Central sensor (expand left and right) AI Servo/Rear Focus AF and re-compose. Click here if you [...]]]>

This Japanese Red-crowned Crane image was created at Tsurui Itoh Sanctuary, Hokkaido, Japan with the tripod-mounted Canon 800mm f/5.6L IS lens and the EOS-1D Mark IV. ISO 400. Evaluative metering +1/3 stop: 1/1250 sec. at f/5.6.

Central sensor (expand left and right) AI Servo/Rear Focus AF and re-compose. Click here if you missed the Rear Focus Tutorial. Click on the image for a larger version.

Nature’s Best Image Quiz Revelations

The image above was very well received by many of the folks who commented and in fact, I did enter this image in the 2012 Nature’s Best Contest. Not sure if I entered it in Art in Nature or Birds. Good luck to me.

After seeing an Andy Rouse image of a Sally Lightfoot crab on black lava rock surrounded by a blurred wave (in his book, Concepts of Nature, I was determined to try something similar (and perhaps better) on my next Galapagos visit. This image was created with the tripod-mounted Canon 800mm f/5.6L IS lens and the EOS-1D Mark IV. ISO 50. Evaluative metering -2 stops off the crab on the black rock alone: 1/30 sec. at f/9. (I knew that I would need to underexpose quite a bit to avoid losing detail in the white water of the breaking waves; I needed to check the histogram a few times to get it right.) For a greater appreciation of the image, click on the photo. Then click on the enlarged version to close it.

I could not enter the Sally Lightfoot image above in the 2012 Nature’s Best Contest because it was honored in the Art in Nature category of the 2011 contest. Those who suggested that I not enter it might wish to reconsider.

This Snow Goose/White-fronted Goose blur was created at Lower Klamath NWR, CA with the tripod-mounted Canon 800mm f/5.6L IS lens and the EOS-1D Mark IV. ISO 100. Evaluative metering +2 stops: 1/15 sec. at f/18. Click on the image to see a larger version.

Few folks cared for the image above. I did in fact enter it in this years Nature’s Best Contest in the Art in Nature category. I hope that it does well. I love it. Many contest judges love blurs and so do I. For some they are an acquired taste.

This image–of a flock of Sanderlings with a single Dunlin and a single peep–was created at Cupsogue Beach, Long Island, NY with the tripod-mounted Canon 800mm f/5.6L IS lens and the EOS-1D Mark IV. ISO 400. Evaluative metering +1 2/3 stops: 1/1250 sec. at f/9. 45-point AI Servo AF. For a greater appreciation of the image, click on the photo. Can you spot the two odd-ball species?

I could not enter the image above in the 2012 Nature’s Best Contest because it was also honored in the Art in Nature category of the 2011 category. Those who suggested that I not enter it might wish to reconsider. I like that they named the Art in Nature category after me….

My Main Point

My main point is that if you are going to enter a contest it is a good plan to take a close look at the winning and honored images from prior contests and try to figure out what the judges are looking for. Tastes change over the years. The BBC contest used to honor what I call straight bird and wildlife portraits. Those days are over; they are now looking for spectacular action and out of the box stuff–blurs, unusual perspectives, insane weather, and they like. Coming soon here: “You Be the Judge.” Each of you will have a chance to vote on the images in each category that went to the judges in the BIRDS AS ART 1st International Bird Photography Competition. I can tell you that the winning images are spectacular, right on a par with the best of BBC and Nature’s Best. I could not be prouder.

B&H Double Rebates Include the 5D Mark III

Click here. Select one of four current Canon camera bodies–both the EOS-5D Mark III and the EOS-7D are in the group. Add a lens–there are 30 in the group, a Series III teleconverter, or a Speedlite, and enjoy large double rebates. The lenses include lots of my favorites: the 70-200mm f/4 L IS, the 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II, the circle lens, the 180 macro, and the 300mm f/4L IS. You can check the specs on all Canon telephoto lenses here. This double rebate offer expires on April 2, 2012.

Nikon Dslr + Lens Bundle Rebates

Click here for details. Offer includes the brand new D3200 and the D7000.

Shopper’s Guide.

Support both the Bulletins and the Blog by making all your B & H purchases here.

Below is a list of the gear talked about in this blog post. Thanks a stack to all who have used the Shopper’s Guide links to purchase their gear as a thank you for all the free information that we bring you on the Blog and in the Bulletins. Before you purchase anything be sure to check out the advice in our Shopper’s Guide.

