Owl at over 100 mph. First photo post on forum

Well I’ve finally found some time and energy to post an image. It is of a Bard Owl at flying at over 100 mph. It was shot at Sea World California during a bird show.



I cropped the image using PhotoShop 6.0, interpolated to make the image back to a 3Mp file, did autolevels and sharpened. I would love people’s comments.

Camera Model Name
Canon PowerShot G1
Shooting Date/Time
2/16/2001 5:18:08 PM
Shooting Mode
Program AE
Tv (Shutter Speed)
1/400
Av (Aperture Value)
4.0
Metering Mode
Center-weighted averaging
Exposure Compensation
0
ISO Speed
50
Lens
7.0 - 21.0 mm
Focal Length
21.0 mm
Digital Zoom
None
Image Size
2048 x 1536
Image Quality
Fine
Flash
Off
White Balance
Auto
AF Mode
Continuous
Parameters
Contrast Normal
Sharpness Normal
Color Saturation Normal
File Size
891 KB

Morris said:

Well I’ve finally found some time and energy to post an
image. It is of a Bard Owl at flying at over 100 mph. It was shot
at Sea World California during a bird show.

Click to expand...

100mph ? That sounds awfully fast......plus it looks like the owl just started the flight, it's hard to imagine it would have accelerated to 100 mph in the short distance.

Paul.

Close call or you would have missed. These are difficult to take and takes practise your speed is realatively slow for high speed shots. try panning with cars to practise. I am new with digital but take lots of pic's of action with slr. I also posted first digital training photo's have look would like your comments.
Dave

Morris said:

Well I’ve finally found some time and energy to post an
image. It is of a Bard Owl at flying at over 100 mph. It was shot
at Sea World California during a bird show.



I cropped the image using PhotoShop 6.0, interpolated to make the
image back to a 3Mp file, did autolevels and sharpened. I would
love people’s comments.

Camera Model Name
Canon PowerShot G1
Shooting Date/Time
2/16/2001 5:18:08 PM
Shooting Mode
Program AE
Tv (Shutter Speed)
1/400
Av (Aperture Value)
4.0
Metering Mode
Center-weighted averaging
Exposure Compensation
0
ISO Speed
50
Lens
7.0 - 21.0 mm
Focal Length
21.0 mm
Digital Zoom
None
Image Size
2048 x 1536
Image Quality
Fine
Flash
Off
White Balance
Auto
AF Mode
Continuous
Parameters
Contrast Normal
Sharpness Normal
Color Saturation Normal
File Size
891 KB

Click to expand...

I chose the shutter speed as a compromise with f-stop as I wanted the depth of field. I’ve been shooting wildlife for many years with a Cannon AE-1. I have plenty of practice panning but never tried following cars.

I did not have a radar gun. The can fly much faster than 100 mph. It had just dropped a few hundred feet and leveled out when I took the shot.

Morris

Morris said:

Well I’ve finally found some time and energy to post an
image. It is of a Bard Owl at flying at over 100 mph. It was shot
at Sea World California during a bird show.



I cropped the image using PhotoShop 6.0, interpolated to make the
image back to a 3Mp file, did autolevels and sharpened. I would
love people’s comments.

Camera Model Name
Canon PowerShot G1
Shooting Date/Time
2/16/2001 5:18:08 PM
Shooting Mode
Program AE
Tv (Shutter Speed)
1/400
Av (Aperture Value)
4.0
Metering Mode
Center-weighted averaging
Exposure Compensation
0
ISO Speed
50
Lens
7.0 - 21.0 mm
Focal Length
21.0 mm
Digital Zoom
None
Image Size
2048 x 1536
Image Quality
Fine
Flash
Off
White Balance
Auto
AF Mode
Continuous
Parameters
Contrast Normal
Sharpness Normal
Color Saturation Normal
File Size
891 KB

Click to expand...

