Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART

What’s Up?

Great group. Four recidivists (repeat clients), two new folks. Lots of spoonbills. Lots of flight photography. Core exercises. No swim even though there is a large pool at the hotel. This blog post took 1 1/2 hours to prepare and was published at 4:45am.

What the ???

What the ??? answer tomorrow.

South Georgia October 2015

Do consider joining me in South Georgia next October for the trip of a lifetime. Click here for complete details.

Save $242

Register before the end of the month for the South Georgia trip and receive a $242 discount on your return airfare. Please e-mail for details.

Please Remember to use our Affiliate Links 🙂

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 the Mongoose M3.6 tripod heads, Gitzo tripods, Wimberley heads and plates, LensCoats and accessories, 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.

I would of course appreciate your using our B&H affiliate links for all of your major gear, video, and electronic purchases. For the photographic stuff mentioned in the paragraph above we, meaning BAA, would of course greatly appreciate your business. Here is a huge thank you to the many who have been using our links on a regular basis and visiting the BAA Online store as well.

Canon’s Two New 50+ Megapixel Camera Bodies

Many of you have read about the two new Canon 50+ megapixel bodies, the Canon EOS 5DS DSLR and the Canon EOS 5DS R DSLR. The two cameras look, sound, and pretty much are quite similar. I have withheld commenting until now because I did not have a good–heck, I did not have any–understanding of the single difference between the two bodies, that being the Low-Pass Filter Effect Cancellation.

If you missed the hugely popular “Canon’s Two New 50+ Megapixel Camera Bodies/You Must Read This Before You Buy,” you can click here to catch up and learn a ton to boot.

This image was created early on the mostly clear morning of Sunday February 22, 2015 at Alafia Banks with the tripod-mounted Canon EF 600mm f/4L IS II USM lens and the Canon EOS 7D Mark II. ISO 400. One stop off the blue sky above the mangroves set manually: 1/2500 sec. at f/4.5 with Highlight Tone Priority enabled. Center AF Point/AI Servo/Expand/Shutter Button AF as originally framed was squarely on the base of the bill just forward of the bird’s eye and was of course active at the moment of exposure. This image was cropped a bit from behind and below. Click here to see the latest version of the Rear Focus Tutorial. Click on the image to see a larger version.

I was Nervous….

It had been very cold for several weeks. I knew that James was going out to Alafia on Saturday morning. As his cell phone rang, I was a bit nervous. What if the season was late? What if there were no birds? It is hard to hold a spoonbill IPT if there are no spoonbills.

I was–therefore–very nervous when Captain Froggie picked up the phone. “How was it?” I asked. “Great!” James said. On our first day we did indeed enjoy some excellent spoonbill photography. In addition we got to photograph nesting Great Blue Heron, nesting Double-crested Cormorant, Brown and White Pelican, Turkey and Black Vulture, Great Egret, Reddish Egret, White Ibis, American Oystercatcher, Long-billed Curlew, and Whimbrel.

Whew!

Images courtesy of and copyright Captain James Shadle (aka Froggie). All of the images here were created at Alafia Banks. Card creation and design by Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART.

The Hooptie Deux/Roseate Spoonbill Mini IPT. 1 1/2 DAYs: $1250. SAT MAR 7 (full day) and SUN Morning MAR 8, 2015. Working lunch on Saturday included. Strict Limit: 6 photographers

Meet and greet on the evening of FRI MAR 6. Two great leaders: Captain James Shadle (Nikon) and Canon Explorer of Light Arthur Morris.

Roseate Spoonbill is one of if not the most sought after avian photographic subjects in Florida. They are generally hard to find and somewhat difficult to approach. They are relatively easy to find at Alafia Banks—heck, you can’t miss seeing them, but even there they can on some days be somewhat difficult to approach. On some days we may be able to get ridiculously close to them. The huge incentive to get out to Alafia Banks in early March is the chance to photograph this species at the height of its spectacular breeding plumage….

Weather permitting there will be three boat trips: 2 mornings and 1 afternoons. Mornings at Alafia Banks for spoonbills and Brown Pelicans (with lots of flight photography with the birds likely carrying nesting material), cormorants, ibises (both Glossy and White in breeding plumage. Many of the White Ibises will be sporting their spectacular, distended, red, naked (un-feathered) throat pouches—typically larger in the females. In addition we will get to photograph egrets including Great and Reddish, both in full breeding plumage, shorebirds, and more. There will be lots of flight photography opportunities. The afternoon trip will be either to Alafia Banks for spoonbills and more or to a more sheltered inland rookery location for a variety of nesting birds. In the event of horrific weather artie will either take the group to Fort DeSoto or will conduct an image review/Photoshop session. This IPT includes one working lunch.

Important Notes

We stay in Brandon, FL for this IPT. From our hotel there it is is only about 20 minutes to the dock. The plan is for all sessions to be by boat. For the Alafia Banks segments, Captain Shadle provides light weight chest waders as much of the photography will be done while we are standing in fairly shallow water behind our tripods. We help you get in and out of the boat with your gear. This is likely not the best trip for folks with balance problems. Note however that some folks may opt to stay on the boat. They always have lots of good chances for flight photography of spoonbills and other species but are almost always pretty far away from the spoonbills that land.

This mini Hooptie IPT represents an incredible opportunity. It may fill quickly. We hope that you can join us. Scroll down for registration info.

All of the images here were created at Alafia Banks early in the season. Images copyright Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART. Card creation and design by Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART.

Hooptie Mini-IPT Registration Info

Payment in full for this short notice trip is of course due upon registration. Call the office at 863-692-0906 to arrange to send us a check for payment in full (preferred) or to put the whole thing on a credit card. If by check, it should be made out to “Arthur Morris” and be mailed to BIRDS AS ART, PO Box 7245, Indian Lake Estates, FL 33855. 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.

However you arrange for payment, please print, complete, and sign the form that is linked to here and shoot it to us along with the paperwork. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me via e-mail.

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Typos

In all blog posts and Bulletins, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors. Just be right :).

What’s Up?

After yet another cold, clear night the pool was at 67 1/2 degrees. I swam. Core exercises. Catching up on e-mails. Thinking about packing for my trip over to Brandon and the Hooptie Deux Roseate Spoonbill IPT. But I put that off until tomorrow. I will probably leave just after lunch. I want to pick up some stuff at Whole Foods on the edge of Tampa. When I mentioned that to Jennifer she said that most folks call it “Whole Paycheck.” She cracked me up.

This blog post took less than two hours to prepare (including research time) and was published from my home at ILE, FL at 5:30am.

South Georgia October 2015

Do consider joining me in South Georgia next October for the trip of a lifetime. Click here for complete details.

Save $242

Register before the end of the month for the South Georgia trip and receive a $242 discount on your return airfare. Please e-mail for details.

Please Remember to use our Affiliate Links 🙂

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 the Mongoose M3.6 tripod heads, Gitzo tripods, Wimberley heads and plates, LensCoats and accessories, 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.

I would of course appreciate your using our B&H affiliate links for all of your major gear, video, and electronic purchases. For the photographic stuff mentioned in the paragraph above we, meaning BAA, would of course greatly appreciate your business. Here is a huge thank you to the many who have been using our links on a regular basis and visiting the BAA Online store as well.

New Listing

Click on the Used Photography Gear for Sale tab on the lower gold toolbar above to see the complete listings.

Used Canon 400mm f/4 IS DO Lens

Multiple IPT veteran Peter Hawrylyshyn is offering a used Canon 400mm f/4 IS DO lens in like-new condition for $3899. This is another lowest price ever. The sale includes everything that came in the original box—manual, the lens strap, the rear dust cap, the original front lens cover, etc, as well as the box itself, a hardwood snow LensCoat, a Lens Coat Hoodie, and insured ground shipping. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.

Please contact Peter via e-mail ­­­­­or by phone at 760-689-2434 (eastern time zone).

I used this lens for several years with great success, especially for birds in flight and while working from various type of water craft. Gannets in Love was created with the 400 DO. You can that one and 13 other killer images that I made with my 400 DO here. The title of that blog post is “The Canon 400mm f/4 IS DO Lens: Fourteen Images that Prove that the Internet Experts are Idiots.”

Canon’s Two New 50+ Megapixel Camera Bodies

Many of you have read about the two new Canon 50+ megapixel bodies, the Canon EOS 5DS DSLR and the Canon EOS 5DS R DSLR. The two cameras look, sound, and pretty much are quite similar. I have withheld commenting until now because I did not have a good–heck, I did not have any–understanding of the single difference between the two bodies, that being the Low-Pass Filter Effect Cancellation.

From the 5DS R Overview

Low-Pass Filter Effect Cancellation

Low-pass filter effect cancellation takes full advantage of the 50.6MP sensor, delivering greater detail and even higher resolution images than those of the 5DS.

As that is the elephant in the closet and because I was unable to find anything definitive anywhere online, I wrote the always brilliant Rudy Winston. Below I share his e-mail with you. My brief comments follow.

By e-mail from Canon’s Rudy Winston:

Hi Artie,

The basics are as follows…

1. Canon’s engineers believe strongly that a low-pass filter is an important aid, IN GENERAL, to image quality with digital SLRs. We’ve had one in-place immediately in front of the image sensor on all previous EOS D-SLRs to date.

2. Low-pass filters basically attack problems with false colors and especially occasional moire patterns that can arise when fine, repeating patterns (think of the weave in some fabrics, for instance) begin to line-up with and approach the size/frequency of the patterns of pixels on an image sensor. Low-pass filters work by spreading the incoming light by the width of approximately ONE PIXEL horizontally (left and right), and a second low-pass filter layer does the same vertically, splitting it up and down.

