OK, so it is winter.  Not that I can complain that much.  So far this winter has been remarkably warm and, in parts of the UK, remarkably wet.  In Cumbria there have been floods of near biblical proportions and November was, apparently, the least sunny month on record.  It’s on this last point that has been cramping things photographically.  It’s been really difficult to take photos.  I don’t mind if it’s a bit overcast or even, at times raining.  A lightly overcast sky can be very good for photographing animals, especially birds because it helps reduce contrast in images.  Rain can add to the drama.  But deep murk is getting to be a pain.  

Yesterday, I went to a local reserve that’s new to me for a bit of a reconnoitre.  There were, as hoped, some really interesting subjects - particularly Goosander and Grey Wagtails.  Unfortunately, it was so grey and murky that it was really hard to come away with any decent photos.  The one below of cormorants was about the best I could squeeze from the day.

But how murky was it really.  Well, when I got home a checked out some of the photos taken (well attempted).  I was typically set on ISO 1600 at f/5.6 and a shutter speed of 1/60 (and that’s on a 200-500mm lens).  So I worked out the equivalent Exposure Value (EV) of that.  It is an EV of 7 at ISO 100.  Checking back against normal values that EV is typical of “floor of a tropical rain forest” or “well lit nighttime street”.   Both of which are pretty short on illumination.  So, there you are, in December in England a regular grotty winter’s day is unpleasantly dark and not ideal for wildlife action photography with natural light.  

Here’s looking forward to some colder, brighter, frosty days.