I'm submerged in work at the moment and under a little bit of stress as a result, so there's probably no better time for me to start whining about the camera manufacturers.
I'm not going to tear into the obvious problem at the moment which is of course the price of kit. The manufacturers will argue they're going to have to re-invest in new factories as a result of the Japanese earthquake.
Instead I'm going to ask how it is that Canaon can make such a right roayl b**ls up of producing a top of the range sports camera.
Now I'm not a Nikon man. I've been loyal to canon since I came to digital photography some years ago now. I'm the proud owner of a couple of EOS1D Mark ll's that still happen to be Canons finest pro sports cameras.
I tried a 1d Mark lll and ended up sending it back as it failed to track birds in flight, or virtually anything else that moved for that matter. The Mark IV was an improvement which gave a glimmer of hope. It was the final straw the other daythough when I decided to check out the sensor performance of the Canons against the Nikons only to discover the low light performance of the Nikons along with the dynamic range just wipes the floor with the Canons.
If I want to upgrade my kit to be bale to take photographs in a wider range of conditions I'm now faced with having to buy Nikon instead of Canon which means spending about £15k on lenses which is completely out of the question.
Come on Canon get yer finger out and give us loyal users something we'll be proud to use rather than apologise for as most 1d Mark lll users end up doing.
Thursday, 28 July 2011
Monday, 11 July 2011
Practicing your craft
There are a number of ways to improve your photography. Read little, books or magazines either way can help improve your photography.
Practice is one of the best methods. If we aspire to deliver the most professional results we possibly can, then we need to practice.
A professional is eomeone who practices their craft. Doctors and lawyers for instance. They're always learning. They're always improving. That's how they become so good and how they command such high fees for their services. Photography is no different.
If you don't practice you won't improve. I can honestly say that I go out to take images now with a view to capturing different and better ones to the ones I've already taken. Someone once said when asked that the best picture they've taken is 'The next one'. It's a great approach to image capture.
Another form of inspiration is to view other photographers work. Try not to copy it, but it can give you ideas and inspiration for your own work and projects.
I came a cross a great piece of work the other day that I wanted to share with you. Check out the site of Kieran Doherty if you get the chance. In particular his Wooton Bassett project is both poignant and inspiring.
It's a great example (In my view) of a project that tells a story and contains some truly great images. It a great piece of photojournalism. This link http://www.kierandoherty.com/#/Essays%20/Wootton%20Bassett/1 takes you through to the project, just cut and paste it into your browser. Be sure to check out the rest of his site as well as it contains some terrific work.
Practice is one of the best methods. If we aspire to deliver the most professional results we possibly can, then we need to practice.
A professional is eomeone who practices their craft. Doctors and lawyers for instance. They're always learning. They're always improving. That's how they become so good and how they command such high fees for their services. Photography is no different.
If you don't practice you won't improve. I can honestly say that I go out to take images now with a view to capturing different and better ones to the ones I've already taken. Someone once said when asked that the best picture they've taken is 'The next one'. It's a great approach to image capture.
Another form of inspiration is to view other photographers work. Try not to copy it, but it can give you ideas and inspiration for your own work and projects.
I came a cross a great piece of work the other day that I wanted to share with you. Check out the site of Kieran Doherty if you get the chance. In particular his Wooton Bassett project is both poignant and inspiring.
It's a great example (In my view) of a project that tells a story and contains some truly great images. It a great piece of photojournalism. This link http://www.kierandoherty.com/#/Essays%20/Wootton%20Bassett/1 takes you through to the project, just cut and paste it into your browser. Be sure to check out the rest of his site as well as it contains some terrific work.
Tuesday, 28 June 2011
2x Converters
As an avid photographer of wildlife and sports the mere fact that you can't get too close to your subject matter for fear of scaring them (In the case of wildlife) or because of crow control fencing or just sheer distance, necessitates that you will at some point be likely to require the use of a converter of extender.
Over the past three years I've used around 5 different versions of these, two Sigma and 3 Canon and they deliver significantly different results.
My original purchases were the Canon 1.4x and 2x Extender ll's. I used both of these when the need arose and realised that in being able to get the shot there is a trade off in quality. One day when out shooting wildlife I realised I'd forgotten my 2x and a colleague with me suggested I try his Sigma 2x converter. I did and the difference in the sharpness of the image was noticeable to the eye just by looking through the viewfinder. Within days I'd sold my Canon and purchased myself a Sigma one. I duly added the 1.4x in time.
