BIF practice at Barnes

[mikep]

Hi

Whilst at Barnes on Sat 20th, I decided to try and shoot ANYTHING that I saw flying. I set myself this challenge to try and think and react quicker on the camera controls to set up the shot as fast as I can.

The following are 3 I quite liked from the day... shot with my 7D, 70-300 L IS USM, all at iso400.

1/1000, f8, 252mm
Cormorant across the main lake, quite large crop.

Cormorant on final by mikep_eos, on Flickr

This Tufted Duck twisted and turned all over the place, but I managed to track him (good panning practice!!!)
1/1250, f8, 244mm

Tufted turn and bank by mikep_eos, on Flickr

...and I always keep my eye open for the unusual or comical... and found it watching this Mute Swan try to take off from the path (and failing), and the look on the bloke's face when he came round the corner!
1/640, f8, 70mm

Surprise! by mikep_eos, on Flickr

Out of interest - does anyone else set themselves mini-challenges when out, or is it just me?

C&C welcome.

Mike

[digiman]

Re: BIF practice at Barnes

Great set Mike. I like 1 best, but all are great.

I for one definitely set my self challenges. I have learnt a lot through this. For instance, I was at a fair yesterday, and one of my challenges was also to pan shots of my kids on the rides! My biggest challenge though is to take decent handheld photos with my longer lenses! Always learning,

Thanks for posting,

Garry

[Stan]

Re: BIF practice at Barnes

Not too sure about the first and third but the tufted duck is spot on

Stan

[pelliott1954]

Re: BIF practice at Barnes

The Tufted Duck looks as if he is just learning to Fly and landing without Flaps Down.

Regards Paul

[mikep]

Re: BIF practice at Barnes

Thanks Garry, Stan and Paul.

@Garry - my little challenges help me learn, even it's only what didn't work!
@Stan - #2 is my best of them. #1 was a long distance tracking shot, so more of an exercise, and #3 was for the comedy value!
@Paul - looking through the series of shots on Tufty, although his body was all over the place, his head stayed level. Clever birdy!

Mike

[Les McLean]

Re: BIF practice at Barnes

These shots are darned difficult to pull off, but you have managed it, the tufted duck is my favourite.
And yes, I always set myself mini challenges when out (that's every day with the dogs) admittedly not always sensible challenges , but it does stop me getting shuttered out.

[Hereford_EOS]

Re: BIF practice at Barnes

Love these Mike.
Great fun practicing and learning the 7D. The controls will be second nature in no time.

[colin C]

Re: BIF practice at Barnes

Nicely done Mike and the Tufted is the star of the bunch. I also set myself challenges, without them, I would be churning out the same old Tat all the time.

[tesarver]

Re: BIF practice at Barnes

Mike on the series, the 3rd is tops of the set for me.

Tom

[mikep]

Re: BIF practice at Barnes

Thanks Les, Stephen, Colin and Tom for your comments.

It's good to hear other challenge themselves too, and that I'm not (too) mad. Each time out I'm getting more used to the 7D, and changing settings on the fly without looking. Sometimes I even get the right settings, which is a bonus!

Cheers, Mike.

[Nathaniel]

Re: BIF practice at Barnes

The tufted duck is the best of the bunch. Well done.

[mikep]

Re: BIF practice at Barnes

Thanks Nat - I agree!

[Alan Campbell]

Re: BIF practice at Barnes

Not easy Mike and you have done well.
Good idea of setting challenges, something I will try.

Alan

[mikep]

Re: BIF practice at Barnes

Thanks alan - appreciate your comments.

Mike