The past few weeks, I’ve seen a number of the photo websites I follow turn their attention to the ‘background’ of birds photos.
I’m not going to rehash it here, but it was intersting that we have been working close quarters with a pair of Sacred Kingfisher hoping that among the busy realestate in the river flat forest that they might find a suitable nesting site. Many of the holes are already taken by a range of Rainbow Lorikeets, Red-rumped Parrots and sadly Common Mynahs.
The forest has some old growth Red Gum, but mostly a mix of younger trees. Each is strugglling to get as much of its canopy into the sunlight and the sun only pentrates in tiny, thin fingers though the covering.
Result for your photographer is little real bright light, so its high ISO speeds, slower shutter speeds and wide open lenses.
So I’ve been able to experiement with those dreamy soft backgrounds that the photo-info/influencer-sites have been lauding as the ‘new’ look. Funny how things seem to go round in cycles.
And apart from lots of mis-information the simple physics of it all seems to escape most of them.
As “Scotty” of “Startrek” fame was want to say, “Ye Cannae change the Law of Physics”.
Depth of Field has three basic principles and a k=Constant to work this stuff out.
Here they are. Lens focal length, Lens Aperture, Subject distance. And depending on how well corrected said lens is in design and manufacture will also influence the softness of the result. Lenses like the 70-200 f/2.8 and 300 f/2.8 series are cracking examples of how soft and milky those out of focus bits can become. Similarly, the 105mm f/2 and the wonderful 200mm f/2 have to be used to be appreciated.
Oh. The K?? Well in the calculation K has a value that represents:-“The Circle of Confusion”. And as every student who has had to make those calcs will tell you, “What an appropriate name!!!!”
The softer lighting in the forest has helped reduce some of the harshness and two very cooperative Sacred Kingfishers who don’t seem to mind at all landing close by where I’m standing have given me some lovely soft out-of-focus-fuzzy bits.
For the record, most of these shots were taken with the 500mm f/5.6 or 700mm f/8 (the 500mm with converter) or I even stuggled down with the 300mm f/2.8 and converter for 420mm f/4
Enjoy
Its a Gallery so click on an image for a larger view.
And for bonus points. Both decided to show of their lunch on the same branch.
Birds as Poetry —— Just because I WANDER doesn't mean I'm LOST 
Fantastic images David,
Hope you are keeping well.
Cris
On Fri, Jan 17, 2025 at 4:04 AM Birds as Poetry —— Just because I WANDER
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G’day Chris, Good to hear from you. Hope all is going well for you and yours. Haven’t seen you on Flickr in ages.
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So true, you can’t change the laws of physics, although many try.
A fine discussion of DoF, I do find myself often in the grey K area! That is when it is time to put the brain in gear again!
Lovely images of the Kingfishers with wonderful soft backgrounds!
I haven’t had a lot of time for reading lately so interesting to hear that the soft background is the new thing, as you say – what goes around comes around!
Dave N
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hi Dave, Hmmm was going to write a much longer diatribe, but decided to let the images tell the story.
I guess, and I know I do it too, the influencers just have to keep recylcling for a new audience.
Having taught a whole semester on DOF, I do despair at some stuff I see.
Will check out the new Hobbys during the week. Too hot today
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Beautiful colour and crisp captures David. The soft background is very effective to highlight the subject. That is one of the aspects I enjoy about having a small DOF with my 100 to 400 mm. I love what you did with your initial feature image. Birding has been on hold here with all the continuing storms and cool gale force winds, I’m sure the birds are somewhat confused by the weather also.
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Hello Ashley, I must admit that the header shot is in fact straight out of camera, (a JPEG!) The bird did the rest by placing itself against a white tree trunk about 70-100 m down the forest, so it gives that lovely ‘Spotlight ring’ that we’d have made in studio all those years ago.
We’ve also had dreadful weather, more overcast, windy days than normal, and some very hot muggy days. This forest is a bit like a hothouse as the upper branches and leaves of the younger trees have nearly covered the entire skyline.
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A beautiful series of images. I love the soft tonal palette you are using.
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Hello Eleanor, that soft palette is particularly the result of the most overcast weather of late.
And this forest does not have a lot of light coming in through the canopy cover.
Still the Kingfishers have been very accommodating and shared their area with us.
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