Which is the Better Head Shot? « Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART

Which is the Better Head Shot?

Thanks for Noticing!

Below is a much-appreciated comment at the On Breaking Waves blog post here. And my reply.

Sanjeed Quazi

October 23, 2022 at 10:22 pm

Good morning Guru. Hope you are doing fine.

I have been enjoying your blog on bird photography for many years and wonder, how is it possible!!! Uploading a new detailed post everyday on regular basis!!! Yet to see anyone else made of flesh and blood doing so. Hats off to you thousand times. Love you Guru.

Sanjeed

Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART

October 28, 2022 at 3:36 pm

Hey Sanjeed,

You kind words are greatly appreciated. Thanks for noticing!

with love, artie

What’s Up?

I spent productive hour at eye level with the incoming vultures at a road-kill cafe set-up on Friday morning. I enjoyed lots of action and created a few good images.

I was glad to learn that Steve Murdock signed up for the second San Diego IPT. That workshop is now sold out. There is plenty of room for you on San Vito #1 and #3.

Today is Saturday 29 October 2022. I woke early and headed for Sebastian Inlet. Wherever you are, and whatever you are doing, I hope that you too have a great day. This blog post took about 90 minutes to to prepare including the time spent on the image optimization and makes two hundred-seventeen days in a row with a new one.

Please remember to use the B&H and Amazon links that are found on most blog pages and to use the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout when purchasing your new gear from Bedfords to get 3% back on your credit card and enjoy free second-day air FedEx. Please, also, consider joining a BAA IPT. You will be amazed at how much you will learn!

You can find some great photo accessories (and necessities, like surf booties!) on Amazon by clicking on the Stuff tab on the orange/yellow menu bar above. On a related note, it would be extremely helpful if blog-folks who, like me, spend too much money on Amazon, would get in the habit of clicking on the Amazon logo link on the right side of each blog post when they shop online. As you might expect, doing so will not cost you a single penny, but would be appreciated tremendously by yours truly. And doing so works seamlessly with your Amazon Prime account.

Please remember that if an item — a Delkin flash card, or a tripod head — for example, that is available from B&H and/or Bedfords, is also available in the BAA Online Store, it would be great, and greatly appreciated, if you would opt to purchase from us. We will match any price. Please remember also to use my B&H affiliate links or to earn 3% cash back at Bedfords by using the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout for your major gear purchases. Doing either often earns you free guides and/or discounts. And always earns my great appreciation.

Brand-New and As-Good-As-Ever Bedfords BAA Discount Policy

Folks who have fallen in love with Bedfords can now use the BIRDSASART coupon code at checkout to enjoy a post-purchase, 3% off-statement credit (excluding taxes and shipping charges) on orders paid with a credit card. The 3% credit will be refunded to the card you used for your purchase. Be sure, also, to check the box for free shipping to enjoy free Second Day Air Fed-Ex. This offer does not apply to purchases of Classes, Gift Cards, or to any prior purchases.

Money Saving Reminder

Many have learned that if you need a hot photo item that is out of stock at B&H and would like to enjoy getting 3% back on your credit card along with free 2nd Day Air Fed-Ex Air shipping, your best bet is to click here, place an order with Bedfords, and enter the coupon code BIRDSASART at checkout. If an item is out of stock, contact Steve Elkins via e-mail or on his cell phone at (479) 381-2592 (Central time). Be sure to mention the BIRDSASART coupon code and check the box for Free Shipping. That will automatically upgrade to free 2nd Day Air Fed-Ex. Steve has been great at getting folks the hot items that are out of stock at B&H and everywhere else. The waitlists at the big stores can be a year or longer for the hard-to-get items. Steve will surely get you your gear long before that. For the past year, he has been helping BAA Blog folks get their hands on items like the SONY a 1, the SONY 200-600 G OSS lens, the Canon EOS R5, the Canon RF 100-500mm lens, and the Nikon 500mm PF. Steve is personable, helpful, and eager to please.

Important Note

As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small percentage when you purchase from Amazon after using any of the Amazon links on the blog (including the logo-link on the right side of each blog post page). My affiliate link works fine with Amazon Prime and using it will not cost you a single cent. Huge thanks, BTW 🙂



Gear Questions and Advice

Too many folks attending BAA IPTs and dozens of photographers whom I see in the field and on BPN, are — out of ignorance — using the wrong gear, especially when it comes to tripods and more especially, tripod heads. And the same is true in spades when ordering new camera bodies or lenses. My advice will often save you some serious money and may help you avoid making a seriously bad choice. Please know that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail. If you are desperate, you can try me on my cell at 863-221-2372. Please leave a message and shoot me a text if I do not pick up.

Image #1: artie’s new head shot

Image courtesy of and copyright 2022: Pam Stukenborg/Stukenborg Photography

My Google Review

Pam did a head shot shoot for me in Oklahoma City, OK in October 2022. Amazingly, she put me at ease and had me smiling naturally. I love the final result. with love, artie

Pam’s Reply

Artie…You were a delight and considering we had a live audience while capturing your headshot — you were cool as a cucumber! So happy you are pleased with the results! Pam #photoconokc22 #birdsasart

This image was created on 24 October 2022 in northeastern New Mexico. I used the handheld Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II lens (at 200mm) and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera.. The exposure was determined via Zebras with ISO on the thumb dial. ISO 1600: 1/250 sec. at f/8 (stopped down three stops) in Manual mode. RawDigger showed the raw file brightness to be dead-solid perfect (plus a bit). AWB at 2:50:28pm in light snow.

Tracking: Spot S AF/C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy a high-res version.

Image #2: Turkey Vulture — juvenile dead on road — head portrait

Multiple Choice Question

What was my biggest mistake when creating Image #2?

A- Not using a much smaller aperture

B- Over-exposing the image

C- Failure to parallel the subject

D- A & C

E- A, B, & C

Typos

With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.

16 comments to Which is the Better Head Shot?

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