p.2 #2 · Lets see those Nikkor AF-S 500mm f/4G ED VRI Pics
tc-photo wrote:
Why would anyone pay $5000+ for a lens to take pictures of birds?
I can see the eagle...because...well...it's an eagle, but I just don't get the obsession with "birding"....but I also don't understand hunting...whether it's deer, squirrel, rabbit, etc. Maybe there's some hidden connection there, I don't know.....
Those of you who are "birders" could you give me some insight? Again, I'm not being sarcastic or trying to put down birders in any way, I'm just trying to understand the whole birding thing in general. They just sit there on a branch, they don't move, there's not really any "challenge" in getting the shot that I can see.....what is your "motivation" to shoot birds.
Thanks....and let's not turn this into some ugly....bash TC thread. As I said, I'm just curious.........Show more →
[OFF TOPIC] (my apologies to Dan the OP...)
Hi TC: Well, believe it or not birding has always has been popular and is increasingly so with the aging metro populations that want to connect more with nature. I've heard that in North America birding is the fastest growing hobby. Anyway, whether you
"get it" or not just boils down to personal preference.
I can tell you that photographing birds is one of the most challenging photographic activities as it requires a lot of time, effort to learn the techniques, travel, and of course money. Like anything else, show me an excellent avian photograph and I'll show you how it could be better, so striving for that elusive perfection is a big part of the game. Unfortunately it's hard to dabble in avian photography because of the expense of the equipment and dedication necessary if you're serious. Yet the popularity of the hobby is undeniable given the number of forums dedicated to nature photography.
All I know is that is my photography hobby meshes nicely with my love of birds/nature that I've had all my life. Unfortunately for my wallet, I've developed a taste for sharp images of very challenging, mostly distant subjects! But being at the later stage in my working career I can afford to spend the money...something I couldn't do in my 20's, that's for sure.
I agree with you about one thing though...I prefer "action" shots as opposed to static portrait shots of birds. Here's one of my best from the Summer. Getting this shot required me to sit for hours at at time over many weekends in August and September waiting to catch this Osprey fishing for dinner....
p.2 #6 · Lets see those Nikkor AF-S 500mm f/4G ED VRI Pics
Gary Irwin wrote:
[OFF TOPIC] (my apologies to Dan the OP...)
Hi TC: Well, believe it or not birding has always has been popular and is increasingly so with the aging metro populations that want to connect more with nature. I've heard that in North America birding is the fastest growing hobby. Anyway, whether you
"get it" or not just boils down to personal preference.
I can tell you that photographing birds is one of the most challenging photographic activities as it requires a lot of time, effort to learn the techniques, travel, and of course money. Like anything else, show me an excellent avian photograph and I'll show you how it could be better, so striving for that elusive perfection is a big part of the game. Unfortunately it's hard to dabble in avian photography because of the expense of the equipment and dedication necessary if you're serious. Yet the popularity of the hobby is undeniable given the number of forums dedicated to nature photography.
All I know is that is my photography hobby meshes nicely with my love of birds/nature that I've had all my life. Unfortunately for my wallet, I've developed a taste for sharp images of very challenging, mostly distant subjects! But being at the later stage in my working career I can afford to spend the money...something I couldn't do in my 20's, that's for sure.
I agree with you about one thing though...I prefer "action" shots as opposed to static portrait shots of birds. Here's one of my best from the Summer. Getting this shot required me to sit for hours at at time over many weekends in August and September waiting to catch this Osprey fishing for dinner....
BTW, that was taken with my D300+500VR, so I'm not completely off topic!!
[/OFF TOPIC] ...Show more →
One of the best "action" shots I've seen, and I am over at Naturescapes.net regularly in the Birds section.
p.2 #7 · Lets see those Nikkor AF-S 500mm f/4G ED VRI Pics
I used to think the same thing about birding when I first saw people doing it. I though how boring. Once I tried it, I was hooked. To me its like fishing. It's very relaxing and rewarding. SMJ that is a great shot of the Eagle in flight. Great work.