Canon 800mm f/5.6L IS lens. Right now this is my all time favorite super-telephoto lens.
Canon EOS-1D Mark IV professional digital camera body. The very best professional digital camera body that I have ever used.

And from the BAA On-line Store:

LensCoats. I have a LensCoat on each of my big lenses to protect them from nicks and thus increase their re-sales value. All my big lens LensCoat stuff is in Hardwood Snow pattern.
LegCoat Tripod Leg Covers. I have four tripods active and each has a Hardwood Snow LegCoat on it to help prevent further damage to my tender shoulders. And you will love them in mega-cold weather….
GT3532 LS. This one replaces the GT3530LS Tripod and will last you a lifetime. I’ll be commenting on this new model soon. In short, I like it.
Mongoose M3.6 Tripod Head. Right now this is the best tripod head around for use with lenses that weigh less than 9 pounds. For heavier lenses, check out the Wimberley V2 head.
CR-80 Replacement Foot for Canon 800. When using the 800 on a Mongoose as I do, replacing the lens foot with this accessory lets the lens sit like a dog whether pointed up or down and prevents wind-blown spinning of your lens on breezy days by centering the lens directly over the tripod.
Double Bubble Level. You will find one in my camera’s hot shoe whenever I am not using flash.
The Lens Align Mark II. I use the Lens Align Mark II pretty much religiously to micro-adjust all of my gear an average of once a month and always before a major trip. Enjoy our free comprehensive tutorial here.
BreezeBrowser. I do not see how any digital photographer can exist without this program.

Central sensor (expand left and right) AI Servo/Rear Focus AF and re-compose. Click here if you [...]]]>

This Japanese Red-crowned Crane image was created at Tsurui Itoh Sanctuary, Hokkaido, Japan with the tripod-mounted Canon 800mm f/5.6L IS lens and the EOS-1D Mark IV. ISO 400. Evaluative metering +1/3 stop: 1/1250 sec. at f/5.6.

Central sensor (expand left and right) AI Servo/Rear Focus AF and re-compose. Click here if you missed the Rear Focus Tutorial. Click on the image for a larger version.

Nature’s Best Image Quiz

Please let me know which if any of the four images presented here you would enter in the Nature’s Best Contest. And which you would not enter. And in either case, why. The deadline was yesterday, May 7. I completed two entries, 40 images in all. No spoilers please.

BTW, these are the categories: African Wildlife, Animal Antics, Art in Nature, Birds, Endangered Species, Landscape, Oceans, People in Nature, Plant Life, Power of Nature, Small World, Wildlife, Zoos and Aquariums. Learn more about the categories by scrolling down here.

After seeing an Andy Rouse image of a Sally Lightfoot crab on black lava rock surrounded by a blurred wave (in his book, Concepts of Nature, I was determined to try something similar (and perhaps better) on my next Galapagos visit. This image was created with the tripod-mounted Canon 800mm f/5.6L IS lens and the EOS-1D Mark IV. ISO 50. Evaluative metering -2 stops off the crab on the black rock alone: 1/30 sec. at f/9. (I knew that I would need to underexpose quite a bit to avoid losing detail in the white water of the breaking waves; I needed to check the histogram a few times to get it right.) For a greater appreciation of the image, click on the photo. Then click on the enlarged version to close it.

Join me on the world’s best Galapagos Photo-Cruise/July 2-16, 20i3. Two full weeks +, world’s best guide and itinerary. Click here and scroll down for details.

This image was created at Lower Klamath NWR, CA with the tripod-mounted Canon 800mm f/5.6L IS lens and the EOS-1D Mark IV. ISO 100. Evaluative metering +2 stops: 1/15 sec. at f/18. Click on the image to see a larger version.

I lucked out on my visit to Klamath last February; snow brought tens of thousands of light and dark geese to the refuge.

This image–of a flock of Sanderlings with a single Dunlin and a single peep–was created at Cupsogue Beach, Long Island, NY with the tripod-mounted Canon 800mm f/5.6L IS lens and the EOS-1D Mark IV. ISO 400. Evaluative metering +1 2/3 stops: 1/1250 sec. at f/9. 45-point AI Servo AF. For a greater appreciation of the image, click on the photo. Can you spot the two odd-ball species?

More luck here. Had it been a clear morning, I would have gone home empty-handed.

B&H Double Rebates Include the 5D Mark III

Click here. Select one of four current Canon camera bodies–both the EOS-5D Mark III and the EOS-7D are in the group. Add a lens–there are 30 in the group, a Series III teleconverter, or a Speedlite, and enjoy large double rebates. The lenses include lots of my favorites: the 70-200mm f/4 L IS, the 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II, the circle lens, the 180 macro, and the 300mm f/4L IS. You can check the specs on all Canon telephoto lenses here. This double rebate offer expires on April 2, 2012.

