I Smiled the Whole Time/Canon Digital Learning Center Bird Photography with Arthur Morris: Video #1 « Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART

I Smiled the Whole Time/Canon Digital Learning Center Bird Photography with Arthur Morris: Video #1

Important Note

My sam and mayas att e-mail account was suspended on 18 DEC. Those who tried to reach me by e-mail between then and yesterday had their mails bounced back. If you tried to reach me during that period please re-send any important e-mails.

What’s Up?

I was feeling a bit worse last night and did not enjoy the greatest night of sleep but am feeling a lot better as this morning as this blog post is being published from home at about 7:55am. I still have many more exciting new images, tales, and lessons from my recently concluded Southern Oceans trip to share with you here over the course of the next few weeks and am looking forward to doing just that.

Huge Thanks!

Though page views dropped by about 35% during my absence y’all did a great job of remembering to use my B&H affiliate links while I was on my busman’s holiday. We sold about ten each of the new 100-400 II L IS lenses and 7D Mark IIs. I should be getting my 100-400 from B&H in a few days and plan on bringing it to San Diego where I will be using it the both my 7D II and a 1D X. IAC, thanks a stack to all those who use the BAA affiliate links for their December and early January purchases. Readership is now back to well above the normal 3,000 page views/day.

To show your appreciation for my continuing efforts here, we ask, as always, that you use our the B&H and Amazon affiliate links on the right side of the blog for all of your purchases. B&H Is recommended for you major photography gear purchases, Amazon for your household, entertainment, and general purpose stuff. Please check the availability of all photographic accessories in the BIRDS AS ART Online Store, especially Gitzo tripods, Wimberley tripod heads, and the like. We sell only what I have used, have tested, and can depend on. We will not sell you junk. We know what you need to make creating great images easy and fun. And we are always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail. I just learned that my account was suspended during my absence; it should be up and running by Monday at the latest.

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canon-point-your-shadow

Canon CDLC Video #1: Location Scouting for the Perfect Shot/Understanding the Light and the Wind Direction. Note: you need to follow the link below to view the video. πŸ™‚

Canon Digital Learning Center “Bird Photography with Arthur Morris” Video #1

Location Scouting for the Perfect Shot/Understanding the Light and the Wind Direction

I was thrilled in late October when Elaine Vuong and Rudy Winston wrote asking me to do a 7-part bird photography video for the Canon Digital Learning Center (CDLC). It all came to fruition in mid-November at Bosque del Apache. The crew from C47 Productions included Producer/Director Jem Schofield, camera and sound men Daniel Phakos and James Kwan, and two locally hired grips. Rudy Winston was along as our Technical Advisor and he got me out of a few jams when my memory failed :). They were a fun bunch to work with; we all had a ball even though Jem was a stern taskmaster. He did get the best out of everyone.

The videos went live yesterday. You can access the whole series by clicking here.

Today I will be talking a bit about Video #1, “Location Scouting for the Perfect Shot/Understanding the Light and the Wind Direction.” You can view that one (4 minutes, 31 seconds) by clicking on the first of the seven images (the one of me against a light purple sky) and then hitting play.

You will learn about the qualities and the direction of light and how the wind affects bird photography. My comments on wind direction are quite clear and revealing (he said modestly). There are numerous still photos included in the video and the explanatory diagrams are cleverly conceived and executed. I will be glad to answer any questions on the topics covered in the first video here on the blog; please feel free to leave a comment or ask a question below. Enjoy the video.

Note: Video #4, “Getting the Right Exposure” is currently unavailable. I am of course hoping that that is temporary.


canon-not-too-doofy-looking

I was quite surprised….

I Smiled the Whole Time

When I learned yesterday that the video series was online on the Canon Digital Learning Center I watched them over the course of the afternoon. I smiled the whole time. In the past, whenever I watched myself in a video or on a TV show (I did something like six or seven episodes of the old Canon Photo Safari programs), I always felt as if I look doofy and sounded even doofier. I am not sure how the folks at C47 did it but I thought that I looked pretty good (if a bit grizzled) and sounded even better (venerable???). Way to go guys.


sandhill-crane-flight-canon-video-wings-up-_y5o5251-bosque-del-apache-nwr-san-antonio-nm

This image was created at 7:21am on the clear morning of November 22, 2014 at Bosque del Apache NWR with the tripod-mounted Canon EF 600mm f/4L IS II USM lens, the Canon Extender EF 1.4X III, and the Canon EOS-1D X. ISO 400. Evaluative metering +1/3 stop off the yellow grasses around the pond: 1/1600 sec. at f/5.6 set manually.

