Adult White-crowned Sparrow Perched On A Stump

Adult White-crowned Sparrow on a stump – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/500, ISO 800, -1.0 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

A few days ago the first bird I photographed was an adult White-crowned Sparrow that was perched on a rock near a creek and those photos were okay but nothing was special about them. Then the sparrow flew to a stump where the background creek bank and vegetation were completely in the shade while the bird and the stump were in the bright morning light. I liked how the contrast between darkness and light made the bird stand out as if it were a feathered beacon when I saw the scene through my viewfinder.

I did need to change my exposure compensation setting on my camera to -1.0 so the light colored feathers of the adult White-crowned Sparrow weren’t blown out. For my readers who aren’t photographers when I say “blown out” that means the light colored feathers can be so bright that any fine details in the feathers are missing. Sometimes those fine details can be recovered in post processing and other times they can’t without looking artificial. I feel that it is crucial to get the exposure right in the camera so that less time is spent trying to make it “right” in a photo editing program.

This is a really simple photo with three features, the White-crowned Sparrow, the stump, and a very dark background.

Typically I prefer to have my subject and the setting both well lit yet I don’t hesitate to take photos in other types of light because doing so tests my skills, forces me out of my comfort zone as a photographer, and challenges me to do the best I can with what I have.

I believe that having that kind of attitude worked in my favor with this White-crowned Sparrow photograph.

My tip for the day: Don’t pass up photographing a bird or animal just because the light isn’t perfect.

Life is good.

Mia

Click here to see more of my White-crowned Sparrow photos plus facts and information about this species.