I have tried and tried and tried again to get good nature shots like any of the regular nature shooters in the gallery and I am getting frustrated. I have shot with flash without flash, with and without extentions, With 50mm macro lenses, 70-200mm 2.8 lenses, 3.5-5.6 zooms, you name it I think I have tried it. I ain't gettin' it. The following are 3 shots I would like some opinions on. All were taken with the D100 in RAW. Other EXIF data below. Lens: 70-200mm 2.8 D Sigma w/2x EX Focal Length: 400mm Exposure: Auto Metering: Center Weighted 1/180 sec - f/14 Exposure Comp: 0 EV Sensetivity: ISO 400 White Balance: Flash (SB600) AF Mode: AF-S Tone Comp: Auto Color Mode: Mode II (Adobe RGB) Hue Adjust: 0 Sharpening: Low Noise Redution: OFF Photoshop 7 Postwork: Levels, USM 150-0.3-0, Slight adjustment to Curves, resized. This is about an 75% crop.

Lens: 70-200mm 2.8 D Sigma w/2x EX Focal Length: 400mm Exposure: Auto Metering: Center Weighted 1/180 sec - f/11 Exposure Comp: 0 EV Sensetivity: ISO 400 White Balance: Cloudy (but I did use the SB600) AF Mode: AF-S Tone Comp: Auto Color Mode: Mode II (Adobe RGB) Hue Adjust: 0 Sharpening: Low Noise Redution: OFF Photoshop 7 Postwork: Levels, USM 150-0.3-0, resized. This is 100% crop.

Last Image Lens: 18-125mm 3.5-5.6 G Sigma Focal Length: 100mm Exposure: Auto Metering: Center Weighted 1/100 sec - f/5.6 Exposure Comp: 0 EV Sensetivity: ISO 640 White Balance: Fluorescent AF Mode: AF-S Tone Comp: Auto Color Mode: Mode II (Adobe RGB) Hue Adjust: 0 Sharpening: Low Noise Redution: OFF Photoshop 7 Postwork: USM 150-0.3-0, resized. This is 100% crop. I am including this to show I can actually shoot! (Not a bird but I made sure to use a feathery image)

I am not an expert but I have been chatting to someone who is about nature photography recently. I was told that it is best to shoot on full aperture and focus on the eyes. That way the background gets thrown out of focus and all emphasis is on the subject. The exception of course is if you want to show some habitat. Richard.

Just thought of another tip - If you want to photograph garden birds like image 2 - stick a spade or fork into the ground next to the bird table, preferably one that has a nice looking wooden handle. The birds will get used to using it as a perch. You can then set your camera to shoot and wait for one to arrive, you control the background by placement of the spade :)

I guess my first question is, what do you think is a good image? What were you trying to do?

Attached Link: http://www.rrives.com/RivesXmas04/slides/CRW_1558.html

I too am working on nature shots, but have had little opportunity. The images look slightly soft, could come from camera shake. Are you using a tripod? 1/180 of a sec. is borderline shutter speed for hand holding the lens on your 1st image. Try bumping the ISO up to 800. The general rule is 1/focal length. So for a 200mm you need to use 1/200th shutter speed, and if you shot digital don't forget to factor in fv crop. So on my DRebel that would be closer to 1/350. I have yet captured a bird shot that I really like. I really like the 3rd shot, love the color and lighting. I think for bird shots, especially the small birds as in your example you need a longer lens. I use 75-300 and find that I need more. The link is the best bird shot I have been able to take, after many attempts.

Your problem may be your lens and extender combo. I shoot a D70 with a 100-400mm Tokina and get pretty good results. You do have to be very careful about shutter speed though, any vibration at that distance and you get blurry shots.

What is your problem with the shots? They look decent enough to me.

the shots are fine for me. i am not a specialist in animal photography too. now you can do some postwork. in photoshop or in the dark room. where ever you want to do this. try the burn and dodge technic in some parts. maybe you can work with masks.you can make some changes on the tones and contrasts. regards gerhard

just getting them this close with my minimal zoom & having them hold still is an achievement in itself :]

I too think the third shot is a keeper. I would say it's perfect and I would be happy to see it in any publication. Even more so if I was the lady singing. The second bird shot seems alright also expecially if you are going to do any post work with PS or psp or whatever, which is typical. The first bird is alright for me the most distracting thing is the background. In fact the bird in the first picture is better than the bird in the second. Bsteph

Lets try to get danob in here for advice - he has years of expertise in photographing wildlife - especially birds :)

Well these are very good I have written an extensive article in the RIM magazine and would be more than happy to give any specific advice.. Quick tips include baiting with tid bits if you dont have a big zoom at least 400mm or better with a 1.4 or X2 TC they will soon get close enough to fill the frame Lighting is another factor and flash can leave the image looking very flat esp if there is snow when spot metering may be needed.. Tripods are awkward with quick creatures and rarely work a monopod maybe worthwhile IM me if you want any more detailed advice