When Conditions are Tough, Try Slow Shutter Speeds

What’s Up?

With a NW breeze and mostly sunny skies on Saturday morning, I was headed home at 7:22am. There were thunderstorms in the early afternoon, but after fighting traffic, I made it to the beach by 6:00pm. It was howling from the NW; I parked facing north and could barely open the driver’s side door because of the wind. The sun was in and out for most of my session. I worked with the 200-600 and made some different yet very interesting images. With clear skies and a brisk NW wind I opted to stay in on Sunday morning. I believe that this is five blog posts in a row. Don’t get too excited; this short streak will be over as the next post will be on Tuesday.

I will comment on yesterday’s images on Tuesday to give a few more folks a chance to chime in. There are lots of excellent responses already. As below, be sure to note what you consider the best and the worst of today’s offerings.

Wherever you are and whatever you are doing, I hope that you too are gonna have a great day.

And yes, please use the affiliate links especially for your major purchases and please consider joining me on an IPT. Please scroll down to note the new dates for the 3 1/2 DAY Summer 2023 Nickerson Beach Terns (with chicks!), Skimmers, & Oystercatchers Instructional Photo-Tour (IPT)

The Sunday afternoon and Monday morning forecasts are looking perfect — consider getting in touch today and joining me for a session or two. Call my cell at 863-221-2372 to learn why and make some great images.

Nickerson Beach June 2023 Common Tern/American Oystercatcher/Black Skimmer In-the-Field Sessions

I am offering both morning and afternoon sessions from now through the end of this month. If you would like to become a better bird photographer, shoot me an e-mail to learn the details. Scheduling for these sessions can be arranged on short notice by checking the weather. A better option is to join me on the IPT. As I have nobody signed up, I can tailor the dates for the first one who does.

IPT veterans and couples or friends signing up together are invited to e-mail for discount information.

This image was created on 16 June 2023 at Nickerson Beach, Lido Beach, Long Island, NY. Standing on the beach at full height, I used the handheld Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless digital camera. Multi-metering +2.3 stops. AUTO ISO set ISO 800. Exposure was determined via Zebras with Exposure Compensation on the rear dial: 1/15 sec. at f/4 (wide open) in Shutter Priority mode. AWB at 5:21:29am, two minutes before sunrise with a cloud in the eastern sky. Tracking: Expand Spot/AF-C with Bird Face/Eye detection enabled was active at the moment of exposure and performed just fine. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy the hi-res version. Image #1: Black Skimmer footsie blur abstract

Why the Footsie Crop?

Handholding the 600mm lens at 1/15 second the skimmer’s bill was a totally blurred mess. But I loved that I could see the feet through the blurred wing, and I loved that the bird appeared to be running in midair. Thus, the huge crop that created somewhat of an abstract photograph.

This image was also created on 16 June 2023 at Nickerson Beach, Lido Beach, Long Island, NY. Again, standing on the beach at full height, I used the handheld Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless digital camera. Multi-metering + 1.7 stops. AUTO ISO set ISO 1250. Exposure was determined via Zebras with Exposure Compensation on the rear dial: 1/40 sec. at f/4 (wide open) in Shutter Priority mode. AWB at 5:56:32am with one cloud in the eastern sky. Tracking: Expand Spot/AF-C with Bird Face/Eye detection enabled was active at the moment of exposure and performed perfectly. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy the hi-res version. Image #2: Seaweed-filled breaking wave

Looking for Different

Creating slow shutter speed images of breaking waves. As I walked east before sunrise, I noticed a ton of seaweed at the edge of the surf. Then, I noticed that the breaking waves were loaded with seaweed as well. Remembering my advice to “add green whenever possible,” I created some new and different breaking wave images. I kept three; this one was my favorite.

This image was created 17 June 2023 at Nickerson Beach, Lido Beach, Long Island, NY. Standing at full height, I used the handheld Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II lens with the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter (at 280mm) and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera.. The exposure was determined via Zebras with ISO on the rear dial. ISO 50: 1/30 sec. at f/4 (wide open) in Manual mode. AWB at 6:15:40am on a cloudy morning. Tracking: Zone AF/C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #3: Common Tern about to take a drink

The Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II Lens with the 1.4X TC

I went with this combo for several reasons:

1- It is much lighter than the Sony 200-600 G lens.
2- Initial focusing acquisition is lightning fast.
3- With a maximum reach of 280mm it would eliminate clipping wings and make it easier to include the full reflections.

This image was also created on 17 June 2023 at Nickerson Beach, Lido Beach, Long Island, NY. Again, standing at full height, I used the handheld Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II lens with the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter (at 280mm) and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera.. The exposure was determined via Zebras with ISO on the rear dial. ISO 50: 1/15 sec. at f/8 (stopped down two stops) in Manual mode. AWB at 6:24:10am on a cloudy morning. Tracking: Zone AF/C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #4: Black Skimmer skimming to drink

High Level Questions

Why did I need to go to f/8 for this image?