Not bad, Morris. It's very difficult to get a good shot of a moving object when you must contend with the shutter delay in an auto-focus digital camera. Next time, try to anticipate the object's position beforehand, and aim and focus for that point, locking it in by pressing the shutter release halfway and holding it. Another approach would be to switch to Pan-Focus mode to get a wide depth-of-focus so that you don't have to worry about that at the critical moment (the camera will shoot more quickly if it doesn't need to focus). If the object is too far away for a good shot in Pan-Focus mode, switch to Manual mode; then you can push the shutter speed up to 1/500 or greater, open the aperture to compensate, and manually focus beforehand on a spot approximately the same distance from the camera as that anticipated for the object. If you can do all of the work for the camera beforehand, the G1's response to the shutter-press is very quick, less than a 1/10 of a second.

Tip: For Manual mode, get an 18% gray card and use this for setting your exposure level under the light conditions of the situation. While not perfect, you should be able to get a reading accurate enough to adjust in a photo editor. With the background that is in your shot it is surprising your meter wasn't thrown off more than it was.

It's a tough shot, and you should be proud of the fact that you caught the bird at all, let alone in focus! I used to take shots of ski races years ago, and I took far too many shots of the skiers' butts before I figured it the timing.

The opinions expressed above are worth slightly more than you paid for them. ;-)

Keep shooting--

--rhb

Morris said:

Well I’ve finally found some time and energy to post an
image. It is of a Bard Owl at flying at over 100 mph. It was shot
at Sea World California during a bird show.



I cropped the image using PhotoShop 6.0, interpolated to make the
image back to a 3Mp file, did autolevels and sharpened. I would
love people’s comments.

Camera Model Name
Canon PowerShot G1
Shooting Date/Time
2/16/2001 5:18:08 PM
Shooting Mode
Program AE
Tv (Shutter Speed)
1/400
Av (Aperture Value)
4.0
Metering Mode
Center-weighted averaging
Exposure Compensation
0
ISO Speed
50
Lens
7.0 - 21.0 mm
Focal Length
21.0 mm
Digital Zoom
None
Image Size
2048 x 1536
Image Quality
Fine
Flash
Off
White Balance
Auto
AF Mode
Continuous
Parameters
Contrast Normal
Sharpness Normal
Color Saturation Normal
File Size
891 KB

Click to expand...

I owe you and ask for forgiveness for my own stupidity. I saw the photo and did not open it fully and thus hide my head in shame for making the comment that you nearly missed afer going back would like to save some face and say it came out excellend. I have to laugh at making my name so ass but will have to make up to you in day's to come.
Dave

Richard said:

Tip: For Manual mode, get an 18% gray card and use this for
setting your exposure level under the light conditions of the
situation. While not perfect, you should be able to get a reading
accurate enough to adjust in a photo editor. With the background
that is in your shot it is surprising your meter wasn't thrown off
more than it was.

It's a tough shot, and you should be proud of the fact that you
caught the bird at all, let alone in focus! I used to take shots
of ski races years ago, and I took far too many shots of the
skiers' butts before I figured it the timing.

The opinions expressed above are worth slightly more than you paid
for them. ;-)

Keep shooting--

--rhb

Morris said:

Well I’ve finally found some time and energy to post an
image. It is of a Bard Owl at flying at over 100 mph. It was shot
at Sea World California during a bird show.



I cropped the image using PhotoShop 6.0, interpolated to make the
image back to a 3Mp file, did autolevels and sharpened. I would
love people’s comments.

Camera Model Name
Canon PowerShot G1
Shooting Date/Time
2/16/2001 5:18:08 PM
Shooting Mode
Program AE
Tv (Shutter Speed)
1/400
Av (Aperture Value)
4.0
Metering Mode
Center-weighted averaging
Exposure Compensation
0
ISO Speed
50
Lens
7.0 - 21.0 mm
Focal Length
21.0 mm
Digital Zoom
None
Image Size
2048 x 1536
Image Quality
Fine
Flash
Off
White Balance
Auto
AF Mode
Continuous
Parameters
Contrast Normal
Sharpness Normal
Color Saturation Normal
File Size
891 KB

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

I would love ther comments.