Central sensor/AI Servo Surround Rear Focus AF as framed just caught the top of the bird’s extended neck and was active at the moment of exposure. Click here to see the latest version of the Rear Focus Tutorial. Click on the image to see a larger version.

Understanding the Wind and the Light

Over time you will come to understand that a wind with any western component on a clear morning will make flight photography difficult at best. A wind from the north/northeast as here is ideal as the birds will be angling slightly towards you. For landing birds, a wind from the east will have the birds landing right at you. Northeast, southeast, or south in the mornings can be pretty darned good as well.

First CLDC Video Comments

Kindly, via e-mail this morning from Collier Smyth:

Artie,

Great job with the Canon Digital Learning Center videos. They are Very nicely done.

Collier.

The Bosque Site Guide

All BAA Site Guides are designed so that with a bit of study you can show up at a great place and know exactly where to be at what time on what wind and in what lighting conditions. With a Site Guide on your laptop you will feel like a 20-year veteran even on your first visit. Site Guides are the next best thing to being on an IPT. If you plan on visiting the refuge it would be foolish to make the trip without having this guide in hand. Why spend money on gear and travel and then spend days stumbling around in the wrong spots? If you have visited previously, and are still unsure of where you should be at this time of day with that wind, this guide will prove invaluable to you as well.

You can order yours here or check out all of our site guides here.


bosque-2014-a-card

In 2015, we are offering a 3-DAY IPT before Thanksgiving and a 4-DAY IPT after the holiday. You can attend either and spend Thanksgiving Day with your family. Sign up for both and we will be glad to apply a $100 discount to your balance.

We know that there are lots of less costly workshops being offered these days. Please remember that you get exactly what you pay for. If you want the finest in photographic instruction and want to be assured of being in the right spot at exactly the right time, do join us.

Bosque del Apache 2015 BIRDS AS ART/A Creative Adventure Instructional Photo-Tour (IPT). 3-FULL DAY IPT: NOV 22-24, 2015. $1149. Meet and greet and introductory slide program after dinner on your own at 7:00pm on SAT NOV 21.

Tens of thousands of Snow Geese, 10,000 Sandhill Cranes, ducks, amazing sunrises, sunsets, and blast-offs. Live, eat, and breathe photography with two of the world’s premier photographic educators at one of their very favorite photography locations on the planet. Top-notch in-the-field and Photoshop instruction. This will make 21 consecutive Novembers at Bosque for artie. This will be denise’s 7th workshop at the refuge. Nobody knows the place better than artie does. Join us to learn to think like a pro, to recognize situations and to anticipate them based on the weather, especially the sky conditions, the light, and the wind direction. Every time we make a move we will let you know why. When you head home being able to apply what you’ve learned on your home turf will prove to be invaluable.

This workshop includes 3 morning and 3 afternoon photography sessions, an inspirational introductory slide program after dinner on your own on Saturday, 11/21, all lunches, and after-lunch digital workflow, Photoshop, and image critiquing sessions.

There is never a strict itinerary on a Bosque IPT as each day is tailored to the local conditions at the time and to the weather. We are totally flexible in order to maximize both the photographic and learning opportunities. We are up early each day leaving the hotel by 5:30 am to be in position for sunrise. We usually photograph until about 10:30am. Then it is back to Socorro for lunch and then a classroom session with the group most days. We head back to the refuge at about 3:30pm each day and photograph until sunset. We will be photographing lots of Snow Geese and lots of Sandhill Cranes with the emphasis on expanding both your technical skills and your creativity.

A $449 non-refundable deposit is required to hold your slot for this IPT. Your balance, payable only by check, will be due on 7/25/2015. If you cancel and the trip fills, we will be glad to apply a credit applicable to a future IPT for the full amount less a $100 processing fee. If we do not receive your check for the balance on or before the due date we will try to fill your spot from the waiting list. Whether or not your spot is filled, you will lose your deposit. If not, you can secure your spot by paying your balance.

Please print, complete, and sign the form that is linked to here and shoot it to us along with your deposit check (made out to “Arthur Morris.”) You can also leave your deposit with a credit card by calling the office at 863-692-0906. If you register by phone, please print, complete and sign the form as noted above and either mail it to us or e-mail the scan. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me via e-mail.


bosque-cardlarger

In 2015, we are offering a 3-DAY IPT before Thanksgiving and a 4-DAY IPT after the holiday. You can attend either and spend Thanksgiving Day with your family. Sign up for both and we will be glad to apply a $100 discount to your balance.

We know that there are lots of less costly workshops being offered these days. Please remember that you get exactly what you pay for. If you want the finest in photographic instruction and want to be assured of being in the right spot at exactly the right time, do join us.