Why did I opt to work in Shutter Priority mode with Auto ISO for the first two images, but go to Manual for the second two images?

Your Calls

Please leave a comment and let us know which of today’s four featured images you consider the strongest and which you consider the weakest. In other words, which is the best and which is worthless drivel? Please let us know why you made your choices.

Common Terns are among the stars of the Nickerson show in June

Summer 2023 Nickerson Beach Terns, Skimmers, & Oystercatchers Instructional Photo-Tour (IPT): 3 1/2 DAYS. Sunday afternoon, June 25, thru the full day on Wednesday June 28, 2023. 3 1/2 Days: $1899.00 includes three working brunches. Limit six photographers

The Summer 2023 Nickerson Beach Terns, Skimmers, & Oystercatchers IPT

I am offering two options for this IPT. Locals might prefer the 3 1/2 day IPT. Folks traveling from out of town will almost surely want to maximize their travel dollars by staying the extra day. The stars of the show will likely be the nesting Common Terns. As many have been on eggs for a week or more, we should get to photograph some small chicks and lots of birds in flight with fish. We should have lots of American Oystercatcher families with chicks of varying sizes. Photographing them at dawn along as they forage along the edge of the surf is an exciting experience. We will get to photograph early morning skimmer flock blast offs, lots of afternoon midair battles, and will likely have some skimmers on eggs. Flight photography for all three species will abound.

Many folks head home feeling that while our time in the field was fabulous and productive, that the working brunch sessions were even more valuable. During image review you will learn to select the best images from several thousand made with your 20- and 30 fps camera bodies. And we will process a few images and distribute the screen capture videos for you to learn from after the trip. And all IPTs offer follow-up image critiques.

Change your life: sign up for this IPT today. Please shoot me an e-mail if you would like to explore the possibility of renting some Sony gear (including an a1) from me.

Some of What You Will Learn on a Nickerson Beach IPT

• 1- The basics and fine points of digital exposure; how to get the right exposure every time after making a single test exposure (or before if you are using SONY gear).
• 2- How and why to work in Manual mode (even if you’re scared of it).
• 3- How to approach free and wild birds without disturbing them.
• 4- Lots about bird behavior and how to use that knowledge to help you create better images.
• 6- To spot the good and great situations and to choose the best perspective.
• 7- To see, evaluate, and understand the light.
• 8- To design pleasing images by mastering your camera’s AF system.
• 9- And perhaps most importantly, to evaluate wind and sky conditions and understand how they affect bird photography. You will learn where and when to be (and why).
• 10- More than you could ever imagine.

The Details

We will be on the beach very early to enjoy sunrise. The morning sessions will run at least 3 1/2 hours. Afternoon sessions will begin at 5:30pm and run till sunset. There is never a set schedule on an IPT — we adapt to the conditions. On cloudy mornings with the right wind, we may opt to photograph till 11:30am or so and skip the afternoon session. That especially when the afternoon weather is looking iffy or lousy.

There will be a Photoshop/Image Review session before and after brunch (included) each full day. That will be followed by Instructor Nap Time. Each of these IPTs will run with only a single registrant as I do not like disappointing anyone. The best airports are JFK or Islip (if you have lots of Southwest points). Once you register, you will receive an e-mail with lodging information. Do know that it is always best if IPT folks stay in the same general area (rather than at home or at a friend’s place a good distance away).

Folks attending this IPT will be out in the field ridiculously early and stay out late to take advantage of sunrise and sunset colors; this is pretty much a staple on almost all BIRDS AS ART Instructional Photo-Tours. Doing so will often present unique photographic opportunities, opportunities that will be missed by those who need their beauty rest and those who need to get home for a proper dinner. I really love it when I am leaving the beach at 9:00am on a sunny morning after a great session just as a carful or two of well-rested photographers are arriving … We may be getting our feet wet on occasion, especially in the mornings, but those who wish to keep their feet 100% dry can do so.

Your $599 deposit is due now. Credit cards are OK for that. You can register by calling Jim or Jennifer during weekday business hours at 863-692-0906 with a credit card in hand. Once you leave a deposit, you will receive an e-mail with your balance statement and instructions for sending your balance check ASAP for this short-notice IPT. Those who wish to pay for the trip in one fell swoop via check may do so by making the check out to BIRDS AS ART and then mailing it to BIRDS AS ART, PO BOX 7245, Indian Lake Estates, FL 33855. You will receive a confirmation e-mail with detailed instructions, and clothing and gear advice right after you register. Please shoot me an e-mail if you plan to register or if you have any questions.

IPT veterans and couples or friends signing up together may e-mail for discount information.

Typos

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