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RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE

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A PHOTO A WEEK CHALLENGE

DEAD CENTER

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There are plenty of reasons to shoot subjects centered in the frame. Many of them have fur or feathers.

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When you subject is going to fly or run away, you take your shot, however you can grab it.

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Press the shutter the instant your subject’s in focus, sometimes before you are sure you’re in focus … and hope for the best.

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Wildlife — in the wild as opposed to at a zoo or otherwise enclosed — doesn’t wait while you line up your shot. I know from painful experience — speed counts. Until I got over my need for perfection, I missed pretty much everything.

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Seize the moment! He who hesitates gets a great picture of an empty branch.

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Categories: #animals, #Birds, #Photography, Nature

Tags: , , , ,

16 replies

  1. kayrpea61
    03/27/2015 • 02:26

    Beautiful birds, beautifully captured, Marilyn

    Like

  2. nonsmokingladybug
    03/22/2015 • 17:17

    I love Cardinals, a bright color spot in the middle of winter

    Like

  3. Raewyn's Photos
    03/22/2015 • 14:40

    Great photos. I know exactly what you mean. I finally got my first decent photos of the elusive fantail. Not with the full fan, but at least they were sharp.

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    • Marilyn Armstrong
      03/22/2015 • 14:42

      It’s really hard to just shoot, or it is for me. I have to get over a lifetime of framing for a perfect image. Speed and luck are as important as anything else when shooting wildlife. Especially birds!

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  4. cordeliasmom2012
    03/22/2015 • 12:05

    Good advice, Marilyn. Since I’m so totally new at it, and only have a point-and-click, it took me awhile to figure out that it’s not necessary to frame the shot and then very s-l-o-w-l-y press the shutter button – that only makes my hands shake. Now I just get the picture somewhere in the viewfinder and then click once quickly, and take my chances. We’ll see how that works out.

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    • Marilyn Armstrong
      03/22/2015 • 12:29

      It depends on the light. How much of it there is. In very bright light … sunny day, blue skies … most cameras will focus more or less instantly. The less light you’ve got (especially indoors), the harder it is for the camera to focus. That’s where a “fast” vs. “slow” lens make a huge difference. An inexpensive camera won’t have a “fast” lens. Fast isn’t actually a measure of speed, but a measure of how much light the shutter lets in at its widest opening (aperture). Generally, more expensive lenses and cameras are better in low light.

      When you are shooting birds, dogs, kids … things in motion or likely to be in motion … you don’t have a choice. If you want the picture, point and shoot. Otherwise, you won’t have anything. But for other stuff, other kinds of photography, it’s good to give your camera a moment to find its focus. Depending on the light.

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  5. nancy merrill
    03/22/2015 • 10:39

    Wonderful shots, Marilyn. I love the color on the red one. Thanks for joining the challenge!

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  6. DailyMusings
    03/22/2015 • 07:44

    I never tire of looking at photos of birds- these are great

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    • Marilyn Armstrong
      03/22/2015 • 10:24

      All taken while hanging out of my bathroom window using my superzoom Panasonic with the Leica lens 🙂 The birds are beginning to disperse. The snow is lingering, but it is getting noticeably warmer.

      Liked by 1 person

      • Garry Armstrong
        03/22/2015 • 11:10

        That’s VERY good work, Probie. Grab your gear. There’s a BOLO out on a rambunctious Scottie who refuses to pose for photographs.

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  7. bkpyett
    03/22/2015 • 02:42

    Beautiful feathered friends, so fluffy and colourful!

    Like