Archive for the ‘Links to Blogs, Photographers, and Web Sites’ Category

Using All Focusing Points for Erratic Flight and Action

Monday, March 30th, 2009

When attempting to photograph erratic flight or action, I will often choose AAFPS, All AutoFocus Points Selected as in most cases this make it easier to track the bird or to maintain focus on two birds that are interacting.  On my last trip with James Shadle on the Hooptie Deux, we were headed back to the dock at Gibsonton at about 10:15 am when we passed some feeding pelicans.  I arose from my stupor and screamed, “Stop the boat!”  James did and we spent almost an hour with the diving birds.   The neatest thing was that they stayed in a relatively small area, the area that held the shcool of bait! 

James did a great job of keeping the boat in perfect position relative to the wind and the light.   After trying central sensor only for a while, I switched to AAFPS; with the 50D, this entails activating all 9 AF sensors.   Nikon users should try Dynamic in these situations. 

If you would like to get out on Tampa Bay with James, try e-mailing him at  james@wildflorida.net or  james@birdphotographers.net.   James is the BAA Nikon Answer-Man and will be glad to answer your Nikon-related questions via e-mail.  He takes dozens of folks out each spring aboard his photo-customized pontoon boat.  To learn more about James and his spoonbill trips, click here: http://www.wildflorida.net/

Canon 400mm f/4 IS DO lens handheld with the EOS-50D. ISO 400. Evalutive metering +2/3 stop: 1/2500 sec. at f/7.1 confirmed via histogram check.

Canon 400mm f/4 IS DO lens handheld with the EOS-50D. ISO 400. Evalutive metering +2/3 stop: 1/2500 sec. at f/7.1 confirmed via histogram check.

Click on the image above to see a larger version.  David Kennedy made that possible with a telephone lesson!  Thanks David.  David is a graduate student at the University of Missouri pursuing a masters degree in photojournalism.  You can learn more about David here: http://www.david-kennedy.com/blog/?page_id=2 or check out his informative blog here: http://www.david-kennedy.com/blog/  Both David and Dad Keith (killer macro insects) are multiple IPT veterans and skilled photographers.

Posted in Links to Blogs, Photographers, and Web Sites, Photographic Equipment Info and Tips, Photography Tips, Uncategorized | 2 Comments »

Captain Froggie and the Alafia Banks; Near Dunking or Near Drowning?

Sunday, March 22nd, 2009

For those having image distortion problems related to their browsers, we apologize but will be unable to deal with that problem until we are able to customize Word  Press; that will not happen for a while as I am hoping to get my taxes done on time for the first time in years.  Anyone who has a solution is of course welcome to e-mail us at birdsasart@att.net. 

I had the alarm set for 4am early on Friday morning.  I was asleep before 9pm but woke with unabated excitement at 2:07am.  I finished a Sudoku puzzle and then gave up on getting any more sleep.   Spoonbills can do that to you.  I met Captain James Shadle at the dock at Gibsonton.   He had a single client, Randy Stout, who had been on the BIRDS AS ART SW FLA Post X-mas  IPT.  He has since become quite active on BirdPhotographer’s.Net  (BPN: It Ain’t just birds; honest critiqutes done gently.)   You can see our Image of the Year here: http://www.birdphotographers.net/ 

In any case, we were out on the bay in the pitch dark marvelling at the phosphorence in the wake of James’ pontoon boat, the Hooptie Deux.   Soon after that we had some nice pre-dawn ibis blast-offs.

Here is an image I made with the 800mm lens alone and the EOS-1D MII (ISO 500:  1/1250 sec. at f/6.3 in manual mode.  Evalutive -+2/3 stop off the low blue sky and then confirmed via histogram check):

roseate-spoonbill-_10j2601-alafia-banks-tampa-bay-fl3

I added canvas right and eliminated a variety of minor but distracting BKGR elemens.

Once we had several birds in front of us on the mud flat I wanted to sit down in the water for a lower angle. I shortened the legs on my Gitzo 3530 LS tripod and pulled out the leg tabs.  I was wearing my lightweight chest waders without a belt.  I spread the legs of the tripod and attempted to sit down behind my rig in about 18 inches of water.  The problem was that I began to float….  James called out that the water was about an inch from going over the top of the rear of my waders as my bouyancy attempted to tip me over backwards and he left his rig to give me a hand.   Now I had a bigger problem.  As I struggled to gain control of myself and my rig I pretty much lost control of the 800 lens with a Mark III on it.  Two or three times the camera body came within 1/2 inch of the salt water. Finally, with James’ help, I regained control, pulled the tripod legs together, pushed in the leg tabs, and got on my knees–not my favorite position–behind the tripod, and made some images.  It was a close call and I believe that disaster was averted only because I did not panic. 

Anyway, below is my favorite image from that little adventure.  It was created with the 800 f/5.6 L IS lens, the 1.4X II TC, and the EOS 1D MIII.  ISO 500.  Evaluative metering -1/3 stop: 1/800 sec. at f/9 set manually. 

roseate-spoonbill-head-toss-display-_10j2681-alafia-banks-tampa-bay-fl

If you are or will be in Florida at any time during the next six weeks do make sure to give James a buzz, get out on Tampa Bay, and enjoy some quality opportunities with one of Florida’s most sought-after species.  You can reach James via e-mail at either of these addresses:   james@wildflorida.net or james@birdphotographers.net  or on his cell phone:     813-363-2854   .  It is better to keep trying than to leave a message.   To learn more about James click here:  www.wildflorida.net

 

 

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