Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART

And the Streak Goes On

As noted below, the Venice Rookery IPT enjoyed a great first session yesterday. This post marks 65 days in a row with a new educational blog post, a record by far that should be extended for at least another week or two. Or not. 🙂 To show your appreciation, we ask that use our B&H and Amazon affiliate links for all of your B&H and Amazon purchases. Please check the availability of all photographic accessories in the BIRDS AS ART Online Store. We sell only what I use and 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.

You can find the following items in the store: Gitzo tripods, Mongoose M3.6 and Wimberley heads, plates, low feet, and accessories, flash brackets, , Delkin e-film Pro Compact Flash Cards, LensCoat products, and our unique line-up of educational materials including ABP I & II, Digital Basics, Site and Set-up e-Guides, Canon and Nikon Camera Users and AF e-Guides, and MP-4 Photoshop video tutorials among others.

We would of course appreciate you using our B&H and Amazon affiliate links for all of your B&H and Amazon major gear, video, electronic, household, and personal purchases. For the photographic stuff mentioned in the paragraph above we would of course greatly appreciate your business.

Thanks and enjoy today’s blog post! This one took about 3 hours to assemble.

1 Day Left to Enter! BIRDS AS ART 2nd International Bird Photography Competition!

With so many folks signing up at the last minute at the end of December and with so many folks having trouble uploading their images due to server overload, the deadline for entering the contest (registering and paying) was extended just before the end of the last year until January 31, 2014. There will be no additional extensions. The deadline for uploading your images has been extended until midnight Eastern time on February 10, 2014. Take advantage of this extension to have a crack at the great prizes.

Learn more and enter the BIRDS AS ART 2nd International Bird Photography Competition here. Twenty-five great prizes including the $1000 Grand Prize and intense competition. Bring your best.

Register and Pay

To register click here.

To learn of payment options, click here.

The Usual Gloom and Doom Stuff…

Several folks had told me both by e-mail and at the seminar on Tuesday afternoon that photographic conditions at the Venice Rookery were poor this year: few nesting birds and sparse, dying vegetation. I took those warnings with a grain of salt as I usually do. Though the weather was lousy–a bit a fog at first, then cloudy dark till well after noon when we finally quit for lunch, we had one of the best mornings at Venice in many years. The east northeast wind was pretty darned good for flight. There are a few GBH nests positioned perfectly for photography, and there was lots of flight and chick-feeding action. As I see it, conditions at Venice are excellent.

What does the above story show? That most folks have no clue as to how to recognize a good or great situation. That’s something that you can only learn by attending an IPT or a seminar.

Lens Drive When AF Impossible

Many of the more recent Canon cameras including the 1D X, the 5D III, and the Mark IV have the Lens Drive When AF Impossible feature. It is poorly named, poorly explained in the camera body manuals, and is universally mis-understood. In our Camera User’s Guides this feature is clearly explained as are the situations that call for its use. For the image above I turned it to “Stop focus search/OFF” to keep the AF system from hunting for the background when the sensor invariably fell off the subject. For the image above it worked to perfection.

Exposure Lesson

In yesterday’s dank lighting conditions, a Great Egret required 1 1/3 stops less light than a Great Blue Heron. This was a bit more than I expect. We taught the group to work in manual mode and to adjust the exposure by 4 clicks with the index finger wheel when switching from a Great Egret to a GBH. Everyone grasped this principle quickly and was able to apply it on the spot. If you wanted to photograph a GBH in the same light as the GE above, you needed to go four clicks of shutter speed light, from 1/2000 sec. to 1/800 sec.

Lesson learned.

This Great Blue Heron flight image was also created yesterday morning on the Venice Rookery IPT with the Gitzo 3532 LS carbon fiber tripod, the Mongoose M3.6 head, the Canon EF 600mm f/4L IS II USM lens, and the Canon EOS 5D Mark III . ISO 400: 1/1600 sec. at f/4 in Manual mode. Central sensor Surround/AI Servo/Rear Focus on the top of the bird’s breast active at the moment of exposure. Click here if you missed the Rear Focus Tutorial. Click on the image to see a larger version.

The Original Image Capture

Though it was a bit brighter for this image than for the Great Egret image, I screwed up the exposure settings a bit. I wanted to open up four clicks from the 1/2500 sec. shutter speed I had had set but my finger only registered 2 of the 4 intended clicks. I did have gloves on :). IAC, the image above is a bit dark. And worst of all, I clipped the toe.

We worked this image as a group as our afternoon session was rained out. In anticipation of that our morning shooting was extended to more than 6 hours. I moved the bird up and back in the frame using techniques from APTATS II. I replaced the missing toenail using advanced Quick Masking techniques from APTATS II. I ran my NIK 50/50 pre-set on the bird only after selecting it with the Quick Selection Tool, did some Eye Doctor work,, and did some additional work on the bird’s face and neck after selecting those areas with the Quick Selection Tool. That work include a big Vibrance adjustment and a Contrast Mask. All that in addition to a bit of color correction and a brightness adjustment.

Just For The Record Book

Just for the record book, here is the name of the image file: Great Blue Heron in flight added toe _A1C1149 Venice Rookery, South Venice, FL.tif. I strongly believe in letting editors know when significant changes have been made to an image.

APTATS I & II and Digital Basics

You can learn advanced Quick Masking Techniques and more in APTATS I, and advanced Image Repair and Layer Masking Techniques in APTATS II. Mention this blog post and Jim will be glad to apply a $5 discount on your APTATS I purchase with phone orders only. Mention this blog post and Jim will be glad to apply a $10 discount on your APTATS II purchase with phone orders only. Order both to hone your Photoshop image clean-up skills and Jim will be glad to enter a $15 discount for the pair, on phone orders only.

All of the rest of the stuff I did to create the optimized file is detailed in my Digital Basics File, an instructional PDF that is sent via e-mail. It includes my complete digital workflow, dozens of great Photoshop tips, several different ways to expand canvas, all of my time-saving Keyboard Shortcuts, Quick Masking, Layer Masking, and NIK Color Efex Pro basics, my killer image clean-up techniques, Digital Eye Doctor, and tons more.

The DPP RAW Conversion Guide

To learn why I use Canon’s Digital Photo Professional (DPP) to convert every image that I work on, click here.

The Neck

This bird was absolutely unconcerned with humans. Just out of the nest, he posed for us in various settings. Here he was playing with small sticks on the edge of the very small lake.

Image Question

Why did I go to f/14?

Why was I at ISO 800 for this image but ISO 400 for all the rest?

Bird Photography Hotspot: Anhinga Trail, Everglades National Park. Learn more here.

Anhinga Trail/Everglades National Park Mini-IPT: Feb 1-2, (SAT/SUN), 2014. (Limit 12/Openings 5): $799. Introductory slide program: 7pm: FRI Jan 31. (Limit 12/Openings: 6):

Join Denise Ippolito and Arthur Morris for four great photography sessions at one of the top bird photography hotspots in North America. Morning sessions: 6:15am to 10:30am. Afternoon sessions: 3:00pm till 5:45pm. Lunch included. Informal image review and Photoshop sessions after lunch.

Jan 31 (Friday) Anhinga Trail/Everglades National Park Optional Add-on/Morning Only (Limit 12/Openings 5): $249

Includes lunch, and informal image review and Photoshop session. Call us at 863-692-0906 or e-mail to learn of the Late Registration Discounts for both the segments and the complete trip.

Because of our intense travel schedule that includes a trip to Japan I will not be running the traditional SW FLA IPT. In addition, in an effort to give some folks a chance to get a taste of our teaching and our passion for bird photography, Denise Ippolito and I have organized a series of short IPTs that may be combined into one wonderful experience or enjoyed piecemeal. Click here for complete details or to register. Please e-mail with any questions or leave a comment below.

A $500 non-refundable deposit is required to hold your slot for this IPT. For the short segments that are less than $500 payment in full is due at the time of registration. Your balance is due 4 months before the date of the IPT and is also non-refundable. If 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. If your spot is filled, you will lose your deposit. If not, you can secure your spot by paying your balance. Best to call Jim or Jennifer with a credit card in hand to register. Credit cards are not accepted for balances. Alternatively you can send a check for $500 made out to Arthur Morris to us at PO Box 7245, Indian Lake Estates, FL, 33855. Please include a note with your e-mail address and be sure to let us know what you are signing up for.

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

Everyone buys something from Amazon, be it a big lens or deodorant. Support the blog by starting your search by clicking on the logo-link below. No purchase is too small to be appreciated; they all add up. Why make it a habit? Because I make it a habit of bringing you new images and information on an almost daily basis.

