Which is the decisive moment?: Great Egret fishing (image heavy)

Denjw · Apr 12, 2018

I was observing this Great Egret across the other side of a creek for about half an hour hoping to capture it take off with Pro Capture.

16 minutes before the action started

It didn't appear to be interested in fishing but suddenly plunged head first into the water. I probably missed a few early frames of the bird movement but I sure would have missed a number of the first few shots without Pro Capture.

The bird captured a Garfish which surprised me as this creek is part of an inland lake which is only opens to the sea after flooding rains.

The egret returned to its perch and struggled with the fish for some time as it tried to get it into position to swallow. That sword like beak must have been a problem but it eventually went down that long neck of the egret.

Distance to bird was approx 58 metres and some shots not in sharp focus. Medium crops.

The whole fishing sequence took less than 3 seconds and I have left some images out.

First image of sequence and first four images are in a row

I left out the next 7 images in the sequence as not much difference to this one (but less splash)

Emerging with fish, this image and next four all in sequence

I left out the next 8 frames as the bird turned around to return to perch

Landing on perch, end of sequence

The bird struggled with fish for some time and this last image is not long before the fish was swallowed.

I captured the take off some time later but thought these shots more interesting.

Dennis

--

http://dwehner.zenfolio.com/

SteveB_photos · Apr 12, 2018

This one

cangopluto · Apr 12, 2018

Great use of the feature! My problem with procapture is the dof issue - to focus on the spot were the action is suppose to happen 0R to shoot at a distance were dof is big enough which usually means big birds

Bob657 · Apr 12, 2018

I agree with Steve B, beautiful shot!

rashid7 · Apr 12, 2018

im not a birder... my 2cents:

1st & last are 2static. Next2last shows off wing span nicely. Splash scenes = throw-away. Any of the 1st 3 w/ fish are very good - Well done!

HRC2016 · Apr 12, 2018

Yea, Pro Capture has made it much easier to get nice shots. It's kind of like spray and pray- it takes the thinking out of photography.

Nice images.

Martin.au · Apr 12, 2018

Agree.

Messier Object · Apr 13, 2018

HRC2016 said:
Yea, Pro Capture has made it much easier to get nice sh

It's kind of like spray and pray- it takes the thinking out of photography.

I disagree

have you used ProCap to shoot birds with a long lens ?

The camera still has to be set up . . .

You still need to decide on a shutter speed to suit the subject and expected speed of motion.

You still need to achieve a sharp focus and decide on the right DoF

You have to decide where to frame the subject relative to what you feel will be it’s direction of motion.

And most important of all, you need to know where and when to look for the subject and how it will behave.

And finally you need patience and skill to hold the subject in focus and in frame while you wait for it to move. I’ve done that for 5 or 10 minutes and I can tell you it can be difficult.

Peter

Messier Object · Apr 13, 2018

Good results Dennis, especially given the range.

How many Pre frames did you set and what FPS ?

Peter

PhotoguyCanada · Apr 13, 2018

Messier Object said:
HRC2016 said:

Yea, Pro Capture has made it much easier to get nice sh

It's kind of like spray and pray- it takes the thinking out of photography.

Click to expand...

I disagree

have you used ProCap to shoot birds with a long lens ?

The camera still has to be set up . . .

You still need to decide on a shutter speed to suit the subject and expected speed of motion.

You still need to achieve a sharp focus and decide on the right DoF

You have to decide where to frame the subject relative to what you feel will be it’s direction of motion.

And most important of all, you need to know where and when to look for the subject and how it will behave.

And finally you need patience and skill to hold the subject in focus and in frame while you wait for it to move. I’ve done that for 5 or 10 minutes and I can tell you it can be difficult.

Peter

Agree with your comments 100% Peter

Robert

Denjw · Apr 13, 2018

Messier Object said:
Good results Dennis, especially given the range.

How many Pre frames did you set and what FPS ?

Peter

Thanks for the above spray and pray reply, I couldn't be bothered as he has peddled this line before. Sure is not easy as it might seem.

I used 10 Pre Frames and 18 fps. Still not sure how to determine which frame is the full press of the shutter button. I feather the half press and I presume the number of Pre Frames recorded depends on your reaction time?

Dennis

nzmacro · Apr 13, 2018

Number 5 of the burst Den ...... IMO only. Most shots around what I want goes in the bin and I might keep 2-3 shots, maybe otherwise we end up with thousands

Nice sequence though and nice shots.

All the best Den.

Danny.

Denjw · Apr 13, 2018

nzmacro said:
Number 5 of the burst Den ...... IMO only. Most shots around what I want goes in the bin and I might keep 2-3 shots, maybe otherwise we end up with thousands Nice sequence though and nice shots.

