Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Taking Photos is for the Birds


Nothing to see here, move along. HA! Okay, if you really want to know I am playing with my photo editing software. Sharon told me to use sharpen and boy did I ever. While it is not a work of art, I do think there is some difference to the photo in the other post.

I never knew picture taking could be so difficult. Especially those of live wild life. First you have to get them to stand still, and then you better make sure you are good and prepared or they will fly off and you will be taking pictures of a branch or bare grass.

Then you better make sure your camera settings are perfect because if they are not, the photo comes out lousy no matter how well your subject poses. I also realize my windows need a good cleaning. Maybe that's why my pictures are so blurry. Windex is a must I'm afraid.

After all of the difficulty in taking the photo you then have to put it into photo editing software to make it look better. I get analysis paralysis here because there are so many tools you can use to make the picture look better, but I don't know what all of the buttons mean.

I am trying to look on the bright side here and figure I have all winter to try and figure it out. If I can get the hang of it, I am going to get a better camera. My camera is a pathetic Kodak Easy Share. Not exactly the camera of choice for photographing wild life, but it will do for now.

Peace

9 comments:

A New England Life said...

You'll get the hang of it. Don't give up!

Betsy Banks Adams said...

It takes ALOT of patience and a good zoom lens. I don't consider myself a photographer--but love 'just' taking pictures. Ours aren't the best--but hey, it's fun just watching our critters and then getting a good shot every once in awhile.

NW Nature Nut said...

Keep photographing! When you get that good picture, it is so worth it. My motto is take lots! That's the beauty of digital, you can just delete the bad ones and maybe 1 out of 15 are great. Keep at it!

Dave Coulter said...

Good luck with those window shots...I can relate! (Found you via Troutbirder)

Ruth said...

The big necessity for good pictures is light. On dull days I do not have enough light to get a clear picture out my windows, and if you have a megazoom camera, you need even more light. I also have screens which do not come off my windows and I blame them and glare (rather than dirt) for the grey shots I get from indoors. Keep shooting. I like your Downy!

Ruth said...

I just downloaded your picture and played with it at picnik.com
By increasing the contrast, the bird became more visible. I also decreased the exposure a little and did a 10% boost on the colour.
You don't have an email link or I would send it to you.

Kim said...

Ruth, thank you so much!!

You can email it to me at

frenchie252004@hotmail.com

I would love to see it and then try to edit my version compariring yours as my guide to get used to the settings! Thanks again

Ecobirder said...

Taking good wildlife photos takes a lot of practice. Many people who have already commented have left you a lot of good tips. even people who are good nature photographers still take a lot of bad pictures those are just the ones the rest of us do not see. So just keep working on it, it may not get easier but when you get some great shots it will sure be worth it.

As far as software it all depends on what you are using. I try not to use sharpening tools too much because they tend not to work very well. Usually adjusting contrast is the best way to go especially in programs like photoshop which gives you more control.

Rambling Woods said...

I didn't get any decent photos till I got my Canon Powershot that also has image stabilization. It is very hard to shoot wildlife and through a window is really tough. I think you're doing a great job and I am just starting to try photo editing software..so we are both learning..

I think the point of taking a photo is for your memories..at least that is how I look at it. I have tons of blurry bad shots and a few decent ones. But they all record something that I wanted to remember..

Rambling Woods

Rambling Woods

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