Typos

In all blog posts and Bulletins, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos, wrong words, misspellings, omissions, or grammatical errors. Just be right. 🙂

IPT Info

Many of our great trips are filling up. See especially info on the South Florida, Holland, and Nickerson Beach IPTs. Two great leaders on most trips ensure that you will receive individual attention, have all of your questions answered, and learn a ton including how to think like a pro, see the situation, and get the right exposure every time. In addition you will have fun, and make lots of great images. Click here for IPT details and general information.

And the Streak Goes On

We are up early getting ready for today’s free Birds and Blooms afternoon seminar in Boca Grande, FL. I continue to feel better each day but am far from 100%. This post marks 63 days in a row with a new educational blog post, a record by far that should be extended for at least another week or two. Or not. 🙂 To show your appreciation, we ask that use our B&H and Amazon affiliate links for all of your B&H and Amazon purchases. Please check the availability of all photographic accessories in the BIRDS AS ART Online Store. We sell only what I use and 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.

You can find the following items in the store: Gitzo tripods, Mongoose M3.6 and Wimberley heads, plates, low feet, and accessories, flash brackets, , Delkin e-film Pro Compact Flash Cards, LensCoat products, and our unique line-up of educational materials including ABP I & II, Digital Basics, Site and Set-up e-Guides, Canon and Nikon Camera Users and AF e-Guides, and MP-4 Photoshop video tutorials among others.

We would of course appreciate you using our B&H and Amazon affiliate links for all of your B&H and Amazon major gear, video, electronic, household, and personal purchases. For the photographic stuff mentioned above we would of course great appreciate your business.

Thanks and enjoy today’s blog post! This one took only about 1 1/2 hours to assemble.

With so many folks signing up at the last minute at the end of December and with so many folks having trouble uploading their images due to server overload, the deadline for entering the contest (registering and paying) was extended just before the end of the last year until January 31, 2014. There will be no additional extensions. The deadline for uploading your images has been extended until midnight Eastern time on February 10, 2014. Take advantage of this extension to have a crack at the great prizes.

Learn more and enter the BIRDS AS ART 2nd International Bird Photography Competition here. Twenty-five great prizes including the $1000 Grand Prize and intense competition. Bring your best.

Register and Pay

To register click here.

To learn of payment options, click here.

This Brown Pelican image was created on the Little Estero Lagoon IPT with the Gitzo 3532 LS carbon fiber tripod, the Mongoose M3.6 head, the Canon EF 600mm f/4L IS II USM lens, the Canon 2x EF Extender III (Teleconverter), and the Canon EOS-1D X Digital SLR camera. ISO 400. Evaluative metering at zero as framed: 1/320 sec. at f/20 in Manual mode. Central sensor (by necessity) Expand/AI Servo/Rear Focus as framed active at the moment of exposure. Click here if you missed the Rear Focus Tutorial. Click on the image to see a larger version. Image #1: Super Tight

Lesson II On Seeing the Situation and Perspective Choice

It was just before 10:00am yesterday on a dead clear morning. My plan to have everyone in the group create images of the herons and egrets eating live baitfish out of the bucket were wrecked when I caught so many fish in my cast net that all the fish died from lack of oxygen in the water in the bucket. The best laid plans…. There were several pelicans lined up along the shoreline like so many soldiers. I was showing two of the participants with shorter lenses how they could move slowly, choose a good perspective, wait for a good head angle, and create classic vertical pelican head portraits with still blue water backgrounds.

After helping Muriel and Milton, I took my rig and backed up a bit as I was working at 1200mm. When I did so, I noticed the somewhat pink reflections of a distant condo on the eastern shore of the lagoon. In order to utilize those reflections as background I needed to get just a bit lower so again, as I did in yesterday’s post, I pulled out the front leg tab and the the front leg itself on my Gitzo 3530LS tripod. As Denise and I had spent five photography sessions teaching the group the importance of stopping down considerably when working with subjects at point-blank range, I was working at f/20.

After creating the image above, I replaced the 2XIII TC with the 1/4XIII TC, took a few steps back, chose what I thought would be the best perspective, and made a few images.

The Big Secret

Some folks show up at IPTs hoping to learn the single big secret that will make them a better nature photographer. My answer, as you have seen here in this and the last post, and probably in many dozens if not hundreds of posts here, is that the single biggest secret in creating great images is attention to small detail. An inch to the right here, a step closer there, 1/3 stop more light now, a smaller aperture then. Learning to pay attention to all the little stuff is the key to photographic success.

Image Questions

What do you like about Image #1?

What do you like about Image #2?

Which image has the more pleasing background?

Which image has a more pleasing head angle?

Which image do you like the best. Be sure to let us know why?

This afternoon seminar is 100% free and open to the public.

Free Afternoon Seminar Today!

Join Denise Ippolito and me on the afternoon of January 28, 2014 at 1:00pm in the Boca Grande Community Center for a free two-part nature photography seminar entitled “Birds and Blooms.” At 1:00pm I will be presenting “A Bird Photographer’s Story” (updated with lots of my favorite new images). Denise will follow with her hugely popular “Bloomin’ Ideas.” The venue is located at 131 First Street West, Boca Grande, FL 33921.

Suggestion

Join us for the free seminar and then for the Venice Rookery IPT the following day. See below for details.

Do join us on the Venice Rookery IPT, or better yet, for the whole South Florida Composite IPT. Scroll down or click here for complete details.

The South Florida Composite IPT

Do consider joining us for one of the remaining parts or all of the South Florida Composite IPT. Call me on my cell at 863-221-2372 or e-mail to learn of the Late Registration Discounts for both the segments and the complete trip. If you call the cell and I do not pick up, please let a message and please be sure to e-mail me a good callback number and time.

Jan 29 (WED): Venice Rookery In-the-Field: all day: (Limit 12/Openings 8): $399. Introductory slide program 7pm, Jan 28.

30 (THURS) -Venice am only. (Limit 12/Openings 7): $249

You can sign up for one or more of the short IPTs and/or one or more of the add-on days or you can opt to sign up for the all the sessions. Those signing up for the whole shebang will be having all lunches and dinners with us most every day. Call us at 863-692-0906 or e-mail to learn of the Late Registration Discounts for both the segments and the complete trip.

Bird Photography Hotspot: Anhinga Trail, Everglades National Park. Learn more here.

Anhinga Trail/Everglades National Park Mini-IPT: Feb 1-2, (SAT/SUN), 2014. (Limit 12/Openings 5): $799. Introductory slide program: 7pm: FRI Jan 31. (Limit 12/Openings: 6):

Join Denise Ippolito and Arthur Morris for four great photography sessions at one of the top bird photography hotspots in North America. Morning sessions: 6:15am to 10:30am. Afternoon sessions: 3:00pm till 5:45pm. Lunch included. Informal image review and Photoshop sessions after lunch.

Jan 31 (Friday) Anhinga Trail/Everglades National Park Optional Add-on/Morning Only (Limit 12/Openings 5): $249

Includes lunch, and informal image review and Photoshop session. Call us at 863-692-0906 or e-mail to learn of the Late Registration Discounts for both the segments and the complete trip.

Because of our intense travel schedule that includes a trip to Japan I will not be running the traditional SW FLA IPT. In addition, in an effort to give some folks a chance to get a taste of our teaching and our passion for bird photography, Denise Ippolito and I have organized a series of short IPTs that may be combined into one wonderful experience or enjoyed piecemeal. Click here for complete details or to register. Please e-mail with any questions or leave a comment below.

A $500 non-refundable deposit is required to hold your slot for this IPT. For the short segments that are less than $500 payment in full is due at the time of registration. Your balance is due 4 months before the date of the IPT and is also non-refundable. If 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. If your spot is filled, you will lose your deposit. If not, you can secure your spot by paying your balance. Best to call Jim or Jennifer with a credit card in hand to register. Credit cards are not accepted for balances. Alternatively you can send a check for $500 made out to Arthur Morris to us at PO Box 7245, Indian Lake Estates, FL, 33855. Please include a note with your e-mail address and be sure to let us know what you are signing up for.

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

Everyone buys something from Amazon, be it a big lens or deodorant. Support the blog by starting your search by clicking on the logo-link below. No purchase is too small to be appreciated; they all add up. Why make it a habit? Because I make it a habit of bringing you new images and information on an almost daily basis.

