Catching Up In Post

Catching up in post with images we have already created can be a challenge, especially if we’ve been out with our cameras on a regular basis. The volume of unprocessed files can be daunting. In an effort to start to get myself somewhat current I’ve been spending time purging some of my April files and processing a few images. It can be interesting what one finds when catching up in post.

NOTE: Click on images to enlarge.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 100-400 mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 123 mm, efov 246 mm, f/6.3, -0.3 EV, 1/1600, ISO-200, Pro Capture L, Bird Detection AI, cropped to 4077 pixels on the width, subject distance 35.5 metres

Unless I’m focused on a particular photograph or image run I sometimes get a bit lax and it can take me a while to cycle back to my photographs to do some culling and processing. The swan image above was at the end of a run where one swan was chasing another one at LaSalle Park in Burlington Ontario.

Here are four images of the same merganser in flight.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 100-400 mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 400 mm, efov 800 mm, f/6.3, -0.3 EV, 1/1600, ISO-320, Pro Capture L, Bird Detection AI, cropped to 2857 pixels on the width, subject distance 33.7 metres

These photographs were captured on the same day as the swan image above using ‘pulse shooting’, rather than capturing one long, continuous image run.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 100-400 mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 400 mm, efov 800 mm, f/6.3, -0.3 EV, 1/1600, ISO-320, Pro Capture L, Bird Detection AI, cropped to 3233 pixels on the width, subject distance 32 metres

I find using ‘pulse shooting’ allows me to better manage my camera’s buffer.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 100-400 mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 400 mm, efov 800 mm, f/6.3, -0.3 EV, 1/1600, ISO-320, Pro Capture L, Bird Detection AI, cropped to 3564 pixels on the width, subject distance 32.9 metres

This can be important when there are a number of potential image opportunities in the area.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 100-400 mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 400 mm, efov 800 mm, f/6.3, -0.3 EV, 1/1600, ISO-320, Pro Capture L, Bird Detection AI, cropped to 3510 pixels on the width, subject distance 33.2 metres

Opportunities to photograph an osprey in flight don’t happen every day.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 100-400 mm f/5-6.3 IS with M.Zuiko MC-14 teleconverter @ 560 mm, efov 1120 mm, f/9, 1/1600, ISO-800, Pro Capture L, Bird Detection AI, cropped to 3875 pixels on the width, subject distance 68.8 metres

Depending on how much activity has been occurring, even a typical fly-by is welcomed.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 100-400 mm f/5-6.3 IS with M.Zuiko MC-14 teleconverter @ 511 mm, efov 1022 mm, f/9, 1/1600, ISO-1000, Pro Capture L, Bird Detection AI, cropped to 3799 pixels on the width, subject distance 64.7 metres

Ospreys will sometimes hover over a potential target fish. The bird above is in a classic preparatory pose with its legs dropped down and its talons at the ready.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 100-400 mm f/5-6.3 IS with M.Zuiko MC-14 teleconverter @ 308 mm, efov 616 mm, f/8.5, 1/1600, ISO-800, Pro Capture L, Bird Detection AI, cropped to 3028 pixels on the width, subject distance 42.2 metres

Capturing images of an osprey catching a fish is usually a highlight for the day. Sometimes the best that Mother Nature provides is an osprey flying by with a partially eaten fish.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 100-400 mm f/5-6.3 IS with M.Zuiko MC-14 teleconverter @ 334 mm, efov 668 mm, f/8.6, 1/1600, ISO-800, Pro Capture L, Bird Detection AI, cropped to 3345 pixels on the width, subject distance 38.8 metres

Or, perhaps with a small snack in its talons. Capturing a selection of osprey images like the four above… all on the same day… is always a treat.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 100-400 mm f/5-6.3 IS with M.Zuiko MC-14 teleconverter @ 560 mm, efov 1120 mm, f/9, -0.7 EV, 1/3200, ISO-3200, Pro Capture H, cropped to 3863 pixels on the width, subject distance 8.8 metres

I always keep an eye open for small, active birds. Even very common birds can make interesting subjects when captured at the right moment.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 100-400 mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 400 mm, efov 800 mm, f/6.3, 1/3200, ISO-2000, Pro Capture L, Bird Detection AI, cropped to 3350 pixels on the width, subject distance 15.8 metres

Photographing birds interacting is often a challenge, but can yield some expressive images.

