieda/DSC_0190.jpg
http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa198/Gos_Frieda/DSC_0194.jpg

[bgibson]

beautiful bird. nothing like a red-eyed killer. here's some pics of the male i flew a few years ago.http://i443.photobucket.com/albums/qq160/rileighjo/DSC00671.jpg

http://i443.photobucket.com/albums/qq160/rileighjo/DSC00672.jpg

[Hawkingcolorado]

Paul,
Great pics! What camera? I know your bird is on a "Meng Perch", although you cleverly tried to hide it:D...Don't make me call the perch police!!...

[Saluqi]

Beautiful gos Ben, great pics too!


Paul,
Great pics! What camera? I know your bird is on a "Meng Perch", although you cleverly tried to hide it:D...Don't make me call the perch police!!...

Please Tim, don't call the perch cops!! I got a Nikon D90, it's way beyond my abilities but I'm learning.

[Hawkingcolorado]

I just got a Canon XSi Rebel. I'm in the same boat. Especially the editing software....But you gotta love the "continuous shooting mode" I leave at the crack dawn tomorrow to get my new "rickety old Gos" I hope I'm not wearing him for a hat by the time I get back to Colorado...:D

[bgibson]

Beautiful gos Ben, great pics too!



Please Tim, don't call the perch cops!! I got a Nikon D90, it's way beyond my abilities but I'm learning.

don't fret about the d90, put that jewel on automatic and it takes a good pic. that pic i posted of the falcon smacking that rooster was shot with a d50 w/ 70-210mm lens set on auto. i then cropped in photoshop. i'll find the original shot and post. be right back

[MikeT307]

Here's a little tip if you set the aperture (that's the number with the F infront of it on your display) low like say a 3.2 or 2.8 (depending on your lighting and your lens) it makes the background blurred for a more dramatic look. Like this...great shot Paul.

http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa198/Gos_Frieda/DSC_0181.jpg

If you want everything to be in focus like the "Anne after a successful hunt" picture, you need the aperture higher like a f8+. Of course leaving it on auto probably will not let you make those changes but shooting on aperture priority, manual or possibly program mode will let you make those setting changes. Just a little tip for you guys with new Christmas presents. Of course practice is key, I'm sure Jim (raptrlvr) could give you guys some tips too.

[bgibson]

here's the original and the final. doesn't the d90 shoot video as well? the manual features on the nikon dslr's work great but take a lot of practice to be able to get good action shots with proper exposures. but you have a good camera to learn on. http://i443.photobucket.com/albums/qq160/rileighjo/DSC_0152.jpg

http://i443.photobucket.com/albums/qq160/rileighjo/ozziefez2.jpg

[bgibson]

not to mention some amount of luck! another fraction of a second and NOTHINGNESS..... just sky. i'm leaning towards luck on this one;)

[Hawkingcolorado]

That's a killer shot!! You just zoomed in and cropped it with the software?

[bgibson]

Here's a little tip if you set the aperture (that's the number with the F infront of it on your display) low like say a 3.2 or 2.8 (depending on your lighting and your lens) it makes the background blurred for a more dramatic look. Like this...great shot Paul.

http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa198/Gos_Frieda/DSC_0181.jpg

If you want everything to be in focus like the "Anne after a successful hunt" picture, you need the aperture higher like a f8+. Of course leaving it on auto probably will not let you make those changes but shooting on aperture priority, manual or possibly program mode will let you make those setting changes. Just a little tip for you guys with new Christmas presents. Of course practice is key, I'm sure Jim (raptrlvr) could give you guys some tips too.

depth of field is what can make or break a photo and it's fairly simple to manipulate. i have an "antiquated", by today's standards, nikon F3 that has a "depth of field prevue" button that is helpful in letting you see what the film will ultimately see. my D50 doesn't have that, but the nice thing about a digital is that you can view the shot instantly, make changes and discard if you don't like it.

[Saluqi]

Thanks for the tips. I used to be into black & white photography using "analog" gear back in the 80's, so I know about the uses of F-stops and what not, it's more a matter of figuring out where everything is on this beast. I read the manual and practice using the features, then the next day I have to check the manual again to find that feature! It's a matter of time. At this time I have 2 lenses, a 55-200mm and an 18-135mm, I'm saving for the bigger 70-300mm, but that will have to wait a while.

Those first two of the prairie were taken about 30 yards from the pole zoomed in at 200mm with all auto settings, but only at normal resolution, I then zoomed and cropped it on the computer. Yes, the D90 has the capacity to shoot high def video, but with no autofocus in video mode.

[bgibson]

That's a killer shot!! You just zoomed in and cropped it with the software?

i had the lens zoomed all the way and shot with both eyes open. i followed the rooster as i knew the falcon would soon be there and just kept firing the shutter. and as you can see, i almost missed it. a so -so pic can be salvaged with software.

[Saluqi]

The other thing is is that I'm not likely to be taking any pics like Jim (raptorlvr) because I can't concentrate on flying my bird and trying to take pics at the same time. When I have to sprint, which may involve a face plant or two now and then, to get to my bird on a jack or make a reflush on a quail, the last thing I want to be wearing a $1000 necklace.