Typos

In all blog posts and Bulletins, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos, wrong words, misspellings, omissions, or grammatical errors. Just be right. 🙂

IPT Info

Many of our great trips are filling up. See especially info on the South Florida, Holland, and Nickerson Beach IPTs. Two great leaders on most trips ensure that you will receive individual attention, have all of your questions answered, and learn a ton including how to think like a pro, see the situation, and get the right exposure every time. In addition you will have fun, and make lots of great images. Click here for IPT details and general information.

And the Streak Goes On

Despite my ill-advised walk into the somewhat icy shallow waters of Little Estero Lagoon yesterday–see below for details, I am feeling pretty good today. This post marks 61 days in a row with a new educational blog post, a record by far that should be extended for at least another week or two. Or not. 🙂 To show your appreciation, we ask that use our B&H and Amazon affiliate links for all of your B&H and Amazon purchases. Please check the availability of all photographic accessories in the BIRDS AS ART Online Store. We sell only what I use and 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.

You can find the following items in the store: Gitzo tripods, Mongoose M3.6 and Wimberley heads, plates, low feet, and accessories, flash brackets, , Delkin e-film Pro Compact Flash Cards, LensCoat products, and our unique line-up of educational materials including ABP I & II, Digital Basics, Site and Set-up e-Guides, Canon and Nikon Camera Users and AF e-Guides, and MP-4 Photoshop video tutorials among others.

We would of course appreciate you using our B&H and Amazon affiliate links for all of your B&H and Amazon major gear, video, electronic, household, and personal purchases. For the photographic stuff mentioned above we would of course great appreciate your business.

Thanks and enjoy today’s blog post! This one took only about 2 1/2 hours to assemble,

With so many folks signing up at the last minute at the end of December and with so many folks having trouble uploading their images due to server overload, the deadline for entering the contest (registering and paying) was extended just before the end of the last year until January 31, 2014. There will be no additional extensions. The deadline for uploading your images has been extended until midnight Eastern time on February 10, 2014. Take advantage of this extension to have a crack at the great prizes.

Learn more and enter the BIRDS AS ART 2nd International Bird Photography Competition here. Twenty-five great prizes including the $1000 Grand Prize and intense competition. Bring your best.

Register and Pay

To register click here.

To learn of payment options, click here.

Hand held 70-200 and 1D X. ISO 5000. Tv mode at 1/60 sec. I will add the complete technical info before lunch today. Please do re-visit.

The Human Condition

I almost wore my Arctic Pro Muck Boots. But at the last moments I wore my surf booties. Having been fighting a vicious head cold for more than a week I knew that nothing could get me to walk into that 50 degree water…. Well, I was wrong. What would make a person do such a thing? I have no clue. Please don’t tell my Mom.

Hand held 300 II and 1D X. ISO 800. Manual mode: 1/800 sec. at f/2.8. I will add the complete technical info before lunch today. Please do re-visit.

Off to a Great Start–There are No Birds at Little Estero Lagoon

Every year before I head down to Fort Myers Beach, I hear the same tune: “There are no birds at Little Estero Lagoon. And once again, the internet experts were seriously wrong. The place has changed drastically from winter storms, but the main complaints as the South Florida IPT began early yesterday morning with 6 Happy Campers, were, “There are too many birds” and “The birds are too close.”

Hand held 300 II with 2X III TC and 1D X. ISO 400. Manual mode: 1/2000 sec. at f/8. I will add the complete technical info before lunch today. Please do re-visit.

Studying and Understanding Bird Behavior

Studying and understanding bird behavior can obviously help you to become a better photographer. Many wading birds will bring their prey to the shore so that if they drop it while attempting to swallow it, the fish or crab can be more easily re-captured. Knowing in advance that that would be exactly what this White Ibis would do enabled me to get in perfect position.

Hand held 300 II with 2X III TC and 1D X. ISO 400. Manual mode: 1/2000 sec. at f/8. I will add the complete technical info before lunch today. Please do re-visit.

Bathing Birds

Many folks in the group did not know that when they see a bird dipping its face and breast into the water that 9 times out of 10 they will raise up and flap their wings after their bath.

Hand held 300 II with 1.4X III TC and 1D X. ISO 400. Manual mode: 1/1600 sec. at f/5.6. I will add the complete technical info before lunch today. Please do re-visit.

Amazing

Both Clemens van der Werf, who was with me in San Diego last week, and I, were amazed that we would have so much fun photographing the much paler Brown Pelicans of Florida after spending 4 days photographing the brightly colored California race of Brown Pelican. But we did. And everyone made some great images of the pellies.

This afternoon seminar is 100% free and open to the public.

Free Afternoon Seminar

Join Denise Ippolito and me on the afternoon of January 28, 2014 at 1:00pm in the Boca Grande Community Center for a free two-part nature photography seminar entitled “Birds and Blooms.” At 1:00pm I will be presenting “A Bird Photographer’s Story” (updated with lots of my favorite new images). Denise will follow with her hugely popular “Bloomin’ Ideas.” The venue is located at 131 First Street West, Boca Grande, FL 33921.

Suggestion

Join us for the free seminar and then for the Venice Rookery IPT the following day. See below for details.

Do join us on the Venice Rookery IPT, or better yet, for the whole South Florida Composite IPT. Scroll down or click here for complete details.

The South Florida Composite IPT

Do consider joining us for one of the remaining parts or all of the South Florida Composite IPT. Call me on my cell at 863-221-2372 or e-mail to learn of the Late Registration Discounts for both the segments and the complete trip. If you call the cell and I do not pick up, please let a message and please be sure to e-mail me a good callback number and time.

Jan 29 (WED): Venice Rookery In-the-Field: all day: (Limit 12/Openings 8): $399. Introductory slide program 7pm, Jan 28.

30 (THURS) -Venice am only. (Limit 12/Openings 7): $249

You can sign up for one or more of the short IPTs and/or one or more of the add-on days or you can opt to sign up for the all the sessions. Those signing up for the whole shebang will be having all lunches and dinners with us most every day. Call us at 863-692-0906 or e-mail to learn of the Late Registration Discounts for both the segments and the complete trip.

Bird Photography Hotspot: Anhinga Trail, Everglades National Park. Learn more here.

Anhinga Trail/Everglades National Park Mini-IPT: Feb 1-2, (SAT/SUN), 2014. (Limit 12/Openings 5): $799. Introductory slide program: 7pm: FRI Jan 31. (Limit 12/Openings: 6):

Join Denise Ippolito and Arthur Morris for four great photography sessions at one of the top bird photography hotspots in North America. Morning sessions: 6:15am to 10:30am. Afternoon sessions: 3:00pm till 5:45pm. Lunch included. Informal image review and Photoshop sessions after lunch.

Jan 31 (Friday) Anhinga Trail/Everglades National Park Optional Add-on/Morning Only (Limit 12/Openings 5): $249

Includes lunch, and informal image review and Photoshop session.

Because of our intense travel schedule that includes a trip to Japan I will not be running the traditional SW FLA IPT. In addition, in an effort to give some folks a chance to get a taste of our teaching and our passion for bird photography, Denise Ippolito and I have organized a series of short IPTs that may be combined into one wonderful experience or enjoyed piecemeal. Click here for complete details or to register. Please e-mail with any questions or leave a comment below.

A $500 non-refundable deposit is required to hold your slot for this IPT. For the short segments that are less than $500 payment in full is due at the time of registration. Your balance is due 4 months before the date of the IPT and is also non-refundable. If 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. If your spot is filled, you will lose your deposit. If not, you can secure your spot by paying your balance. Best to call Jim or Jennifer with a credit card in hand to register. Credit cards are not accepted for balances. Alternatively you can send a check for $500 made out to Arthur Morris to us at PO Box 7245, Indian Lake Estates, FL, 33855. Please include a note with your e-mail address and be sure to let us know what you are signing up for.

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

Everyone buys something from Amazon, be it a big lens or deodorant. Support the blog by starting your search by clicking on the logo-link below. No purchase is too small to be appreciated; they all add up. Why make it a habit? Because I make it a habit of bringing you new images and information on an almost daily basis.

Typos

In all blog posts and Bulletins, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos, wrong words, misspellings, omissions, or grammatical errors. Just be right. 🙂

IPT Info

Many of our great trips are filling up. See especially info on the South Florida, Holland, and Nickerson Beach IPTs. Two great leaders on most trips ensure that you will receive individual attention, have all of your questions answered, and learn a ton including how to think like a pro, see the situation, and get the right exposure every time. In addition you will have fun, and make lots of great images. Click here for IPT details and general information.