Challenges can also include trying to capture a small, distant bird taking flight. Technology like Pro Capture H  can really demonstrate its value with this type of opportunity as we can see in the four consecutive images that follow.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 100-400 mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 400 mm, efov 800 mm, f/6.3, 1/3200, ISO-2500, Pro Capture H, cropped to 2890 pixels on the width, subject distance 17.4 metres
OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 100-400 mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 400 mm, efov 800 mm, f/6.3, 1/3200, ISO-2500, Pro Capture H, cropped to 2903 pixels on the width, subject distance 17.4 metres
OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 100-400 mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 400 mm, efov 800 mm, f/6.3, 1/3200, ISO-2500, Pro Capture H, cropped to 2901 pixels on the width, subject distance 17.4 metres
OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 100-400 mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 400 mm, efov 800 mm, f/6.3, 1/3200, ISO-2500, Pro Capture H, cropped to 2903 pixels on the width, subject distance 17.4 metres

Getting a small, single AF point on a tiny bird like a kinglet as it darts from branch to branch presents its own, unique challenge. Especially when the subject bird is 17.4 metres (~57 feet) away. The four photographs above were captured at the Port Rowan Wetlands.

Spending some time catching up in post can rekindle some positive memories… and help us rediscover a few photographs that otherwise may slip through some cracks and be lost to time.

Technical Note

Photographs were captured handheld using camera gear as noted in the EXIF data. Pro Capture L was set to 18 frames-per-second using silent shutter, 10 Pre-Shutter Frames with Frame Limiter turned off, and Bird Detection AI Subject Tracking engaged with a single AF point.

My standard Pro Capture H settings were used with Pre-Shutter Frames and Frame Limiter both set to 15. I used a single, small AF point and shot at 60 frames-per-second.

All images were produced from RAW files using my standard process. This is the 1,281 article published on this website since its original inception in 2015.

How you can help keep this site advertising free

My intent is to keep this photography blog advertising free. If you enjoyed this article and/or my website and would like to support my work, you can purchase an eBook, or make a donation through PayPal. Both are most appreciated.

Our eBooks…

The Finding Visual Expression eBook is designed to provide readers with some photographic inspiration and composition ideas. The Little Camera That Could details our extensive experience using the Nikon 1 system. Our eBooks also include a number of travel photography publications including Images of Ireland, New Zealand Tip-to-Tip, Desert & Mountain Memories, Images of Greece, and Nova Scotia Photography Tour. We also have a business leadership parable… Balancing Eggs.

Donations support this website…

If you click on the Donate button below you will find that there are three donation options: $7.50, $10.00 and $20.00. All are in Canadian funds. Plus, you can choose a different amount if you want. You can also increase your donation amount to help offset our costs associated with accepting your donation through PayPal. An ongoing, monthly contribution to support our work can also be done through the PayPal Donate button below.

You can make your donation through your PayPal account, or by using a number of credit card options.



Word of mouth is the best form of endorsement. If you like our website please let your friends and associates know about our work. Linking to this site or to specific articles is allowed with proper acknowledgement. Reproducing articles, or any of the images contained in them, on another website or in any social media posting is a Copyright infringement.

Article and images are Copyright 2023 Thomas Stirr. All rights reserved. No use, duplication or adaptation of any kind is allowed without written consent. If you see this article reproduced anywhere else it is an unauthorized and illegal use. Posting comments on offending websites and calling out individuals who steal intellectual property is always appreciated!

2 thoughts on “Catching Up In Post”

  1. Great captures!
    Thank’s for taking the time to share these beautiful images, the tips and technical data.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *