Common Tern Would You? Questions « Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART

Common Tern Would You? Questions

Pemba Lake

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Your Call?

Be so kind as to leave a comment letting us know which of today’s three featured images you like best and why you made your choice.

What’s Up?

With a SW wind on Friday morning, a blessed haze softened the light as I worked the Common Terns at Nickerson Beach with friend Steffen Foerster. It poured all afternoon. Today is Saturday 16 June 2023. Wherever you are and whatever you are doing, I hope that you too have a great day. Sign up for the Nickerson IPT and you will almost surely enjoy private lessons. An option is an In-the-Field session or two.

I was glad to learn of the sale of David Rice’s Nikon Z7 II Mirrorless Camera immediately after yesterday’s price drop.

All are cordially invited to join me at Nickerson Beach this month or next year or on a Homer or a San Diego Instructional Photo Tour (IPT). I will be announcing fall dates for two or three Fort DeSoto IPTs soon. Not to mention a Galapagos Photo-Cruise of a Lifetime in August 2024.

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!

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The market for editorial sales of natural history images has virtually disappeared. The incomes of the world’s top stock photographers are down by at least 90%. Like me, most depend on income from photo trips, the sale of educational materials, and income from this or that affiliate program.

In 2001, BAA sold the publication rights to images for nearly one-quarter million US dollars. That amount dropped to about $20,000 by 2011, and in 2017, to slightly more than $2,000.00. We’ve stopped counting. IPTs used to fill within days. Now I am happy to go with one or two folks, but I’d much rather have you along. And so it goes. In 2009, I turned to creating educational blog posts, now to the tune of 4039. Yes, 4039 educational blog posts. So, please remember to use either my B&H or Bedfords affiliate links for your major purposes. It does not cost you one cent to do either.

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Many folks have written recently stating that they purchased a Sony a1 from B&H and would like their free membership in the Sony 1 Info and Updates Group, a $150.00 value. When I check my affiliate account, their orders have not been there. When I let them know that they get credit for B&H purchases only if they use one of the many B&H affiliate links on the blog or begin their searches with this link, they are always disappointed. If in doubt, please contact me via e-mail and request a BH link. I am always glad to help and to guide you to the right gear.

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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. Seated on dry sand behind my lowered Robus RC-5558-3 Vantage Series 3 Carbon Fiber Tripod topped by the Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro, I used the Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless digital camera. ISO 1250. Exposure was determined via Zebras with ISO on the rear dial: 1/250 sec. at f/7.1 (stopped down 2/3-stop). AWB at 7:16:26am on a sunny but hazy morning.

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 #1: Common Tern with Sand Eel for chick

Would You #1?

Would you remove the small green smudge below the primaries of the near wing? Why or why not?

The Robus RC-5558 Vantage Series 3 Carbon Fiber Tripods

For reasons that I do not understand, the prices of both the 3-leg section Robus RC-5558-3 Vantage Series 3 Carbon Fiber tripod and the 4-leg section Robus RC-5558 Vantage Series 3 Carbon Fiber tripod have been drastically reduced. They are available only from B&H and are currently priced at a ridiculously low $399.95, about 1/3 the price of a comparable Really Wrong Stuff (RWS) tripod. Right now, the 3-leg section version is my go-to tripod.

This image was also created on 16 June 2023 at Nickerson Beach, Lido Beach, Long Island, NY. Still seated on dry sand behind my lowered Robus RC-5558-3 Vantage Series 3 Carbon Fiber Tripod topped by the Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro, I used the Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless digital camera. ISO 1000. Exposure was determined via Zebras with ISO on the rear dial: 1/250 sec. at f/7.1 (stopped down 2/3-stop). AWB at 7:17:08am on a sunny but hazy morning.

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: Common Tern attempting to swallow Sand Eel

Would You #2?

Would you have tried to remove the o-o-f tern in the upper left corner of the image? Why or why not?