Nikon Dslr + Lens Bundle Rebates

Click here for details. Offer includes the brand new D3200 and the D7000.

Shopper’s Guide.

Support both the Bulletins and the Blog by making all your B & H purchases here.

Below is a list of the gear talked about in this blog post. Thanks a stack to all who have used the Shopper’s Guide links to purchase their gear as a thank you for all the free information that we bring you on the Blog and in the Bulletins. Before you purchase anything be sure to check out the advice in our Shopper’s Guide.

Canon 800mm f/5.6L IS lens. Right now this is my all time favorite super-telephoto lens.
Canon EOS-1D Mark IV professional digital camera body. The very best professional digital camera body that I have ever used.

And from the BAA On-line Store:

LensCoats. I have a LensCoat on each of my big lenses to protect them from nicks and thus increase their re-sales value. All my big lens LensCoat stuff is in Hardwood Snow pattern.
LegCoat Tripod Leg Covers. I have four tripods active and each has a Hardwood Snow LegCoat on it to help prevent further damage to my tender shoulders And you will love them in mega-cold weather….
GT3532 LS. This one replaces the GT3530LS Tripod and will last you a lifetime. I’ll be commenting on this new model soon. In short, I like it.
Mongoose M3.6 Tripod Head. Right now this is the best tripod head around for use with lenses that weigh less than 9 pounds. For heavier lenses, check out the Wimberley V2 head.
CR-80 Replacement Foot for Canon 800. When using the 800 on a Mongoose as I do, replacing the lens foot with this accessory lets the lens sit like a dog whether pointed up or down and prevents wind-blown spinning of your lens on breezy days by centering the lens directly over the tripod.
Double Bubble Level. You will find one in my camera’s hot shoe whenever I am not using flash.
The Lens Align Mark II. I use the Lens Align Mark II pretty much religiously to micro-adjust all of my gear an average of once a month and always before a major trip. Enjoy our free comprehensive tutorial here.
BreezeBrowser. I do not see how any digital photographer can exist without this program.

Fill flash at -1 stop with my brand new Canon Speedlite 600EX-RT [...]]]>

This breeding plumage Cattle Egret image was created with the the tripod-mounted Canon 800mm f/5.L IS lens, the 2XIII teleconverter, and the Canon EOS-1D Mark IV. ISO 400. Evaluative metering at -1/3 stop: 1/800 sec. at f/11 in Manual mode.

Fill flash at -1 stop with my brand new Canon Speedlite 600EX-RT and a Better Beamer. Good news there: the FX-3 fits the Canon Speedlite 600EX-RT perfectly.

Manual focus; gasp! For maximum reach with distant subjects I will continue to go to my EOS-1D Mark IV bodies. When preparing this blog post I had thought that this image was made with the 1.4X III TC….

EOS-1DX, EOS-5D Mark III, & EOS-1D Mark IV Thoughts

This post was prompted by a recent e-mail from IPT-veteran Mike Cristina who asked, “Do the quality of the files of the 5D Mark II at 22MP compensate for the extra magnification of the 1DM4 at 16MP? Same question 1DX. And what about the fact that neither the 5D Mark III or the 1D Mark IV will autofocus at f/8.

The short answer is that pixel-wise, the math is close with the edge to the 1D Mark IV and that pixel-wise the 1D Mark IV is the clear winner over the long anticipated 1DX. I love the files from my Mark IV bodies and I love the files from my 5D Mark III bodies. I have never created an image with the EOS-1DX. Have never even held one in my hands. The issue of no practical autofocus at f/8 is a fact of life that each of us will have to consider. And once the 500 f/4L IS II and the 600 f/4L IS II are on the scene, the ability of the Mark IV to AF with the 2X III teleconverters will become an even more important issue especially for those who photograph in areas where it is difficult to get close to the birds. That said, there is no way that I can decide if a 5D III or a 1DX is a good camera for you. I can share my thoughts and my strategies and the images that I create but in the end you must do your homework and make the decision for yourself.

These Wood Stork chicks were photographed with the tripod-mounted Canon 800mm f/5.L IS lens and the Canon EOS-1D Mark IV. ISO 400. Evaluative metering at +1/3 stop: 1/250 sec. at f/6.3 in Manual mode. Central sensor AI Servo/Rear Focus AF and re-compose. Click here if you missed the Rear Focus Tutorial. Click on the image for a larger version. Here I went to the 800/Mark IV to fill the frame with the subjects with the prime lens alone thanks to the Mark IV’s 1.3 crop factor.

