Birds of Coron at Dusk

[Ely Teehankee]

The Sun was setting when I saw some birds on a nearby creek under a canopy of trees. It is now dusk and I tried to set the ISO at the minimum where speed can be sacrificed instead of using a high ISO. The result of the pictures was that the birds can still be identified but cannot be considered as keepers. I am hoping that someone can tell me what to do in a situation like this to get better pictures or just accept the fact that it is impossible to do so in this kind of lighting.

Canon EOS 1D Mark IV, EF 800mm f5.6 IS L Lens, Manfrotto 475B Tripod, MF 373 Gimbal Head

Rufous-Tailed Tailorbird (Orthotomus sericeus) ISO 2000, 1/20, f5.6




Palawan Blue-flycatcher (Cyornis lemprieri) Endemic to the Philippines. ISO 2500, 1/30, f5.6




Grey-cheeked Bulbul (Alophoixus bres) ISO 3200, 1/20, f5.6

[Romy Ocon]

Nice colors on these ones, Ely!

For active birds in extreme low light, I guess you have no choice but to increase the ISO to get at least 1/60 - 1/100 sec shutter speed to freeze subject movement. Then shoot in bursts to increase the chances that at least one shot will get the bird during a split-second pause in movement. Remember, it's easier to filter the noise out in PP than to sharpen up a blurry capture.

Here's a sample of a tiny active bird in low light


Handsome Sunbird (Aethopyga bella)
40D + 500 f4 L IS + Canon 1.4x TC, 475B tripod/3421 gimbal head, near full frame, 1/60 sec, f/5.6, ISO 800




When the bird is relatively still, like kingfishers or bitterns, you can use much slower shutter speeds. Then you can lower your ISO for less noise.

40D + 500 f4 IS + 1.4x TC, ISO 320, 0.50 sec shutter speed, f/7.1, 475B/3421 support

[Ely Teehankee]

You really answered my question and there is nothing more that I like to ask on this subject. I will remember this valuable lesson and keep your pictures as an inspiration in the hope that I can also take pictures the way you did of the Handsome Sunbird and the Indigo-banded Kingfisher. Thank you Romy. Mabuhay.

[Lydia Robledo]

I love the first tailor, the handsome one and the king.

The RTB is beautifully composed, oh, if only I can paint! I love it the way it is. Thanks for sharing, Ely.

I'd love to go to Coron to check on the butterflies. telyds

[Ely Teehankee]

Apr 1, 2010 7:58:57 GMT Lydia Robledo said:

I love the first tailor, the handsome one and the king.

The RTB is beautifully composed, oh, if only I can paint! I love it the way it is. Thanks for sharing, Ely.

I'd love to go to Coron to check on the butterflies. telyds

Thank you Lyds. Let me know if you plan to go to Coron. I can introduce you to a good bird guide in case you want to go birding. I did not see any special butterflies other than the usual. Maybe I don't know how to look for them. Heh heh heh.

[JP Cariño]

i think you can bump the ISO higher on this one Ely. Better to have in focus photos taken with a burst of shots with remote cable and good long lens technique

[Ely Teehankee]

Apr 2, 2010 5:27:05 GMT JP Cariño said:

i think you can bump the ISO higher on this one Ely. Better to have in focus photos taken with a burst of shots with remote cable and good long lens technique

Thank you JP. Romy says the same thing, with active birds I should have at least 1/60 second shutter speed and move the ISO up to achieve this. This is a valuable lesson from you guys with more experience. I certainly appreciate it.

[mantarey]

Nice low light catch Ely. Good thing the Tailor Bird stopped moving just long enough for you to take a blur free image.

[William Lim]

Beautiful set despite the low light, Ely. Well done and mabuhay!

[Ely Teehankee]

Apr 2, 2010 6:50:11 GMT @mantarey said:

Nice low light catch Ely. Good thing the Tailor Bird stopped moving just long enough for you to take a blur free image.

Thank you Rey. Its a lesson learned. I should not take chances like that. Its better with a high ISO and higher speed so chances of a good picture is better.

[Ely Teehankee]

Apr 2, 2010 9:14:06 GMT William Lim said:

Beautiful set despite the low light, Ely. Well done and mabuhay!

Thank you William. The words sounds familiar and its really quite pleasant to the eyes and ears.

[Bob Kaufman]

Ely, these are great shots despite the adverse lighting conditions. Very well done!

And thanks to Mastah Romy for the tutorial which would benefit people like me.

[Ely Teehankee]

Apr 2, 2010 12:19:39 GMT Bob Kaufman said:

Ely, these are great shots despite the adverse lighting conditions. Very well done!

And thanks to Mastah Romy for the tutorial which would benefit people like me.

Thank you Bob. The Forum is where you can learn from experience if you take an active part of it. Thanks to our administrator who takes his time out for everyone who participates in the Forum.

[Ariel Matias]

It is very timely that you raised this issue as I have the same dilemma everytime I shoot inside the forests. The bigger problem is that my 400D's ISO performance at ISO1600 is undesirable so I have to shoot at mostly ISO800 all the time, which is not enough for the low-light situations. Thanks and regards.

[Ely Teehankee]

Apr 3, 2010 17:31:19 GMT Ariel Matias said:

It is very timely that you raised this issue as I have the same dilemma everytime I shoot inside the forests. The bigger problem is that my 400D's ISO performance at ISO1600 is undesirable so I have to shoot at mostly ISO800 all the time, which is not enough for the low-light situations. Thanks and regards.

I think you have no choice but to turn on to a higher ISO if you want to get a good picture of the bird. Considering that your are in a bird paradise, I think it is time for you to move up to perhaps a 7D. Our mentor is using that and I suggest that you ask for his opinion before getting one. Some say its noisy with a higher ISO but others don't agree with that.