Morris

Morris said:

Well I’ve finally found some time and energy to post an
image. It is of a Bard Owl at flying at over 100 mph. It was shot
at Sea World California during a bird show.



I cropped the image using PhotoShop 6.0, interpolated to make the
image back to a 3Mp file, did autolevels and sharpened. I would
love people’s comments.

Camera Model Name
Canon PowerShot G1
Shooting Date/Time
2/16/2001 5:18:08 PM
Shooting Mode
Program AE
Tv (Shutter Speed)
1/400
Av (Aperture Value)
4.0
Metering Mode
Center-weighted averaging
Exposure Compensation
0
ISO Speed
50
Lens
7.0 - 21.0 mm
Focal Length
21.0 mm
Digital Zoom
None
Image Size
2048 x 1536
Image Quality
Fine
Flash
Off
White Balance
Auto
AF Mode
Continuous
Parameters
Contrast Normal
Sharpness Normal
Color Saturation Normal
File Size
891 KB

Click to expand...

I still need to make it up to you so post a nother pic to make comments my luck is done on this one lol.
Dave

Morris said:

Morris

Morris said:

Well I’ve finally found some time and energy to post an
image. It is of a Bard Owl at flying at over 100 mph. It was shot
at Sea World California during a bird show.



I cropped the image using PhotoShop 6.0, interpolated to make the
image back to a 3Mp file, did autolevels and sharpened. I would
love people’s comments.

Camera Model Name
Canon PowerShot G1
Shooting Date/Time
2/16/2001 5:18:08 PM
Shooting Mode
Program AE
Tv (Shutter Speed)
1/400
Av (Aperture Value)
4.0
Metering Mode
Center-weighted averaging
Exposure Compensation
0
ISO Speed
50
Lens
7.0 - 21.0 mm
Focal Length
21.0 mm
Digital Zoom
None
Image Size
2048 x 1536
Image Quality
Fine
Flash
Off
White Balance
Auto
AF Mode
Continuous
Parameters
Contrast Normal
Sharpness Normal
Color Saturation Normal
File Size
891 KB

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

I am looking forward to taking some of this type of action photos with my G1. I am hoping that the telephoto lens would be helpful with this type of shot. Thanks for sharing your owl shot. As soon as it warms some here I will get some and post.

ERIC

Morris said:

Well I’ve finally found some time and energy to post an
image. It is of a Bard Owl at flying at over 100 mph. It was shot
at Sea World California during a bird show.



I cropped the image using PhotoShop 6.0, interpolated to make the
image back to a 3Mp file, did autolevels and sharpened. I would
love people’s comments.

Camera Model Name
Canon PowerShot G1
Shooting Date/Time
2/16/2001 5:18:08 PM
Shooting Mode
Program AE
Tv (Shutter Speed)
1/400
Av (Aperture Value)
4.0
Metering Mode
Center-weighted averaging
Exposure Compensation
0
ISO Speed
50
Lens
7.0 - 21.0 mm
Focal Length
21.0 mm
Digital Zoom
None
Image Size
2048 x 1536
Image Quality
Fine
Flash
Off
White Balance
Auto
AF Mode
Continuous
Parameters
Contrast Normal
Sharpness Normal
Color Saturation Normal
File Size
891 KB

Click to expand...

Eric, the 100mm lens is a bit short on the telephoto side for wildlife photos. I used PhotoShop 6 to enhance and crop the image. If you do this you can get acceptable results. I plan to purchase a high quality telephoto lens in the future.

Morris

ERIC F said:

ERIC

Morris said:

Well I’ve finally found some time and energy to post an
image. It is of a Bard Owl at flying at over 100 mph. It was shot
at Sea World California during a bird show.