3. This scattering of light in effect produces a slight blurring effect (usually easy to correct with slight Unsharp Mask-type sharpening in the computer, after the fact, or judicious use of the in-camera sharpening via Picture Style control). But the by-product is far less tendency to give psychedelic-looking moire patterns with certain subjects, in certain conditions (and of course, you never see these moire patterns in the viewfinder, before the fact).

(Note: To learn more about moiré and see two good example photos, click here. Moiré is rarely a problem for nature photographers. There are many pronunciations: “mwahr” is the most common and the most widely accepted.)

4. The filter array that includes the two different low-pass filters mentioned above is a part of the optical system, even though it’s sandwiched right up against the front of the imaging sensor. The total filter array includes at least one layer of IR-absorbing glass, a dichroic mirror layer to reflect infrared and UV illumination, and what they call a phase plate, which changes the polarization of incoming light into circular polarization. In other words, it’s a pretty sophisticated optical sandwich, even though to the naked eye it appears as a super-thin layer of glass in front of the sensor.

5. All that said, it is true that if we were to remove the low-pass filter component, in theory, we’d have the potential of greater initial, out-of-the-camera sharpness in many situations. And, it’s definitely true that the moire pattern risk mentioned above won’t occur in the majority of images, unless you were shooting things like fabrics or products with very fine, repeating line patterns on a regular basis. (For the type of bird imaging you normally do, or most landscape applications, I’d guess the risk of moire is pretty much nil most of the time.)

6. As a parenthetical note, these moire patterns, IF they do occur, can usually be moderated or even eliminated in some cases with various image-editing techniques… Photoshop gurus have a multitude of them, and some RAW file processing software now contains anti-moire tools for these occasions. Still, it’s an extra step — sometimes a fairly sophisticated set of them — to reduce or remove moire completely from an image, if it does occur.

7. Because the afore-mentioned low-pass filter array is a part of the optical path, you can’t just remove it — you’d change the effective length of the optical axis, and have to re-design the entire camera body slightly, including the AF system’s optical path, to accommodate such a change. Since Canon made the strategic decision to offer TWO high-resolution cameras, a different technique was needed to achieve removal of the low-pass filter effect, without upsetting the optical system within the camera body. And, without the expense of (in effect) having to design an entirely new camera from scratch, with slightly altered internal dimensions.

8. All that said, here’s what Canon has done: they need two low-pass filter layers in-place to preserve the same optical length within the body. The traditional EOS 5DS of course does just that, with Canon’s typical low-pass filter approach. With the EOS 5DS R, they also have two low-pass filter layers in-place. The first scatters the incoming light by spreading it vertically, similarly to how it’s done in the standard 5DS camera. But the next low-pass filter layer bends the incoming light VERTICALLY again, in the reverse direction — back to ONE single ray path, so the scattered light is effectively “un-scattered” and re-focused into a single optical beam. Thus, the low-pass filter effect is “cancelled.”

9. The result of this cancellation of the low-pass filter effect in the EOS 5DS R is a slight — but noticeable, in many instances — increase in the overall contrast and sharpness of fine detail, lines, and texture in subjects. Canon is clear that photographers need to understand that a by-product of this is a risk of moire patterns appearing occasionally, and that it’s up to the shooter to work with post-processing to limit this effect if and when it happens. But I have no doubt that there would be a bit more detail and texture in things like feather detail in birds, for example. I don’t want to over-state the improvement in sharpness in the EOS 5DS R vs. the standard 5DS model… you can see it when you start magnifying images and look for it, but it’s not an “in-your-face” type of obvious difference that my Mom would immediately spot when viewing on-screen at 100%.

10. Bottom line: we anticipate that the majority of sales of our 50.6 million pixel camera will be the standard 5DS camera, and that in the eyes of most users, the 5DS R will be seen as something of a specialty version. Buy the latter for the right reasons, and it’ll delight you. We just want all potential buyers, and dealer staff, to understand that along with its added initial image sharpness does come a risk of occasional optical imperfections in certain shooting situations. I’ll finish where I started: overall, Canon’s engineers remain very firm that in their opinion, OVERALL digital image quality is enhanced by the use of traditional low-pass filter design in digital SLRs. We’ll let the market be the ultimate judge!

Let me know if you have any other questions, or if any of this is not perfectly clear. Good questions you ask, and it’s up to us here at Canon to make sure every potential customer understands the answers to them! Be well, stay warm!

— Rudy Winston
Canon USA

Thanks!

Thanks a huge stack to Rudy for sharing his almost infinite knowledge of all things Canon with us.

The Overview and the Specs

You can learn all about the Canon EOS 5DS DSLR by clicking here , scrolling down, and then clicking on the Overview tab or on the Specs tab.

You can learn all about the Canon EOS 5DS R DSLR by clicking here, scrolling down, and then clicking on the Overview tab or on the Specs tab.

My Comments

I will not have any idea as to whether I would want either of these bodies for nature photography until I see some RAW files from each one. I can understand that serious landscape folks and those who make large prints as a matter of course are salivating over the thought of getting their hands on whichever of these bodies they deem to be best.

There are some great features that many might love; each features the new 50.6 megapixel full-frame CMOS sensor that will deliver ultra-high resolution images for large-scale printing and extensive, creative cropping, fine detail mode in Picture Style (I wonder if Arash will like that….), 1.3x and 1.6x crop shooting (I need to learn a bit more about that and will share what I learn with you here at some point), full HD 30p movie capability, a built-In intervalometer and bulb timer, and lots more.

High-speed continuous shooting at up to 5 fps might leave those accustomed to the blazing frame rates of the 1D X and the 7D Mark II feeling a bit sluggish.

Questions and Your Comments

If you have any knowledge of the two new cameras or of any of the related issues, or any questions on the same topics, please do leave a comment. If you ask a question that I cannot answer perhaps other can chime in. And I will reach out to Rudy or to Chuck Westfall and share what I learn with you here.

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Amazon.com

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Amazon Canada

Many kind folks from north of the border, eh, have e-mailed stating that they would love to help us out by using one of our affiliate links but that living in Canada and doing so presents numerous problems. Now, they can help us out by using our Amazon Canada affiliate link by starting their searches by clicking here. Many thanks to those who have written.

Typos

In all blog posts and Bulletins, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors. Just be right :).

What’s Up?

Another good swim, a session of core exercises, and lots of catching up on unanswered e-mails. More of the same today.

This post took close to 3 hours to put together and was published from my home at ILE, FL at 7:46am.

Red Letter Day at BAA

Yesterday we signed up two folks for Palouse #1. Both Palouse IPTs are now sold out. We signed up a couple for the UK Puffins and Gannets IPT. One slot open now on that one. I signed up one more for the Spring Fort DeSoto IPT. And, most amazingly, I signed up three folks for the Galapagos Photo-Cruise IPT. Room now only for a single female roommate. I will be formally announcing the AUG Nickerson Beach Black Skimmers/JBWR and More IPT soon. Best advice: join denise and me at Bosque in November. 🙂

South Georgia October 2015

Do consider joining me in South Georgia next October for the trip of a lifetime. See here for the complete details.

Save $242

Register before the end of the month for the South Georgia trip and receive a $242 on your return airfare. Please e-mail for details.

Please Remember to use our Affiliate Links 🙂

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 the Mongoose M3.6 tripod heads, Gitzo tripods, Wimberley heads and plates, LensCoats and accessories, 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.

I would of course appreciate your using our B&H affiliate links for all of your major gear, video, and electronic purchases. For the photographic stuff mentioned in the paragraph above we, meaning BAA, would of course greatly appreciate your business. Here is a huge thank you to the many who have been using our links on a regular basis and visiting the BAA Online store as well.

This image was created on the recently concluded San Diego IPT at La Jolla, CA with the hand held Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM lens (at 400mm) and the Canon EOS-1D X . ISO 400. Evaluative metering +2/3 stop off the cloudy very bright sky: 1/2000 sec. at f/5.6 in Manual Mode. Rig on the Black Rapid RS-7 Strap. Center AF point (manual selection)/AI Servo/shutter button AF was active at the moment of exposure (as is always best for flight photography). The active AF point just missed the tip of the bird’s bill but AF held with the sky background and because of my Custom Case 3 AF settings as detailed in our 1D X Autofocus Guide. This is the original image capture.

I Coulda Been Famous…

Whenever I just miss a shot, I often say in jest, “I coulda been famous….”

I have said the following on IPTs so many times that I was sure I had written the words in The Art of Bird Photography II. A quick search of the PDF reveals that I had not. (ABP II: 916 pages, 900+ images on CD only.)

“If you are photographing birds in flight and the birds are banking (turning) and you find yourself clipping the wings top or bottom or both, simply turn the camera on end to vertical and strive to create an original vertical bank shot.”

Why? You can zoom in (if you are using a zoom lens), wind up with far more pixels, and greatly reduce the chance of clipping the wings. The technique does, however, require considerable practice and perhaps a bit of skill. Most vertical bank shots that you see have been created by cropping horizontal originals.

The problem here was that there was little wind and few flying pelicans on this year’s IPT. So there was no pattern of banking flight.

Had I been clairvoyant, I coulda been famous.

Coulda…

On the correct use of “coulda.”

From “On the Waterfront” on the IMBd website here:

Charlie: Look, kid, I – how much you weigh, son? When you weighed one hundred and sixty-eight pounds you were beautiful. You coulda been another Billy Conn, and that skunk we got you for a manager, he brought you along too fast.

Terry: It wasn’t him, Charley, it was you. Remember that night in the Garden you came down to my dressing room and you said, “Kid, this ain’t your night. We’re going for the price on Wilson.” You remember that? “This ain’t your night”! My night! I coulda taken Wilson apart! So what happens? He gets the title shot outdoors on the ballpark and what do I get? A one-way ticket to Palooka-ville! You was my brother, Charley, you shoulda looked out for me a little bit. You shoulda taken care of me just a little bit so I wouldn’t have to take them dives for the short-end money.