And the Streak Goes On

I need to pick up South Florida IPT co-leader Denise Ippolito at the Tampa Airport at about 10:45am and then head down to Fort Myers Beach. I was asleep by 9:00pm but awake at 2:45, thoughts of the streak racing through my head. I had worked on the images for today’s blog post last night. Note: Many folks are taking advantage of the Late Registration Discounts to sign up for a segment here or a morning session there. See more by scrolling down here.

I am again feeling a bit better today; thanks for all the good wishes.

This post marks 59 days in a row with a new educational blog post, a record by far that should be extended for at least another week or two. Or not. 🙂 To show your appreciation, we ask that use our B&H and Amazon affiliate links for all of your B&H and Amazon purchases. Please check the availability of all photographic accessories in the BIRDS AS ART Online Store. We sell only what I use and 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.

You can find the following items in the store: Gitzo tripods, Mongoose M3.6 and Wimberley heads, plates, low feet, and accessories, flash brackets, , Delkin e-film Pro Compact Flash Cards, LensCoat products, and our unique line-up of educational materials including ABP I & II, Digital Basics, Site and Set-up e-Guides, Canon and Nikon Camera Users and AF e-Guides, and MP-4 Photoshop video tutorials among others.

We would of course appreciate you using our B&H and Amazon affiliate links for all of your B&H and Amazon major gear, video, electronic, household, and personal purchases. For the photographic stuff mentioned above we would of course great appreciate your business.

Thanks and enjoy today’s blog post! This one took about 3 hours to assemble. I still need to finish packing the SUV for South Florida. It is now 5:06am and I am hitting the Publish button. 🙂

Amazon Canada

Many kind folks from north of the border, ay, 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.

This Brown Pelican image was created in early morning light on the San Diego Short Notice IPT with the Gitzo 3532 LS carbon fiber tripod, Mongoose M3.6 head, the Canon EF 600mm f/4L IS II USM lens, the Canon 2x EF Extender III (Teleconverter), and the Canon EOS-1D X Digital SLR camera. ISO 400. Evaluative metering +1/3 stop as framed: 1/640 sec. at f/10 in Manual mode. Central sensor (by necessity) Expand/AI Servo/Rear Focus on the bird’s face was used to set the focus…. I was amazed when I noted that AF was not active at the moment of exposure with this image. Click here if you missed the Rear Focus Tutorial. Click on the image to see a larger version.

The Vision and the Original. And my Dad.

Ever since I have been photographing California Brown Pelicans in LaJolla, probably more than 15 years in all, I have been trying to create an image like the one above with the bill held relatively horizontal and the beautiful bill pouch distended, the reds and greens prominent. I had tried and failed many times. When I saw the image on the back of the camera I thought that I had a chance. I do not waste time enlarging images in the field….

Note: I started visiting San Diego in the early 70s when older daughter Jennifer was about a year old–my Mom and Dad moved there from Brooklyn in about 1969. They had visited the year before, and when Private First Class Robert E. Morris, a disabled American Veteran, got off the plane, he looked around at the palm trees and said, “We are going to live here.” My Dad–hit by 13 rounds of 70mm machine gun fire, was severely injured on Okinawa losing his right arm above the elbow and left with left arm hanging by a thread. After 19 months in the hospital, his left arm saved by a young Filipino doctor who was the only one against amputating what was left of his remaining arm–the elbow joint had been destroyed, he returned home to my Mom in Brooklyn. Eventually he went back to work at Roebling Luggage on Liberty Street in Manhattan as delivery boy and wound up pulling luggage off the shelves for more than 30 years. Then he retired to move to San Diego with my Mom and my younger sister Arna. He died in San Diego in September of 2001.

I began birding in 1976 and began photographing birds in 1983. Though I visited San Diego and LaJolla annually each year beginning in the early 1970, it took me well more than two decades to learn exactly where and when to be to photograph the gorgeous pelicans….

I digress.

When I saw that the nictitating membrane was completely covering the bird’s eye I realized that I had some work to do. And I was not too thrilled with the pelican in the background or the fact that my subject looked as if it had been hit in the head near the base of the bill with a claw hammer as there was a chunk of feathers missing there. More work.

The Source Image

All that I needed was a nice eye with a nice sharp iris and a nice sharp pupil. The original was created at 7:37am and I did not have another image of the same bird. But I figured that the eye of the pelican in the image above would work as I only needed the iris and the pupil. It could be done. So I did it.

A + B = C

My first chore was to replace the eye. I painted a Quick Mask of the eye and the eye skin from the source vertical, placed it on its own layer, and moved (V) that layer roughly into place on the original. I flopped the layer horizontally and added a Regular Layer Mask. I rotated the layer with the opacity reduced to about 65% and the eye skin still intact so that I could ensure that the angle of eyeball was correct. Then I hit Control T (Transform), adjusted the size, and then did some extensive warping so that the shape of the eyeball was correct. All was good but for the fact that the pupil was not properly positioned. After erasing all of the eye skin and leaving only the eyeball I created a new Quick Mask of the pupil with a good bit of the iris surrounding it. After putting that on its own layer I was able to correctly position the pupil. I added another Regular Layer Mask to fine tune the selection, flattened it, and used a 60% Clone Stamp Tool to clean up the somewhat messy pupil.

The above took about 20 minutes but I was very happy with the result. I used a Quick Mask of the sky with a Regular Layer Mask added for fine-tuning, and used a series of small Quick Masks to cover the gash on the front of the head. I used both the Clone Stamp Tool and the Patch Tool to do some general clean-up work in various spots on the bill and the head and face. I selectively sharpened the distal end of the bill with a Contrast Mask as I was a bit short of depth-of-field there. After checking for dust spots–that should have been done first :), I used one of the APTATS II tutorials to move the bird a bit back in the frame.

Nearly all of the above is as detailed in my Digital Basics File, an instructional PDF that is sent via e-mail. It includes my complete digital workflow, dozens of great Photoshop tips, several different ways to expand canvas, all of my time-saving Keyboard Shortcuts, Quick Masking, Layer Masking, and NIK Color Efex Pro basics, my killer image clean-up techniques, Digital Eye Doctor, and tons more.

You can learn Advanced Quick Masking Techniques (the Transforming and Warping) in APTATS I. Mention this blog post and Jim will be glad to apply a $5 discount on your APTATS I purchase with phone orders only. The moving the bird back in the frame technique is one of several tutorials detailed in APTATS II. Mention this blog post and Jim will be glad to apply a $10 discount on your APTATS II purchase with phone orders only. Order both to hone your Photoshop image clean-up skills and Jim will be glad to enter a $15 discount for the pair, on phone orders only.

The Ethics

The original image showed a somewhat disheveled pelican with its bill distended. The optimized image showed a rather handsome pelican with its bill distended. Will I be entering the image in question in the BBC Competition? No. I clearly went beyond what they allow. Do note that this image would be right on the borderline of acceptability in the BAA Contest with its much more liberal digital guidelines.

If what I did is not something that you would choose to do with your images, I am fine with that. And I am quite proud of the Photoshop work that I did here to transform a pelican image that was bound for the trash heap to one that would look pretty good on the wall. If you have the urge to post a commenting here stating that what I did was wrong, please instead visit www.PassingJudgementOnOthers.com.

BAA and other 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 or other photo tour. You can learn about our 14 great Site Guides by clicking here. See especially the San Diego Site Guide if you will be visiting San Diego to photograph birds–best in winter.

The DPP RAW Conversion Guide

To learn why I use Canon’s Digital Photo Professional (DPP) to convert every image that I work on, click here.

Join us to learn the ins and outs of Little Estero Lagoon. Call us at 863-692-0906 or e-mail to learn of the Late Registration Discounts for both the segments and the complete trip.

Little Estero Lagoon IPT: 2 full days–Sat/Sun: JAN 25-26 (Limit 12/Openings 9): $799. Introductory slide program: 7pm, FRI, JAN 24, 2014

Join Denise Ippolito and Arthur Morris for four great photography sessions at one of the top bird photography hotspots in North America. Morning sessions: 6:15am to 10:30am. Afternoon sessions: 3:00pm till 5:45pm. Lunch included. Informal image review and Photoshop sessions after lunch. Call 863-292-0906 to registger; payment if full is now due so call with your credit card in hand. Please e-mail with any questions.

Monday: Jan 27: Optional Estero Add-on/morning only (Limit 12/Openings 9): $249

Adding the last morning as above is an option.

