Blackbird stripping a yew tree of berries in Prospect Park, Reading, UK (alas in the shadow of the tree)
Canon R5 MkII + RF200-800mm
Bonus: Redwing at the same feast
this post was submitted on 02 Dec 2025
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@KevinFRK@lemmy.world
Fantastic photos. How far away were you when you took them?
I was probably only 20m away, which is why I was rather disappointed in the light available - both were ISO12800
The Red Kite in a separate post today was three or four times that distance. However, as it was in direct sunlight from the right side, it was only ISO500, and the difference in sharpness really shows it's the light, not the distance.
I feel like too much weight is put on sharpness/clarity by the photographic community (i could rant forever on why that rhetoric makes the hobby seem a lot less accessible than it really is, but that'd be a big digression for what is 100% a personal opinion lol). As far as composition, colour balance and timing go, these are excellent shots, especially the first one.
Great work.
Gahh ... you were about to get an essay posted, but Lemmy decided to throw it way when I full-screened the browser sigh. Condensed form.
First, thank you.
Sharpness, in bird photos, makes me feel closer, and I like that (and it's why I bought a ridiculous lens). Elsewhere, perhaps less so.
Composition - birds don't sit around waiting for you to find the best angle, but there's waiting for the shot from where you are, cropping well to provide context, and picking the best shot, which sort of mimic composition.
Colour - mostly "luck" and choosing the best shot - sometimes I play with the luminance histogram, but that's all.
Totally fair reasons to prefer it!