These guys are everywhere down in Tasmania, they are usually seen on the road, cleaning up roadkill (Tasmania is apparently the roadkill capitol of the world). You can drive past them at 100kph, and they will move just enough to get out of your way. Try stopping for a photo, and they soon fly off!
Today at the Orielton Lagoon (a Ramsar listed site), this one allowed me quite close. Still struggling with ISO and Shutter Speed, but hoping practice will make almost perfect.
Forest Raven by Dale Watson, on Flickr
Forest Raven by Dale Watson, on Flickr
Forest Raven by Dale Watson, on Flickr
Keep 'em coming, Dale. You're inspiring me to get cracking with my languishing camera.
Do you use any post-processing software Dale? Even if its not entirely right straight out of the camera, you can often improve them by adjusting light, colour etc afterwards. And trying that out can sometimes show that for example you (or the camera) are consistently overexposing, and therefore allow you to adjust and improve your technique.
Thanks Alex, no post processing at this time, still shooting in JPEG. Fiddled around with my settings, which probably didn't help. Have reset them last night an will see what happens next trip. Only had the camera for a couple of months, so still finding my way. Adult ed course in November, so I'm sure that will help.
Dale Huonville, Tasmania
I shoot in JPEG too (as my camera doesnt support RAW) and I find that a little post-processing really helps. My camera consistently overexposes and is very easily fooled into incorrect exposures when shooting in tricky light or into the light. So being able to adjust shadows, highlights, colour etc is vital to rescuing poor images (in as far as I havent entirely ruined them). I use Faststone (free) for reviewing resizing and basic editing of my images and it does a really good job of this type of simple adjustment.
Thanks Alex I will have a look at that software. Do use PC or Mac? I've got Mac, but I'm not hugely computer savvy. Work on the "kiss" principle - keep it simple stupid!
Dale Huonville, Tasmania