What you will learn:

When to be where and where to be when at Little Estero Lagoon to maximize the photographic opportunities.
Autofocus basics and correct camera and gear set-up.
How to get the right exposure with digital every time.
How and why to expose to the right.
How to create pre-dawn silhouettes.
How to design pleasing images.
How to find the best perspective.
How to make strong images in cluttered situations.
How to photography birds in flight.
In-the-Field creative techniques.

Do consider joining us for the all or part of the South Florida Composite IPT. Call us at 863-692-0906 or e-mail to learn of the Late Registration Discounts for both the segments and the complete trip.

This afternoon seminar is 100% free and open to the public.

Free Afternoon Seminar

Join Denise Ippolito and me on the afternoon of January 28, 2014 at 1:00pm in the Boca Grande Community Center for a free two-part nature photography seminar entitled “Birds and Blooms.” At 1:00pm I will be presenting “A Bird Photographer’s Story” (updated with lots of my favorite new images). Denise will follow with her hugely popular “Bloomin’ Ideas.” The venue is located at 131 First Street West, Boca Grande, FL 33921.

Suggestion

Join us for the free seminar and then for the Venice Rookery IPT the following day.

Do join us on the Venice Rookery IPT, or better yet, for the whole South Florida Composite IPT. Scroll down or click here for complete details.

Jan 29 (WED): Venice Rookery In-the-Field: all day: (Limit 12/Openings 8): $399. Introductory slide program 7pm, Jan 28.

30 (THURS) -Venice am only. (Limit 12/Openings 7): $249

You can sign up for one or more of the short IPTs and/or one or more of the add-on days or you can opt to sign up for the all the sessions. Those signing up for the whole shebang will be having all lunches and dinners with us most every day. Call us at 863-692-0906 or e-mail to learn of the Late Registration Discounts for both the segments and the complete trip.

Bird Photography Hotspot: Anhinga Trail, Everglades National Park. Learn more here.

Anhinga Trail/Everglades National Park Mini-IPT: Feb 1-2, (SAT/SUN), 2014. (Limit 12/Openings 5): $799. Introductory slide program: 7pm: FRI Jan 31. (Limit 14/Openings: 12):

Join Denise Ippolito and Arthur Morris for four great photography sessions at one of the top bird photography hotspots in North America. Morning sessions: 6:15am to 10:30am. Afternoon sessions: 3:00pm till 5:45pm. Lunch included. Informal image review and Photoshop sessions after lunch.

Jan 31 (Friday) Anhinga Trail/Everglades National Park Optional Add-on/Morning Only (Limit 14/Openings 12): $249

Includes lunch, and informal image review and Photoshop session.

2014 South Florida Composite IPT: 6 1/2 days of photography spread over 9 days of learning, hanging out, and travel: $2644. (Limit 12/Openings: 5

Because of our intense travel schedule that includes a trip to Japan I will not be running the traditional SW FLA IPT. In addition, in an effort to give some folks a chance to get a taste of our teaching and our passion for bird photography, Denise Ippolito and I have organized a series of short IPTs that may be combined into one wonderful experience or enjoyed piecemeal. Click here for complete details or to register. Please e-mail with any questions or leave a comment below.

A $500 non-refundable deposit is required to hold your slot for this IPT. For the short segments that are less than $500 payment in full is due at the time of registration. Your balance is due 4 months before the date of the IPT and is also non-refundable. If 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. If your spot is filled, you will lose your deposit. If not, you can secure your spot by paying your balance. Best to call Jim or Jennifer with a credit card in hand to register. Credit cards are not accepted for balances. Alternatively you can send a check for $500 made out to Arthur Morris to us at PO Box 7245, Indian Lake Estates, FL, 33855. Please include a note with your e-mail address and be sure to let us know what you are signing up for.

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

Everyone buys something from Amazon, be it a big lens or deodorant. Support the blog by starting your search by clicking on the logo-link below. No purchase is too small to be appreciated; they all add up. Why make it a habit? Because I make it a habit of bringing you new images and information on an almost daily basis.

Typos

In all blog posts and Bulletins, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos, wrong words, misspellings, omissions, or grammatical errors. Just be right. 🙂

IPT Info

Many of our great trips are filling up. See especially info on the South Florida, Holland, and Nickerson Beach IPTs. Two great leaders on most trips ensure that you will receive individual attention, have all of your questions answered, and learn a ton including how to think like a pro, see the situation, and get the right exposure every time. In addition you will have fun, and make lots of great images. Click here for IPT details and general information.

DiMaggio’s Record Falls!

I am again feeling a bit better today. I am now upgraded to crappy….

This post marks 57 days in a row with a new educational blog post, a record by far that should be extended for at least another week or two. Or not. 🙂 To show your appreciation, we ask that use our B&H and Amazon affiliate links for all of your B&H and Amazon purchases. Please check the availability of all photographic accessories in the BIRDS AS ART Online Store. We sell only what I use and 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.

You can find the following items in the store: Gitzo tripods, Mongoose M3.6 and Wimberley heads, plates, low feet, and accessories, flash brackets, , Delkin e-film Pro Compact Flash Cards, LensCoat products, and our unique line-up of educational materials including ABP I & II, Digital Basics, Site and Set-up e-Guides, Canon and Nikon Camera Users and AF e-Guides, and MP-4 Photoshop video tutorials among others.

We would of course appreciate you using our B&H and Amazon affiliate links for all of your B&H and Amazon major gear, video, electronic, household, and personal purchases. For the photographic stuff mentioned above we would of course great appreciate your business.

Thanks and enjoy today’s blog post! More than 4 1/2 hours of work went into the creation of this blog post 🙂

South Florida IPT Late Registration Discount Info

Scroll down here for IPT details then call us at 863-692-0906 or e-mail to learn of the Late Registration Discounts for each of the three segments and the complete trip.

This image was created on the San Diego Short Notice IPT with the Gitzo 3532 LS carbon fiber tripod, Mongoose M3.6 head, the Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM lens (at 200mm) and the and the Canon EOS-1D X. ISO 400. Evaluative metering +1/3 stop as framed: 1/100 sec. at f/2.8 in Av mode. Central sensor/Rear Focus AF on the moon and recompose. Click here to see the latest version of the Rear Focus Tutorial. Click on the image to see a larger version. Image #1: The Minimalist Full Moon

The Blue/Purple/Pink

You get up early virtually every day on an IPT. And you stay out late most days as well. In the mornings, we are often in place with our gear nearly an hour before the time of sunrise; if you have a view of the eastern sky, you can get some spectacular color very early. At LaJolla, the is no view of the eastern sky but we arrive early most days to photograph the cliffs in the dark with long shutter speeds. You will learn more about that in a future blog post.

On clear days the low western sky, seen above, often takes on gorgeous colors, usually ranging from blue just above horizon to various shades of pink and purple. Creative photographers are often able to incorporate these lovely skies into their images in a variety of ways.

All that you need to do to become a pink/purple/blue master is get up early and open your eyes and your mind….

Image Question

Why did I go with vertical format for the image above?

Optimizing the Pinks

As I strive to expose my RAW files well to the right, the images often look a lot less pink that the scene did in real life. I start by doing something that I rarely do in DPP, messing with the Tune tab for White balance fine adjustment. Once you open it, you will quickly figure out to drag it down a bit to increase the intensity of the colors. Experiment further by moving the small box either left or right.

Once the image is brought into Photoshop I use Selective Color on a Layer to remove CYAN and add MAGENTA to the WHITEs to further enhance the pinks.

The DPP RAW Conversion Guide

To learn why I use Canon’s Digital Photo Professional (DPP) to convert every image that I work on, click here.

This image Brown Pelican predawn image was also created on the San Diego Short Notice IPT with the Gitzo 3532 LS carbon fiber tripod, Mongoose M3.6 head, theCanon EF 200-400mm f/4L IS USM Lens with Internal 1.4x Extender (with the internal extender in place at 560mm) and the Canon EOS-1D X. ISO 800. Evaluative metering +2 stops: 1/30 sec. at f/7.1 in Manual mode. White Balance = K 7500. Six sensors up from the Central Sensor/AI Servo-Rear Focus AF on black at the base of the bill in front of the eye 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. Image #2: Pelican in Pink

Choice of Perspective

Here I positioned my tripod as far up the small bank in front of the bird to line up with the brightest pink. I was not happy with the out-of-focus dirt in the foreground but was able to minimize it. Then along came IPT participant Clemens van der Werf, all 6′ 6″ of him. He was easily able to eliminate the dirt ridge in the foreground. I will be sharing some of Clemens spectacular new Southern Oceans images here soon.