After the rather simple analysis above things become far more complex. For example, the Canon EOS-7D wins the pixels-on-the-subject contest by miles, but most serious photographers far prefer image files from the 1D MIII or MIV bodies or from any of the 5D bodies by a large margin. There is a lot more to a quality file than pixels on the subject. In general larger pixels equal less noise. Some image sensors simply provide cleaner more detailed image files than others no matter the pixel count. The 1DX (18 mp), the clear loser in the pixel count wars to both the 5D III and the 1D IV, has a brand new sensor that offers 16-channel, dual line readout as compared to 8-channel, single line designs in the previous generation of chips. This offers improved low-light capability with a faster capture speeds of 12 fps. And surely improved image quality as well. For a comprehensive overview/preview of the Canon EOS-1DX see the dpreview.com feature here.

So if the pixel advantage goes to the 1D Mark IV that can autofocus down to f/8 what the heck am I doing with a 5D Mark III? As regular readers know I feel that the new autofocus system in the 5D III is the best ever in any Canon camera body. I make a higher percentage of sharp flight images than ever before and I love the various AF Area Selections modes. I appreciate the light weight of the 5D III when it is hanging on my shoulder with the 70-200 f/2.8L IS IS. In addition, in situations where getting close to the birds is not a concern, the full frame 5D III will give me considerably more pixels on the subject by a factor of 22 to 16.

So where does the EOS-1DX fit into the picture? With the new improved sensor and image files, with the same basic AF system as the 5D III, with a blazing 12 frames per second frame rate, and with pro body heft and feel, the new body will surely be a superb flight photography camera. I will be ordering one through the Canon Explorer of Light program as soon as I am able to do so.

Right now I will continue to use my EOS-1D Mark IV when I need the reach, usually with the 800mm f/5.6L IS and often with the 1.4X III TC and I will use the EOS-5D MIII for flight and action photography and when working with easily approachable birds and animals. And I will be eagerly awaiting the release of the EOS-1DX. You can find additional info on my current gear strategy here. If you would like to try to understand the pixels on the subject math see the BPN thread here.

This Cattle Egret flight image was created with the Canon 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II lens, the 2XIII teleconverter (hand held at 335mm), and the Canon EOS-5D Mark III. ISO 400. Evaluative metering -1/3 stop: 1/3200 sec. at f/5.6 in Manual mode. Central Sensor Surround/AI Servo Rear Focus AF active at the moment of exposure. Click here if you missed the Rear Focus Tutorial. Be sure to click on the image to see a larger version.

If you are a doubter be sure to check out “Is the EOS-5D Mark III–2X III Teleconverter–70-200f/2.8L IS II a Viable Combination?” here.

Question and Questions

Which of the three images above do you like best? Be sure to let us know why. And feel free to post any questions that you might have on any Canon camera bodies.

B&H Double Rebates Include the 5D Mark III

Click here. Select one of four current Canon camera bodies–both the EOS-5D Mark III and the EOS-7D are in the group. Add a lens–there are 30 in the group, a Series III teleconverter, or a Speedlite, and enjoy large double rebates. The lenses include lots of my favorites: the 70-200mm f/4 L IS, the 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II, the circle lens, the 180 macro, and the 300mm f/4L IS. You can check the specs on all Canon telephoto lenses here. This double rebate offer expires on April 2, 2012.

Shopper’s Guide.

Support both the Bulletins and the Blog by making all your B & H purchases here.

Below is a list of the gear talked about in this blog post. Thanks a stack to all who have used the Shopper’s Guide links to purchase their gear as a thank you for all the free information that we bring you on the Blog and in the Bulletins. Before you purchase anything be sure to check out the advice in our Shopper’s Guide.

Canon 800mm f/5.6L IS lens. Right now this is my all time favorite super-telephoto lens.
Canon 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II lens. Man, I am loving this lens on my shoulder with the 2XIII teleconverter. I also use it a lot–depending on the situation–with the 1.4X III TC.
Canon EF 1.4X III TC. This new TC is designed to work best with the new Series II super-telephoto lenses.
Canon EOS-5D Mark III. Man, I am in love with this camera body. Both the files and the AF system are superb.
Canon EOS-1D Mark IV professional digital camera body. The very best professional digital camera body that I have ever used.
Speedlite 600EX-RT. Canon’s latest greatest professional flash has more features than I will ever use or need. Learn more about the new flash by scrolling down here.

