Motif: Arctic Terns Copulating (with comparison shot)


Posted by Greg Downing on Sun Jan 04, 2004 8:03 pm

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Image
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Arctic Terns, Churchill, MB, Canada

This seemed appropriate for the Motif and I thought I would show two shots for comparison sake.

The above shot was made using flash as the main source of light, underexposing the background (ambient) by two stops. I chose to do this in order to darken the background and increase subject separation from it, as well as to provide better illumination of the birds particularly on the heads and eyes. The increased aperture also allowed me to gain enough DOF to ensure everything was in focus.

The settings for the image were:

EOS 1D, EF 600/4 IS, 1/500 @ f11, ISO 200, Flash as main light @ -1/3

The image below is for comparison purposes and was shot with available ambient light using fill flash. Notice how much lighter the background looks.
Image
© Greg Downing Photography all rights reserved.

The settings for the second image were:

EOS 1D, EF 600/4 IS, 1/500 @ f5.6, ISO 200, Fill Flash @ -1 2/3

Comments welcomed!
Greg Downing
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by KK Hui on Sun Jan 04, 2004 8:13 pm
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Thanks Greg for a very effective demo on the use of flash to control the bg brightness! :lol:

I prefer the first shot in this case ...
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by Heather Forcier on Sun Jan 04, 2004 8:33 pm
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Glad you were there in Texas to teach me the technique, it helps me make better pictures in situations like this. :)

I prefer the first shot, and think you used flash very well to achieve your intended goals but still not have it look "overflashed". Beautifully done! Just wish that tire would go away...how the heck did it get in the middle of the pond, anyway?
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by Greg Downing on Sun Jan 04, 2004 8:35 pm
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HEY, you gave away my secret! Most people think it's a rock. I have no clue how it got there but it isn't coming out without a crane!
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by Jim Urbach on Sun Jan 04, 2004 9:08 pm
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Greg,

Excellent teaching images. The first image wins hands down.

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by BrianS on Sun Jan 04, 2004 9:30 pm
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Very effective demonstration -- thanx for posting it.
I would have never known that was a tire...as a rock it did look strange but the terns seem to like it :D
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by E.J. Peiker on Sun Jan 04, 2004 10:25 pm
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Even standing right in front of it it looks more like a rock than a tire.

A cool shot - I rmember this moment well!
 

by Wayne Nicholas on Sun Jan 04, 2004 10:48 pm
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Thanks for the lesson in flash. Definitely like the first image more.
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by LHays on Sun Jan 04, 2004 11:10 pm
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Greg
Nice job and good lesson. Definitely like the first one better.
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by Marc Oliver on Sun Jan 04, 2004 11:16 pm
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Thanks for the great flash lesson! Cool shots too. :D

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by Chris Valentine on Mon Jan 05, 2004 12:26 am
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Nice demonstration Greg and good use of flash tech. Definitely doesn't look like a tire, fooled me.

For my taste, I would like to see one in-between the two. The birds look a little too defined against the BG in the first one and I like the soft light of the second one. I guess there's no pleasing some people
:D .
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by Alan Murphy on Mon Jan 05, 2004 12:29 am
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Its not a rock, its a stone, a firestone :)

This is technical bird photography at its finest.
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by Greg Downing on Mon Jan 05, 2004 12:41 am
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LOL Alan, thanks for the laugh.

P.S. It has been a "good year" :lol:
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by DC on Mon Jan 05, 2004 4:43 am
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Very effective demo. I shall have to give it a try :)
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by Carol Clarke on Mon Jan 05, 2004 6:34 am
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Excellent demo - really shows the difference. :)
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by Harvey Edelman on Mon Jan 05, 2004 7:53 am
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8) 8) :oops:
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by Juan E. Bahamon on Mon Jan 05, 2004 11:06 am
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Greg wrote:

The above shot was made using flash as the main source of light, underexposing the background (ambient) by two stops. I chose to do this in order to darken the background and increase subject separation from it, as well as to provide better illumination of the birds particularly on the heads and eyes. The increased aperture also allowed me to gain enough DOF to ensure everything was in focus.

Should be decreased

Thanks for the lesson.
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by AlexC on Mon Jan 05, 2004 2:51 pm
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I missed the word copulation, Sorry I am late to the party!!! :wink:
I know already about flash as main!!!! 8)
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by Bill Whala on Mon Jan 05, 2004 3:32 pm
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Excellent motif image and the comparison is very educational. The perch looks quite natural at least at this size. :)
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by Bruce DiVaccaro on Mon Jan 05, 2004 4:53 pm
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Greg,

Excellent work. Thanks for the lesson.
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