Charlie: Oh I had some bets down for you. You saw some money.

Terry: You don’t understand. I coulda had class. I coulda been a contender. I coulda been somebody, instead of a bum, which is what I am, let’s face it. It was you, Charley.

This JPEG represents the optimized image that was created from the original image that opened this blog post.

The Image Optimization

I began working on this image during my Sunday Photoshop session at the CNPA event. The RAW conversion was of course done in DPP 4. As detailed in APTATS II it is often possible to repair complete sets of clipped wingtips with a single layer. I realized that that would not be possible to do that with this image because the feathers were arranged so differently on the upper wing and the lower wing. I knew right off the bat that I would need to repair each primary individually. At CNPA I replaced only the first primary. Then I saved the image “In Progress.”

I finished the repair/wingtip replacement work last night. All in all that took well more than an hour. Was it worth it for me? Surely.

I painted a Quick Mask of the distal end of each missing primary and put that on its own layer. Then that layer was flopped vertically and moved roughly into position with the Move Tool (V). Next it was rotated as needed with Transform Tool, Warped via the Transform Command, and fine-tuned with the addition of a Regular Layer Mask. Tonality was matched fairly well with a Curves on a Layer adjustment (Control + M). Some individual feathers were sculpted or altered internally using the Clone Stamp Tool at varying opacities. I angled the bird more vertically in the frame using the Transform Tool. Throughout the process I added canvas as needed and filled it in using a variety of techniques.

I ran my NIK 50-50 recipe on the bird only after selecting it with the Quick Selection Tool. That was followed by a Contrast Mask to selectively sharpen the head, face and bill (but for the WHITEs on the bird’s head).

Digital Basics

Pretty much everything that I did to optimize today’s image is covered in detail in my Digital Basics File–written in my easy-to-follow, easy-to-understand style. Are you tired of making your images look worse in Photoshop? Digital Basics File is an instructional PDF that is sent via e-mail. It includes my complete digital workflow, dozens of great Photoshop tips, details on using all of my image clean-up tools, the use of Contrast Masks, several different ways of expanding and filling in canvas, all of my time-saving Keyboard Shortcuts, Quick Masking, Layer Masking, and NIK Color Efex Pro basics, Contrast Masks, Digital Eye Doctor techniques, using Gaussian Blurs, Tim Grey Dodge and Burn, a variety of ways to make selections, creating time-saving actions, the Surface Blur (background noise reduction) settings as taught to me by Denise Ippolito, and tons more.

APTATS I & II

Learn the details of advanced Quick Masking techniques in APTATS I. Learn Advanced Layer Masking Techniques in APTATS II. Mention this blog post and apply a $5 discount to either with phone orders only. Buy both APTATS I and APTATS II and we will be glad to apply at $15 discount with phone orders only. Please call Jim or Jennifer at 863-692-0906 weekdays to order.

You can order your copy of “The Photographers’ Guide to Canon Digital Photo Professional 4.0” (aka the DPP 4 Raw Conversion eGuide) by Arash Hazeghi and Arthur Morris by clicking here.

The DPP 4 eGuide (PDF)

Learn how and why I and many other discerning photographers choose and use only DPP 4 to convert their Canon RAW files in the DPP 4 RAW Conversion Guide by Arash Hazeghi and yours truly. The latest version supports all of the newer Canon camera bodies and several older models including the EOS-7D and the EOS-1D Mark IV.

The Fort DeSoto Add-on Mini IPT will give us lots of chances to photograph a wide variety of species. Many of the birds at DeSoto are silly-tame.

Fort DeSoto Mini IPT: $349. Two shooting sessions: the afternoon of THUR FEB 26 and the morning of Friday FEB 27, 2015. Limit 12 photographers. One great leader: Arthur Morris.

It is not too late to join us!

Shorebirds, wading birds, terns, pelicans, gulls and more. Includes lunch,image sharing, and Photoshop session on Friday. Payment in full for this one-day IPT is due upon registration either by check or credit card. Call Jim or Jennifer at the office at 863-692-0906 to register.

Fort DeSoto in spring can be bird photographer’s heaven. And most of the birds are stupid tame.

Fort DeSoto in Spring/Breeding Plumage IPT: April 24-26, 2015. 3 FULL DAYs: $1099. Limit 8/Openings: 3.

Meet and Greet at 8pm on Thursday, April 23.

Join me at Fort DeSoto at the height of the breeding season for many of our target species: Laughing Gull, Royal Tern, Sandwich Tern, dark and light morph Reddish Egret, Great Egret, Tricolored Heron, and Yellow-crowned Night-Heron. In addition, we will have a good shot at photographing a variety of arctic-bound shorebird species in breeding plumage. We should have good chances with a variety of courtship behaviors including courtship feeding, courtship displays, pre-copulatory stands, and copulation.

On this IPT you will the learn basics and fine points of digital exposure and how to get the right exposure every time after making a single test exposure, how to approach free and wild birds without disturbing them, to understand and predict bird behavior, to identify many species of shorebirds, to spot the good situations, to choose the best perspective, to see and understand the light, and to design pleasing images by mastering your camera’s AF system. And you will learn learn how and why to work in Manual mode (even if you’re scared of it).

At lunch (included) we will review my images–folks learn a ton watching me edit–why keep this one and delete that one. If you opt to bring your laptop, we will take a look at five of your best images from the morning session. We will process a few of my images in Photoshop after converting them in DPP. That followed by Instructor Nap Time.

A $499 non-refundable deposit is required to hold you spot. The balance, $600 will be due on February 7, 2015. Please click here to read our cancellation policy. Then please print, read, and sign the necessary paperwork here and send it to us.

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Support the BAA Blog. Support the BAA Bulletins: Shop B&H here!

We want and need to keep providing you with the latest free information, photography and Photoshop lessons, and all manner of related information. Show your appreciation by making your purchases immediately after clicking on any of our B&H or Amazon Affiliate links in this blog post. Remember, B&H ain’t just photography!

…..

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Amazon Canada

Many kind folks from north of the border, eh, have e-mailed stating that they would love to help us out by using one of our affiliate links but that living in Canada and doing so presents numerous problems. Now, they can help us out by using our Amazon Canada affiliate link by starting their searches by clicking here. Many thanks to those who have written.

Typos

In all blog posts and Bulletins, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors. Just be right :).

What’s Up?

Yesterday was a swim in a cold pool, core exercises, and beginning to catch up on 100s of unanswered e-mails. Been swamped. I did three programs at CNPA weekend past and I finished assembling each program about ten minutes before I went on stage. That’s cutting it close.

I started and finished this post on Tuesday morning. In all, it took about 2 hours to prepare and was published at 8:43am from my home in ILE.

Please Remember to use our Affiliate Links 🙂

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 the Mongoose M3.6 tripod heads, Gitzo tripods, Wimberley heads and plates, LensCoats and accessories, 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.

I would of course appreciate your using our B&H affiliate links for all of your major gear, video, and electronic purchases. For the photographic stuff mentioned in the paragraph above we, meaning BAA, would of course greatly appreciate your business. Here is a huge thank you to the many who have been using our links on a regular basis and visiting the BAA Online store as well.

This image was created in cloudy conditions at La Jolla, CA with the hand held Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM lens (at 110mm) and the Canon EOS 7D Mark II. ISO 800. Evaluative metering +2/3 as framed: 1/1250 sec. at f/5.6 in Av mode was spot on. AWB. DPP 4 performed superbly as I moved the Shadow slider to +4 during the RAW conversion to open up the details in the dark clothing. Rig on the Black Rapid RS-7 Strap. Central AF point (manual selection)/AI Servo/Rear Focus on the photographer’s face and re-compose (being sure not to shift my position while hand holding as that would throw off the focus). Click here to see the latest version of the Rear Focus Tutorial. Click on the image to see a larger version. Chris Billman and friends

Photographer, Friends, and Dinosaur (?)

Pictured above are IPT veteran Chris Billman (Nickerson Beach & San Diego), a slew of Brandt’s Cormorants, and the original Canon 100-400 zoom lens.

This image was created in cloudy conditions at La Jolla, CA with the hand held Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM lens, the Canon Extender EF 1.4X III (at 560mm), and the Canon EOS-1D X. ISO 800. Evaluative metering +1 1/3 stops as framed: 1/125 sec. at f/9 in Manual mode. Rig on the Black Rapid RS-7 Strap. Central AF point (by necessity)/AI Servo/Expand/Rear Focus on the base of the bill just forward of and below the bird’s eye (as originally framed) was active at the moment of exposure as is almost always best when hand holding. Click here to see the latest version of the Rear Focus Tutorial. Click on the image to see a larger version. Non-breeding adult Brandt’s Cormorant head portrait

One man, two images, and lots of lessons

1-For whatever reasons there were large flocks of Brandt’s Cormorants on the cliffs at La Jolla this year, probably out-numbering double-cresteds by 100-1. And for whatever reason, they were all silly tame.
2-Note that Chris’s dungarees are pretty much covered in mud. Good photographers do not hesitate to get down and dirty when they need to.
3-Chris is properly supporting the lens with his left hand placed at least half way out on the lens barrel.
4-While the new 100-400 II is clearly superior to the older version there are still thousands of great images to be made with the venerable version.
5-While the newer lens with its incredible close focus of .98 meters is able to create tight head portraits of cormorants with any camera body and a skillful approach, you can zoom out enough to photograph a tall photographer even at fairly close range.
6-Note that with the cloudy conditions Chris was able to work without regard to sun angle.
7-The new 100-400 II becomes even more versatile with the addition of a 1.4X IC.
8-The 4-stop IS system on the 100-400II is quite effective, here at 1/125 sec at 560mm.

Facebook

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Support the BAA Blog. Support the BAA Bulletins: Shop B&H here!