And from the BAA On-line Store:

LensCoats. I have a LensCoat on each of my big lenses to protect them from nicks and thus increase their re-sales value. All my big lens LensCoat stuff is in Hardwood Snow pattern.
LegCoat Tripod Leg Covers. I have four tripods active and each has a Hardwood Snow LegCoat on it to help prevent further damage to my tender shoulders And you will love them in mega-cold weather….
GT3532 LS. This one replaces the GT3530LS Tripod and will last you a lifetime. I’ll be commenting on this new model soon. In short, I like it.
Mongoose M3.6 Tripod Head. Right now this is the best tripod head around for use with lenses that weigh less than 9 pounds. For heavier lenses, check out the Wimberley V2 head.
CR-80 Replacement Foot for Canon 800. When using the 800 on a Mongoose as I do, replacing the lens foot with this accessory lets the lens sit like a dog whether pointed up or down and prevents wind-blown spinning of your lens on breezy days by centering the lens directly over the tripod.
Double Bubble Level. You will find one in my camera’s hot shoe whenever I am not using flash.
The Lens Align Mark II. I use the Lens Align Mark II pretty much religiously to micro-adjust all of my gear an average of once a month and always before a major trip. Enjoy our free comprehensive tutorial here.
BreezeBrowser. I do not see how any digital photographer can exist without this program.

Central sensor (by necessity) AI Servo/Rear Focus AF active at the [...]]]>

This Pied-billed Grebe with a small fish was photographed with the tripod-mounted Canon 800mm f/5.L IS lens, the 1.4X III TC, and the Canon EOS-1D Mark IV. ISO 400. Evaluative metering at +2 stops: 1/400 sec. at f/8 in Manual mode.

Central sensor (by necessity) AI Servo/Rear Focus AF active at the moment of exposure. Click here if you missed the Rear Focus Tutorial. Click on the image for a larger version.

The Wake Shot

When this small-in-the-frame pied-billed swam by parallel to our position on the Morro Bay IPT I called out to the group, “Focus on the wake and put the bird in the far right side of the frame.” Until after the fact when I had time to show them the resulting image on the LCD on the back of the camera pretty much nobody understood exactly what I was talking about. Thus, “The Wake Shot” blog post. And lots of lessons.

Wake shot opportunities are few and far between. You need still water and a bird swimming parallel to your position. The fish here was a big extra.

This is the BreezeBrowser main view page screen capture for the RAW image. To be able to see the active sensor click on “Show Focus Points” in the “View” drop-down menu or hit Shift+Control+F. That’s one shortcut that I do not use as one I click on Show Focus Points is sticks. Coming soon: How to Run Breezebrowser on a Mac. Note as usual the perfect histogram with the data well to the right as is proper for an overall light-toned image. In The Art of Bird Photography II (ABP II: 916 pages on CD only) I teach you to get the right exposure using digital capture every time. And best of all, it is simple.

The BreezeBrowser main view page screen capture above shows exactly where I placed the central sensor in order to create the composition that I wanted. If you think about it there was not better place in the frame to put the bird in the original capture. The central sensor is the only sensor available when using the 800/1.4X III/Mark IV combination.

This JPEG represents the original RAW capture for the featured image that opens this blog post. All the extra space above and below made the pano crop an obvious one. With some detail in the water in the upper left I opted to go with 2/3 above, 1/3 below.

The large BLUE cast was removed with an Average Blur Color Balance adjustment. The image was leveled (my Bubble Level was in my pocket!) by drawing a line with the Ruler Tool from the back of the head to the reflection of the back of the head and hitting my “Image/Rotate/Arbitrary” keyboard shortcut: Control + ? and then hitting OK. Both of these killer techniques are detailed in Digital Basics that includes my complete Digital Workflow and dozens of other great Photoshop tips. Digital Basics actually includes several techniques for eliminating color casts and several techniques for leveling an image. Choices are good and with color casts one method often works well where others fail. Digital Basics also teaches you how to create your very own keyboard shortcuts and includes a list of all of them that I use.

This B&W version was created with NIK Silver Efex Pro using the Neutral pre-set (for the first time ever). Once you load the image in Silver Efex Pro it is easy to click on the various pre-sets to determine which looks best with a given iamge. My usual favorites are High Structure, High Contrast Red Filter, and Wet Rocks.