All the best Den.

Danny.

Thanks Danny, yes not really worth keeping most of these but I just wanted to show the sequence.

Cheers

Dennis

Phocal · Apr 13, 2018

Denjw said:
Messier Object said:

Good results Dennis, especially given the range.

How many Pre frames did you set and what FPS ?

Peter

Click to expand...

Thanks for the above spray and pray reply, I couldn't be bothered as he has peddled this line before. Sure is not easy as it might seem.

they are on two different forums and I have never seen them add anything constructive to any conversation or ever post any photo.

Denjw said:
I used 10 Pre Frames and 18 fps. Still not sure how to determine which frame is the full press of the shutter button. I feather the half press and I presume the number of Pre Frames recorded depends on your reaction time?

Dennis

Barry Stewart · Apr 13, 2018

Is the camera still able to C-AF, while pro-capturing, or is it stuck on the first frame's focus? (Your photos seem to say YES to my first question.)

Btw, I agree on the profile frame of the 'emerging' sequence as being THE shot — though the one just before it has merit, as well, with more water falling off the fresh catch.

nzmacro · Apr 13, 2018

Denjw said:
nzmacro said:

Number 5 of the burst Den ...... IMO only. Most shots around what I want goes in the bin and I might keep 2-3 shots, maybe otherwise we end up with thousands Nice sequence though and nice shots.

All the best Den.

Danny.

Click to expand...

Thanks Danny, yes not really worth keeping most of these but I just wanted to show the sequence.

Cheers

Dennis

Skeeterbytes · Apr 13, 2018

Denjw said:
I used 10 Pre Frames and 18 fps. Still not sure how to determine which frame is the full press of the shutter button. I feather the half press and I presume the number of Pre Frames recorded depends on your reaction time?

You encapsulate what I've found to be a key challenge with Pro Capture. It's whiz-bang technology but not intuitive in use when I'm trying to anticipate action out of my control. Oly's demonstration of the arrow piercing water balloons is clever in that the timing can be controlled (and subject focus plane remains unchanged). The above sequence is a fine example of its capabilities in the field.

Similarly, 60 fps e-shutter looks (and sounds) exactly like live view. First few times I tried it I had to check playback to see whether I was actually photographing. It's eerie.

Cheers,

Rick

boxerman · Apr 13, 2018

+1

SteveB_photos said:
This one

--
The BoxerMan

cangopluto · Apr 13, 2018

nzmacro said:
It's a darn nice feature that pro capture Den. I wish it could be used with MF tele lenses is all. I would certainly use it for sure and it would probably convince me to get the E-M1 MKII.

And since latest firmware you indeed can use it with MF lenses. Checked it just now to be sure with my telescope (if anything, it is MF) and it works. With the e-m1 mk 2 of course.

HRC2016 · Apr 13, 2018

Messier Object said:
HRC2016 said:

Yea, Pro Capture has made it much easier to get nice sh

It's kind of like spray and pray- it takes the thinking out of photography.

Click to expand...

I disagree

have you used ProCap to shoot birds with a long lens ?

The camera still has to be set up . . .

You still need to decide on a shutter speed to suit the subject and expected speed of motion.

You still need to achieve a sharp focus and decide on the right DoF

You have to decide where to frame the subject relative to what you feel will be it’s direction of motion.

And most important of all, you need to know where and when to look for the subject and how it will behave.

And finally you need patience and skill to hold the subject in focus and in frame while you wait for it to move. I’ve done that for 5 or 10 minutes and I can tell you it can be difficult.

Peter

I've not had to rely on Pro Capture to get great results with a telephoto (not using the 100-400). It's a feature I probably will never use. I seldom use burst mode, either.

Setting up the camera? Seriously? You think there should be credit for that? Waiting 10 minutes for a shot in frame is difficult? Life is hard, isn't it.

In all modes of photography your odds of a keeper increase with knowing your gear and you subject.

Pro Capture is essentially comparing shooting video to stills. Spray and pray. Yes, subject knowledge is always required, even if it's just being at the right school to watch your kid's recital. Subject knowledge is important in wildlife photography, but Pro Capture makes it less important because you can still get the money shot even if you don't correctly react in time.

Given your logic perhaps I should extend my kudos for the photographer getting out of bed and to the site safely and being able to push the right buttons.

I'm not saying these are bad shots. They are great shots! I'd be more impressed if Pro Capture wasn't used, that's all. There's nothing wrong with using it, or not using it. It's a tool. Just like using auto WB is a tool for people who don't understand light or are lazy.

I know people want instant gratification, and PC helps that.

Which is the decisive moment?: Great Egret fishing (image heavy)

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