Swallow Penthouse

P&S cameras are not optimized for this type of shooting but one can still get a respectable environmental portrait with the careful use of same.  This was spotted on a recent visit to Tiny Marsh, Tiny Twsp., Ontario, Canada.  Best, LM.

You know very well that the camera is second to the photographer's eye and the  "how"...;-)) this is  a  very nice composition with the Swallow as the icing on the cake..  and it  reminds me the  dovecote of my childhood in our barn's roof .I like the way you  have placed  it on the frame,( the camera point) with all the sharp details, and the square form, nice work, Len

While observing these birds flying in and out from all different angles I decided the best technique was to place the camera in 'continuous' mode so I could take a series of shots in a short time span.  Of the 4 or 5 frames taken this was the most pleasing to me.  As I said, these P&S's have much potential.  Achieving that potential is the tricky part.  Worked well for me this time.  Luck is good!  Best, LM.

Nice shot . My Brother refers to this kind of shooting as " spray and pray " ! Bill

An apt description!  But it works, so I often use it.  I use it often when photographing my grandsons' soccer games.  When either of the two get close proximity to the ball I let loose with a burst.  Works most times but often the best shot happens to be between frames.  Oh well, I would probably have missed it anyway with single shot mode. :-)   Best, LM.

Hi Len

Very good colours and composition, also the texture in its very nice look. There is no lens distortion although the camera are not in a sight level. As I see, technically in its perfect mode. Best regards

Always great to have your visits and views.  Any image distortion is probably minimized as the zoom lens was at it's greatest reach at 140mm (FF equiv).  The lighting conditions were optimal for a P&S camera, allowing a low ISO coupled with relatively high shutter speed.  Placement of the bird was a bit of luck.  And, Luck is good, I believe.  :-)  Best, LM.

Len, I agree with the  comments made before me. So I am not repeating it. I feel what you call 'luck' ,is to be at the right place at the right time, with a camera. Many a times, we miss photo opportunity, because we did not have the camera with us.

Too true!  Even an entry level P&S will do for 90% of the photos one sees posted here on PN.  The trick is to get into the habit of having one in close proximity.  Nice to have your visit.  Best, LM.

Beautiful bird house taken from below and a frozen like swallow landing to his house, clean blue sky behind that all! Simple composition, but story telling and above all - beautiful! Bravo Len!

Best regards

PDE

Simple is often the best choice!  Thanks for your take on this one.  Best, LM.

A very good snapshot with lovely colour tones. The composition would have been more symmetrical if you could move a little to the right & shoot the wooden structure head on. A higher shutter speed was also needed to freeze the bird in flight. But considering that you used a compact cam you deed just great.

My best regards.

Sagnik

Thanks for your thoughtful critique.  Some valid points there.  As for the bird, a higher shutter speed would indeed have 'frozen' the wing movement but the bit of blur does seem to infer motion instead of looking like the bird was pasted on the blue background.  Whatever stirs one's artistic bias I guess.  Best, LM.

Two notes I have got about this image ,the quality of the image and colors,is superb,and with the advanced and cheap technology of the present days,you need not to purchase a high end ,or a DSLR to get a good image ,your image is the proof,and I guess the A540 is sold for less than 150$ in my country.

The second note ,is that about the title,I always thought that a penthouse is pertaining to some liberal kind of movies,now I have to correct myself regarding this word.

Stay well.

Even the birds are entitled to a little luxury. :-)  As for the tools required for most photography I refer everyone who is interested to this article.  Thanks for your support.  Best, LM.

The problems I had with P & S I used to use was two fold. Firstly it moved about too much in my big clumsy hands, and it was very easy for me to get a finger or thumb over the lens. Secondly there was always a slight pause while I depressed the button to the shutter opening and closing.  You seem to have overcome these problems with the "Spray & Pray" technique to use Bills teminology.  Or maybe you never experienced these problems in the first place. The fact is though the proof is in the pudding and  right here, it works. The shot is sharp, well detailed, perfectly exposed and seemingly free from distortion.  Very well done Len!

Best Regards

Alf

The Canon A540 is the only digital camera I own and, technically, it's my wife's.  The 'spray and pray' technique has it's place when using one of these cameras.  This shot is a good example of when to use it.  I use it mainly because of the delay problem you identified.  Can't recall the number of missed shots I've made due to that little drawback.  In good light, allowing low ISOs, P&S cameras can produce a very satisfying result.  I have no reservations of using one as a back up, or even my main camera at times, for that matter.  In the end it's the final image that matters and if the photographer is satisfied who's to say he's wrong?  Not that I wouldn't like to own a current Nikon or Canon DSLR.  Keep salting the pennies away Lennie!  :-)  Best, LM.