We want and need to keep providing you with the latest free information, photography and Photoshop lessons, and all manner of related information. Show your appreciation by making your purchases immediately after clicking on any of our B&H or Amazon Affiliate links in this blog post. Remember, B&H ain’t just photography!

…..

Amazon.com

Those who prefer to support BAA by shopping with Amazon may use this link:

Amazon Canada

Many kind folks from north of the border, eh, have e-mailed stating that they would love to help us out by using one of our affiliate links but that living in Canada and doing so presents numerous problems. Now, they can help us out by using our Amazon Canada affiliate link by starting their searches by clicking here. Many thanks to those who have written.

Typos

In all blog posts and Bulletins, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors. Just be right :).

The 2015 UK Puffins and Gannets IPT

Due to a recent cancellation there are now two openings on this long sold out IPT. Scroll down for details and do not hesitate if you would like to join us. Two great leaders: Denise Ippolito and Arthur Morris.

What’s Up?

My composition and image design presentation at the CNPA Annual Meeting was well received. Next up was “Refining Your Photographic Vision” during which Denise Ippolito and I explained what we saw and what we were thinking in a variety of shooting situations. As usual, our friendly bickering had folks rolling on the floor laughing out loud. We always enjoy trading (friendly) verbal insults but with Denise standing behind the laptop at the podium and me roaming the speaking floor with my own clicker, a new form of stand-up comedy was born: Clicker Wars. I guess that you had to be there to get it but the results were hilarious and the program received rave reviews. There were about 325 folks in attendance at each of the two programs.

I am doing a Photoshop session from 9-11am this morning and then heading to CLT for my 4:35pm flight to MCO.

This post took about 2 hours to prepare and was published at 6:20am from my hotel room at the Marriott in Spartanburg, SC.

Please Remember to use our Affiliate Links 🙂

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 the Mongoose M3.6 tripod heads, Gitzo tripods, Wimberley heads and plates, LensCoats and accessories, 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.

I would of course appreciate your using our B&H affiliate links for all of your major gear, video, and electronic purchases. For the photographic stuff mentioned in the paragraph above we, meaning BAA, would of course greatly appreciate your business. Here is a huge thank you to the many who have been using our links on a regular basis and visiting the BAA Online store as well.

This image was also created on one of the seabird islands off the coast of the northern UK with the hand held Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS II USM lens and the Canon EOS-1D X. ISO 800. Evaluative metering +1 1/3 stops off the sky: 1/3200 sec. at f/4.5 AWB. Central AF point/AI Servo Expand/Rear Focus AF as originally framed. This AF point that was active at the moment of exposure (as is always best when hand holding) was on the bird’s left shoulder yet the image was sharp on the eye. Click here to see the latest version of the Rear Focus Tutorial. Click on the image to see a larger version. Image #1

Atlantic Puffin Flying Circus

On our first IPT to the islands off Seahouses in the northern UK we had lots of chances to photograph puffins in flight. Armed with the knowledge gained on last year’s trip both Denise and I are sure that we will do much better this July. There is lots to learn by studying the shooting data for each of today’s three images. Questions are of course welcome.

This image was created on one of the seabird islands off the coast of the northern UK with the hand held Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS II USM lens and the Canon EOS-1D X. ISO 800. Evaluative metering +2 1/3 stops off the sky: 1/1600 sec. at f/4. Cloudy WB. Central AF point (manual selection)/AI Servo Surround Rear Focus AF as originally framed. This AF point that was active at the moment of exposure (as is always best when hand holding) was on the bird’s left flank yet the image is sharp on the eye. Click here to see the latest version of the Rear Focus Tutorial. Click on the image to see a larger version. Image #2

My New UK Flight Plan

As many of the puffin flight ops involved incoming birds at a fair distance I have decided that I will be bringing either my 600mm f/4L IS II or a 500mm f/4L IS II on the upcoming IPT. Either will open up more opportunities for both flight photography and for creating tight head portraits. I will of course be using my long Series II TC on a tripod with the Mongoose M3.6. I will discuss the rest of my UK gear bag here in a few months.

This image was also created on one of the seabird islands off the coast of the northern UK with the hand held Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS II USM lens, the Canon Extender EF 1.4X III, and the Canon EOS-1D X. ISO 800. Evaluative metering +1 2/3 stops off the sky: 1/1600 sec. at f/5.6. Central AF point/AI Servo/Surround Rear Focus AF as originally framed was on the tip of the bird’s bill 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. AWB.

Your Favorite?

Please take a moment to leave a comment and let us know which of the three incoming puffin flight images is your favorite and be sure to let us know why you made your choice.

Images and card design copyright 2014: Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART. Click on the card to enjoy a spectacular larger version.

The 2015 UK Puffins and Gannets IPT
June 29 through July 5, 2015: $5499: Limit 10 photographers/Two openings due to a recent cancellation. Two great leaders: Denise Ippolito and Arthur Morris.

Here are the plans: take a red eye from the east coast of the US on 28 June arriving in Edinburgh, Scotland on the morning of Monday 29 June (or simply meet us then either at the Edinburgh Airport (EDI) or later in the day at our cottages if you are driving your own vehicle either from the UK or from somewhere in Europe. Stay 7 nights in two gorgeous modern country cottages.

There are 5 days of planned puffin/seabird trips—weather permitting, and 1 full day of gannet photography with 2 sessions on the boat.

Images and card design copyright 2014: Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART. Click on the card to enjoy a spectacular larger version.

The Details

We will be staying in upscale country-side cottages that are beyond lovely with large living areas and lots of open space for image sharing and Photoshop lessons. The shared rooms are decent-sized, each with two roomy single beds and a private bathroom. See the single supplement info below.

All breakfasts, lunches and dinners are included. All 5 puffins boat lunches will need to be prepared in advance, taken with, and consumed at your leisure. I usually eat mine on the short boat trip from one island to the other. Also included is a restaurant lunch on the gannet boat day and a farewell fine dining thank you dinner. The cost of your National Heritage Trust is also included; that covers the twice a day landing fees.

Plan to fly home on the early morning of Monday 6 July or to continue your stay or travels.

Images and card design copyright 2014: Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART. Click on the card to enjoy a spectacular larger version. Scroll down to join us in the UK in 2015.

Single Supplement Info

The single supplement is $1475. As we will be renting a third cottage the $1475 is due with your deposit and is also non-refundable.

If you are good to go please send your $2,000 deposit check now to save a spot. The balance will be due on March 29, 2015. Please make your check out to “Arthur Morris” and send it to Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART, PO Box 7245, Indian Lake Estates, FL, 33855. 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.

We do hope that you can join us.

Facebook

Be sure to like and follow BAA on Facebook by clicking on the logo link upper right. Tanks a stack!

Support the BAA Blog. Support the BAA Bulletins: Shop B&H here!

We want and need to keep providing you with the latest free information, photography and Photoshop lessons, and all manner of related information. Show your appreciation by making your purchases immediately after clicking on any of our B&H or Amazon Affiliate links in this blog post. Remember, B&H ain’t just photography!

…..

Amazon.com

Those who prefer to support BAA by shopping with Amazon may use this link:

Amazon Canada

Many kind folks from north of the border, eh, have e-mailed stating that they would love to help us out by using one of our affiliate links but that living in Canada and doing so presents numerous problems. Now, they can help us out by using our Amazon Canada affiliate link by starting their searches by clicking here. Many thanks to those who have written.

Typos

In all blog posts and Bulletins, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors. Just be right :).

What’s Up?

Jim drove me to Orlando Airport yesterday late morning. I went to Chili’s for lunch. I took my cold pouch out from between the two gel ice packs to inject for lunch. There was only one small problem. My insulin was on the shelf in my refrigerator at home :). I called WalMart in Spartanburg, SC and was able to order the three vials of insulin that I use every day. After my uneventful direct flight to Charlotte, NC I picked up my scrips with no problem.

Adam Jones presented a great program chock full of spectacular general nature images. The guy shoots everything and he is talented. My Keynote program, sponsored by Canon USA/Explorers of Light, is tomorrow morning. I still have a bit more work to do on it.

This blog post took about 1 hour to prepare. It was published at 4:59am from the CNPA Annual Meeting hotel in Spartanburg. Now I need to put the finishing touch on this morning’s program, “What Makes a Great Natural History Image.”

Neat

Like music? Check out ThePianoGuys’ “One Direction – What Makes You Beautiful” (5 Piano Guys, 1 piano) on You Tube here. Great sound and music but more incredible to listen and watch.

South Georgia October 2015

Do consider joining me in South Georgia next October for the trip of a lifetime. See here for the complete details.

Save $242

Register now for the South Georgia trip and receive a $242 on your return airfare. Please e-mail for details.

Please Remember to use our Affiliate Links 🙂

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 the Mongoose M3.6 tripod heads, Gitzo tripods, Wimberley heads and plates, LensCoats and accessories, 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.

I would of course appreciate your using our B&H affiliate links for all of your major gear, video, and electronic purchases. For the photographic stuff mentioned in the paragraph above we, meaning BAA, would of course greatly appreciate your business. Here is a huge thank you to the many who have been using our links on a regular basis and visiting the BAA Online store as well.

I was Wrong in part: My Errors

Thanks to comments first left by first by John Armitrage and backed up by Steve Soderling the major premise of yesterday’s blog, that camera shake is greater with a crop factor camera, was incorrect. I was tricked (if you were) into this error because the shake appears much more evident when you are looking through the viewfinder of a crop factor camera than when you are looking through the viewfinder of a full frame or 1.3X crop factor camera. I apologize for my error.

Thanks to John and Steve for setting me straight. Note: I also appreciated Steve’s comments on 7D II resolution.

