Directly or indirectly I learned at least three important lessons about photography from this beautiful male kestrel.
1/125, f/8, ISO 400, Canon Rebel XTi, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS USM + EF 1.4 II Extender, not baited, set up or called in
I photographed him at Farmington Bay on October 1, 2007 so this is one of the oldest images in my archives. He was perched in shade on an old snag that was a favorite kestrel perch but it’s long-gone now. The background is the Wasatch Mountains in shade several miles away. I really like the blues and reds in both bird and background – the rosy tones at lower left are scrub oaks beginning to turn color.
Over time the images I took of this bird taught me several things about photography (or reinforced lessons I had learned previously). They include:
1.) If cash is limited, and it usually is, the wise photographer (bird photographers especially) will invest most of his/her available financial resources into quality lenses rather than top of the line cameras.
- Image quality is determined significantly more by the quality of glass than it is by the camera. And modern digital cameras become “obsolete” relatively quickly but high quality lenses can serve you well for many decades.
- I took this image with the highest quality and most expensive 500mm Canon lens on the market at the time but my camera was the cheapest Canon DSLR available (my gear can be seen in the techs below the image). I’ve been through a half-dozen cameras since then but I used that lens for 8 years before I chose recently to upgrade to its newest version. If I’d kept it I could have used it for many years to come and still get truly excellent images.
- So images of this bird reinforced the lesson. If early in my photography career I’d invested more in cameras than in a quality lens, images like this one would surely be of significantly reduced quality.
2.) Catch lights in the eye vary greatly in size and shape – they don’t have to be pinpoints of light to be natural or desirable.
- I photographed this kestrel in shade (but the mountains far behind me were lit up) and back then I didn’t understand why the catch light was a horizontal band instead of a pinpoint of light. I posted my question (including one of my images of this kestrel) to Nature Photographers Network (NPN) and master bird photographer Bob Steele gave me a detailed lesson on catch lights – how they’re produced and why they’re different sizes and shapes. That discussion, posted on the day after this image was taken in 2007, is still online. It can be seen here if you’re interested.
3.) Some catch lights can be used to level images.
- I didn’t have my camera level while I was photographing this kestrel and the bird was obviously tilted to the left in the uncropped photo. The only cue in the image that can be used to obtain true level is the horizontal catch light. Since it’s actually a reflection of the lit-up mountains behind me (the horizon) I simply leveled the catch light to obtain true level. A pretty neat trick if you ask me…
Every time I see images I took of this kestrel that morning I’m fondly reminded of all I learned from the bird.
Apologies for the heavy load of “photo-geekiness” in today’s post but I know from feedback from viewers that some bird photographers out there appreciate such fare. Believe me, tomorrow’s planned post will be very different from today’s…
Ron
I am not a photographer and appreciate being able to see your beautiful images. It is also delightful to know the story–no doubt one of many possible. Thank you so very much for sharing your images and information.
Just Beautiful Ron!! Kestrels still my favorite bird to photograph.
Ron, thanks for this post, I’m definitely in the group who appreciate the details, though I also enjoy the posts without them. I did not know about the varying catch lights, though I should have since I’ve watched classes on portraiture and lighting where exactly that topic was discussed. It’s always good to take lessons from one thing and apply them to another, though sometimes I’m a little slow in doing so. Beautiful photo. I love the colors and the slight edge light on the kestrel. Great background color. Also nice angle to its head. And point well taken about glass versus camera.
Wow, just gorgeous colors.
Beautiful colors, nice tips. Never hesitate to teach us! I love to see the bird photographs but appreciate the instruction even more. It helps my personal pursuits.
Stephen
Sorry to get here so late (packing and puppy training), but I had to chime in with the absolute, utter spectacular beauty of this photo! OH WOW! I just LOVE it–everything about it. EVERYTHING! If you have any nits to pick, well, just move on to some other image! LOL!
Missed catch light link on first two revisits…glad I caught it on third (fourth?) revisit…very interesting–not just to photohraphers but to painers, too…at least this one…
That’s supposed to be “painters” …damned evil iPad strikes again!!!
Apologies NOT necessary.
I hope that some of the geekiness/knowledge filters though (by osmosis?) and in the interim can (and do) enjoy the kestrel.
Thank you, EC.
Thank you very much for today´s lesson/link and also for the lens advice. Both very useful.
As for the bird image … it took my breath away.
Thanks very much, Jorge.
It’s easy to put up with photo-geekiness when the image is an American Kestrel. That said, even us non-geeks learn things from posts like this. This is a beautiful portrait of one of my very favorite birds.
Good! I don’t want my occasional photo-geekiness to drive anyone away, Susan!
Jeeez! Don’t stop sharing the techy stuff! It’s way over my head,but I do get bits and pieces I almost understand…it’s got to be invaluable to your other “real” photographers….
Just gorgeous ! Great details. Harmonious matching of the subject and background colors ! The perch is perfect ! Simply beautiful !
Thanks, Tjie. I’ve always been fond of that perch too and I was sad when it toppled over.
