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04/19/2006 12:59:02 PM · #1 |
I am going on a whale watch in May. Anybody have any techniques I might use to try for some nice images? I don't have a telephoto lens, but I do have a pretty strong zoom. Anyway, I also have a neutral density filter but could probably get some other kind if there are better ones for this purpose. Anybody taken some good images on a whale watch, and how did you do it? My camera has program auto, shutter priority, aperture priority, manual priority, presets such as landscape, sports, beach, and I also have capacity for burst mode.
Message edited by author 2006-04-19 13:01:39. |
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04/19/2006 01:54:59 PM · #2 |
A neutral density filter would slow you down, which is the last thing you want to happen.
A circular polarizer could be very useful to cut down glare, though.
Hardest part is being fast enough. I kept turning my head to see that I had just missed another jump/splash, time and time again I had my camera pointed in the wrong spot.
At that time, I had my Powershot Pro1 which has shocking shutterlag, I hope your camera isn't as slow as that one!!
Try to anticipate where the next action will occur, if they are fairly consistent, you might find that manual focus gives you much more speed and better chances. |
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04/19/2006 02:05:08 PM · #3 |
Well, it's been a while since I took pics while whale watching....
Being able to get close enough to the subject is definitely one aspect of it, but the zoom on your camera is pretty dang decent if I'm remembering!
I would sorta suggest putting it in Sport mode, or manual (even better so long as you feel comfortable with those controls!) because those jumps happen FAST! A higher shutter speed with freeze the motion and cut down on any blurring from the actual jump....and hopefully any vibrations or movement from you on the boat as well!
**BURST MODE is a MUST!**
The lag time for pressing the shutter button was the other big issue I had. Last time I went I was using a Sony that's about...gosh...7 years old now? And I didn't feel that the lag was too bad normally, but BOY did I notice it on this trip! You have such a tiny moment in which to actually snap the picture...I had several that were the tails of whales (but not the good shots of tails that people like). If you notice that it takes your camera a couple moments to actually take the picture, just be real ancy about it. Get a HUGE memory card and try to snap the picture in anticipation of the whale coming out of the water--that way, with any delay, it comes out perfectly timed!
Have a great trip and I can't wait to see what pics you come back with!!
Message edited by author 2006-04-19 14:05:34. |
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04/19/2006 02:12:29 PM · #4 |
I haven't read through all the replies you got, but this is how I got my shots . . .
- Zoom lens, unless the whale is close, which they can be
- minimum aperature to ensure speed
- depending on sunlight, higher iso
- I would only use a polarizer if there is glare, otherwise don't as it cuts your shutter speed
- burst mode!!!!!
Most of my photos were taken at f5.6 (the best I could do) and shot at 8 frames per second to be sure I got "the perfect" tail shot. Just holding down the shutter and letting the camera fire will help you to keep still and get better, sharper shots. Usually the second one will be sharper than the first. Never saw any of the whales slapping or breaching though. Also, a big lens and big camera may get the attention of the captain of the boat which will then help you in seeing where they will come up next so you can be better prepared. By the end of my trip, I got very good at predicting where they would surface.
What type of whales? If they are humpback, watch for the white/green bits under the water, these are their flippers and will also give them away. Also, when they move close to the surface, the water surface makes a "puddle" of still water, looking almost oily. That is also a clear sign. The angle of the tail as it comes up will indicate if they will do the "whole tail" shot. If they do, they usually are doing down for a "terminal dive" which means that they are going down deep for food.
To see my whale photos, visit:
//www.designsbyduchess.com/dsphotography/newfoundland.htm
Message edited by author 2006-04-19 14:16:22. |
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04/19/2006 02:23:15 PM · #5 |
Shutter lag will really bother you here, no question about it. And it's not just the shutter lag; you have an electronic viewfinder and THAT lags as well, as it redraws the screen a smidge behind the actual action; by the time you see it it has already happened. PLUS, the autoficus on the prosumer cameras typically isn't that fast and "seeks" a fair amount. You will need to anticipate very well.
You have a burst mode on that camera which allows continuous shooting at 1.3 frames per second for up to 9 frames, and you will want to use it. That's not very fast as burst modes go but it's better than nothing. The problem you'll be dealing with in burst mode, unfortunately, is that since the Sony doesn't have an optical viewfinder you'll basically be shooting blind in burst mode. So you need to shoot wider than you'd wish to allow crop room if you weren't able to frame precisely.
On the plus side, you go over 400mm equivalent with that camera. On the negative side, you'll be on a boat that is constantly moving and it will be really hard to get sharp shots at any significant zoom. You'll need to use at least 1/500 shutter speed to have a prayer. And THIS means you'll have to bump your ISO quite a bit or shoot wide open and have DOF problems.
For sure, set the camera in shutter priority mode and dial in a fast shutter speed, then set your ISO so you end up with a suitable aperture.
For the actual shooting, it helps a LOT if you have an "assistant" to spot for you. I did some whalewatch shots on assignment way back in the day, and one of the CREW members was assigned as my spotter, which was ideal. But any friend/husband/teenage child without a camera, standing at your side and talking to you, will be a big help: "Dimple at your 11 o'clock, get ready!" is the idea :-)
This would be a great excuse to move up to a dSLR if you happen to be planning to anyway; optical viewfinder, no shutter lag, and much higher burst rate/faster focusing.
Robt.
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