The principles discussed having to do with creating sharp images, however, remain good advice for folks hand holding telephoto lenses regardless of the camera that they are using. I do believe that my comments regarding 7D Mark II image quality and the other advantages of using a crop factor camera are indeed accurate. It was quite evident that Last night’s speaker, Canon Explorer of Light Adam Jones, concurs.

In addition to the error mentioned above I mistakenly noted that yesterday’s pelican image (sorry Prudence) was created with the 7D II when it was in fact created with the 1D X. That was an honest mistake.

Lately, there has been a slew of insightful comments.

This image was created in cloudy conditions on Salisbury Plain, South Georgia with the Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS II USM lens, the Canon Extender EF 2X III, and the Canon EOS-1D X. ISO 400. Evaluative metering +1 stop: 1/200 sec. at f/7.1. Cloudy WB. AI Servo/Rear Focus/Zone AF as framed was active at the moment of exposure and nailed the bird’s eye. Click on the image to see a larger version. Image #1

Head Angle Fine Points

Compare the two images presented here today. Which image has the better head angle? Why?

This image was created in cloudy conditions on Salisbury Plain, South Georgia with the Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS II USM lens, the Canon Extender EF 2X III, and the Canon EOS-1D X. ISO 400. Evaluative metering +1 stop: 1/200 sec. at f/7.1. Cloudy WB. AI Servo/Rear Focus/Zone AF as framed was active at the moment of exposure. With this image the three AF points activated by the AF system were just forward of the eye. Click on the image to see a larger version. Image #2

Oakum Boys

A young King Penguin–featured in today’s images–is known as an Oakum boy. “Oakum is a preparation of tarred fibre used in shipbuilding for caulking or packing the joints of timbers in wooden vessels…” (From Wikipedia here.) The color of the young penguins–this one about eight months old–resembled the color of oakum, thus their nickname.

My Opinion

In my humble opinion, one of the two head angles here is superb and one is lousy. Let’s see how many agree with me….

Images and card design copyright 2014: Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART. Click on the card to enjoy a spectacular larger version.

The 2015 UK Puffins and Gannets IPT

June 29 through July 5, 2015: $5499: Limit 10 photographers/Formerly sold out/Now: three openings due to two cancellations. Two great leaders: Denise Ippolito and Arthur Morris.

Due to a cancellation there are now two openings on this trip.

Here are the plans for next year: take a red eye from the east coast of the US on 28 June arriving in Edinburgh, Scotland on the morning of Monday 29 June (or simply meet us then either at the Edinburgh Airport (EDI) or later in the day at our cottages if you are driving your own vehicle either from the UK or from somewhere in Europe. Stay 7 nights in two gorgeous modern country cottages.

There are 5 days of planned puffin/seabird trips—weather permitting, and 1 full day of gannet photography with 2 sessions on the boat.

Images and card design copyright 2014: Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART. Click on the card to enjoy a spectacular larger version.

The Details

We will be staying in upscale country-side cottages that are beyond lovely with large living areas and lots of open space for image sharing and Photoshop lessons. The shared rooms are decent-sized, each with two roomy single beds and a private bathroom. See the single supplement info below.

All breakfasts, lunches and dinners are included. All 5 puffins boat lunches will need to be prepared in advance, taken with, and consumed at your leisure. I usually eat mine on the short boat trip from one island to the other. Also included is a restaurant lunch on the gannet boat day and a farewell fine dining thank you dinner. The cost of your National Heritage Trust is also included; that covers the twice a day landing fees.

Plan to fly home on the early morning of Monday 6 July or to continue your stay or travels.

Images and card design copyright 2014: Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART. Click on the card to enjoy a spectacular larger version. Scroll down to join us in the UK in 2015.

Single Supplement Info

The single supplement is $1475. As we will be renting a third cottage the $1475 is due with your deposit and is also non-refundable.

If you are good to go please send your $2,000 deposit check now to save a spot. The balance will be due on March 29, 2015. Please make your check out to “Arthur Morris” and send it to Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART, PO Box 7245, Indian Lake Estates, FL, 33855. 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.

We do hope that you can join us.

Facebook

Be sure to like and follow BAA on Facebook by clicking on the logo link upper right. Tanks a stack!

Support the BAA Blog. Support the BAA Bulletins: Shop B&H here!

We want and need to keep providing you with the latest free information, photography and Photoshop lessons, and all manner of related information. Show your appreciation by making your purchases immediately after clicking on any of our B&H or Amazon Affiliate links in this blog post. Remember, B&H ain’t just photography!

…..

Amazon.com

Those who prefer to support BAA by shopping with Amazon may use this link:

Amazon Canada

Many kind folks from north of the border, eh, have e-mailed stating that they would love to help us out by using one of our affiliate links but that living in Canada and doing so presents numerous problems. Now, they can help us out by using our Amazon Canada affiliate link by starting their searches by clicking here. Many thanks to those who have written.

What’s Up?

A full day of work was interspersed with a nice swim, my core exercise program, and my first ice bath in two weeks. Then early to bed and early to rise. I have tons more on the 100-400II and the 7D II and lots more Southern Ocean and San Diego images to share with you here and will be doing that on a daily basis.

This blog post took about 3 hours to prepare. It was published at 5:25am from my home at Indian Lake Estates, FL.

CNPA

On Thursday I fly to Charlotte, NC and then drive to Spartanburg, SC to present 3 programs at the Carolina Nature Photographer’s Annual Meeting. My keynote presentation, “What Makes a Great Natural History Image,” is being generously sponsored by Canon USA/Explorers of Light. I hope to see many of you there. Be sure to say “hi” and get a hug. Learn more or register here.

IPT Updates

Click here for info on all currently scheduled IPTs. Please note that many are sold out.

Galapagos Photo-Cruise

With the recent cancellation of two spots, I am in dire need of putting a few more folks on the Samba for this incredible trip. Please contact me via e-mail to learn of the huge, ever-increasing 4-figure discount that I am offering. I need one male roommate and one couple. Happy campers only please :). In a hurry? Call me today, Wednesday, 11 FEB at 863-692-0906. See below for details.

Roseate Spoonbill/Hooptie Deux IPT

The Roseate Spoonbill/Hooptie Deux IPT is once again sold out with a waiting list.

The Palouse IPTs

IPT #2 is now sold out. There are two openings on the long-sold out #1 Palouse IPT.

South Georgia October 2015

Do consider joining me in South Georgia next October for the trip of a lifetime. See here for the complete details.

Save $242

Register now for the South Georgia trip and receive a $242 on your return airfare. Please e-mail for details.

Please Remember to use our Affiliate Links 🙂

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 the Mongoose M3.6 tripod heads, Gitzo tripods, Wimberley heads and plates, LensCoats and accessories, 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.

I would of course appreciate your using our B&H affiliate links for all of your major gear, video, and electronic purchases. For the photographic stuff mentioned in the paragraph above we, meaning BAA, would of course greatly appreciate your business. Here is a huge thank you to the many who have been using our links on a regular basis and visiting the BAA Online store as well.

This image was created in sunny conditions at Coronado, CA with the hand held Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM lens (at 158mm) and the Canon EOS 7D Mark II. ISO 400. Evaluative metering +1/3 stop off the blue sky: 1/3200 sec. at f/5.6 in Manual mode was spot on. AWB. After exposing for the WHITEs, the relatively dark underwings were lightened during the RAW conversion in DPP 4 by moving the Shadow slider to +4. Rig on the Black Rapid RS-7 Strap. Central AF point (manual selection)/AI Servo (always best for moving subjects)/Shutter Button AF as framed was active at the moment of exposure. The latter is almost always best when hand holding. Click here to see the latest version of the Rear Focus Tutorial. Click on the image to see a larger version. Image #1:Heerman’s Gull in flight

Canon 100-400 II-7D II/You Can’t Handle This Versatility!

In the hands of a competent, creative photographer the 100-400II/7D II combo can yield an almost incredible variety of images even on a simple late afternoon walk on the beach. All of the images in today’s blog post were created on the afternoon of Day 2 of the recently concluded San Diego IPT.

This image was created in cloudy bright conditions at Coronado Beach, CA with the hand held Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM lens (at 241mm) and the Canon EOS 7D Mark II. ISO 800. Evaluative metering +1 stop in late-in-the-day sun: 1/640 sec. at f/5 in Manual mode was perfect. AWB. Rig on the Black Rapid RS-7 Strap. AI Servo/Rear Focus/Zone AF as framed activated two AF points, four up and to the right of the center row that were active at the moment of exposure. The right-hand of those two AF points caught the tip of the bird’s bill and resulted in a sharp-on-the-eye image. Click here to see the latest version of the Rear Focus Tutorial. Click on the image to see a larger version. Image #2: Adult Western Gull vertical in late afternoon light

Zone AF

I began experimenting with Zone AF on the San Diego IPT in an effort to overcome the problems resulting from the 7D II AF Grid Void. (Read more in the Two Things I Do Not Like About the 7D Mark II blog post.) See Image #2 in yesterday’s blog post here for another example. More coming soon.

Zone AF performed quite well in this image.

This image was created very late on a clear day at Coronado, CA with the hand held Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM lens (at 400mm) and the Canon EOS 7D Mark II. ISO 800. Evaluative metering +1/3 stop: 1/1000 sec. at f/5.6 in Manual mode was a bit of an under-exposure. The image was lightened during conversion in DPP 4 with the Brightness slider. AWB. Rig on the Black Rapid RS-7 Strap. One row below and two AF points to the right of the central AF point/AI Servo (always best with moving subjects)/Expand/Shutter Button AF as originally framed was active at the moment of exposure (the latter almost always best when hand holding). The active AF point fell on the lower reflection of the bird’s legs. Click on the image to see a larger version. Image #3: First winter Sanderling running

The 7D II 1.6X Crop Factor

For me, the 7D Mark II crop factor is real. See the many previous comments and discussions. Having a hand holdable 640mm effective focal length lens when pursuing speedy subjects is a big advantage. AF is much more responsive when you do not have to add a 1.4X TC to the mix….