In recent months though I've noticed when I'm rpocessing my images that when they've been taken using the 2X or 1.4X converters, the images are just a little too soft to be perfect.
So I decided to invest in the Canon 2X Extender lll. I use the word invest wisely as if you've seen the price of these you'll know it's not something you purchase lightly. I have to say though that it's probably one of the best purchases I've made. The quality is excellent and now means that when I'm out in the field, I'm looking for opportunities to use it whereas when I had the Mark ll, I used to look at ways of not using it due to the resultant softness.
It will be some time now but I may even consider trying the 1.4X in the future if I can get someone to let me try it.
Over the past three years I've used around 5 different versions of these, two Sigma and 3 Canon and they deliver significantly different results.
My original purchases were the Canon 1.4x and 2x Extender ll's. I used both of these when the need arose and realised that in being able to get the shot there is a trade off in quality. One day when out shooting wildlife I realised I'd forgotten my 2x and a colleague with me suggested I try his Sigma 2x converter. I did and the difference in the sharpness of the image was noticeable to the eye just by looking through the viewfinder. Within days I'd sold my Canon and purchased myself a Sigma one. I duly added the 1.4x in time.
In recent months though I've noticed when I'm rpocessing my images that when they've been taken using the 2X or 1.4X converters, the images are just a little too soft to be perfect.
So I decided to invest in the Canon 2X Extender lll. I use the word invest wisely as if you've seen the price of these you'll know it's not something you purchase lightly. I have to say though that it's probably one of the best purchases I've made. The quality is excellent and now means that when I'm out in the field, I'm looking for opportunities to use it whereas when I had the Mark ll, I used to look at ways of not using it due to the resultant softness.
It will be some time now but I may even consider trying the 1.4X in the future if I can get someone to let me try it.
Monday, 27 June 2011
Help needed
I have the yearning to photograph industrial sites that are derelict or abandoned. I'm warminster based so anything within about an hour of there that you could recommend would be much appreciated.
Don't want to be dodging security guards or jumping too many fences. Let me know what you think might suit.
Ta
It rained all the way there!
Despite the title the day wasn't a complete washout. It rained for virtually the whole journey down to Bridlington. I almost when straight on to my Dads when I got about 30 mins from Brid. I'm glad I didn't.
On arriving at the RSPB site at Bempton Cliffs I decided to go and reccie the potential rather than trapse all the way to the cliffs and discover you couldn't photograph anything. I could hardly contain my excitement after I saw the cliffs. Very photogenic and bags of potential. So back to the car. 1D Mark 2, 600mm lens, 2x converter, tripod and Wimberley- sorted!
There's so much to see and photograph there. Managed around 3 hours before I set off back home. Puffins, Gannets, Razorbills and Guillimots are prolific as are all manner of gulls. Birds can be seen courting, nesting and inflight. Plenty of nestlings to be seen. It'll probably be better mid week when there aren't so many day trippers there.
On arriving at the RSPB site at Bempton Cliffs I decided to go and reccie the potential rather than trapse all the way to the cliffs and discover you couldn't photograph anything. I could hardly contain my excitement after I saw the cliffs. Very photogenic and bags of potential. So back to the car. 1D Mark 2, 600mm lens, 2x converter, tripod and Wimberley- sorted!
There's so much to see and photograph there. Managed around 3 hours before I set off back home. Puffins, Gannets, Razorbills and Guillimots are prolific as are all manner of gulls. Birds can be seen courting, nesting and inflight. Plenty of nestlings to be seen. It'll probably be better mid week when there aren't so many day trippers there.
Friday, 24 June 2011
Beautiful weather in Scotland
I awoke on Friday in Dunfermline just a short drive from the Knockhill Racing Circuit where the British Superbikes would be encamped for the next three days.
Checks the weather App on the iPad. That can't be right. Says it's going to rain for three days. Flicks on the tele to get the proper weather and ...... rain. It's a conspiracy.