This in-camera Art Vivid HDR image was created with the Gitzo 3532 LS carbon fiber tripod, the Mongoose M3.6 head, the Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM lens (at 145mm) and the Canon EOS 5D Mark III ISO 400. Evaluative metering +/- 2 stops around the base exposure that was +2 2/3 stops: 1/40 sec. at f/4 in Av mode. (As I have said here often you need to over-expose a ton when creating HDR Art Vivid images to obtain a decent histogram.) Central sensor/Rear Focus AF on the birds on the bottom of the cliff 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 #3: Brandt’s Cormorant Cliffs in Pink Predawn

Seeing the Shot

I saw this image in my mind the moment I headed down to the cliffs on my first scouting morning in San Diego. It was the first time that I had seeing a big group of cormorants on these particular cliffs. On the 2nd IPT morning we had some decent surf and photographed these cliffs in the dark with 30 second exposures. On the 3rd IPT morning–my last in San Diego–we stayed a bit later to enjoy the blue/purple pink skies. That’s when the idea of an HDR Art Vivid image hit me. Voila!

This Western Gull image was created after sunset on a San Diego Beach 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 stops: 1/125 sec. at f/2.8 in Manual mode. Five sensors to the right of the central Sensor/AI Servo–Rear Focus AF on the spot where the bird’s right wing meets the breast 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. Image #4: Western Gull on Wet Sand at Sunset

Afternoon at the Beach

We spent two afternoons with the Wood Ducks, one was OK, one was fantastic. We did get to spend a single afternoon at the beach. We brought four loaves of white bread so that we could get the gulls where we wanted them. We created a variety of images and of course, we stayed late. As we were getting ready to leave, I noticed this nice Western Gull on the wet sand with the lovely pink reflections. I made only two images. I decided to travel light without a tripod and brought only the 300 for the gulls on the ground and used it with both the 1.4X and the 2X III TCs. I used the hand held 70-200 II for flight photography. Hand holding the 300 II is a lot easier than lugging the 600 II or toting the 200-400…. The trick is to learn to make good images with whatever rig you have in your hands.

Your Favorite?

Please take a moment to let us know which of these four completely different images is your favorite, and why.

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.

Join us to learn the ins and outs of Little Estero Lagoon. Call us at 863-692-0906 or e-mail to learn of the Late Registration Discounts for both the segments and the complete trip.

Little Estero Lagoon IPT: 2 full days–Sat/Sun: JAN 25-26 (Limit 12/Openings 9): $799. Introductory slide program: 7pm, FRI, JAN 24, 2014

Join Denise Ippolito and Arthur Morris for four great photography sessions at one of the top bird photography hotspots in North America. Morning sessions: 6:15am to 10:30am. Afternoon sessions: 3:00pm till 5:45pm. Lunch included. Informal image review and Photoshop sessions after lunch. Call 863-292-0906 to registger; payment if full is now due so call with your credit card in hand. Please e-mail with any questions.

Monday: Jan 27: Optional Estero Add-on/morning only (Limit 12/Openings 9): $249

Adding the last morning as above is an option.

What you will learn:

When to be where and where to be when at Little Estero Lagoon to maximize the photographic opportunities.
Autofocus basics and correct camera and gear set-up.
How to get the right exposure with digital every time.
How and why to expose to the right.
How to create pre-dawn silhouettes.
How to design pleasing images.
How to find the best perspective.
How to make strong images in cluttered situations.
How to photography birds in flight.
In-the-Field creative techniques.

Do consider joining us for the all or part of the South Florida Composite IPT. Call us at 863-692-0906 or e-mail to learn of the Late Registration Discounts for both the segments and the complete trip.

This afternoon seminar is 100% free and open to the public.

Free Afternoon Seminar

Join Denise Ippolito and me on the afternoon of January 28, 2014 at 1:00pm in the Boca Grande Community Center for a free two-part nature photography seminar entitled “Birds and Blooms.” At 1:00pm I will be presenting “A Bird Photographer’s Story” (updated with lots of my favorite new images). Denise will follow with her hugely popular “Bloomin’ Ideas.” The venue is located at 131 First Street West, Boca Grande, FL 33921.

Suggestion

Join us for the free seminar and then for the Venice Rookery IPT the following day.

Do join us on the Venice Rookery IPT, or better yet, for the whole South Florida Composite IPT. Scroll down or click here for complete details.

Jan 29 (WED): Venice Rookery In-the-Field: all day: (Limit 12/Openings 8): $399. Introductory slide program 7pm, Jan 28.

30 (THURS) -Venice am only. (Limit 12/Openings 8):: $249

You can sign up for one or more of the short IPTs and/or one or more of the add-on days or you can opt to sign up for the all the sessions. Those signing up for the whole shebang will be having all lunches and dinners with us most every day. Call us at 863-692-0906 or e-mail to learn of the Late Registration Discounts for both the segments and the complete trip.

Bird Photography Hotspot: Anhinga Trail, Everglades National Park. Learn more here.

Anhinga Trail/Everglades National Park Mini-IPT: Feb 1-2, (SAT/SUN), 2014. (Limit 12/Openings 5): $799. Introductory slide program: 7pm: FRI Jan 31. (Limit 14/Openings: 12):

Join Denise Ippolito and Arthur Morris for four great photography sessions at one of the top bird photography hotspots in North America. Morning sessions: 6:15am to 10:30am. Afternoon sessions: 3:00pm till 5:45pm. Lunch included. Informal image review and Photoshop sessions after lunch.

Jan 31 (Friday) Anhinga Trail/Everglades National Park Optional Add-on/Morning Only (Limit 14/Openings 12): $249

Includes lunch, and informal image review and Photoshop session.

2014 South Florida Composite IPT: 6 1/2 days of photography spread over 9 days of learning, hanging out, and travel: $2644. (Limit 12/Openings: 5

Because of our intense travel schedule that includes a trip to Japan I will not be running the traditional SW FLA IPT. In addition, in an effort to give some folks a chance to get a taste of our teaching and our passion for bird photography, Denise Ippolito and I have organized a series of short IPTs that may be combined into one wonderful experience or enjoyed piecemeal. Click here for complete details or to register. Please e-mail with any questions or leave a comment below.

A $500 non-refundable deposit is required to hold your slot for this IPT. For the short segments that are less than $500 payment in full is due at the time of registration. Your balance is due 4 months before the date of the IPT and is also non-refundable. If 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. If your spot is filled, you will lose your deposit. If not, you can secure your spot by paying your balance. Best to call Jim or Jennifer with a credit card in hand to register. Credit cards are not accepted for balances. Alternatively you can send a check for $500 made out to Arthur Morris to us at PO Box 7245, Indian Lake Estates, FL, 33855. Please include a note with your e-mail address and be sure to let us know what you are signing up for.

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

Everyone buys something from Amazon, be it a big lens or deodorant. Support the blog by starting your search by starting your search by clicking on the logo-link below. No purchase is too small to be appreciated; they all add up. Why make it a habit? Because I make it a habit of bringing you new images and information on an almost daily basis.

Typos

In all blog posts and Bulletins, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos, wrong words, misspellings, omissions, or grammatical errors. Just be right. 🙂

IPT Info

Many of our great trips are filling up. See especially info on the South Florida, Holland, and Nickerson Beach IPTs. Two great leaders on most trips ensure that you will receive individual attention, have all of your questions answered, and learn a ton including how to think like a pro, see the situation, and get the right exposure every time. In addition you will have fun, and make lots of great images. Click here for IPT details and general information.

The Streak…

I am feeling lousy today. That is a a huge improvement from yesterday….

Congrats to Peyton Manning and the Broncos and to Richard Sherman and the Seahawks for advancing to the Super Bowl.

This post inexplicably marks 55 days in a row with a new educational blog post, a record by far that should be extended for at least another week or two. Or not. 🙂 To show your appreciation, we ask that use our B&H and Amazon affiliate links for all of your B&H and Amazon purchases. Please check the availability of all photographic accessories in the BIRDS AS ART Online Store. We sell only what I use and 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.

You can find the following items in the store: Gitzo tripods, Mongoose M3.6 and Wimberley heads, plates, low feet, and accessories, flash brackets, , Delkin e-film Pro Compact Flash Cards, LensCoat products, and our unique line-up of educational materials including ABP I & II, Digital Basics, Site and Set-up e-Guides, Canon and Nikon Camera Users and AF e-Guides, and MP-4 Photoshop video tutorials among others.

We would of course appreciate you using our B&H and Amazon affiliate links for all of your B&H and Amazon major gear, video, electronic, household, and personal purchases. For the photographic stuff mentioned above we would of course great appreciate your business.