[bgibson]

here's a redshoulder chick that shows depth of field. notice the sharp focus on the cere. directly fore and aft of the beak area begins to blur. an f-stop around 2 or lower will produce this look. if shot with f-16 or higher would probably have the entire head and some background in focus. the smaller the "hole"(aperture) the more stays in focus. remember pinhole cameras? the pinhole IS the aperture and when it takes a pic, immediately in front of the hole to infinity is focused. hope this helpshttp://i443.photobucket.com/albums/qq160/rileighjo/babyredshoulder.jpg

http://i443.photobucket.com/albums/qq160/rileighjo/babyredshoulder2_1.jpg

[Chris L.]

Great pictures Paul!! These cameras make it so easy to take great picturess. I have really enjoyed mine.

Keep em coming man

[bgibson]

note: the lower the aperture(f-stop) "number".... the bigger the the diameter of the aperture in the lens is.

[Saluqi]

here's a redshoulder chick that shows depth of field. notice the sharp focus on the cere. directly fore and aft of the beak area begins to blur. an f-stop around 2 or lower will produce this look. if shot with f-16 or higher would probably have the entire head and some background in focus. the smaller the "hole"(aperture) the more stays in focus. remember pinhole cameras? the pinhole IS the aperture and when it takes a pic, immediately in front of the hole to infinity is focused. hope this helps

Yeah, I know what you mean, in those pics of Lou (tiercel gos) I was experimenting with the depth of field and with a feature on the D90 that allows you to go from multiple focal points to a single point. In the first pic the focus was on the feathers behind the eye, and in the second it was his eyes, both photos have a very shallow depth of field as well.

[FredFogg]

Paul, Great pics! I know all your falconer friends are going to love this new camera. We may never see any shots of your birds, but we should get plenty of all your friends birds. LOL I agree, doing a face plant with a $1000+ necklace isn't a smart thing. I really admire you guys that know your stuff about camera's, I do good to get a halfway decent shot once in a while. But I love seeing photo's of raptors in flight, sitting still, heck, any way you can take one of a raptor is great to me.

Oh yeah, you are killing me with the pics of the prairie! LOL I may come out west next year and trap one.

[Saluqi]

Fred,

She is an awesome bird, we could walk within about 20 yds of that pole and she wouldn't put a foot down. My buddy who trapped her was watching her for about a week, she would chase & stoop the jacks his sighthounds were chasing, about an hour before I took those pics she put in about 7-10 stoops on jack that our pack of 6 dogs were coursing, it was neat! She weighed 830 g off the trap, and 800g 24 hours later, Big Girl!

[Heatherg]

Awesome Pics Paul!!! Cant wait to see more.....I wish I could take pics like that......I know get the camera, but I know what would happen....I would never remember to take the da#m pics, cause I get to caught up in watching the birds fly:D:D So I will leave it to all you guys....its way better that way!

[sakerjack]

You have a special talent there!!

[FredFogg]

Fred,

She is an awesome bird, we could walk within about 20 yds of that pole and she wouldn't put a foot down. My buddy who trapped her was watching her for about a week, she would chase & stoop the jacks his sighthounds were chasing, about an hour before I took those pics she put in about 7-10 stoops on jack that our pack of 6 dogs were coursing, it was neat! She weighed 830 g off the trap, and 800g 24 hours later, Big Girl!

That's it, keep twisting that knife into my side further! LOL toungeout :D

[tumble]

Drooling...

But you're right. There is no way I'm racing through the woods in the snow with one of those on me and my own hawk in the air. I'll have to stick with the point-and-shoot.

[borderhawk]

note: the lower the aperture(f-stop) "number".... the bigger the the diameter of the aperture in the lens is.

...and the more light it lets in. So if you put your camera on Auto and the lighting is low you may end up with a fuzzy background whether you like it or not.

[bgibson]

...and the more light it lets in. So if you put your camera on Auto and the lighting is low you may end up with a fuzzy background whether you like it or not.

the "auto" feature basically turns a manual camera into a "point & shoot". for quick shots, it's good and usually yields a decent photo. but the "camera" makes all the decisions based around it looking for proper exposure. the depth of field creativity is out of your hands. the "aperture preferred" setting lets you control that and the camera will find the exposure for you. when you really "get the stones", fully manual will test your photography skills

[MtnMan]

The other thing is is that I'm not likely to be taking any pics like Jim (raptorlvr) because I can't concentrate on flying my bird and trying to take pics at the same time. When I have to sprint, which may involve a face plant or two now and then, to get to my bird on a jack or make a reflush on a quail, the last thing I want to be wearing a $1000 necklace.

Hehe, I bought the D50 for my wife about two years ago.

A few months later, while hunting squirrels with the redtail, I was running through the woods in over two feet of snow wearing Alaskan snowshoes. I didn't have the camera around my neck, I had it in my hand, trying to snap pictures as the squirrel and hawk put on quite a show. I was also on a steep oak tree covered slope. I fell down. I hooked a shoe under a something-or-other under the snow, and took a digger. I ended up on my back, with my head pointed down the hill. My shoes were still on the "surface" of the snow, my butt was at least a foot below the surface, as were my shoulders.

Somehow I kept the camera safe on my chest, but I was flat-out stuck, lol! So there I was with a $1000 camera in my hand, no way to get up without setting it aside, and nowhere safe to set it. I ended up waiting for my friend to come over to me so I could hand him the camera. Then I was able to do the ever-so-graceful roll onto your face and try to get back up on the snowshoe thing, hehe!

The fall itself wasn't so bad, but when I envisioned telling my wife how I'd destroyed her new camera my life flashed before my eyes!