This image was created very late on a sunny afternoon at Coronado, CA with the hand held Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM lens (at 241mm) and the Canon EOS 7D Mark II. ISO 800. Evaluative metering +1 2/3 stops: 1/1000 sec. at f/6.3 in Manual was perfect. Learn more about the correct exposure here below. Auto WB! Rig on the Black Rapid RS-7 Strap. Center AF point/AI Servo/Expand/Rear Focus AF as framed was active at the moment of exposure. All potentially active AF points fell on the sky…. Again, see more below. Click here to see the latest version of the Rear Focus Tutorial. Click on the image to see a larger version. Image #4: US carrier headed to sea

The Correct Exposure for Silhouettes

The correct exposure for silhouettes should leave the image on the rear LCD looking washed out. Period. A simple Levels adjustment here brought this image too life. If your silhouettes look great with rich colors on the back of the camera then they are well under-exposed. Under-exposures result in smaller file size, reduced image quality, and less data in the RAW file….

AF Explanation

As no active AF point was anywhere near the ship it would seem impossible that AF was active at the moment of exposure when this image was created. My explanation is that in some low contrast situations one of my Custom Case 3 parameter settings enables the system to “hold AF” long enough for you to create a sharp image.

I got a lot of work done on the 7D Mark II User’s Guide on the flights to and from San Diego and hope to have at least a pre-publication version available for sale no later than February 20. Yes, that’s 2015. 🙂

ABP II

If you cannot create a workable exposure with any subject in consistent light in ten seconds or less then you need to get yourself a copy of “The Art of Bird Photography II” and study the section entitled “Exposure Simplified.” ABP II: 916 pages, 900+ images, on CD only. Order yours here, save the file to your computer, and archive the CD.

This image was created after sunset at Coronado, CA with the hand held Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM lens (at 248mm) and the Canon EOS 7D Mark II. ISO 200. Evaluative metering +1 1/3 stops: 1/4 sec. at f/20 in Tv mode was perfect. Color temperature 9000K. Rig on the Black Rapid RS-7 Strap. 65-Point Automatic Selection/AI Servo/Rear Focus activated the two AF points just to the right of the central AF point as framed that were active at the moment of exposure (the latter almost always best when hand holding). Click here to see the latest version of the Rear Focus Tutorial. Click on the image to see a larger version. Image #5: surf at sunset pleasing blur

Pleasing Blur Techniques

To create this image I went to a lower than usual ISO, set a slow shutter speed, and panned slowly during the exposure. Note that at f/20 I ran the risk of having to deal with lots of dust bunnies. Had I taken the time to turn off Highlight Tone Priority, I could have gotten down to ISO 100 at f/10. Better yet would have been to have had my Singh-Ray 3-stop ND in my pocket; had that been the case I could have easily been working at f/5.6. Note that Highlight Tone Priority should be enabled only by those converting their RAW files in DPP.

Singh-Ray Filters

Singh-Ray filters have been used by the world’s top photographers for many decades. Singh-Ray has been and is the name in quality filters. I often use both their 3-stop and 5-stop Neutral Density filters in both the 77mm and 82mm sizes) to attain slower shutter speeds in a variety of conditions including bright sun with the 5-stop ND. Toward that end, BIRDS AS ART is working with Singh-Ray to produce a 5-stop Neutral Density filter to to fit the filter drawers of Canon Super-telephoto lenses. Stayed tuned for info on that.

No other filter manufacturer comes close to matching the quality of Singh-Ray’s optical glass that is comparable to that used by NASA. And they continue to pioneer the most innovative products on the market like their ColorCombo polarizer, Vari-ND variable and Mor-Slo 15-stop neutral density filters. When you use their filters, you’ll create better, more dramatic images and, unlike other filters, with absolutely no sacrifice in image quality. All Singh-Ray filters are handcrafted in the USA.

Best News: 10% Discount/Code at checkout: artie10

To shop for a Singh-Ray Neutral Density Filter, click on “Neutral and color density,” choose the filter and size that you want, and then click on Add to Cart. Wait for a new screen to render. Then click on the text after “Have a coupon?” and type artie10 into the blank box. A healthy 10% discount will be applied to your total. In addition to enjoying the world’s best filter at 10% off you will be supporting my efforts here on the blog.

This image was created on the way back to the car well after sunset at Coronado, CA with the hand held Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM lens (at 400mm) and the Canon EOS 7D Mark II. ISO 800. Evaluative metering +1/3 stop: 1/100 sec. at f/5.6 in Av mode was right on. Color temperature 9000K. Rig on the Black Rapid RS-7 Strap. 65-point/AI Servo/Rear Focus AF and re-compose. Click here to see the latest version of the Rear Focus Tutorial. Click on the image to see a larger version. Image #6:full moon in pink sky

Being in the Zone

You will know when you are in the Creative Zone. It seems that there is a wonderful image practically everywhere that you look. On the way back to the vehicles I noticed that some light clouds surrounding the rising full moon gave the sky a magenta pink hue. The foggy halo around the moon added to my excitement. Those who were with me got excited too. The correct exposure here in Av mode avoided any blinkies on the sky.

Do consider joining me for a once in a lifetime trip to the Galapagos archipelago in July, 2015.

GALAPAGOS Photo Cruise of a Lifetime IPT/The Complete Galapagos Photographic Experience. July 14-28, 2015 on the boat. 13 FULL and two half-days of photography: $12,499. Limit 14 including the leader:/Openings: 4.

My two-week Galapagos Photo-Cruises are without equal. The world’s best guide, a killer itinerary, a great boat (the Samba), and the best leader with eight Galapagos cruises under his belt. Pre-trip and pre-landing location-specific gear advice. In-the-field photo instruction and guidance. Jeez, I almost forgot: fine dining at sea!

The great spots that we will visit include Tower Island (including Prince Phillips Steps and Darwin Bay), Hood Island (including Punta Suarez, the world’s only nesting site of Waved Albatross, and Gardner Bay)—each of the preceding are world class wildlife photography designations that rank right up there with Antarctica, Africa, and Midway. We will also visit Fernandina, Puerto Ayora for the tortoises, Puerto Egas—James Bay, North Seymour and Isla Lobos for nesting Blue-footed Booby (most years), South Plaza, Floreana, and Urbina Bay, all spectacular in their own right. We visit every great spot on a single trip. Plus tons more. And there will he lots of opportunities to snorkel on sunny mid-days for those like me who wish to partake.

We will be the first boat on each island in the morning and the last boat to leave each island every afternoon. If we are blessed with overcast weather, we will often spend 5-6 hours at the best sites. And as noted above, mid-day snorkeling is an option on most sunny days depending on location. Note: some of the walks are a bit strenuous. Great images are possible on all landings with a hand held 70-200mm lens and a 1.4X teleconverter. I bring a longer lens ashore on most landings as that fits my style. I generally work with either the Canon 300mm f/2.8L IS or the Canon 200-400mm f/4 L IS with Internal Extender.

Do know that there is a NatureScapes Galapagos trip: one week for $8495. Thus, my trip represents a tremendous value; why go all that way and miss half of the great photographic locations?

The Logistics

Fly to Guayaquil, Ecuador on July 12, 2015. Travel insurance/rest day: July 13 (We may or may not offer a photo outing on the 13th). Fly to the archipelago on July 14 and board the Samba. Get off the boat on July 28. Fly to Guayacil that afternoon. Fly home on the early morning of July 29 unless you are staying on or going elsewhere (or catching a red-eye flight on the evening of the 28th).

$12,499 includes just about everything: all transfers, guide and park fees, all food on the boat, transfers and ground transportation, your flights to the archipelago, and three nights (double occupancy) in a top notch hotel in Guayacil. If you are good to go, a non-refundable deposit of $5,000 per person is due immediately. The second payment of $4,000 is not due until 11/1/14. The final payment of $3449 per person will be due on 2/1/15. A $200 discount will be applied to each of the balances for couples or friends who register at the same time.

Purchasing travel insurance within 2 weeks of our cashing your deposit check is strongly recommended. On my past two cruises a total of 5 folks were forced to cancel less than one week prior to the trip. My family and I use Travel Insurance Services and strongly recommend that you do the same.

Not included: your round trip airfare from your home to and from Guayacil, beverages on the boat, phone calls, your meals in Guayacil, personal items, and a $600/person cash tip for the crew and the guide—this works out to roughly $40/day to be shared by the 7 folks who will be waiting on us hand and foot every day for two weeks. The service is so wonderful that many folks choose to tip extra.

Please e-mail for the complete itinerary and for additional info and images. Please cut and paste “Galapagos 2015 Info Please) into the Subject line.

IPT Updates

Would you like to visit some of the great bird photography locations on the planet? Would you like to learn from the best? Click here and join us.

Typos

In all blog posts and Bulletins, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors. Just be right :).

Learn the secrets of creating contest winning images in our “A Guide to Pleasing Blurs.”

A Guide to Pleasing Blurs

In our A Guide to Pleasing Blurs by Denise Ippolito and yours truly, we discuss just about every technique ever used mankind to create pleasingly blurred image. Ninety-nine point nine percent of pleasing blurs are not happy accidents. You can learn pretty much everything that there is to know about creating them in this instructive, well written, easy to follow guide.

If what you’ve learned here on the blog about theCanon EOS 7D Mark II has inspired you to purchase this great new camera body, please consider using the logo link above to support my efforts here in bringing you the latest, greatest educational materials on daily basis. Note: the 7D II is now in stock so no pre-ordering should be necessary.

If what you’ve learned here on the blog about the Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM lens has inspired you to purchase this sharp, amazingly verstatile lens, please consider using the logo link above to support my efforts here in bringing you the latest, greatest educational materials on a daily basis.