NIK 15% Discount

As regular readers here know, NIK Color Efex Pro has drastically changed my digital workflow. Remember that you can save 15% on all NIK products by clicking here and entering BAA in the Promo Code box at check-out. Then hit Apply to see your savings. You can download a trial copy that will work for 15 days and allow you to create full sized images.

Shopper’s Guide.

Support both the Bulletins and the Blog by making all your B & H purchases here.

Below is a list of the gear used to create the images in this blog post. Thanks a stack to all who have used the Shopper’s Guide links to purchase their gear as a thank you for all the free information that we bring you on the Blog and in the Bulletins. Before you purchase anything be sure to check out the advice in our Shopper’s Guide.

Canon 800mm f/5.6L IS lens. Right now this is my all time favorite super-telephoto lens.
Canon EF 1.4X III TC. This new TC is designed to work best with the new Series II super-telephoto lenses.
Canon EOS-1D Mark IV professional digital camera body. The very best professional digital camera body that I have ever used.

And from the BAA On-line Store:

LensCoats. I have a LensCoat on each of my big lenses to protect them from nicks and thus increase their re-sales value. All my big lens LensCoat stuff is in Hardwood Snow pattern.
LegCoat Tripod Leg Covers. I have four tripods active and each has a Hardwood Snow LegCoat on it to help prevent further damage to my tender shoulders And you will love them in mega-cold weather….
Gitzo GT3530LS Tripod. This one will last you a lifetime.
Mongoose M3.6 Tripod Head. Right now this is the best tripod head around for use with lenses that weigh less than 9 pounds. For heavier lenses, check out the Wimberley V2 head.
CR-80 Replacement Foot for Canon 800. When using the 800 on a Mongoose as I do, replacing the lens foot with this accessory lets the lens sit like a dog whether pointed up or down and prevents wind-blown spinning of your lens on breezy days by centering the lens directly over the tripod.
Double Bubble Level. You will find one in my camera’s hot shoe whenever I am not using flash.
The Lens Align Mark II. I use the Lens Align Mark II pretty much religiously to micro-adjust all of my gear an average of once a month and always before a major trip. Enjoy our free comprehensive tutorial here.
BreezeBrowser. I do not see how any digital photographer can exist without this program.

Fill flash at -1 stop with my brand new [...]]]>

This head portrait of a Snowy Egret chick was created with the tripod-mounted Canon 300mm f/2.8 L IS II lens, the 2X III teleconverter, and the Canon EOS-5D Mark III. ISO 400. Evaluative metering +1/3 stop: 1/80 sec. at f/8 in Av mode.

Fill flash at -1 stop with my brand new Canon Speedlite 600EX-RT and a Better Beamer. Good news there: the FX-3 fits the Canon Speedlite 600EX-RT perfectly.

For a greater appreciation of this image, click on the photo.

Beginning Bird Photography Lessons

I created this image this morning while working with a private client. Ann is a beginning bird photographer. But very smart and a quick study. She arrived knowing when and why to use AI Servo AF and when and why to use One-Shot. She knew how add or subtract light while working in Av mode and knew how to view the histogram. She did not know how to evaluate a histogram or the importance of having at least some data in the fifth (highlight) box. And she had blinkies turned off. We educated her in short order. To start I let her work with the 300mm f/2.8 L IS II lens and the 2X III teleconverter with her Canon EOS-7D, all on a Mongoose M3.6 and a Gitxo 3530 LS tripod. (Note: the 3530 LS has been replaced by the GT3532 LS.)

Within a few minutes she had learned to produce good if not perfect histograms. Once I showed her how, she was a natural at holding the big lens to ensure sharp images and she had a good eye for composition. After an hour I set her up with a 70-200mm f.4 L IS and a 1.4X III TC. She took to hand holding it correctly immediately by bracing her elbows on the boardwalk railings.

She went off by herself making images and honing her newly learn skills. I photographed for a while on my own and then went off the see if she needed any additional help. She had found a wide open Snowy Egret nest with two medium sized chicks! I taught her how to use the pop-up flash in a rather dark situation. Then it was my turn. After hand holding my 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II for a while I went to the 300 with the 2X on a tripod so that I could create some head portraits. As there was a branch blocking the flash as it sat on the 4th Generation Design Integrated Flash Arm. Ann kindly agreed to hold the flash and point it at the bird.

Voila!

Why Stop There?

As you can see by viewing the animated GIF above, I did considerable bill clean-up but opted to leave the single sliver of feather. Why? Clean-up as usual was with the Patch Tool, the Spot Healing Brush, and a series of small Quick Masks. All are described in detail in Digital Basics.

