Getting those fantastic bird habitat shots

[kenpossum]

We often want to record the various habitats we find our birds in, so why not create the images using techniques the National Geographic photographers use. One is to make maximum use of our wide angle lenses using the hyperfocal technique to bring your immediate foreground that normally would appear out of focus back into focus, and at the same time retaining sharp focus in the background.. Once you get on to it, it will by a standard tech in your photo skill-set. Guananteed.

The image of Cheam Wetlands was taken with a Sigma 10-20mm wide angle at 10mm, but this technique will work with all wide angle lenses ie. 18mm. My first step was to use the horizontal format option and lower my tripod so that the grasses immediately in front of me were in the frame. They would appear to be out of focus. Manually, set your aperture at f/22 and the shutter speed to whatever balances your exposure. That may result in a long exposure, hense the reason for the tripod. I am often shooting these images at 1/15 sec. Set your focus on manual, both lens and camera and turn the infinity marker until you see the background sharp. The foreground should continue to be out of focus. If it is not, lower your tripod some more until it is. Frame your image, and recheck youe exposure. Then, don't look at your camera settings again. Manually turn the infinity marker back away from where you had set it about 1/2 to 1cm. What will happen is the foreground will appear in focus, but the background will be out of focus. Don't touch the focus to correct it! Trust me on this. Take the image (I always use an electronic shutter release or self-timer on all my scenics.) It may take some practice, but the results will be worth it. I will post more examples of habitats you are famaliar with, but post yours as well.

[kenpossum]

My second step is to combine the hyperfocal technique used above with a squared, plastic, graduated neutral density filter such as a Cokin GD Grey P120. Using this filter reduces the contrast between the foreground and the sky above. In many cases, if you expose for the foreground, the sky will wash out such as in the scene below. There is a broken cloud horizon but you can't tell as the sky washed out to white.



By placing the graduated grey P120 over the sky, the contrast reduced, allowing colour to show in the sky again. I don't bother with the Cokin filter holders as I am always using a tripod, and I have a free hand to hold the filter.



One can also use High Dynamic Range (HDR) to control the contrast, but that also requires special software and some time with Photoshop or similar post-processing. The results are often not as expected, whereas with the Graduated ND fiilters the results are instant and you get what you see through the lens. Grad ND filters (Cokin P120) are available at Lens and Shutter. Mention that I referred you and they mey offer a 10% discount.

[kenpossum]

The photo below taken at Green Point on Harrison Lake uses both the hyperfocal tech and a graduated grey Cokin P120 ND filter. Cokin makes a variety of GD grey filters but I prefer the P120.

[kenpossum]

Two more habitat shots taken at Reifel using both the hyperfocal technique and a Cokin P120 graduated ND filter. The first shows a flock of Long-billed dowitchers along with some sand-hill cranes.





I would really like to see more images created by you using these techniques. If you have difficulties, don't hesitate to contact me at 604-858-0544 of [e-mail].

[oldfulica]

Ken I haven't had my camera very long and I am itching to get a new lens. This fantastic tutorial has given me something to think about. I have always wondered how someone gets everything in focus like that. Once I get a suitable lens you can bet I will attempt this technique.
Thank you very much.

[kenpossum]

Len I have seen your shots! Second to none. Let me know when you get your new wide angle, and we can go over any questions you may have.

[oldfulica]

Thanks Ken. Let me know if you have any leads on a used wide angle lens for a Canon. ;D

[Chris]

Thanks for the information Ken. I do not take very many landscape shots but this definitely will help me when I do. Next one I take I will post it on here.

Great pictures as usual Ken. Love the Green Point one especially. Out of curiosity where was the one after Cheam Wetalnds taken?

[davepeppar]

Thanks for posting a "lession." For "homework" I went out and gave it a try.



This is a view today at 2pm from Chilliwack Mountain.

To get in focus I had the tripod at about 20" off the ground. The forground is in focus but the background maybe a little soft. This was a 400asa, f22 at 1/60.

DaveP

[oldfulica]

Looks like you got it figured out Dave.

[murraybrown]

Beautiful composition as well.

[Gord]

Dave, nice work there. I say you got it. This is a good time of year to do these things in the area as the air quality is a little worse in the summer.

Ken, excellent topic.

[kenpossum]

WooHoo Dave! Executed perfectly, and what a great shot! The hyperfocal tech really makes maximum use of your wide angle lens to show depth. You have a perfect example - sharpness in the foreground leaves, and sharpness in the mountains.

[oldfulica]

Dec 31, 2010 18:24:30 GMT -8 kenpossum said:

We often want to record the various habitats we find our birds in, so why not create the images using techniques the National Geographic photographers use.

Ken I need your advice on this shot. I think I followed all your instructions. ( I know the horizon isn't straight) I finally had a chance to try it out at the Tulip festival in Agasszi but I was using a 50mm. Not really a wide angle. Does it have to be a wide angle lens and do you think I got it right? I also used the graduated filter you recommended.

[kenpossum]

Len I am not sure when this was posted, but just saw it today. The hyperfocal technique works BEST with the widest lenses but can be adapted to a normal lens. This is a nice image as both the foreground tulips and the mountains are in focus!

The lens I recommend is a Sigma 10-20mm if you really want to get into hyperfocal wide angle scenics, but any 18mm will get excellent results. The graduated filter you used evened out the contrast. I use a Cokin P121S.

Hope this helps. Ken