Thanks and enjoy today’s blog post! More than 3 1/2 hours of work went into the creation of this blog post 🙂

This landing Brown Pelican image was created with the Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS II USM lens and the Canon EOS-1D X. ISO 400. Evaluative metering +1/3 stop: 1/? sec. at f/? Manual mode. Central Sensor/AI Servo–Rear Focus AF on the top of the bird’s head 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.

300 f/2.8 for Flight Photography and More

After letting folks know why I feel that the 200-400 is a superior lens for bird and wildlife photography in yesterday’s blog post here, I wanted to give a shout out to the 300mm f.2l8L IS lens…. FYI: I have responded to the many interesting questions and comments in the “300 f/2.8L IS or 200-400 f/4L IS with Internal TC/Which is the best lens?” post; it is well worth a re-visit.

As you can see above, it can be a great lens for hand held flight photography. The key is to be able to estimate that size of the subject in the frame and position yourself to create images the birds filling 2/3 to 3/4 of the frame. On our San Diego trip, we were somewhat cursed with still mornings; when the winds are light the birds come in low and we often wound up with the heads of various pelicans in the bottom of the frame as in the image above.

This is the original image.

The Image Optimization

The image optimization was fairly straight-forward, except for the missing part of the bird’s left foot that had merged with one of the pelican heads…. After leveling the image, I used the flopping technique from APTATS II along with a Hide-All Layer Mask to cover the offending pelican heads and followed that up with some 80% opacity Clone Stamp Tool work. Advanced Quick Masking Techniques are detailed in APTATS I. Mention this blog post and Jim will be glad to apply a $5 discount on your APTATS I purchase with phone orders only. The flopping technique is one of several tutorials detailed in APTATS II. Mention this blog post and Jim will be glad to apply a $10 discount on your APTATS II purchase with phone orders only. Order both to hone your Photoshop image clean-up skills and Jim will be glad to enter a $15 discount for the pair, on phone orders only.

Everything else and tons more is detailed in Digital Basics File, an instructional PDF that is sent via e-mail. It includes my complete digital workflow, dozens of great Photoshop tips, several different ways to expand canvas, all of my time-saving Keyboard Shortcuts, Quick Masking, Layer Masking, and NIK Color Efex Pro basics, my killer image clean-up techniques, Digital Eye Doctor, and tons more.

The Image Optimization Question…

How did I re-construct the missing part of the bird’s left webbed foot? There were several steps in involved; please be specific. On a related note, how would you have attempted the repair?

This Steller’s Sea Eagle image was created with the hand held Canon 300mm f/2.8 L IS II lens, 1.4X III TC, and the Canon EOS-1D Mark IV (now replaced by the Canon EOS-1D X). ISO 800. Evaluative metering +2 1/3 stops off the white sky: 1/640 sec. at f/4 in Manual mode. Central sensor/AI Servo Rear Focus AF on the bird’s upper breast active at the moment of exposure. Click here if you missed the Rear Focus Tutorial. Click on the image to enlarge it.

Japan

I first used the 300 II on my February 2012 Japan trip, most often for flight photography of Steller’s Sea Eagles from the tourist boat and also at one of the two crane parks where the Red-crowned Cranes often flew by at close range. With the 1.4X III TC it proved to be a deadly combination.

This Black-browed Albatross image was created with the hand held Canon 300mm f/2.8 L IS II lens, 1.4X III TC, and the Canon EOS-1D X. ISO 800. Evaluative metering +1 stop: as framed: 1/2000 sec. at f/6.3 Central sensor/AI Servo Rear Focus AF on the bird’s face 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 Southern Oceans Trips

On my two 2012 Southern Oceans trips, the 300 II proved to be an extremely valuable asset. With the tame birds it was–on the longer walks–the longest lens that I took ashore. Alone or with either Series III TCs it routinely produced razor sharp images. I tried to work on a tripod whenever I used the 2X. On my second trip that year I wrecked my brand new 500 f/4L IS II; the 300 II served as a more than adequate back-up.

This abstract King Penguin neck pattern image was created at St. Andrews Bay with the Gitzo 3532 LS carbon fiber tripod, Mongoose M3.6 head, the Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS II USM Telephoto Lens, the Canon 2x EF Extender III (Teleconverter), and the discontinued EOS-1D Mark IV (now replaced by the Canon EOS-1D X). ISO 400. Evaluative metering +1 2/3 stops: 1/125 sec. at f/16 in Manual mode. Central sensor/AI Servo Rear Focus AF and recompose. Click here if you missed the Rear Focus Tutorial. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a larger version.

Nature’s Best Honored Image

The image above was honored in the Art in Nature category–I love when they name contest categories after me–of the Windland Smith Rice International Photography competetion. Thanks to Denise Ippolito for suggesting that I enter this one.

This Macaroni Penguin image was created at Hercules, Bay, South Georgia with the Gitzo 3532 LS carbon fiber tripod, Mongoose M3.6 head, the Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS II USM Telephoto Lens, the Canon 2x EF Extender III (Teleconverter), and the discontinued EOS-1D Mark IV (now replaced by the Canon EOS-1D X). ISO 400. Evaluative metering +1 2/3 stops: 1/125 sec. at f/16 in Manual mode. Central sensor/AI Servo Rear Focus AF and recompose. Click here if you missed the Rear Focus Tutorial. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a larger version.

How Sharp?

When Outdoor Photographer editor Rob Sheppard saw the TIFF file for the image above he remarked that it was one of the sharpest bird photographs that he had ever seen. Considering that it was created with the 2X teleconverter that is quite a compliment.

Big News

With so many folks signing up at the last minute and with so many folks having trouble uploading their images due to server overload, the deadline for entering the contest (registering and paying) has been extended until January 31, 2014. There will be no additional extensions. The deadline for uploading your images has been extended until midnight Eastern time on February 10, 2014. Take advantage of this extension to have a crack at the great prizes.

Learn more and enter the BIRDS AS ART 2nd International Bird Photography Competition here. Twenty-five great prizes including the $1000 Grand Prize and intense competition. Bring your best.

Register and Pay

To register click here.

To learn of payment options, click here.

This afternoon seminar is 100% free and open to the public.

Free Afternoon Seminar

Join Denise Ippolito and me on the afternoon of January 28, 2014 at 1:00pm in the Boca Grande Community Center for a free two-part nature photography seminar entitled “Birds and Blooms.” At 1:00pm I will be presenting “A Bird Photographer’s Story” (updated with lots of my favorite new images). Denise will follow with her hugely popular “Bloomin’ Ideas.” The venue is located at 131 First Street West, Boca Grande, FL 33921.

Suggestion

Join us for the free seminar and then for the Venice Rookery IPT the following day.

Do join us on the Venice Rookery IPT, or better yet, for the whole South Florida Composite IPT. Scroll down or click here for complete details.

The 2014 South Florida Mini-IPTs

Because of our intense travel schedule that includes a trip to Japan I will not be running the traditional SW FLA IPT. In addition, in an effort to give some folks a chance to get a taste of our teaching and our passion for bird photography, Denise Ippolito and I have organized a series of short IPTs that may be combined into one wonderful experience or enjoyed piecemeal.

Jan 29 (WED): Venice Rookery In-the-Field: all day: (Limit 14/Openings 10): $399. Introductory slide program 7pm, Jan 28.

30 (THURS) -Venice am only. (Limit 14/Openings 10):: $249

You can sign up for one or more of the short IPTs and/or one or more of the add-on days or you can opt to sign up for the all the sessions. Those signing up for the whole shebang will be having all lunches and dinners with us most every day.

A $500 non-refundable deposit is required to hold your slot for this IPT. For the short segments that are less than $500 payment in full is due at the time of registration. Your balance is due 4 months before the date of the IPT and is also non-refundable. If 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. If your spot is filled, you will lose your deposit. If not, you can secure your spot by paying your balance. Best to call Jim or Jennifer with a credit card in hand to register. Credit cards are not accepted for balances. Alternatively you can send a check for $500 made out to Arthur Morris to us at PO Box 7245, Indian Lake Estates, FL, 33855. Please include a note with your e-mail address and be sure to let us know what you are signing up for.

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

Everyone buys something from Amazon, be it a big lens or deodorant. Support the blog by starting your search by starting your search by clicking on the logo-link below. No purchase is too small to be appreciated; they all add up. Why make it a habit? Because I make it a habit of bringing you new images and information on an almost daily basis.

