Author: gordonvr Time: 8/05/2023 07:52 Subject: Sai Kung Terns
Hello ML, I hope you don't mind if I ask you some questions about your always excellent photos, especially those of Terns in flight. I am relatively new to bird photography. I live in Sai Kung and have been trying to photograph the Terns recently. They are fast-moving birds and I find that I cannot catch them in focus close enough to get good pictures. I use either a 600mm prime lens or a 100-400 zoom, sometimes with a 1.4x extender. Generally I use a monopod. Any tips? Or, even better, do you give professional classes?
Thanks and regards, Gordon Author: M.L.YIP Time: 8/05/2023 13:06
Thank you Gordon for your appreciation and complement. In fact, most of my photos are only of mediocre and I simply intend to invite other to share their works on the Forum.(拋磚引玉.)
For the Terns in Sai Kung, they are, indeed, fast moving with erratic flying path that making difficult to capture sharp image and I may disappoint you that I actually also a beginner with no special tip for taking the photo of the flying Terns.
As most photographers, I use the continuous AF mode in my camera and usually track the flying bird 1 to 2 sec before fully press the shutter to capture the image. But, in many occasions, my camera or lens cannot be fast enough to capture a sharp in-focused image and the photos I posted on the Forum may the only successful shots after hours of laborious shooting.
From my experience, it would be more easy to obtain better images on sunny day and I usually visit the Sai Kung Pier around 3p.m. to 5p.m. as the direction of lighting is better.
The Terns, though erratic in movement, they are plenty in number and their action are always repetitive and not too difficult to predict with patience and time.
With your prime lens and advanced camera, I believe you can explore different AF modes of your camera to identify an effective way to capture better image and share it on the Forum with us.
Best regards Author: gordonvr Time: 9/05/2023 07:56
Thank you, ML, for your rapid response to my message; your comments are most useful and encouraging. Practice, practice, practice! Just a couple of specifics: a) do you use telephoto or prime lens? b) do you use spot focus or a larger focus area?
Thanks again, and perhaps I shall see you at the pier some time.
Regards,
Gordon Author: M.L.YIP Time: 9/05/2023 10:44
Thank you Gordon for tolerating my long-winded and empty reply.
For the tool, I use the Nikon 800mm Z F6.3 telephone lens with the Nikon Z7II camera and I, usually, use the Wide Focus Area Mode to capture the flying bird.
I believe you will make continuous improvement with continuous practice.
Best Regards, Author: gordonvr Time: 11/05/2023 06:12
Thanks, ML. When my photos are good enough I'll share some here! More good photos from you again yesterday.
Gordon Author: M.L.YIP Time: 23/05/2023 16:25