Bosque del Apache 2015 BIRDS AS ART/A Creative Adventure Instructional Photo-Tour (IPT). 4-DAY IPT: (three full and two 1/2 DAYS) NOV 28-DEC 2, 2015. $1499. Meet and greet at 3pm on SAT NOV 28 followed by an afternoon photo session at the crane pools and the introductory slide program after dinner on your own.

Tens of thousands of Snow Geese, 10,000 Sandhill Cranes, ducks, amazing sunrises, sunsets, and blast-offs. Live, eat, and breathe photography with two of the world’s premier photographic educators at one of their very favorite photography locations on the planet. Top-notch in-the-field and Photoshop instruction. This will make 21 consecutive Novembers at Bosque for artie. This will be denise’s 7th workshop at the refuge. Nobody knows the place better than artie does. Join us to learn to think like a pro, to recognize situations and to anticipate them based on the weather, especially the sky conditions, the light, and the wind direction. Every time we make a move we will let you know why. When you head home being able to apply what you’ve learned on your home turf will prove to be invaluable.

This workshop includes 4 afternoon (11/28through 12/1), 4 morning (11/29 to 12/2) photography sessions, an inspirational introductory slide program after dinner on your own on Saturday, 11/28, all lunches, and after-lunch digital workflow, Photoshop, and image critiquing sessions.

There is never a strict itinerary on a Bosque IPT as each day is tailored to the local conditions at the time and to the weather. We are totally flexible in order to maximize both the photographic and learning opportunities. We are up early each day leaving the hotel by 5:30 am to be in position for sunrise. We usually photograph until about 10:30am. Then it is back to Socorro for lunch and then a classroom session with the group most days. We head back to the refuge at about 3:30pm each day and photograph until sunset. We will be photographing lots of Snow Geese and lots of Sandhill Cranes with the emphasis on expanding both your technical skills and your creativity.

A $599 non-refundable deposit is required to hold your slot for this IPT. Your balance, payable only by check, will be due on 7/25/2015. If you cancel and the trip fills, we will be glad to apply a credit applicable to a future IPT for the full amount less a $100 processing fee. If we do not receive your check for the balance on or before the due date we will try to fill your spot from the waiting list. Whether or not your spot is filled, you will lose your deposit. If not, you can secure your spot by paying your balance.

Please print, complete, and sign the form that is linked to here and shoot it to us along with your deposit check (made out to “Arthur Morris.”) You can also leave your deposit with a credit card by calling the office at 863-692-0906. If you register by phone, please print, complete and sign the form as noted above and either mail it to us or e-mail the scan. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me via e-mail.

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45 comments to I Smiled the Whole Time/Canon Digital Learning Center Bird Photography with Arthur Morris: Video #1

  • Love all your videos on Canon Youtube page and the Canon Digital Learning Center. Though I’ve been a photographer for many many years, I still learned a lot from them.

    Ricky

  • It was a joy to watch all 7 videos, thanks for sharing your knowledge.

  • Bob Newman

    Thanks Artie!!

  • Bob Newman

    Hello Arthur —

    I am planning a photo trip to Hokkaido in February to shoot whooper swans and snow monkeys. I am considering purchase of either a Canon 1DX or the new 7D Mark II. I know that the 1DX has a slightly higher frame rate per second (14 versus 10) and is a more heavy duty camera. On the other hand, the 7D is obviously cheaper and weighs less than the 1DX.

    I have read that the 7D Mark II does not track as well as the 1DX. Have you found that to be the case?

    Are there other major factors that I should consider in making a decision on which camera I should purchase?

    Many thanks!

    Bob Newman

    • Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART

      Hi Bob,

      Less expensive. You could get 2 or 3 of them… Neither camera makes ever flight image razor sharp on the face even when used by the most skilled operators. I have not noticed any difference. Each is capable of making razor sharp flight images on a consistent basis. With the 1.6 crop factor you can often work without a TC thus increasing AF speed and tracking accuracy…. Folks who prefer the heft and feel of a pro body will prefer the 1D X.

      Which ever way you go, please consider using one of our affiliate links:

      Canon EOS 7D Mark II

      Canon EOS-1D X

      Note: adding the vertical battery grip gives the 7D II a pro body feel:

      Canon BG-E16 Battery Grip for EOS 7D Mark II

  • Gerald Garner

    Very informative and a great teacher thanks a heap hope this helps me at the Snow Goose shoot in Feb and our annual Eagle shoot at Farmington bay.

  • Very good, easy to understand your english even for me who lives in sweden
    / Lasse

  • I thought there was only one video-I just watched the whole series. Great job Mr. Morris!!!

