Apparently potted hydrangeas are prime real estate for bird’s nests. And apparently I am not above screaming and jumping up and down when I find that a bird has procreated on my deck. AND just so we are clear – this will be the only creature that will do the deed on the deck.
I captured the little ones around 5 pm. Our deck is relatively shady so I had to use the flash on both of these. Hopefully their little eyes don’t go blind from this big bad human’s fill flash. That would be so very sad. Oh and I had to literally push back the braches of the hydrangea so that I could get close enough to make the shot.
ISO – 400 F-number F/5.6 Shutter Speed 1/5
ISO – 400 F-number F/5.6 Shutter Speed 1/6
Again, I used the Aperture Priority setting on the camera as well as the pattern metering mode. My question is this: since I am using a camera that has a lens aperature of F/3.5-5.6 – what do I need in terms of light in order to get those really close shots? Sometimes I zoom in close enough to get the shot I want but the camera refuses to take it until I back off a little. What the heck is happening? This rookie photography chick would love to know 🙂
Hi Katie!
I’m really bad at explaining things, but i’ll try. When you have your camera on aperature priority, you are telling it you want a specific aperture, but there may not be enough light to have a shutter speed that the camera is happy with, so it won’t take a pic until there is enough light. That’s why you have to zoom out (more or less).
Does your camera have a full manual mode? Don’t be afraid to use it! Set your aperture as low as it can go (3.5), and then play with your shutter speed until it looks right. On shutter speed, the slowest you may want to go hand held is 250. You might be able to get away with 200 if you have a really steady hand. Manual mode seems scary until you use it a bit, and then it will become like second nature.
If you still can’t get the results you want, you might think about purchasing a lens that can go to a lower aperture, like 2.8 or 1.8 55mm. The sell fixed lenses (ones that you can’t zoom in and out, just focus) for relatively inexpensive.
I hope that helped and didn’t confuse you more! I think your pictures are really great, though, even if you had to use the flash! xoxoely
Soooo cute! I’m sure you know this, but don’t touch too close to the nest and leave your smell… the Mama won’t return to her babies! 🙂
Awesome photos! Where was mama bird while you took them? Keep us posted on how they grow and when they learn to fly ‘n stuff!! (Aside: a very sweet hint to Sherry to update your BP link would save me one whole click each day! ;=) Since I know ya’ll are best buds I’m sure she’ll do it!
I’m not sure what type of camera you’re using, but lenses have a minimum focus range (that’s not the technical term for it), but basically you’re getting too close and the lens you have isn’t able to focus so closely. Check the side of the lens, mine say how far away you have to be.
Oh my gosh. They are adorable.
It sounds like you are trying to focus on something that is closer than the minimum focusing distance of your lens. You have the XSi with the kit lens right? According to the specs on that lens the
Minimum Focus Distance is 9.8″ (25 cm), if you are any closer than that it won’t be able to lock focus. How close were you trying to get? If you want to get closer you need to look for a macro lens, like the 60mm
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/194451-USA/Canon_4657A006_100mm_f_2_8_USM_Macro.html
(which is only marginally better at 7.9″)
or the 100mm macro (I have this one, love it)
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/194451-USA/Canon_4657A006_100mm_f_2_8_USM_Macro.html
which has a min distance of 1″ but with the 100mm focal length you can get a 1:1 shot, meaning you can put something lifesized on your sensor so you can get in a lot closer.
Those lenses will also allow you a wider aperture than you currently can get. I still recommend the 50 1.8 for wide aperture but you can’t get in close at all with that lens.
I can’t help you on the questions, but I think they are both amazing photos.
You could increase the ISO from 100 to 400 to increase the amount of light. You might need to invest in a good macro lens (50mm are good, but 100mm are better) to get the really detailed close-up shots. Love the pic of the chicks with their mouths open – just darling!
Yes, as per usual, I have nothing of substance to add but those pics are awesome! and I think birds are creepy so that’s a big compliment…
Hey Katie, just posted some photos of the critters found in and around the house on my blog – thought you might find the bugs, moths and bats interesting!
http://amyhogan.com/blog/renovation/
My guess is the focal length of your lens. Looks like you need a macro lens!!
Holy cow that’s awesome. Jealous.
xo,
s
So guys – I went out to check the chicks this morning and they had flown the coop! YAY! I guess that means that they are full grown birdies now. Thought you might like the update 🙂
XO – Katie
Ok, I am ussually not one to go to for advice since I am a crazy blonde! However, having had a bird nest on deck experience before my little warning lable says: they day you notice that they are outside hopping around learning to fly, dont try to get to close, momma birdies do dive bomb those who inch to close to their babies! Both my kitty cat and I experienced this not once but twice (seperate years). I know that there is this urge for us women to lovey dove baby animals, I especially have it, but the momma bird can and will come out of no where and take you out by suprise!….by the by (my mom always that)…i do love the pics!
That second shot is fantastic!
Don’t know a thing about photography to answer your question, but great job regardless.
Cute little guys,
Oh my Domesticated Bliss – that sounds like an eye-patch waiting to happen! Good thing the birdies are gone. On second thought…maybe I should check for dead fowl around our deck. oh man – that would stink. ok – back to the point – I have dooley noted that mama birdies can dive bomb humans. Thanks for the warning!
XO – Katie