Woofed down a fry up and off down to the track. Nice circuit and you can get so close to the action. There's the obvious big fencing at some of the fast corners but generally you're just shooting over a little fence. It's not like Silverstone where you need to be around 9 feet tall to shoot over the fences.
I took along the 50-500mm and the 70-210mm Sigma zooms, the latter being one of my favourite optics. I went down to the hairpin just in time for it to start raining. Fortunately there's a grandstand there and you can shelter from the weather and still shoot.
Now I know optics have advanced massively over recent years, but to my knowledge there still isn't a lens on the market that can shoot through the back of someones head (Apart from a laser. I wish) to capture the action on the track. I can't tell you the amount of times (I lied - it was 7) people came and stood in front of me and obscured the action. I'm not being precious but to move two feet to the right or left would have given them the same view and I could still shoot. Could I have moved? Yes, but if you know your photography you'll know that where you can you try and get a position that delivers the composition you're looking for. 2 feet either way wouldn't have been the bext position at that time for me.
So, moan out of the way I started shooting. I set a few shots up using the 50-500mmon a Manfrotto monopod of the bikes coming in and out of the hairpin. Once I found the ones I liked I shot more of the same of the different riders.
I had the other zoom set up so that I could pan hand held as they accelerated up the straight. It was by now raining heavily, but the riders were motoring. You could see them gaining in confidence as they used to the condisions and explored the level of grip that was available. As they came round the hairpin the knees were getting closer to the ground.
It was long before the light had moveda round so after about an hour I moved elsewhere on the circuit.
I don't normally shoot in the rain as I don't care how much waterproof kit you have, the water will get everywhere. But, with the outlook over the next three days being bleak I decided to give it a go.
I stuffed a big brolly down my coat and zipped it in place so that it covered me. Worked well until the wind blew and the brolly tried to get out of my jacket. Fortunately my chin was there to catch it. Ouch!. Decided to try it again and this time wrap my nelt around it. Worked a treat and it allowed me to shoot all day.
Shooting through the rain was slightly problematic as when it was really heavy the quality of images was poor. However I managed to get some reasnoable shots that have added to the strength of my portfolio.
I'll put the images on the site so take a look and let me know what you think. Any constructive feedback welcome.
Att he end of the day I decided that if the forecast for Saturday was likely to be poor I'd head down South to se my Dad in time for Fathers Day.
Needless to say the weather looked worse for Saturday so I packed the car up and headed off down South.
Thanks to Jim and Liz at Pitreavie Guest House on the Aberdour Road in Dunfermline for looking after me for a couple of days.
I'm thinking of going up again next year because I've heard the weathers going to be fantastic.
Check out the next post when I visit Bempton Cliffs near Bridlington on the way down South.
Checks the weather App on the iPad. That can't be right. Says it's going to rain for three days. Flicks on the tele to get the proper weather and ...... rain. It's a conspiracy.
Woofed down a fry up and off down to the track. Nice circuit and you can get so close to the action. There's the obvious big fencing at some of the fast corners but generally you're just shooting over a little fence. It's not like Silverstone where you need to be around 9 feet tall to shoot over the fences.
I took along the 50-500mm and the 70-210mm Sigma zooms, the latter being one of my favourite optics. I went down to the hairpin just in time for it to start raining. Fortunately there's a grandstand there and you can shelter from the weather and still shoot.
Now I know optics have advanced massively over recent years, but to my knowledge there still isn't a lens on the market that can shoot through the back of someones head (Apart from a laser. I wish) to capture the action on the track. I can't tell you the amount of times (I lied - it was 7) people came and stood in front of me and obscured the action. I'm not being precious but to move two feet to the right or left would have given them the same view and I could still shoot. Could I have moved? Yes, but if you know your photography you'll know that where you can you try and get a position that delivers the composition you're looking for. 2 feet either way wouldn't have been the bext position at that time for me.
So, moan out of the way I started shooting. I set a few shots up using the 50-500mmon a Manfrotto monopod of the bikes coming in and out of the hairpin. Once I found the ones I liked I shot more of the same of the different riders.
I had the other zoom set up so that I could pan hand held as they accelerated up the straight. It was by now raining heavily, but the riders were motoring. You could see them gaining in confidence as they used to the condisions and explored the level of grip that was available. As they came round the hairpin the knees were getting closer to the ground.
