Sunday, May 11, 2008

Olive Backed Sunbird

Recently a pair of Olive Backed Sunbirds keeps visiting my neighbour's plant because the flowers are blooming and it gives me a lot of opportunities to photograph these swift birds. Usually they very sensitive, here one second and gone the next. I had often missed them in the past because they always flew away before I could even raise my camera to my eyes. This time round they were so engrossed in the flowers and they simply ignore my existence! Hopefully the flowers will not wither away quickly and the birds could keep coming back! It is a pleasure to watch them in action - hopping from flower to flower, hanging upside down to reach a flower or fluttering their wings and hovering over a flower.




























































































12 comments:

Anthony said...

Chris;

Your shots is very clear and nice...
I also try once to capture this kind of birds with my normal digital camera, before I raise my camera it already gone.
You must be very lucky to meet birds...hahaha

Edwin said...

Chris,
你快要成为拍鸟专家了。哈哈!

Chris Ting said...

Hi Anthony,
I spent many weekends stalking these birds by my window just to get a couple of fair shots! I observed the time of it visits and it favourites plant and when it come, I will take a few shots right from the middle of my living room then slowly inch myself towards the windows to take more if it is still there. My blind is row down half way to serve as a hide and a longer focal lens (around 70-300mm) helps too. I'm sure if you are persistent enough, you will be rewarded with some good shots one day. So keep trying and best of luck to you.
Cheers!

Chris Ting said...

Hi uncle,
It not easy to be a 鸟传家! But I really enjoyed myself observing and photographing these birds and finding out more about the birds I have photographed from the Internet. Just hope I don't become a 鸟人 one day....hehehe!

Anonymous said...

Hi Christ,

非常欣赏你的拍摄技术,很喜欢前4张。

想请问你,background 是经过 edit 吗?

还是利用相机的拍摄功能?Thanks

Irene

Chris Ting said...

Hi Irene, Pardon me, my Mandarin is not good therefore I could only reply in English. I do not alter the background in these pictures, its basically out-of-focus effect from using a telephoto lens (300mm). Thank you for your kind comments! Cheers : )

Anonymous said...

Hi Chris,
谢谢你的解释,明白了。
我的相机也跟 Anthony 一样,只是1架normal digital camera, 就算拍后也无法去改到像你所拍的相片,太美了,如梦似幻的意境。

Irene

Chris Ting said...

Hi Irene,
Perhaps you could consider buying an entry level camera such as the Canon EOS 450D or the Nikon D60. These cameras are packed with features and the prices are very close to a prosumer camera!
The AF on these cameras are more responsive than the point-and-shoot/prosumer cameras and there are more accessories available if you would like to expand your scope of photography : )

Anonymous said...

Hi Chris,
Thank you very much for your advice of the 2 models - Canon EOS 450D or Nikon D60. I have noted it down, will buy it when I strike 4D, hope I will not wait too long... hahaha... 开玩笑,别介意。

Now I am using Sony DSC-W55 digital still camera, I like to use ISO to take better quality picture, is it correct? coz I could not find a better function beside that.

Rgds,

Irene

Chris Ting said...

Hi Irene,
In a way you are right about the ISO. ISO control the sensor sensitivity to light. Lower the ISO (e.g. 50 or 100), it is less sensitive but it produces less noisy picture. Therefore picture looks sharper and clearer. Higher ISO (e.g. 800 or higher) usually produces noisier picture that may make the picture looks less sharp. Technology is improving everyday, some of the latest cameras could take pretty good pictures at ISO 1600 or 3200.

Most importantly, you have to be comfortable using your camera and know its function well, and then you will be able to take good pictures with it.

Anonymous said...

Hi Chris,

非常感谢你给我这么多宝贵的资讯,让我获益良多,谢谢再谢谢。

Irene

Chris Ting said...

Hi Irene, Don't have to thanks me. I'm happy just to share : )