On a hike last month I have 2 Gray Jays follow us from the half way point to the summit of our climb looking for handouts. They are quite friendly birds who will perch in your hand for food. They are also called camp robbers as they will help themselves to anything they want in your camp, even while you are eating it. I wasn't able to get good light in it's eyes. Comments welcomed.
Your image EXIF data states:
Exposure Time (1 / Shutter Speed) = 1/250 second
Lens F-Number / F-Stop = ƒ/29
Exposure Program = aperture priority
ISO Speed Ratings = 800
Looks like you were ready to shoot some landscapes with that tiny aperture to get max DOF buddy! I believe a narrower DOF, say f/5.6 would have made all the dust bunnies disappear from the BG. Aperture priority would be fine with a stationary subject, but looks like 1/250s might have caused blur from any motion from the bird. 1/800s would probably have been better at freezing motion. #2 is a much stronger image than #1 with the eye contact there. I probably would have not centered the subject quite so much to give a feeling to the viewer that the bird is looking into some negative space. I hope you don't mind this little bit of criticsm man! I love the bird, its quite a find!
Your image EXIF data states:
Exposure Time (1 / Shutter Speed) = 1/250 second
Lens F-Number / F-Stop = ƒ/29
Exposure Program = aperture priority
ISO Speed Ratings = 800
Looks like you were ready to shoot some landscapes with that tiny aperture to get max DOF buddy! I believe a narrower DOF, say f/5.6 would have made all the dust bunnies disappear from the BG. Aperture priority would be fine with a stationary subject, but looks like 1/250s might have caused blur from any motion from the bird. 1/800s would probably have been better at freezing motion. #2 is a much stronger image than #1 with the eye contact there. I probably would have not centered the subject quite so much to give a feeling to the viewer that the bird is looking into some negative space. I hope you don't mind this little bit of criticsm man! I love the bird, its quite a find! ...Show more →
Bill - Nice work. I really like the angle in #2.
Conrad - Those are all excellent observations Conrad. That's why I post pictures here.
Ah, I used to do a lot of winter hiking in the Whites Bill, those last shots brought back some wonderful memories.
I would agree with Conrads comments on composition but I do differ on his choice of aperture. I would say f8-f11 would be ideal, below too much of the bird is OOF
Tim Kuhn wrote:
Ah, I used to do a lot of winter hiking in the Whites Bill, those last shots brought back some wonderful memories.
I would agree with Conrads comments on composition but I do differ on his choice of aperture. I would say f8-f11 would be ideal, below too much of the bird is OOF
Tim
Tim is right, his aperture recommendations will work better.
Thanks Tim and Conrad. The next time I will slow down and think. I have been away from serious photography for a while and am getting back into it. All of your comments are bringing me back.
Mike, I am a very lucky man My wife has 3 very close friends who's husbands do not hike and I have the pleasure of having them join us on our hikes. They are all delightful and avid outdoors people and we have a great time together.
Aperture priority would be fine with a stationary subject, but looks like 1/250s might have caused blur from any motion from the bird. 1/800s would probably have been better at freezing motion. #2 is a much stronger image than #1 with the eye contact there. I probably would have not centered the subject quite so much to give a feeling to the viewer that the bird is looking into some negative space. I hope you don't mind this little bit of criticsm man! I love the bird, its quite a find! 
My wife has 3 very close friends who's husbands do not hike and I have the pleasure of having them join us on our hikes. They are all delightful and avid outdoors people and we have a great time together.