Ok, so I'm having an issue with what to post and what not to post on 365. This buzzard, or something of its ilk, was feasting on a disemboweled rabbit in the middle of the road--I was bike riding at the time with a friend when I saw it (of course, my camera was in the car, so I told my companion that I'd like to swing by in case this morbid scene was still intact after our ride).
The buzzard took off after I arrived (my initial shot was too remote to really edit well), and I got this, well, "nice abstract" but really, it's not what I wanted.
I then went up to the rabbit and took a close up of its death scene--morbid, bloody, really quite startling, but then I thought, ugh, is that ok to post on 365? Weigh in if you have an opinion on my dilemma. I like this one. I just wish I had focus. Zoom lessons. Thanks anyone for comments!
Daryl, nice to get the Turkey Vulture on take off. I understand your dilemma, and although some people post nature as it is, many time Hawks eating whatever, when I view certain shots my own natural reaction is revulsion. So personally I always try to edit out what I view as disgusting, just because of my own preferences. I have a friend who always posts his magnificent shots of Red Tailed Hawks eating chipmunks, but they do nothing for me. Your rabbit was hit by a car first, or the Vulture would not have been having its meal. Vultures do not kill their prey. Just my two cents. It really is your own call.
@foxsparrow True, the car hit hit first and that was clear (should have mentioned that). Thanks so much for commenting! I really value your opinion! I could have also posted the spoon-ful of miso soup my daughter really wanted me to take. The good news is that I'm taking multiple shots of different subjects each day. Choosing. That's the issue. Thanks again!!! :)
I don't know how much of a crop this is, so that is one question. Looking at your exif data, Since you were using 800 ISO, I would have gone to f/8 which would have increased the depth of field on this big bird. You still would have had plenty of shutter speed. I can tell by the photo your camera focused on the front wing. I don't know if you had a focus point set or let the camera do it. The camera always grabs what's up front. Hope this helps some.
Birds in flight are always the toughest shots with our type of equipment. You were getting close with this one. Nice work!
@foxsparrow I cropped out a good bit of the background. Think of the bird in the central bottom of the photo and there was stuff on all sides. I used "sport mode" on my dial -- so I let it decide everything--I'm a little suprised at an 800 iso--it was a very clear day. I chose that mode as I suspected he'd move and I'd have to sort of chase him as best I could with the lens. So my "focus" was really my effort to not even lose him at all (I have several shots with plenty of background a tiny piece of wing or branches in the way). He did come to rest on top of a house, and I took shots there too, but they were so distant that cropping just made it blahier...I was just too excited to get a turkey buzzard/vulture. I really didn't have time to "think out the triangle" ahead of time. Thanks so much for your help! Really appreciate it. aperture is one of the things I've been trying to really understand, so this helps.
That gives me more info. I'm sure your camera is much newer than my Canon 20D, but I will tell you that I have never once gotten a decent bird in flight shot in "sport mode" with mine. ....it never focuses correctly. : (
Nice shot. If you are concerned about what you can / can't / should / shouldn't post then you could always start Discussion topic or contact Ross to see. I think that a good dollop of common sense is your best guideline. If you feel a bit squeamish about posting something then it probably wouldn't be appropriate - just my thoughts on the matter.
@steampowered Thanks Paul. Yes, common sense is the key--thanks for the response and input. I am excited today to have found my missing "mount piece" to my tripod, so I'm hoping that many of my backyard bird shots will have more clarity! Action shots like these are so hard anyway.
I have been too shy to post a discussion this early in 365--maybe in Month 4 on April Fool's Day. :)
I think this has an impressionistic quality to it that I quite like. But I do know what you mean about getting them in focus when they are on the fly so to speak. I personally do not like gory photos but it is a matter of taste.
I posted what I felt was a tasteful fallen bird..a Junco. I made sure to crop out its head, as it eyes were creepy. But I still had a few people say I should not have posted it. Here it is...I will post it in a moment...
Birds in flight are always the toughest shots with our type of equipment. You were getting close with this one. Nice work!
I have been too shy to post a discussion this early in 365--maybe in Month 4 on April Fool's Day. :)
http://365project.org/espyetta/album-2/2012-11-18