Understanding LIGHT in Nature Photography

Kodiak Qc

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French Canadian living in Europe since 1989!
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The similitudes between these two shots are
  • the same distance to the shooting position
  • the same shooting angle in the equation Sun + bird + camera
  • the gear: 600 mm ƒ4 + D810 combo
  • the subject: mother Goosander with two snoozing chicks
  • the weather: steady wind, heavy fast moving clouds on opened skies

The differences between these two shots are
  • birds were on a two meter ∅ island where they moved from one side
    of a tree stump to the other
  • the last 6 digits of the watermarks are the time of capture: hh-mm-ss
    the 17 min interval does not show a dramatic movement of the Sun
  • the presence or absence of clouds in the incident AoV. The cloud cover
    reflectiveness is responsible for the difference in the colour aspect in the
    scenes and, more so, of the water. Clouds are also affecting the visual
    perception of light directionality.


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I do find it hard to get attractive pictures in bright light as my personal preference causes me to discard pictures with that blue tinge to the water.

I need to experiment with position as you say. Do you sometimes oriantate yourself as best as possible to get the desired water effect? Yesterday the water looked lovely and green in my shot and I'm not sure why. I've alot to learn.

35793641772_8508686edc_c.jpg

GSC_7816 by Gilbo B - Flickr2BBcode LITE
 
I do find it hard to get attractive pictures in bright light as my personal preference causes me to discard pictures with that blue tinge to the water.
Personal preferences should be given plenty of time
to mature by accumulating experiences and practice
at observing and capturing scenes.
Yesterday the water looked lovely and green in my shot and I'm not sure why.
The reflected colours and tones are, as in this case,
those of the surrounding vegetation in the AoV.

Green, blue, grey… are common but I would not dare
prefer one over the other.
 
I have very few pictures of birds on water. Do you ever use filters to remove glare from the water on your superzoom lens?
 
Do you ever use filters to remove glare from the water
Never!
Filters, to be effective — such as CPL— require
an angle around the 90° mark. Irrelevant with
these long lenses
…on your superzoom lens
The 600 ƒ4 is a prime lens, not a zoom!
My 200~400 ƒ4 is — and filters I wish I'd used at times!
 
I am just finding out that it is all down to Light

:agree:

That's is why I insist not being classified as "birder" as
birds are not at all my passion but just another subject
in my quest and play with light!
 
beginners think its about fancy cameras and megapixels
amateurs think its about fancy fast lens's
but real photographers know its all about light
 
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