  • Bernhard

    Artie
    Great job done, thank you so much!
    Although you wrote it all before since your book “The Art of Bird Photography” and in your blog posts, it’s a great summary either. And it’s so much easier to see and hear than to read and translate into German language:-)
    We can’t wait to test it in the field on your July IPT!
    Ruth and Bernhard

    • Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART

      Hi Guys, I am looking forward to meeting and working with you in the Galapagos. We still have room for one more couple.

      later and love, artie

  • Matteo Bianchi

    I watched the series of video, and I have found them very interesting and informative. In particular the observations concerning the histogram and highlights, the direction of the light, and about the extenders.
    Some people argue that it is better to “crop” the file, than using an extender. What they do not undertand is that you cannot reduce the area covered by the af point (the spot af mode does not work well for fast moving subjects), and for this reason with an extender you can also have a more precise focusing.

    I have a question concerning the 100-400 II: actually I have the older version, and I use it with a 1d mark III. Do you have noticed any increase in focus speed, with the new 100-400 (with respect to the older version), in particular when you use an extender 1.4x?

    Thank you.

    • Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART

      I have used the new 100-400 only infrequently. I am waiting to get one of my own soon. I hope. artie
      ps: IAC, the newer version is vastly superior for many reasons…..

  • Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART

    Craig, Andrea, David, Marc, and Nick. Thanks a stack for your more than kind words. artie

  • Craig Wesson

    Fantastic videos Artie, thanks

  • Andrea Boyle

    Oh my… I’ve learned so much in just three videos. (All bookmarked on my computer) Thank you so much for sharing your wealth of information in such a condensed package. It is a great start for wildlife and bird photography!

  • Excellent! I’m looking forward to sitting down and viewing all of them.

  • Artie,

    Thank you for providing a fabulous set of seven birding videos. This is a treasure!! With an engaging, insightful and succinct presentation, videos don’t get any better than this. Congratulations!! Marc

  • Nick Sharp

    I finally watched the entire series. Again, it is simply awesome. They are simple techniques and yet are the most fundamental in my opinion. The videos reinforce what I have learned on your wonderful website over the years. Impressive work, Artie. I wish we could download it for my future references and for the new wildlife photographers.

  • Thanks for the great tutorials. What great background scenes, too.

    I think I read somewhere that when attaching a teleconverter, you should attach it to the lens first, then to the camera — apparently this is just a myth?

    Good to have you back safely from the wilds of Down Under.

    • Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART

      Thanks John. I usually do it that way but without thinking about it. I have done it the other way quite a bit without consequence.

      artie

  • Joe Subolefsky

    Very well done Artie.Watched them on the big screen thanks to appleTV. Many times out shooting people ask about getting serious into BIF this will be a great series to point them towards.

  • Watched all 7 of the series. Great job, Artie! This will be a go to resource for a long time. Keep smiling:)
    Marr

  • Watched all the videos and enjoyed them all. You did a great job. I am a Nikon user but go to your site every day and have learned much. Thanks!!!

    • Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART

      Thanks James. The stuff in some of the videos is Canon-centric but there will be something for everyone to learn in each video as the different brands have similar features (albeit with different names). artie

  • Just watched #1 and also started viewing #4, which now seems to be available.

    Great videos! I have been following you for years, and I STILL learned from you. Nice job!

    Dennis
    de gustibus non disputandum

  • Nick Sharp

    I just finished watching the first one of the series. All I can say is awesome. Excellent work. You spoke smoothly, clearly, and concisely. It was very easy to follow. Anyone including newbies will be able to understand the materials. I am going to watch the rest of the series as soon as I get home today.

  • Jeff R

    Hey Artie, You did a great job of speaking ‘off the cuff’ without repeating yourself as many are want to do when in front of the camera. Great information and well done.
    Jeff

  • Jim Brown

    GREAT series, Artie. Thanks a bundle. Would you ever consider having the series on CD for easy reference? I’d buy it.

  • Graham Devenish

    Wow, just watched the whole bunch – What a great set of films, thanks for doing that – REALLY useful as I’ve got a 7D2 to see and hear a real life user and the versatility of the Q button!
    Thanks
    Graham

  • Bill Richardson

    Videos are excellent, no “goofiness”!

  • Bill Eaton

    Hey Artie,
    Just watched all the videos and thoroughly enjoyed them and picked up a few good valuable tips.I was very impressed with your smooth and even paced delivery which was easy to follow.
    Be well and good shooting.

  • Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART

    Follow-up: Video #4, “Getting the Right Exposure,” is now available. Enjoy. artie

  • Artie
    Just finished watch all four videos. Great learning experience, I’ll rewatch them many times. Very concise presentation.
    Thanks
    Art

    • Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART

      Many thanks for your kind words Art. Two more to go and then the missing one on exposure…. a

  • Just got done watching #1…excellent job!

    Doug