It was long before the light had moveda round so after about an hour I moved elsewhere on the circuit.
I don't normally shoot in the rain as I don't care how much waterproof kit you have, the water will get everywhere. But, with the outlook over the next three days being bleak I decided to give it a go.
I stuffed a big brolly down my coat and zipped it in place so that it covered me. Worked well until the wind blew and the brolly tried to get out of my jacket. Fortunately my chin was there to catch it. Ouch!. Decided to try it again and this time wrap my nelt around it. Worked a treat and it allowed me to shoot all day.
Shooting through the rain was slightly problematic as when it was really heavy the quality of images was poor. However I managed to get some reasnoable shots that have added to the strength of my portfolio.
I'll put the images on the site so take a look and let me know what you think. Any constructive feedback welcome.
Att he end of the day I decided that if the forecast for Saturday was likely to be poor I'd head down South to se my Dad in time for Fathers Day.
Needless to say the weather looked worse for Saturday so I packed the car up and headed off down South.
Thanks to Jim and Liz at Pitreavie Guest House on the Aberdour Road in Dunfermline for looking after me for a couple of days.
I'm thinking of going up again next year because I've heard the weathers going to be fantastic.
Check out the next post when I visit Bempton Cliffs near Bridlington on the way down South.
Thursday, 23 June 2011
Golden Eagle Ho!
I'd planned the trip to see Haweswaters Golden Eagle well. I'd found the location of the hide. I'd confirmed only the day before while watching the Ospreys that it still lived around Haweswater. I'd even located the hide on my iPad and so could navigate my way to the hide from the road. A 30-40 minute walk I anticipated.
Bit disappointed when I got out of the car at Haweswater at 8.15am to discover that there was no 3G signal available and therefore the iPad may as well have been a draughts board as it was certainly no use as a map or navigation aid.
Never mind. Seasoned traveller that I am finding the hide wouldn't clearly be a problem. I set off with the minimum kit which still comprised a camera body, EOS 1d Mark 2; what else? A substantial tripod and head. Waterproof bag, coat, spare battery and enough compactflash cards to record enough images to put together a panorama of the whole of Southern England.
Now, those of you who know me know that there are only two types of birds in the world, LBJ's or little brown jobbies and seagulls.That's how they all start off as far as id'ing them is concerned, it's only when I get back home that I can check them out in my RSPB bird guide and give them their official name.
On the way there came across some LBJ's and I thought to myself, 'actually I could use the bird guide that the nice RSPB man gave me at the Osprey watch after he signed me up for RSPB membership.'
Checked the bag and wished I'd brought it with me. I'll take a look when I get back to the car.
Anyway LBJ's turned out to be a Female Wheater, nice, but not as pretty as Daddy Wheatear. Then I think I found some Juvenile Pied Flycatchers. They look nothing like the finished article so I might be wrong on that.
Stopped to photograph them and then headed of to the Golden Eagle hide. 10 mins later and it's raining. Never mind, it'll soon clear I though as the mountain across the valley disappeared behind a huge shower. Then it appeared again then disappearred, then it appearred then ... well you get the idea. It had nigh on stopped when I decided to run for it. (Those who know me know this is using a very high degree of poetic license). I'm not in the kind of condition to outrun a cold at the moment.
Anyway, I got to the hide, a very nice shed, only to discover it was locked up, but on reading the note on the door there was good news, it would be open from 10 until 4pm on Saturday and Sunday. It was Thursday so only two days to wait then.
Oh, and it had just started to rain again. Fortunately I'd put my best shorts on so looked good on the hills. The sheep baa'd in acknowledgement as I passed by. Even though I was perished and soaking. The great thing about being in the hills is that you can see the rain coming, which I did and once again I ran swiftly down the hill to an old barn for shelter before I could get soaked. Darn nearly made it too. Another 15 minutes and I'd have been as dry as a bone. It stopped so back up the hill. 10 mins later Iw as joined by another pair of couples. All looking for the Eagle. Great help actually 'cos I ha no idea where to look. It was helpful too that one of them was wearing a bright red jacket so the Eagle knew where we were. No chance of it coming anywhere near either. Bugger!
After about 45 mins one of the guys with the binos said there it is. Fortunately he described it to his partner and Iw as able to spot it. Too far away even for the mighty 600 with 2x on but what a site to behold.