NIK 15% Discount

As regular readers here know, NIK Color Efex Pro has drastically changed my digital workflow. Remember that you can save 15% on all NIK products by clicking here and entering BAA in the Promo Code box at check-out. Then hit Apply to see your savings. You can download a trial copy that will work for 15 days and allow you to create full sized images.

This Adobe Camera RAW screen capture shows my default values. Note the pretty darned good histogram right out of the box…. Click on the image to enlarge it–it’s a lot easier to read then.

Canon Speedlite 600EX-RT

Today was the first chance that I had to use my new flash, the Speedlite 600EX-RT, Canon’s most powerful-ever flash. The controls are a bit different from the last several Speedlites so I actually had to read the flash manual. But just enough to get started….

Here are the listed features:

• Wireless Radio Multiple Flash SystemTTL
• E-TTL II & A-TTL Compatible
• GN 197′ (60 m) @ ISO100
• Exceptionally Dust- and Water-Resistant
• Zoom Flash Head: 20-200mm
• Range Dot Matrix LCD Panel and Backlit Button
• Color Filter Holder for Gelatin Filters
• 18 Custom Functions
• Full 180-Degree Swivel in Each Direction
• AF Assist Beam

I obviously have a lot more studying to do. What intrigued me the most were the comprehensive easy-to-follow instructions for Multi/Stroboscopic Flash that includes a section on calculating the shutter speed. I have a good plan for using this feature for bird photography at some point in the future. Maybe on Midway…. See pages 33-35 of the Instructional Manual.

Shopper’s Guide.

Support both the Bulletins and the Blog by making all your B & H purchases here.

Below is a list of the gear talked about in this blog post. Thanks a stack to all who have used the Shopper’s Guide links to purchase their gear as a thank you for all the free information that we bring you on the Blog and in the Bulletins. Before you purchase anything be sure to check out the advice in our Shopper’s Guide.

Canon 300mm f/2.8 L IS II lens. Both on my Southern Oceans and Japan trip this lens proved to be ideal on a tripod for both birds and wildlife with both the 1.4X and 2X III TCs. All images were super-sharp and the lens was light enough for hand-holding from any type of watercraft.
2X III teleconverter. The new 2X TC is sharper than the older Series II 2X TC and is designed to work best with the Series II super-telephoto lenses–two out and two more coming sometime in 2012.
70-200mm f.4 L IS. Ann is planning on buying one of these lightweight, relatively inexpensive beauties as her starter lens. Teamed with a 1.4X III TC and her Canon EOS-7D she will have a decent effective reach of 448mm (or 9.96X magnification).
Canon EOS 5D Mark II Digital Camera. Canon’s lightweight full frame body is perfect for serious landscape photography and worked out great for wildlife on my Southern Oceans voyage.
Speedlite 600EX-RT. Canon’s latest greatest professional flash has more features than I will ever use or need.

And from the BAA On-line Store:

LensCoats. I have a LensCoat on each of my big lenses to protect them from nicks and thus increase their re-sales value. All my big lens LensCoat stuff is in Hardwood Snow pattern.
LegCoat Tripod Leg Covers. I have four tripods active and each has a Hardwood Snow LegCoat on it to help prevent further damage to my tender shoulders And you will love them in mega-cold weather….
GT3532 LS. This one replaces the GT3530LS Tripod and will last you a lifetime.
Mongoose M3.6 Tripod Head. Right now this is the best tripod head around for use with lenses that weigh less than 9 pounds. For heavier lenses, check out the Wimberley V2 head.
Double Bubble Level. You will find one in my camera’s hot shoe whenever I am not using flash.
Better Beamer. Triples flash output. Saves battery power. Increases range. Folds flat for travel. And lots more.
4th Generation Design Integrated Flash Arm. Lightweight and efficient; what more could you ask for?
The Lens Align Mark II. I use the Lens Align Mark II pretty much religiously to micro-adjust all of my gear an average of once a month and always before a major trip. Enjoy our free comprehensive tutorial here.
Canon EOS-1D Mark IV User’s Guide. Learn to use your Mark IV the way that I use mine. Also available for the 7D and the Mark III here.
BreezeBrowser. I do not see how any digital photographer can exist without this program.

Lens micro-adjustment: +4. [...]]]>

Black Vulture and Turkey Vulture, Indian Lake Estates, FL. With the Canon 800mm f/5.L IS lens and the Canon EOS-5D Mark III supported by a BLUBB on the door frame with the window lowered. ISO 400. Evaluative metering -1/3 stop: 1/800 sec. at f/8 in Av mode: 8:04 am.