This image was also created on 16 June 2023 at Nickerson Beach, Lido Beach, Long Island, NY. Still seated on dry sand behind my lowered Robus RC-5558-3 Vantage Series 3 Carbon Fiber Tripod topped by the Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro, I used the Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless digital camera. ISO 1000. Exposure was determined via Zebras with ISO on the rear dial: 1/000 sec. at f/7.1 (stopped down 2/3-stop). AWB at 7:48:10am on a sunny but hazy morning.

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 #3: Common Tern chick

Would You #3

Would you have removed the thin blade of grass to our right of the bird? Why or why not?

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 (or 4 1/2) DAYS. Monday afternoon, June 19, thru the full day on Thursday June 22 (or Friday June 23), 2023. 3 1/2 Days: $1899.00 includes three working brunches. (4 1/2 Days: $2199.00 includes four 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 6:00pm 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.

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 Slip (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.

13 comments to Common Tern Would You? Questions

  • Steve

    Image #1: No I don’t find it that distracting.
    Image #2: No again, but I would remove the green on the left edge.
    Image #3: Yes, it reminds me of film days when a piece of hair falls on the print.
    But of course it all depends on your perspective and purpose. What are you using the image for?

  • Chris Davidson

    Hi Art,

    Excellent set and questions, as always.

    Image #1 I would remove the small green smudge, I love the image and after studying it for a while it becomes more of a blemish than just a smudge. Either way it’s a beautiful image.
    Image #2 I would probably leave this as is, it seems to only distract if you really look for it and seems like a lot of work. I honestly didn’t pay much attention to it in my first viewing. The baby tern with the Sand Eel and sharp parent on the right is what drew most of my attention.
    Image #3 I would definately remove the blurred grass to the right, it distracts from the subject IMO.

    • Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART

      Hey Chris, I cannot argue with sound reasoning 🙂

      Remember that the answers are subjective.

      with love, a

  • Sue Jarrett

    Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART, Images #1 and #2 and #3 are interesting and cute except image #1 is not a Common Tern like images #2 and #3. It is something else.

  • Elle

    #1 I would not remove the green smudge. It is not distracting and fits the overall context which includes OOF green things.

    #2 Tough decision. The OOF adult on the left is part of the family and adds to the overall story of family. However, because the two adults are larger and lighter, they draw my eye and the OOF adult required some attention to make sense of it. Consequently, it took a moment before I noticed and concentrated on the chick. I think the chick and eel are the story (with the adult’s beak on the right creating a leading line pointing to the chick,) so that, for me, wins the argument that the OOF adult on the left should be deleted, even if it might be quite a difficult task!

    #3 I think I would leave in the curvy piece of grass, but I would be tempted to delete the top OOF piece of vegetation on the far right but leaving the OOF vegetation on the lower right quarter of the image. In my view, that creates better balance with the OOF vegetation on the left side, with a bit of a visual diagonal with the green on the upper left to the green on the lower right, which also makes the curvy grass next to the chick less distracting and instead a nice addition to the image.

    • Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART

      Hey Elle, Thanks for your thoughtful comments on the three images. I will share my thoughts with y’all here soon.

      with love, artie

  • David Pugsley

    Hmmm, no right or wrong answers here as it’s all subjective. That said…
    1. Yes, I’d remove. My eye goes to the blob too readily so I find it distracting and unnecessary.
    2. No. Primarily because I don’t think it would be worth the effort and the bird doesn’t detract from the image.
    3. This is the hardest one for me. The grass isn’t necessary, but I do find it’s shape rather charming. As a natural part of the environment, and not distracting, I’d keep it.

  • #1 : no but I find the green bg behind the head, distracting.

    #2 no. Nice interaction scene betweeen 2 parents and one kid.

    #3 yes too distracting.

  • Maggi Fuller

    Re Image 2, no, I wouldn’t have removed the oof bird on the left, but I would have ensured I got the whole of the primary adult in the frame!

    Image 3… very cute(!!), but I prefer Image 1.

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