Facebook

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We want and need to keep providing you with the latest free information, photography and Photoshop lessons, and all manner of related information. Show your appreciation by making your purchases immediately after clicking on any of our B&H or Amazon Affiliate links in this blog post. Remember, B&H ain’t just photography!

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Amazon.com

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Amazon Canada

Many kind folks from north of the border, eh, have e-mailed stating that they would love to help us out by using one of our affiliate links but that living in Canada and doing so presents numerous problems. Now, they can help us out by using our Amazon Canada affiliate link by starting their searches by clicking here. Many thanks to those who have written.

What’s Up?

Sunday was packing day. Or night 🙂 Lots to do. But I still found time to get out to the cliffs one last time. This blog post, which took about an hour to prepare, was published at 9:01PM Pacific time on Sunday evening, one minute after midnight (on Monday) in the east. I fly home early on Monday morning. Very early. The alarm is set for 3:00am PT.

There are two new openings on the long sold out Palouse #1 IPT. See below for details.

I will be sharing additional 100-400 images along with additional positives and a very few negatives on the new lens. I used the 100-400 II a lot on my San Diego trip with both the 1D X and the 7D II and on occasion, with the 1.4X III TC. I shot most of the morning on Thursday and then again on Saturday with the hand held 1-4 II and the 1D X. With great results. More images and more comments soon.

South Georgia October 2015

Do consider joining me in South Georgia next October for the trip of a lifetime. See here for the complete details.

Save $242

Register now for the South Georgia trip and receive a $242 on your return airfare. Please e-mail for details.

Please Remember to use our Affiliate Links 🙂

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 the Mongoose M3.6 tripod heads, Gitzo tripods, Wimberley heads and plates, LensCoats and accessories, 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.

I would of course appreciate your using our B&H affiliate links for all of your major gear, video, and electronic purchases. For the photographic stuff mentioned in the paragraph above we, meaning BAA, would of course greatly appreciate your business. Here is a huge thank you to the many who have been using our links on a regular basis and visiting the BAA Online store as well.

This image was created with the hand held Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM lens (at 349mm) and the Canon EOS-1D X . ISO 400. Evaluative metering +2/3 stop: 1/2000 sec. at f/6.3 in Manual Mode. Rig on the Black Rapid RS-7 Strap. One AF point below the center AF point/AI Servo Expand/shutter button AF was active at the moment of exposure (as is almost always best when hand holding). Click on the image to see a larger version.

Success After 10 Days and More Than Two Decades of Trying…

The last time that I created a La Jolla Pelican head throw image that I really liked was more than 25 years ago. The last one, on film, was a BBC Wildlife Photographer of the Year honored image. They ain’t easy. Every year I show up hoping to create another special one and this year was no exception. Many times on this trip every thing was lined up perfectly: clean background of Pacific blue or sky, square to the bird, exposure checked, shutter speed more than enough. Each time the bird would pull its bill pouch down over its neck–usually a sure sign that an elegant head throw was coming, and then quit just as I was thinking, “This is gonna be it. I am gonna be famous.”

Finally, on Sunday morning, February 8, 2015, everything was again set up perfectly. Only this time, after the bill pouch cleaning, the bird did what it was supposed to do. I made sure to go vertical and zoom out and created a series of four good ones. The first of those, is presented above. It was a very long drought…

Hand Holding the 100-400 II for Head Throws

I had thought that hand holding the 100-400 II for head throws would be more challenging than working with the 200-400 with the Internal TC on a tripod. I was wrong. Hand holding the much lighter lens allows for much freedom. By sitting and resting my left forearm on my left knee while waiting for the signs of an impending head toss I was able to completely avoid any fatigue.

Card and design by Denise Ippolito. Scroll down here to see lots more of Denise’s Palouse images.

Palouse #1. The Palouse A Creative Adventure/BIRDS AS ART Instructional Photo-Tour (IPT)/Eastern Washington State. May 29-June 2, 2015/5 Full Days: $1699/Limit 12 photographers/Two openings due to a recent cancellation.

Card and design by Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART.

The Palouse A Creative Adventure/BIRDS AS ART Instructional Photo-Tour (IPT)/Eastern Washington State. June 5-9, 2015/5 Full Days: $1699/Limit 12 photographers/Openings 1.

Rolling farmlands provide a magical patchwork of textures and colors, especially when viewed from the top of Steptoe Butte where we will likely enjoy spectacular sunrises and possibly a nice sunset or two. We will photograph grand landscapes and mini-scenics of the rolling hills and farm fields. We will take you to some really neat old abandoned barns and farmhouses in idyllic settings. There is no better way to improve your compositional and image design skills and to develop your creativity than to join us for this trip. Two great leaders: Denise Ippolito and Arthur Morris. Photoshop and image sharing sessions when we have the time and energy…. We get up early and stay out late and the days are long.

After 6 days of back-breaking scouting work in early June 2014 we found all of the iconic locations and, in addition, lots of spectacular new old barns and breath-taking landforms and views. We will teach you what makes one situation prime and another seemingly similar one a waste of your time.

What’s included: In-the-field instruction, guidance, lessons, and inspiration, our newfound but very extensive knowledge of the area, all lunches, motel lobby breakfasts, and Photoshop and image sharing sessions when possible.

You will learn and hone both basic and advanced compositional and image design skills. You will learn to get the right exposure every time. You will learn to develop your creative eye. You will learn the basics of HDR (high dynamic range) photography. You will learn a variety of in-camera creative techniques; Canon 5D Mark III bodies are a plus. And most importantly you will learn to see the situation and to create a variety of top-notch images. Do see both of our blogs for lots more on that in the coming weeks. You will learn how the quality and direction of light combine to determine the success of your images. And–please don’t gasp–we will be working quite a bit with sidelight when creating landscapes. Lastly, we will be touching on infrared photography.

A non-refundable $699 deposit is due now. The balance will be due on January 29, 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.

With the unpredictable nature of the photography business, I have not said this often lately, but it seems quite likely that this one will fill up very quickly. Please let me know via e-mail that you will be joining us. Then you can either call Jim or Jennifer at 863-692-0906 during business hours or send us a check; the latter is preferred.

Please send your deposit check made out to “Arthur Morris” to us at Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART, PO Box 7245, Indian Lake Estates, FL, 33855. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me via e-mail.

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…..

Amazon.com

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Amazon Canada

Many kind folks from north of the border, eh, have e-mailed stating that they would love to help us out by using one of our affiliate links but that living in Canada and doing so presents numerous problems. Now, they can help us out by using our Amazon Canada affiliate link by starting their searches by clicking here. Many thanks to those who have written.

Typos

In all blog posts and Bulletins, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors. Just be right :).

Stuff

On Friday morning the very sweet Susan Carnahan who flew down from San Francisco for today’s program at the Natural History magazine and the Birds of the World exhibit opening joined Mike Gotthelf and me for a morning of photographic instruction. Inspired by the coastal fog we tried something new and different by visiting two of my favorite San Diego bird photography locations. My plan worked perfectly as we did quite well at both spots. That followed by a 90 minute working lunch at Deli-icious. More on that great eatery here soon.

This blog post, which took 1 1/2 hours to prepare, was published at 4:15am Pacific time on Saturday morning, 7:15am in the east.

I will be sharing 100-400 images along with additional positives and a very few negatives on the new lens. Promise. I used the 100-400 II a lot on this trip with both the 1D X and the 7D II and on occasion, with the 1.4X III TC. I shot all morning in La Jolla on Thursday with the hand held 1-4II and the 1D X. With great results. Images and comments soon.

South Georgia October 2015

Do consider joining me in South Georgia next October for the trip of a lifetime. See here for the complete details.

Save $242

Register now for the South Georgia trip and receive a $242 on your return airfare. Please e-mail for details.

Please Remember to use our Affiliate Links 🙂

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 the Mongoose M3.6 tripod heads, Gitzo tripods, Wimberley heads and plates, LensCoats and accessories, 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.

I would of course appreciate your using our B&H affiliate links for all of your major gear, video, and electronic purchases. For the photographic stuff mentioned in the paragraph above we, meaning BAA, would of course greatly appreciate your business. Here is a huge thank you to the many who have been using our links on a regular basis and visiting the BAA Online store as well.

This image was created with the tripod-mounted Canon EF 200-400mm f/4L IS USM lens with Internal 1.4x Extender (at 320mm) and the Canon EOS-1D X . ISO 1600. Evaluative metering +2 2/3 stops off the grey sky: 1/500 sec. at f/5.6 was about 1/2 stop underexposure. Four AF points to the right of the center AF point (manual selection)/AI Servo Shutter Button AF as framed was active at the moment of exposure. I have been switching between Rear Button and Shutter Button AF more and more recently. Click on the image to see a larger version. This DPP 4 screen capture represents the original RAW file.

The Original

In the JPEG above that represents the image out-of-camera note the following problems:

1-the image is underexposed.
2-the bush in the lower right corner may be distracting to some. Including me.
3-the top of the 2nd pelican’s head in the lower left corner is distracting.
4-a bit more room in front of the bird would have been nice.

The Situation

I had been making images of this bird rubbing its face on its back with the bill horizontally oriented and pointing toward the tail. Thus the selected AF point as noted above…. I was working with the Internal TC engaged at 478mm. Sensing the flap, I quickly disengaged the TC, zoomed out, and created a series of only three images. I am not very good at holding the shutter button down to the metal when I should…. The third frame, presented here, the image with the wings swept fully back, was the winner.

Note that the active AF point is illuminated in red.

Universal Advice for Better Flight and Action Photography with a Zoom Lens…

Avoid clipping wingtips, feet, heads, and assorted body parts: zoom wider!

