Photographing Birds ... Technicques, Tips and Questions

Mockingbird before

Well for some reason my second after pic won't post. I downsized it a couple of times and just won't show up. I'll try later.

One more try

After

Very nice, luvsgrtdanes, now put the branch behind him, like so...

Wow Dave that is perfect! Ok what did you do!?

Just use the cloning tool and then touch it up with the healing tool.. Here's the other one

Thanks Dave I'll practice that. I have quite a few with branches in the way!

Now that would be cool to be able to do that!!

Thank you F.Chisom, I'll try and put my filter back on.

I checked and can buy Elements 7 online for $69 US. Maybe I need to order a copy. Thanks for the info.

Red, I have Photoshop 7.0 I am just a beginner with it but it does have a lot more to offer than Picasa. I started out with that because I was afraid of photoshop. Just an example on what Dave did to my MB pics buy moving the branch, you can't do that with Picasa. It is a learning process but the basic things like sharpening, enhancements, lighting and such are pretty basic. I didn't have to pay for mine but I would think it's well worth 70$

I have elements but still like picasa because I don't usually make many adjustments. Those simple adjustments seem so much faster with picasa. One of the best things about adobe is that you can add plug-ins that work better than some of the adobe functions. I never liked the adobe noise reduction but there are a number of plug-ins that work great at a fast speed. Each new version of picasa has added a little something. The clone tool is simple and easy for little things like a speck of dust or a burnt pixel.

Sometimes back lighting can work FOR you. Here's a shot of a titmouse from this morning.

Dave

Oooo, that's cool!

I love that shot too of the titmouse!

I LOVE that shot Dave!

Wonderful!

Playing around a bit in Photoshop. I admit it took me a while and I was bleary eyed but it was fun. So much to learn and so much you can do...

Before

Well I can't seem to get the fixed up one to post and I'm to pooped to play around anymore! I'll try again tomorrow...

After one more time...

Now I think it looks too small!!

Hi Everyone.

I'm sorry I started this thread and then sort of disappeared; but I'm so glad to see everyone sharing really good information here.

Spring has sprung in New Mexico; so I haven't had much time for birding. I've been busy playing in the dirt and getting my garden started. I can almost taste those homegrown tomatoes already.

I know that everyone has different likes and dislikes when it comes to software; so I thought I'd add my 2 cents worth on that topic.

Photoshop is very highly rated; but to be honest, even the limited edition version of it that came with my scanner tends to fry my brain cells. Also, I tried Google's Picaca some time ago and there was something I didn't like about it; but I couldn't recall what. I just installed the latest version of Picaca and now I remember that it is the way Picaca organizes the photo folders that I don't like. I just can't seem to find a particular photo easily with Picaca.

I don't know if any of you have ever heard of ThumbsPlus; but that's the program I like best. ThumbsPlus is really two programs in one … a photo cataloging database and a photo editor.

The database uses the same folder structure you have on your computer; but it allows you to add keywords in order to find your photos more quickly. From the catalog, all you have to do to edit a photo is just double-click on it. The editor has a good selection of adjustments (brightness, contrast, saturation, gamma, hue, etc.) and filters (sharpen, noise reduction, etc.). It also has tools for rotating, cropping and resizing your pictures.

If any of you are interested, you can download a fully functional 30-day trial version of ThumbsPlus from the following web site:

http://www.cerious.com

If you decide you like this program and want to keep using it, I think the registration cost is $50 for the standard version and $98 for the pro version. The main difference between the standard and pro version is that the pro included editing support for RAW images.

-- edited to correct a few typos.

This message was edited Apr 9, 2009 1:08 PM

I am playing around with Picasa but what I don't like about is if is just not very clear on how to use. A lot of wasted time navigagting it and it takes more time.

I have yet to see where the sharpening tool does anything.... but that just may be me. So far I just don't see where it is better than Shutterfly that I am using.

Nanny perhaps you do such a good job that your photos are already sharp.

Oh you sweet talker you!!! LOL

I'm trying to learn enough to buy a decent camera. What is the difference between digital and optical zoom?

The optical is limited to the magnification of your lens. Digital means it's magnified by the circuitry in your camera. When you use digital magnification, you lose quality quick. I'd get enough optical to meet my needs.

Nobody I have known uses digital zoom. It's all about optical zoom!

This is what DH is talking about buying (before the sale is over)

WB 500 this the one I think that I want to buy, what do you think?

http://www.samsungcamera.com/

I don't know enough to be able to answer him...

How much is it? I didn't see a price. My camera has 18x optical zoom and I want more! So get the most optical zoom that you can afford.

This message was edited Apr 21, 2009 1:55 PM

Nanny - what is your Camera? I've never seen a small Dig cam with that much optical. I have an Olympus Stylus ...has 5x and thought that was great, but want more and don't have the bucks to put into the lense I would like for my Canon rebel xti, so only have the 50mm one for that (didnt want the one that came with the kit, then the lense $'s ended up going to roof repair.
Any..way.....curious about the 18x cam type?

Here is an article on 18 x cameras.

http://www.popphoto.com/Reviews/Cameras/Shootout-18x-EVF-Superzooms

You can compare cameras side by side here.

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/sidebyside.asp

I recently switched to a 18x Panasonic Lumix, I'm quite happy with it.

It is on sale for $300, I think he said.

That's a good buy! We paid too much for mine to a local store that went out of business soon there after! Good ridden, then we found another online for about 350$ for our son later.....

Juney - on sale for $300...where??

DH is in the most northern part of South Korea, at Dongducheuon (Camp Casey).

for point and shoots I recommend the highest optical you can find, PLUS a viewfinder. If you are outside in bright sunlight it helps to view that way instead of through LCD screen.


Here's an old thread with information on member cameras.
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/807837/