Black-capped Chickadee

Gallery: AvianPosted October 30, 20039,244 views10 comments

These may be a very common bird but IMO they're one of the toughest to shoot for a couple reasons. One, they are extremely flighty and quick! Two, exposing both the black and white properly. I used fill flash at -1 2/3 and set my exposure to -2/3 for this shot. The results were detail in the black while holding the whites. Thanks for looking!

Canon D60/600mm IS/1.4x II/550EX @ -1 2/3 ISO 400

Comments

10 comments

Comment posted by Bob Steele on October 30, 2003 at 8:24 PM

You know I love this one! The berries are icing on a very sweet cake. I'll assume you didn't have the light to stop down any since you were already shooting at ISO400. Doesn't matter, it's sharp where it needs to be. Great tutorial on getting the most out of severe contrast.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 354 Posts, 13896 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Neely on October 30, 2003 at 9:33 PM

Very nice omage, Garth.

I spent an hour or so last weekend on these guys (actually Carolina Chicadees) and couldn't get one to hit the perch I was focused on or stay still long enough to get him focused. They are tough characters to capture.

jn

Registered on November 1, 2003, 22 Posts, 180 Comments

Comment posted by Robert Royse on October 30, 2003 at 9:50 PM

Nice one! As Bob said, the berries are the icing on the cake here.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 218 Posts, 2427 Comments

Comment posted by Jerry Marella on October 30, 2003 at 11:48 PM

Beauty, Garth. I agree with the others.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 142 Posts, 862 Comments

Comment posted by Chris Davidson on October 31, 2003 at 9:35 PM

Beautiful Garth! You've become a perch SPECIALIST, I see! Awesome perch and bird!
Chris Davidson

Registered on November 1, 2003, 38 Posts, 815 Comments

Comment posted by Gregory Lazzaro on December 19, 2006 at 6:22 PM

Boy these guys move quick, spent an hour with them yesterday and left dizzy from the shoot! Well taken, good detail and overall comp. Went back and added the specs to my shot, thanks for reminding me.

Greg

Registered on September 2, 2006, 39 Posts, 143 Comments

Comment posted by Henie Reisinger on February 12, 2007 at 3:03 PM

Garth...

Sensational!

You must have mesmerized this little guy into this pose:)

I want to shoot like you when I grow up:)

~Henie~

Registered on January 28, 2007, 188 Posts, 476 Comments

Comment posted by Jose Suro on February 12, 2007 at 8:11 PM

Just gorgeous. Excellent in every way!

Jose

Registered on June 24, 2006, 267 Posts, 2273 Comments

Comment posted by Carol Hyman on April 8, 2007 at 4:52 PM

Garth,

You captured a wonderful pose. I have a tiny nit and that's simply I would like to see a slightly lighter background. The bird's head would be more visible.

Carol
http://hy-tec-training.com

Registered on January 18, 2007, 597 Posts, 8062 Comments

Comment posted by Jose Suro on April 9, 2007 at 10:12 AM

A classic image, and thanks for the exposure info. I love the shot.

Jose

Registered on June 24, 2006, 267 Posts, 2273 Comments