I cropped the image using PhotoShop 6.0, interpolated to make the
image back to a 3Mp file, did autolevels and sharpened. I would
love people’s comments.

Camera Model Name
Canon PowerShot G1
Shooting Date/Time
2/16/2001 5:18:08 PM
Shooting Mode
Program AE
Tv (Shutter Speed)
1/400
Av (Aperture Value)
4.0
Metering Mode
Center-weighted averaging
Exposure Compensation
0
ISO Speed
50
Lens
7.0 - 21.0 mm
Focal Length
21.0 mm
Digital Zoom
None
Image Size
2048 x 1536
Image Quality
Fine
Flash
Off
White Balance
Auto
AF Mode
Continuous
Parameters
Contrast Normal
Sharpness Normal
Color Saturation Normal
File Size
891 KB

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Too bad you couldn't get the owl to smile....however he does seem to be smirking a little.

Seriously, a real cool shot. My attempt at action photography has been limited to shooting my friends on a ski trip. The shutter lag made for some challenging shots even at those speeds. I got a kick out of it and I know you must too.

Thanks for sharing

D L

Morris said:

Well I’ve finally found some time and energy to post an
image. It is of a Bard Owl at flying at over 100 mph. It was shot
at Sea World California during a bird show.



I cropped the image using PhotoShop 6.0, interpolated to make the
image back to a 3Mp file, did autolevels and sharpened. I would
love people’s comments.

Camera Model Name
Canon PowerShot G1
Shooting Date/Time
2/16/2001 5:18:08 PM
Shooting Mode
Program AE
Tv (Shutter Speed)
1/400
Av (Aperture Value)
4.0
Metering Mode
Center-weighted averaging
Exposure Compensation
0
ISO Speed
50
Lens
7.0 - 21.0 mm
Focal Length
21.0 mm
Digital Zoom
None
Image Size
2048 x 1536
Image Quality
Fine
Flash
Off
White Balance
Auto
AF Mode
Continuous
Parameters
Contrast Normal
Sharpness Normal
Color Saturation Normal
File Size
891 KB

Click to expand...

Member said:

Member said:

Well I've finally found some time and energy to post an
image. It is of a Bard Owl at flying at over 100 mph. It was shot
at Sea World California during a bird show.

Click to expand...

I did not have a radar gun. The can fly much faster than 100 mph.

Click to expand...

Just FYI, because this is pretty OT, such birds cannot fly that fast. Swifts, which are the fastest birds can reach 100 mph (even a bit more). Owls are too big and heavy (and don't need such speed since they hunt rodents).

Well, anyway, i'm still impressed by the shot : it's exactly the kind of situation where i only get half a wing in the best case...

A.

Thank You Arnaud.

Morris

Arnaud R. said:

Arnaud R. said:

Arnaud R. said:

Well I've finally found some time and energy to post an
image. It is of a Bard Owl at flying at over 100 mph. It was shot
at Sea World California during a bird show.

Click to expand...

I did not have a radar gun. The can fly much faster than 100 mph.

Click to expand...

Just FYI, because this is pretty OT, such birds cannot fly that
fast. Swifts, which are the fastest birds can reach 100 mph (even a
bit more). Owls are too big and heavy (and don't need such speed
since they hunt rodents).

Well, anyway, i'm still impressed by the shot : it's exactly the
kind of situation where i only get half a wing in the best case...


A.

Click to expand...

Woh! Shows what could be done with the G1 eh?
For me its between the G1 and the pro90IS and
pocketbility won .

Morris said:

Well I’ve finally found some time and energy to post an
image. It is of a Bard Owl at flying at over 100 mph. It was shot
at Sea World California during a bird show.



I cropped the image using PhotoShop 6.0, interpolated to make the
image back to a 3Mp file, did autolevels and sharpened. I would
love people’s comments.

