Phainopepla

Gallery: AvianPosted June 6, 2010158 views8 comments

Phainopepla (Phainopepla nitens)

Place: Desert Botanical Gardens, Phoenix, AZ, USA
Date: March 30, 2006
Equipment: Nikon D200, Nikkor AF-S 300/2.8 & TC20E (2x), tripod
Exposure: ISO 100, aperture priority matrix meter, 1/20th @ f/8
Raw, Mac G4, a stray hair removed from side of head, 70% of frame

This is a reworked version of an image I posted here back in April of 2006 to underwhelming response. I wanted to add it to a discussion in the Bird Forum to illustrate that sharp images can be produced at very low shutter speeds. This was a quick grab shot where I just used the existing settings on the camera as I didnt have time to change them before the bird departed.

Honest critiques requested; all comments appreciated.

Comments

8 comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on June 6, 2010 at 4:32 PM

Excellent quality for the conditions, Richard. I agree completely. Given where I live, if it weren't for low shutter speeds working, I wouldn't be able to shoot anything in the winter. 1/20th is still pretty amazing, but most birds will hold still for a second or two once in awhile.

Registered on January 28, 2008, 1767 Posts, 23192 Comments

Comment posted by Steve Balke on June 6, 2010 at 5:37 PM

Very interesting, Rich. No doubt a fine image....but we can see some blur. Is it all due to DOF (crown feathers, tail feathers and left foot?)....or is this bird not entirely still for 1/20th s? Perhaps some of those features would be sharp at a higher ss? Anyway, I've tentatively concluded that I have a much better chance of a (more completely) sharp image at a high (say 1/1000 s) shutter speed. I'll check on the forum for the discussion.

Registered on June 18, 2009, 229 Posts, 2915 Comments

Comment posted by Charles Gangas on June 6, 2010 at 6:28 PM

I should be so fortunate to capture such a sharp image at that SS. I like the pose captured and the BG.

Registered on August 12, 2009, 544 Posts, 2414 Comments

Comment posted by Michael Twaddell on June 6, 2010 at 6:43 PM

I live just up the highway from Dennis Plank, and I totally agree with him. Washington State is nothing but gray in the winter...... That's when I resort to a flash! Interesting bird, but I think that the "blur" that some are noting is from the DOF. Interesting bird with good detail. Nice image.

Registered on August 16, 2007, 199 Posts, 2132 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on June 6, 2010 at 8:13 PM

1/20th? Amazing Rich. Not because I don't believe that the bird could hold still for that long but because I'm sure that I couldn't, even with a tripod. I also suspect that the blur is due to DOF, due to its gradual effect. I look forward to the discussion.

Registered on March 30, 2007, 437 Posts, 10915 Comments

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on June 7, 2010 at 7:29 AM

Very sharp Richard for that sort of shutter speed - well done

cheers
Rob

Registered on November 8, 2003, 617 Posts, 8267 Comments

Comment posted by S Govindarajan on June 24, 2010 at 11:14 AM

Very, very sharp for 1/20s. I am surprised that even with f/8 you have only a small dof. But the head is quite sharp and the eye is very much so. I am curious why you went that slow when you had the otion to bump up the iso and go with a faster ss.

I like your choice of composition and the lighter background actually works with the subject. I would crop a smidgen more on the right and remove the leaf tip.The water droplet on the beak is a bonus.

Registered on April 19, 2008, 115 Posts, 1921 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on June 24, 2010 at 11:53 AM

Very, very sharp for 1/20s. I am surprised that even with f/8 you have only a small dof. But the head is quite sharp and the eye is very much so. I am curious why you went that slow when you had the otion to bump up the iso and go with a faster ss.

- Govind

I had just entered this garden under typical very bright Arizona light, and the camera was set at ISO 100 as I expected plenty of light. I stepped into a heavily shaded alcove off the main path when I heard the water of the fountain and noticed the Phainopepla. I only had time enough to get the tripod off my shoulder and on the ground, plus point the lens towards the bird and release the shutter - the bird immediately departed. When I heard the slowness of the shutter I knew I should have been at a higher ISO, but the bird had already left.

I agree about the leaf tip intruding on the lower right.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 1031 Posts, 12705 Comments