This image was created with the tripod-mounted Canon EF 200-400mm f/4L IS USM lens with Internal 1.4x Extender (at 320mm) and the Canon EOS-1D X . ISO 1600. Evaluative metering +2 2/3 stops off the grey sky: 1/500 sec. at f/5.6 was about 1/2 stop underexposure. Four AF points to the right of the center AF point (manual selection)/AI Servo Rear Focus AF as framed 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. This JPEG represents the optimized master TIF file.

The Image Optimization

I lightened the image in DPP during the RAW conversion with the Brightness slider. I also applied Arash’s 1D X Noise Reduction values and opened up the darker tones with DPP’s amazing Shadow slider. Plus the usual.

In Photoshop I eliminated the intruding pelican head with Content aware fill. I employed the divide and conquer technique to separate the larger upper portion of the bush from the smaller lower portion. Then I selected the larger portion with the Patch Tool and executed Content Aware Fill. That left me to deal with the small layer of out-of-focus bush to deal with. I placed the whole image on its own layer and the used Denise Ippolito’s Protective Cloning on a Layer technique. This involves the use of both the Clone Stamp Tool and a Regular Layers Mask. I added canvas front by using using the crop tool method. I filled that in by using the Transform Tool to judiciously stretch the layer that I had selected from in front of the bird with the Rectangular Marquee Tool.

I did the usual Eye Doctor work on the bird’s eye> I selected the face and the bill with the Quick Selection Tool and sharpened that layer only with a Contrast Mask. The I selected the whole bird also with the Quick Selection Tool and applied a 50% layer of my NIK Color Efex Pro 50-50 Detail Extractor/Tonal Contrast recipe to that layer only.

Digital Basics

Everything that I did to optimize both of today’s images is covered in detail in my Digital Basics File–written in my easy-to-follow, easy-to-understand style. Are you tired of making your images look worse in Photoshop? Digital Basics File is an instructional PDF that is sent via e-mail. It includes my complete digital workflow, dozens of great Photoshop tips, details on using all of my image clean-up tools, the use of Contrast Masks, several different ways of expanding and filling in canvas, all of my time-saving Keyboard Shortcuts, Quick Masking, Layer Masking, and NIK Color Efex Pro basics, Contrast Masks, Digital Eye Doctor techniques, using Gaussian Blurs, Tim Grey Dodge and Burn, a variety of ways to make selections, how to create time-saving actions, the Surface Blur (background noise reduction) settings as taught to me by Denise Ippolito, and tons more.

APTATS I & II

Learn the details of advanced Quick Masking techniques in APTATS I. Learn Advanced Layer Masking Techniques in APTATS II. Mention this blog post and apply a $5 discount to either with phone orders only. Buy both APTATS I and APTATS II and we will be glad to apply at $15 discount with phone orders only. Please call Jim or Jennifer at 863-692-0906 weekdays to order.

You can order your copy of “The Photographers’ Guide to Canon Digital Photo Professional 4.0” (aka the DPP 4 Raw Conversion eGuide) by Arash Hazeghi and Arthur Morris by clicking here.

The DPP 4 eGuide (PDF)

Learn how and why I and many other discerning photographers choose and use only DPP 4 to convert their Canon RAW files in the DPP 4 RAW Conversion Guide by Arash Hazeghi and yours truly. The latest version supports all of the newer Canon camera bodies and several older models including the EOS-7D and the EOS-1D Mark IV.

Facebook

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Support the BAA Blog. Support the BAA Bulletins: Shop B&H here!

We want and need to keep providing you with the latest free information, photography and Photoshop lessons, and all manner of related information. Show your appreciation by making your purchases immediately after clicking on any of our B&H or Amazon Affiliate links in this blog post. Remember, B&H ain’t just photography!

…..

Amazon.com

Those who prefer to support BAA by shopping with Amazon may use this link:

Amazon Canada

Many kind folks from north of the border, eh, have e-mailed stating that they would love to help us out by using one of our affiliate links but that living in Canada and doing so presents numerous problems. Now, they can help us out by using our Amazon Canada affiliate link by starting their searches by clicking here. Many thanks to those who have written.

Typos

In all blog posts and Bulletins, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors. Just be right :).

What’s Up

Wednesday was yet another great day. Today is the last morning of the IPT.

This blog post took more than four hours to assemble over the course of four days…. It was published at 5:49am Pacific time. Please note that I still have many 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. Do consider joining me in South Georgia next October for the trip of a lifetime. See here for the complete details. In addition, I will surely be sharing more 100-400 images along with additional positives and a very vew negative on the new lens. I used the 100-400 yesterday afternoon with the 7D II and the 1.4X TC. Images and comments soon.

SAVE $242

Register now for the South Georgia trip and receive a $242 on your return airfare. Please e-mail for details.

Please Remember to use our Affiliate Links 🙂

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 the Mongoose M3.6 tripod heads, Gitzo tripods, Wimberley heads and plates, LensCoats and accessories, 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.

I would of course appreciate your using our B&H affiliate links for all of your major gear, video, and electronic purchases. For the photographic stuff mentioned in the paragraph above we, meaning BAA, would of course greatly appreciate your business. Here is a huge thank you to the many who have been using our links on a regular basis and visiting the BAA Online store as well.

This image was created with the tripod-mounted Canon EF 200-400mm f/4L IS USM lens with Internal 1.4x Extender, the Canon Extender EF 1.4X III (at 529mm), and the Canon EOS-1D X . ISO 800. Evaluative metering +1/3 stop as framed: 1/800 sec. at f/8 in Manual mode. Central AF point (by necessity)/AI Servo/Expand/Rear Focus on the bird’s eye and re-compose is tricky when hand holding as you need to stay absolutely still or risk throwing off accurate focus.Click here to see the latest version of the Rear Focus Tutorial. Click on the image to see a larger version.

Why?

“Why did you add the external TC when you were working only at 529mm? You could have done that with the lens and the the Internal TC engaged?”

I had mounted the external 1.4X III with the Internal TC already engaged to get me out to 784mm if and when I needed that.

Image Question

In this case, working wide open at f/8, I would have been much better off had the external TC not been in place. How would that have helped me make a somewhat sharper image here?

Note: removing the external 1.4X III TC loses you valuable time….

This image was created with the tripod-mounted Canon EF 200-400mm f/4L IS USM lens with Internal 1.4x Extender, the Canon Extender EF 1.4X III (at 365mm), and the Canon EOS-1D X . ISO 400. Evaluative metering +2/3stop as framed: 1/1000 sec. at f/8. Central AF point (by necessity)/AI Servo/Expand/Rear Focus as framed fell on the center of the bird’s lower mandible and was of course 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.

The Versatility Factor

The huge and obvious advantage of the 200-400 (or any zoom lens) at La Jolla is that you are able to vary your framing almost instantly by zooming in or out as needed. Add in the fact that you can with an extra 1.4X TC in your pocket work at focal lengths from 200 to 784mm and you have quite a versatile rig.

For this image and the image below, sensing that a head throw was imminent, I dis-engaged the internal extender so that I could more easily zoom wider.

This image was created with the tripod-mounted Canon EF 200-400mm f/4L IS USM lens with Internal 1.4x Extender, the Canon Extender EF 1.4X III (at 315mm), and the Canon EOS-1D X . ISO 400. Evaluative metering +2/3 stop as framed: 1/1000 sec. at f/8. Central AF point (by necessity)/AI Servo/Expand/Rear Focus as framed fell just below the bird’s face 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.

Why are Head Throws Like Bosque Blast-offs?

At Bosque, I often state that the best images are created within the first 2 seconds of the birds blasting off. The best head throw images are created in the first second. They often begin with the bird’s stretching their bill pouch over their necks. If you are zoomed in even a bit, this needs to be a horizontal capture. Then almost instantly the bird raises its bill with the pouch fully distended. This is the instant that you want capture. But you need to be zoomed out and vertical. Here, I was about one second too late….

Note: a Brown Pelican head throw film image of mine with the bill pouch fully distended was honored in a BBC Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition early in this century. I think that IPT veteran Mike Gotthelf captured the magic moment with this head throw….

This image was created with the tripod-mounted Canon EF 200-400mm f/4L IS USM lens with Internal 1.4x Extender, the Canon Extender EF 1.4X III (at 654mm), and the Canon EOS-1D X . ISO 400. Evaluative metering +1/3 stop as framed: 1/800 sec. at f/8. Central AF point (by necessity)/AI Servo/Expand/Rear Focus as framed 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.

The Payoff!

Finally, the 784mm advantage got me an image that I loved. Being able to zoom in to 654mm was the key here so that I could zero in on the colors and textures of that gorgeous bill pouch.

San Diego Site Guide

A BAA Site Guide is the next best thing to being on an IPT. And they cost only fifty bucks; a lot less than an IPT! I share everything that I know about the five killer photography spots within 20 minutes of downtown San Diego. Learn where and how and when to photograph the amazing California race of Brown Pelican; Marbled Godwits against bright buff backgrounds; Wood Ducks, Lesser Scaup, and Ring-necked Duck at point blank range; and a variety of stunning gulls (including Heerman’s, Western, and California) both perched and in flight. You will learn where to go on what wind and what tides are best for each coastal location. As usual, I have held nothing back. You can get your copy of the San Diego Site Guide by clicking here; it will prove most useful to folks visiting in the colder months, but many of the locations are productive in other seasons as well, especially spring.

You can learn about our 13 other great Site Guides by clicking here.

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. Many of them are downright cheap. Please remember that you get exactly what you pay for. With us you will have two full time pros there for you every minute we are in the field. Together they have more than 28 seasons of experience at the refuge. If you want the finest in photographic instruction and want to be assured of being in the right spot at exactly the right time every day, 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. Two great leaders: Denise Ippolito and Arthur Morris. 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.

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. Two great leaders: Denise Ippolito and Arthur Morris. 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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