A Winter's Day
 

Hi

I've posted this short film onto YouTube, it's made up of the footage I took a couple of weeks ago that I didnt use in my AWOL #7 entry Sea Fever,
( which I hope you'll check out and give me some feedback on if you get time. )

One of the things I need to master is the flying bird thing, as you'll seen in the Barn Owl clips on Winters Day I've got that strange effect of seeing several wings at once, any tips would be appreciated, I'm using a Canon xl1s.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZtVO91xl1A

Cheers

David

The multiple wing effect can be caused by having the shutter speed set too high, most of my filming is based around birds & I don't like going above 1/100" second maybe 1/125" at the absolute, I also do the same for birds moving on the ground etc., for still birds I use any speed.

Your film had a nice smooth flow, using early morning shots & then flowing as the day progresses. Some films can be ruined at the editing stage by putting mid-day shots in during an early morning/day sequence & the flow is ruined, your shots had a good flow sequence. Be wary of sloping horizons, as this can give an effect of water flowing off the screen, this is a pet hate of some judges. I spend a lot of time in Norfolk & its my favorite place for birds & wildlife, always nice to see good films/footage about Norfolk.

The Norfolk coast really was wonderful that week - especially the sea being like a millpond.

I think you've done better than I did with the marsh harriers, though I haven't looked at all my footage yet. And I didn't get the barn owls on video at all.

That multiple wing effect is a problem that I've had and asked about it on this forum. I think it was Dale that suggested switching to progressive mode, instead of interlaced, and that has certainly helped a lot. Don't know if you have that option on the XL1s.

Definitely have shutter speed at 1/60 if possible.

I have also found shooting in progressive gives me more of the look I want to see.

then slowing the flight footage down slightly will also help!!!