Peter Connan's small-to-medium year 2015

[Peter Connan]

Karoo Robin

 

Camdeboo National Park

 

 

[Peter Connan]

Lanner Falcon

 

Camdeboo National Park

 

 

[Peter Connan]

Malachite Sunbird (Immature)

Camdeboo National Park

 

 

 

[Tom Kellie]

~ @@Peter Connan

 

Your black-winged stilt in flight image is terrific!

I hope that @@offshorebirder sees it someday.

I've photographed that stilt species in water, but never in flight.

Your superlative image captures a wealth of detail.

Thank you!

Tom K.

[Tom Kellie]

~ @@Peter Connan

 

It seems that we simultaneously posted!

The fresh immature Malachite Sunbird images are SPLENDID!

The color, focus, detail — top-of-the-line!

What a welcome surprise to enjoy these this eveniung, while grading student final examinations.

Many Thanks!

Tom K.

[Peter Connan]

Chestnut-vented Tit-babbler

 

Camdeboo National Park

 

 

[Peter Connan]

Fiscal Flycatcher

 

Camdeboo National Park

 

 

 

[Peter Connan]

Pririt Batis

 

Camdeboo National Park

 

 

 

 

[Tom Kellie]

~ @@Peter Connan

 

‘Like’ isn't sufficiently emphatic to express my reaction to your masterful Chestnut-vented Tit-babbler.

That's one magnificent bird portrait.

Absolutely lovely, with every technical aspect done so well.

To say the very least, highly impressive!

Thank you for posting it.

One suspects that had Rembrandt lived in our era and been a shutterbug, he might have made such a lovely image.

Tom K.

[Peter Connan]

Steppe Buzzard

 

Camdeboo National Park

 

 

[Peter Connan]

Rock Kestrel

 

Camdeboo National Park

 

 

[Peter Connan]

Namaqua Dove

 

Camdeboo National Park

 

[Peter Connan]

Lesser double-collared Sunbird

 

Camdeboo National Park

 

[Peter Connan]

Thanks for all the compliments @@Tom Kellie

[Peter Connan]

Karoo Thrush

 

Oudtshoorn

 

[Tom Kellie]

Thanks for all the compliments @@Tom Kellie

 

~ @@Peter Connan

 

In all candor, this latest round of bird image uploads is a substantial step up in overall quality.

As I enjoyed each newly uploaded set, I asked myself how it was that you were able to achieve such lovely results.

Is it a technique change? Solid advice from books, Web sites or friends like @@xelas? Upgraded camera gear?

Whatever it is, the sharpness, luminosity and overall composition of the most recently uploaded birds is a new benchmark for me.

Were it possible to eventually attain anywhere near to your level, I'd feel a rich sense of accomplishment.

What I'm writing are intended as compliments, as such, but rather my admiration for consistently high quality.

Tom K.

[Peter Connan]

White-necked Raven

 

Outdshoorn

 

 

[Peter Connan]

@@Tom Kellie, I often read people in discussions about new photographical equipment saying things like it being 5% equipment and the rest skill and vision.

 

But the improvement in my bird (and landscape/star-scape) photography since august belies these types of statements.

 

Another group say you should spend all your money on good lenses. And while I will not argue that a good lens is very important, unfortunately in the modern digital era this is also not necessarily true.

 

And while there may be many genres of photography where vision and skill are the major factors, when it comes to birds in flight, there are only three things that really matter. The first is to operate your camera at a high enough shutter speed. The second is enough practise to keep the bird under the active focus points.

 

And, unfortunately, the rest is the quality of your equipment, and luck with sightings. There is a reason professional wildlife photographers spend thousands of dollars on cameras and lenses.

 

The improvement in the quality of my photography since August last year is almost entirely down to my purchase of a better camera. My other kit has stayed the same, as has my technique, camera settings and post processing.

Edited January 10, 2016 by Peter Connan

[Peter Connan]

Hamerkop

 

The Strand

 

[Peter Connan]

Common Tern

 

The Strand

 

[Peter Connan]

Swift Tern

 

The Strand

 

[Peter Connan]

Little Egret

 

The Strand

 

[Tom Kellie]

~ @@Peter Connan

 

If so, I need a new camera!

(Just kidding!)

While what you've written undoubtedly carries much truth, one can't help but suspect that the photographer's skill remains an indispensable element.

That your both satisfied with and regularly using your new camera is what matters most.

I'm satisfied with all of my camera equipment. What's needed is more practice.

As luck would have it, that's precisely what will occur in your home country, no less, beginning one week from now.

Your lovely birds have inspired me!

Baie dankie!

Tom K.

[Peter Connan]

Southern Black Oystercatcher

 

The Strand

 

[Peter Connan]

Jackal Buzzard

 

Stellenbosch Airfield