I love this Print…could you send me information about purchasing this?
Teri, I’ve never printed this image and since it was taken with an older camera the file size is smaller so I don’t know how large it can be printed and maintain high quality.
Tomorrow I’ll take the file down to my printer (today’s his day off) and see what size prints can be made with the image and still maintain high quality. Then I’ll get back to both you and Arwen.
Beautiful image Ron. I love the subtle shades of blue. Thank you for the interesting information on the catch light too. The lesson of “spend your money on the lens” is one that I think so many people get wrong at first. I did. All I wanted was a long lens, the more reach the better. So I bought an off brand cheap 150-600 mm lens. After having it for 7 years it only has only been used for about 500 images — none of them sharp, even in controlled tests. I learned that lesson. Just last night a friend asked me about getting one of two lenses. The more expensive Canon L series, or another brand that was about 1/2 the price. I recommended to her to spend the money and get the better lens. Otherwise that money spent on the 1/2 price is virtually wasted. On top of this is the confidence and piece of mind element. Always wondering if this inferior lens is affecting image quality… Thanks again Ron.
That’s a hard-earned and expensive lesson for some, Ed. I came very close to making the same mistake.
This is breathtaking. Is there anyway to purchase a print? I love everything about this…from the fuzz on the branch to the line in the eye.
Thanks, Arwen. I’ll email you about the print.
I place great value on your “photo-geekiness”. I have learned several life lessons from reading your blog…please, don’t hesitate to get technical. I look at your photos with awe, but I ingest your technical talk and try to apply it to my own actions. Catch light to determine horizon…very neat 🙂
I thought that was a pretty fun little trick too, Zaphir. Thanks.
I love this luminous portrait of my favorite, fluffed up little assasin! The lighting and the harmony of colors is wonderful!
Thank you, Patty. He’s fluffed up because it was unusually cold that morning.
I’m not a photographer at all but I still find the geeky posts of interest though what really interests me is what and how you’ve learned over the years.
Linda, I’ve learned a lot and much of it has been as a recipient of the kindness and generosity of other photographers.
What does “geeky posts” mean? Just curious …as usual…does it mean photo techy stuff?
Yup.
I think this is the most beautiful, perfect picture of a kestral that I have ever seen! I love the blue sky with the beautiful blue on the bird. I’m so glad you shared this today. Thank you.
Thank you, Marya. Actually the background is mountains in shade, not sky…
Oh, wow, well I would have known that if I’d read a little more closely! Kind of in a hurry this morning, just looked at the picture and didn’t really read anything. Anyway, it’s lovely!
If I did not know better and just looking at your pictures for the first time, I would swear they were paintings. What a gift you have and to share it, Thank You.
Thanks so much for the very kind words, Steven.
If the reward is to gaze at an image of such ineffable loveliness as this one is–I’ll be willing to put up with a LOT of “photo geekiness” in trade for
the experience ; it’s just so exquisite……..
Ha, I’m glad you find it to be an acceptable tradeoff, Kris! Thank you.
Love the quality of the light, and the results produced… Personally, I much prefer open shade for this affect,
and prefer it to the light of bright/contrasty sunny days. Another great image Ron, and you are so
right about top quality glass being more important to producing a quality photo than the most expensive bodies. ;-)))
Roger, when I was a novice photographer I’d have “wasted” a lot of money on cameras without the sage advice of one NPN veteran who selflessly spent a lot of time helping with my gear choices. Thank you Tom Webster!
Wonderful image, great shot! Many thanks for the information, very helpful.
Although I thought I knew what catchlight was, I now have a much better understanding.
Good! Thanks for that feedback, Dick.
Beautiful photo! 🙂 I can see why you kept it and go back to it from time to time! Thx for the “photo geekiness” 🙂 Always something to learn!
I’m glad you enjoyed the image, Judy. And the geekiness…
Great shot Ron and very helpful information.
Charlotte
Thank you, Charlotte.
Thank you so much Ron–I adore this Kestrel image, and knowing all that “lies beneath” so-to-speak makes it even more special 😉 I continue to learn so much from your posts; your insight, good humor and expertise are an inspiration. And yes, I am having my morning tea while reading this post!
Thanks, Christine.
Enjoy your tea! Perhaps I should join you – there’s an old saying that “a cup of tea is a cup of peace” and right now I need something soothing and relaxing. And peaceful. A recent event that I hope to report on in tomorrow’s post has me up in arms and I’m afraid my “good humor” is a bit strained at the moment. Stay tuned…
Yes, yes–please join me Ron! I’m working at home a lot these days, so I am fortunate to be able to have tea and watch our feeder birds as I work. Right now the light on our backyard maple, oak and sycamore trees is spectacular–it’s a frosty morning, and a good one for a hot beverage. I have never heard that quote about tea–how perfect–thank you. I’m sorry to hear that something’s got you upset–my thoughts are with you…
Wondering if I should be sure to take my BP meds before opening tomorrow’s posting…BP is already high from watching campaign BS on TV…