In photography, light matters. It really does.
I suspect some of my friends, possibly including a few followers of Feathered Photography, think I’m a little daft because I’m so picky about the light I shoot in. I shoot almost exclusively in the early morning when the light is softer, warmer and more directional and even more importantly I nearly always insist on having clear to mostly clear skies in the forecast before I leave home for my shooting destination. If it’s likely to be overcast in the early morning I just stay home (like I did yesterday morning).
One month ago today I took a photo of a Violet-green Swallow in flight that provided a vivid reminder of why I almost always insist on having “good” light.
1/2500, f/6.3, ISO 1000, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
When good light strikes them just right male Violet-green Swallows are among the most colorful and beautiful of my avian subjects. But as in most birds, when they’re in poor light their colors and details are drastically muted. This male is about to land at the entrance to his natural nest cavity in an old cottonwood tree in the mountains. Discerning eyes may notice his mate, in the shade above his right wing, waiting to greet him.
Roughly the left half of his body is in shade and the right half in reasonably good morning light. The absolutely gorgeous colors on his right side are on full display, including the violet at the base if his tail that is so very hard to capture in a photo. But color and detail on his shaded left side are largely absent.
A month ago when I quickly reviewed the photos I took on this morning I mostly dismissed this one out of hand because it’s a ‘butt shot” but I stumbled across it again last night and realized how well it illustrates the advantages of good light.
Don’t get me wrong, quality photos of birds most definitely can be taken in shade or on cloudy days, it depends on the situation. One example would be birds with extremely bright colors such as Yellow Warblers that can be such a difficult exposure in stronger, direct light.
But I go with the odds. My chances of getting photos I like are greatly enhanced when my avian subjects are well lit in the morning (or late in the day). On those rare occasions when I do go shooting on overcast mornings I usually end up deleting every photo I take.
Just sayin’…
Ron
Fascinating photo! Back in February, I wrote a post on my Secret Garden Birds and Bees Facebook page about how the blue color in a bird’s feathers comes from the way light interacts with the physical structure of the feather and not from blue pigments. Without the light, there are no blue feathers and no purple or green feathers because these colors come from the same structures in the presence of actual red or yellow pigments. I think this might explain the muting of this bird’s colors in shadow. Here’s the link to the post with more detail https://www.facebook.com/SecretGardenBirdsAndBees/posts/1153009581783775
Exactly, Liz. In many cases the apparent color of birds is all about feather structure rather than pigments..
What a striking photo. And great post about something so dear… without light we cannot see the beauty around us. Did you ever read Sigurd Olson? He speaks about Ross Light, the golden light at the beginning and end of a day.
Nope, I’ve never read him Nina. Sounds like I should.
To me the essence of photography is light. As you noticed too, around here, the “Golden Hour” is shorter and often harsher due to the mountain ranges creating a later sunrise and earlier sunset when the light is harsher.
Exactly, April. Which is why I try to be at my shooting site and ready to go when the sun rises over the mountains.
So glad you are in a ‘teaching mood’ for several of the past postings. I always get such good info and reminders from you. I jot them down and sometimes add your settings in a little notebook I keep in my bag. I know cameras are different but many times you give me a place to start and work from. Hopefully in 8 weeks or so I’ll be able to venture out again…first knee replacement is July first!
Kathy, best of luck with the new knee. My ex-wife (we’re still good friends) had a knee replacement a couple of months ago. She had a bit of a rough go of it at first but she’s making major strides on the positive side now.
Yet another (and pointed) reminder about why I love the (very) early light of day. Thank you. and thank you for sharing this gorgeous bird (and his beautiful butt).
There are lots of things to love about early mornings aren’t there EC. And many of them don’t necessarily involve photography.
Like hummingbirds—catch them in the right light and you can be blown away by their fantastical colors! That is a remarkable photo—I really had no idea these swallows could look so brilliant—and shows very clearly why good lighting really matters. 😎
Yup , the right light and the right light angle are key, Chris – especially for the violets on this species.
Excellent illustration. Light is everything.
Pretty much. Thanks, Everett.
I agree with you for what you are doing. Your shots and teachings are fantastic. Love your work!!
For me I have to shoot in all kinds of light if I want to get an image of a particular species of Butterfly. Most of the time here in the upper Northeast Butterflies at least for me have to be shot when I see them, because I don’t see them early in the morning. Sometimes I will see them toward the end of the day especially during the summer. So, I have gotten in the habit of shooting whenever I see them and taking my chances with light. The sad thing today is that I am seeing fewer and fewer butterflies as each year goes by. The sad tale of our time.
“The sad thing today is that I am seeing fewer and fewer butterflies as each year goes by.”
Dick, it’s the same thing with birds, at least around here. It’s sad and even tragic.
Here, too…keep hearing Rachel Carson in my mind and heart…not good….
That you were able to capture those vibrant colors despite the high contrast between the left and right sides of the frame and the black hole of the nest cavity is remarkable. And seeing them in broad daylight through binoculars only hints at what your image shows.
Thank you, Lyle. Yes, it was a tough exposure. Sometimes I get lucky, with a little help with Photoshop… 🙂
I always have liked early morning light but it wasn’t until recently that I could see just how much more powerful it is. I had put out a trail camera near our small pond. It shows a different world when a video is taken in that brief time after the sun has squeezed over the horizon. Your photo of the swallow captures that same effect wonderfully,
It’s a huge and positive difference isn’t it Kent. For more reasons than I’ve mentioned in this post.
Stunning bird, despite the light. When I see them they are usually zipping around overhead, so I’ve never seen their full colors. Beautiful.
Thanks, Kathryn. Sometimes I think Zip should be their middle name….
I’m glad that you decided to post this image. I may never get a chance to see this bird in the wild, let alone the opportunity to grasp its iridescences–both
the powerful ones ( the violet and the saturated green ) and the subtle ones on
the wings and tail feathers which remind one of abalone shell–what a
gorgeous combination — thanks for this wonderful sight !
Kris, your comparison to abalone shell is excellent and it reminds me of my days as a grade school kid growing up in southern Cal. I was blown away by those abalone shell colors.
I thought it was a disgrace that some adults used those beautiful shells as ash trays…
Excellent demonstration on the importance of light! 🙂 Beautiful bird in a beautiful setting…..:)
Thank you, Judy.