Lens micro-adjustment: +4. Read the Lens Align Mark II Micro-adjusting tutorial. Coming soon: non-tethered micro-adjustments.

Central Sensor/AI Servo Rear Focus AF and re-compose. Click here if you missed the Rear Focus Tutorial. Click here to learn to set up Rear Focus on your 5D Mark II. Click on the image for a larger version.

Juxtapositions in Black…

jux·ta·po·si·tion   [juhk-stuh-puh-zish-uhn] noun
1. an act or instance of placing close together or side by side, especially for comparison or contrast.

When I first began photographing birds I strove to make images with only a single bird in the frame. It was years before I realized the power of including a second out of focus bird or animal in a pleasing position in the frame. Today I look for potential juxtapositions any time there are two subjects anywhere near each other. You need to think and act fast as juxtapositions often last only a second or two.

There are four nice juxtaposition images in The Art of Bird Photography II on pages 216, 228, 249, and 913. And here is a relevant excerpt from ABP II:

In many instances, an out-of-focus bird in the background is distracting. If the photographer, however, takes great care in the placement of the second bird in the frame and considers its posture as well as its position, then the second bird may serve as somewhat of a mirrored (though pleasingly out-of-focus) repetition of the subject. When attempting this, strive for compositional balance as well. The results can be most pleasing. Imagine two Caspian Terns on a sandy beach. It is a cloudy day, so light angle is not of paramount importance. Working in vertical format, you notice that the bird to the rear appears above and slightly to your right of the closer bird. You need to put some separation between the two birds so you take a large, slow step to your right. You
re-frame the image and notice that the closer bird is in the lower left part of the frame, while the bird in the back now appears in the upper right. The juxtaposition of the two birds is perfect: you have achieved compositional balance. You have created a pleasing image by changing your position, and thus your perspective.

The above is just one of hundreds of lessons that can help you improve your bird and nature photography. ABP II on CD only: 916 pages with more than 900 color photographs; everything that I learned about bird photography from 1998 through 2006 .

Black Vulture and Turkey Vulture, Indian Lake Estates, FL. With the Canon 800mm f/5.L IS lens and the Canon EOS-5D Mark III supported by a BLUBB on the door frame with the window lowered. ISO 400. Evaluative metering -1/3 stop: 1/800 sec. at f/8 in Av mode: 8:04 am. Lens micro-adjustment: +4. Read the Lens Align Mark II Micro-adjusting tutorial. Coming soon: non-tethered micro-adjustments. Central Sensor/AI Servo Rear Focus AF and re-compose. Click here if you missed the Rear Focus Tutorial. Click here to learn to set up Rear Focus on your 5D Mark II. Click on the image for a larger version.

Questions and More

Why -1/3 stop exposure compensation?
Would f/22 have sharpened up the Turkey Vulture?
What do you like or dislike in each image?
What would you have done differently?
Which of the two images do you like best? And why?

Support the creation of both the Bulletins and the blog by making all your B & H purchases here.

Shopper’s Guide

Below is a list of the gear used to create the image above. Thanks a stack to all who have used the Shopper’s Guide links to purchase their gear as a thank you for all the free information that we bring you on the Blog and in the Bulletins. Before you purchase anything be sure to check out the advice in our Shopper’s Guide.

Canon 800mm f/5.6L IS lens. Right now this is my all time favorite super-telephoto lens.
1.4X III TC. The new Series III 1.4X was designed to work best with the new Series II super-telephoto lenses.
Canon EOS-5D Mark III. Man, I am in love with this camera body. Both the files and the AF system are superb.

And from the BAA On-line Store:

BLUBB. I personally designed the Big Lens Ultimate BeanBag and have it made in the good old US of A. This large beanbag is ideal when working with super-telephoto lenses from your vehicle. Beware of cheaper and much inferior copycat rip-offs; you get what you pay for just like your Daddy said.
LensCoats. I have a LensCoat on each of my big lenses to protect them from nicks and thus increase their re-sales value. All my big lens LensCoat stuff is in Hardwood Snow pattern.
Double Bubble Level. You will find one in my camera’s hot shoe whenever I am not using flash.
The Lens Align Mark II. I use the Lens Align Mark II pretty much religiously to micro-adjust all of my gear an average of once a month and always before a major trip. Enjoy our free comprehensive tutorial here.
BreezeBrowser. I do not see how any digital photographer can exist without this program.