It was at this moment too that I realised that some birds, namely Kestrels in this case were clearly born without brains as it became clear that the mighty Golden Eagle was being buzzed by a tiny Kestrel . Mental! It was clearly protecting it's nest but even so, I might have been tempted to move out and try again next year.
Even at the distance from which we were viewing it was clear that the Eagle was huge. It cruised along the cliffs a little, then almost as soon as it had arrived, it was gone.
I waited another 45 mins but it didn't returned but good news I could see the rain up the valley again. So I packed up and headed down again, content with my day but intent on returning in the future for another go.
Got to the car about 40 mins later and then headed off to Scotland to catch up with the British Superbikes for the enxt three days at the Knockhill Circuit in Scotland, where, I knoew the weather was going to be great.
Bit disappointed when I got out of the car at Haweswater at 8.15am to discover that there was no 3G signal available and therefore the iPad may as well have been a draughts board as it was certainly no use as a map or navigation aid.
Never mind. Seasoned traveller that I am finding the hide wouldn't clearly be a problem. I set off with the minimum kit which still comprised a camera body, EOS 1d Mark 2; what else? A substantial tripod and head. Waterproof bag, coat, spare battery and enough compactflash cards to record enough images to put together a panorama of the whole of Southern England.
Now, those of you who know me know that there are only two types of birds in the world, LBJ's or little brown jobbies and seagulls.That's how they all start off as far as id'ing them is concerned, it's only when I get back home that I can check them out in my RSPB bird guide and give them their official name.
On the way there came across some LBJ's and I thought to myself, 'actually I could use the bird guide that the nice RSPB man gave me at the Osprey watch after he signed me up for RSPB membership.'
Checked the bag and wished I'd brought it with me. I'll take a look when I get back to the car.
Anyway LBJ's turned out to be a Female Wheater, nice, but not as pretty as Daddy Wheatear. Then I think I found some Juvenile Pied Flycatchers. They look nothing like the finished article so I might be wrong on that.
Stopped to photograph them and then headed of to the Golden Eagle hide. 10 mins later and it's raining. Never mind, it'll soon clear I though as the mountain across the valley disappeared behind a huge shower. Then it appeared again then disappearred, then it appearred then ... well you get the idea. It had nigh on stopped when I decided to run for it. (Those who know me know this is using a very high degree of poetic license). I'm not in the kind of condition to outrun a cold at the moment.
Anyway, I got to the hide, a very nice shed, only to discover it was locked up, but on reading the note on the door there was good news, it would be open from 10 until 4pm on Saturday and Sunday. It was Thursday so only two days to wait then.
Oh, and it had just started to rain again. Fortunately I'd put my best shorts on so looked good on the hills. The sheep baa'd in acknowledgement as I passed by. Even though I was perished and soaking. The great thing about being in the hills is that you can see the rain coming, which I did and once again I ran swiftly down the hill to an old barn for shelter before I could get soaked. Darn nearly made it too. Another 15 minutes and I'd have been as dry as a bone. It stopped so back up the hill. 10 mins later Iw as joined by another pair of couples. All looking for the Eagle. Great help actually 'cos I ha no idea where to look. It was helpful too that one of them was wearing a bright red jacket so the Eagle knew where we were. No chance of it coming anywhere near either. Bugger!
After about 45 mins one of the guys with the binos said there it is. Fortunately he described it to his partner and Iw as able to spot it. Too far away even for the mighty 600 with 2x on but what a site to behold.
It was at this moment too that I realised that some birds, namely Kestrels in this case were clearly born without brains as it became clear that the mighty Golden Eagle was being buzzed by a tiny Kestrel . Mental! It was clearly protecting it's nest but even so, I might have been tempted to move out and try again next year.
Even at the distance from which we were viewing it was clear that the Eagle was huge. It cruised along the cliffs a little, then almost as soon as it had arrived, it was gone.
I waited another 45 mins but it didn't returned but good news I could see the rain up the valley again. So I packed up and headed down again, content with my day but intent on returning in the future for another go.
Got to the car about 40 mins later and then headed off to Scotland to catch up with the British Superbikes for the enxt three days at the Knockhill Circuit in Scotland, where, I knoew the weather was going to be great.
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