Camera Model Name
Canon PowerShot G1
Shooting Date/Time
2/16/2001 5:18:08 PM
Shooting Mode
Program AE
Tv (Shutter Speed)
1/400
Av (Aperture Value)
4.0
Metering Mode
Center-weighted averaging
Exposure Compensation
0
ISO Speed
50
Lens
7.0 - 21.0 mm
Focal Length
21.0 mm
Digital Zoom
None
Image Size
2048 x 1536
Image Quality
Fine
Flash
Off
White Balance
Auto
AF Mode
Continuous
Parameters
Contrast Normal
Sharpness Normal
Color Saturation Normal
File Size
891 KB

Click to expand...

Morris, great shot! How on earth did you capture it at 100mph!! Fantastic!

Morris said:

Well I’ve finally found some time and energy to post an
image. It is of a Bard Owl at flying at over 100 mph. It was shot
at Sea World California during a bird show.



I cropped the image using PhotoShop 6.0, interpolated to make the
image back to a 3Mp file, did autolevels and sharpened. I would
love people’s comments.

Camera Model Name
Canon PowerShot G1
Shooting Date/Time
2/16/2001 5:18:08 PM
Shooting Mode
Program AE
Tv (Shutter Speed)
1/400
Av (Aperture Value)
4.0
Metering Mode
Center-weighted averaging
Exposure Compensation
0
ISO Speed
50
Lens
7.0 - 21.0 mm
Focal Length
21.0 mm
Digital Zoom
None
Image Size
2048 x 1536
Image Quality
Fine
Flash
Off
White Balance
Auto
AF Mode
Continuous
Parameters
Contrast Normal
Sharpness Normal
Color Saturation Normal
File Size
891 KB

Click to expand...

Thank you Theresa. Pan with the bird and pre focus.

Morris

Theresa said:

Morris said:

Well I’ve finally found some time and energy to post an
image. It is of a Bard Owl at flying at over 100 mph. It was shot
at Sea World California during a bird show.



I cropped the image using PhotoShop 6.0, interpolated to make the
image back to a 3Mp file, did autolevels and sharpened. I would
love people’s comments.

Camera Model Name
Canon PowerShot G1
Shooting Date/Time
2/16/2001 5:18:08 PM
Shooting Mode
Program AE
Tv (Shutter Speed)
1/400
Av (Aperture Value)
4.0
Metering Mode
Center-weighted averaging
Exposure Compensation
0
ISO Speed
50
Lens
7.0 - 21.0 mm
Focal Length
21.0 mm
Digital Zoom
None
Image Size
2048 x 1536
Image Quality
Fine
Flash
Off
White Balance
Auto
AF Mode
Continuous
Parameters
Contrast Normal
Sharpness Normal
Color Saturation Normal
File Size
891 KB

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Hi bud,

This is an example of technique used to maximum efficiency. You have taken an extremely difficult shot and created a wonderful image. Great work bud.

Stan

Thank you Stan.

Morris

stana said:

Hi bud,

This is an example of technique used to maximum efficiency. You
have taken an extremely difficult shot and created a wonderful
image. Great work bud.

Stan

Click to expand...

Hey Morris, just for the record, there is no way that barn owl was flying 100 mph in level flight and he doesn't appear to be diving. The worlds fastest bird is the peregrine falcon and its level flight speed exceeds 60 mph; however
it can hit well over 200 mph in a dive.
http://www.nytimes.com/learning/students/scienceqa/archive/991228.html

Good pic but the owl probably wasn't doing over 45.

Scott

Morris

First my standard disclaimer: I have no idea about that which I am speaking.

That being said, while I love your work and this image is excellent, I am wondering whether you tried to crop out the dark lower right side. I realize that you would lose the green base, but I don't know what impact that would have on the image. I just found that to be too distracting and would like to you hear your thoughts on the subject. Would it destroy the overall composition?