Typos

In all blog posts and Bulletins, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos, wrong words, misspellings, omissions, or grammatical errors. Just be right. 🙂

IPT Info

Many of our great trips are filling up. See especially info on the South Florida, Holland, and Nickerson Beach IPTs. Two great leaders on most trips ensure that you will receive individual attention, have all of your questions answered, and learn a ton including how to think like a pro, see the situation, and get the right exposure every time. In addition you will have fun, and make lots of great images. Click here for IPT details and general information.

The Streak…

When I got back to the room last night after a great session of Wood Duck photography I was feeling quite ill, fighting a cold. I climbed into bed at 7:11pm, read for a while, and then conked out. I had set the alarm for 2:45am. I awoke at 1:11am feeling rested, read for a while, and then began packing. I started working on this blog post yesterday afternoon and am finishing it while waiting for the first of my two flights to Orlando on Southwest.

This post marks 53 days in a row with a new educational blog post, a record by far that should be extended for at least another week or two. Or not. 🙂 To show your appreciation, we ask that use our B&H and Amazon affiliate links for all of your B&H and Amazon purchases. Please check the availability of all photographic accessories in the BIRDS AS ART Online Store. We sell only what I use and 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.

You can find the following items in the store: Gitzo tripods, Mongoose M3.6 and Wimberley heads, plates, low feet, and accessories, flash brackets, , Delkin e-film Pro Compact Flash Cards, LensCoat products, and our unique line-up of educational materials including ABP I & II, Digital Basics, Site and Set-up e-Guides, Canon and Nikon Camera Users and AF e-Guides, and MP-4 Photoshop video tutorials among others.

We would of course appreciate you using our B&H and Amazon affiliate links for all of your B&H and Amazon major gear, video, electronic, household, and personal purchases. For the photographic stuff mentioned above we would of course great appreciate your business.

Thanks and enjoy today’s blog post!

This flower image was created with the Canon EF 200-400mm f/4L IS USM Lens with Internal 1.4x Extender (hand held with the internal TC in place at 377mm) and the Canon EOS-1D X. ISO 400. Evaluative metering +1/3 stop as framed: 1/2000 sec. at f/5.6 in Av mode. Central Sensor/AI Servo/Surround–Rear Focus AF as framed 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.

A Different Kind of Bird Photography…

We were at the guaranteed can’t miss Lesser Scaup spot that is detailed in the San Diego Site Guide. The only problem is that there were no ducks at all…. We did, however, find a stand of bird-of-paradise flowers. Most were well past their prime but with some careful searching we were able to find a few nice blossoms in pretty close to pristine condition. Most were in impossible spots. But not all. To create the image above I wove a few background stalks out of the way without damaging any of the plants. We took turns photographing the best blossom. A variety of backgrounds were possible so it was important to choose your perspective carefully. And each background created a different exposure challenge. In short, it was an ideal teaching situation.

The different birds were bird of paradise blossoms.

Image copyright and courtesy of Brian Willis, a participant on the San Diego Short Notice IPT.

Why?

Why was I standing on the small step stool while creating the blog-opening image?

Note

Note that my shadow is pointing directly at the subject.

This image of the same flower was created with the Canon EF 200-400mm f/4L IS USM Lens with Internal 1.4x Extender (hand held with the internal TC in place at 377mm) and the Canon EOS-1D X. ISO 400. Evaluative metering +2 1/3 stops as framed: 1/320 sec. at f/7.1 in Av mode. Two sensors to the left of the Central Sensor/AI Servo/Surround–Rear Focus AF as framed 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.

Brilliant Idea 🙂

I have said countless times that 95% of the flower images ever created when the sun is out at full strength could have been improved by shading the flower. Brian came to the rescue by using his baseball cap to shade the flower.

Image Questions

Why did I add 2 1/3 stops of light for the image above while only adding 1/3 stop to the opening image?

Why did I work wide open when creating the blog-opening image?

Why did I stop down to f/7.1 for the image above?

What was the background in the second image?

Your Favorite?

Please take a moment to leave a comment and let us know which of the two images here you like best. Be sure to let us know why.

The Image Optimization

I had had a bit of a problem framing the image properly while standing atop the small step stool. Choosing a sensor to the left of the central sensor as I did for the high key image would have been a better choice… First I moved the flower left in the frame using techniques detailed in APTATS II; the whole thing took about 30 seconds. Mention this blog post and Jim will be glad to apply a $10 discount on your APTATS II purchase with phone orders only.

Next I had to deal with removing some specular highlights, cleaning the white crud on the edge of the left-most petal. and cleaning up a few of the other petals. All of the above of course as detailed in my Digital Basics File, an instructional PDF that is sent via e-mail. It includes my complete digital workflow, dozens of great Photoshop tips, several different ways to expand canvas, all of my time-saving Keyboard Shortcuts, Quick Masking, Layer Masking, and NIK Color Efex Pro basics, my killer image clean-up techniques, Digital Eye Doctor, and tons more.

Support the BAA Blog. Support the BAA Bulletins: Shop B&H here!
This Bulletin took about 12 hours to prepare

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

Everyone buys something from Amazon, be it a big lens or deodorant. Support the blog by starting your search by starting your search by clicking on the logo-link below. No purchase is too small to be appreciated; they all add up. Why make it a habit? Because I make it a habit of bringing you new images and information on an almost daily basis.

Typos

In all blog posts and Bulletins, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos, wrong words, misspellings, omissions, or grammatical errors. Just be right. 🙂

IPT Info

Many of our great trips are filling up. See especially info on the South Florida, Holland, and Nickerson Beach IPTs. Two great leaders on most trips ensure that you will receive individual attention, have all of your questions answered, and learn a ton including how to think like a pro, see the situation, and get the right exposure every time. In addition you will have fun, and make lots of great images. Click here for IPT details and general information.

The Streak Continues…

This blog post marks 51 days in a row with a new educational blog post, a record by far that should be extended for at least another week or two. Or not. 🙂 To show your appreciation, we ask that use our B&H and Amazon affiliate links for all of your B&H and Amazon purchases. Please check the availability of all photographic accessories in the BIRDS AS ART Online Store. We sell only what I use and 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.

You can find the following items in the store: Gitzo tripods, Mongoose M3.6 and Wimberley heads, plates, low feet, and accessories, flash brackets, , Delkin e-film Pro Compact Flash Cards, LensCoat products, and our unique line-up of educational materials including ABP I & II, Digital Basics, Site and Set-up e-Guides, Canon and Nikon Camera Users and AF e-Guides, and MP-4 Photoshop video tutorials among others.

We would of course appreciate you using our B&H and Amazon affiliate links for all of your B&H and Amazon major gear, video, electronic, household, and personal purchases. For the photographic stuff mentioned above we would of course great appreciate your business.

Thanks and enjoy today’s blog post!

This Brown Pelican image was created with the Gitzo 3532 LS carbon fiber tripod, Mongoose M3.6 head, the Canon EF 200-400mm f/4L IS USM Lens with Internal 1.4x Extender (at 325mm) and the Canon EOS-1D X. ISO 400. Evaluative metering +2/3 stop as framed: 1/2500 sec. at f/5 in Manual mode. 61-Point/AI Servo/Surround–Rear Focus AF as framed active at the moment of exposure. There were 3 sensors active on the upper back and the bottom of the neck. Click here to see the latest version of the Rear Focus Tutorial. Click on the image to see a larger version.

Universal Advice for Better Bird and Wildlife Photography with Zoom Lenses

Here is the best advice for better bird and wildlife photography with intermediate telephoto zoom lenses that you will ever get: zoom wider. The desire to fill the frame with our subject is ingrained in all of us. You need to learn to fight the urge to zoom in. Frame loosely to ensure not clipping part of the birds in flight or the animals in action. We all get greedy and wind up losing potentially spectacular images.

While scouting on Tuesday for the San Diego Short Notice IPT we enjoyed about 15 minutes where many of the birds remaining on the cliffs were doing head throws every few minutes. The head throws, which offer spectacular photographic opportunities, are thought to be a form of intra-flock communication. Even though I was using the 200-400 with Internal TC I kept clipping the end of the bill. Finally, I gave myself a lecture: zoom wider! With the two images here, listening to my own advice saved the day.

This Brown Pelican image was created with the Gitzo 3532 LS carbon fiber tripod, Mongoose M3.6 head, the Canon EF 200-400mm f/4L IS USM Lens with Internal 1.4x Extender (with the internal TC in place at at 420mm) and the Canon EOS-1D X. ISO 400. Evaluative metering +2/3 stop as framed: 1/2000 sec. at f/5.6 in Manual mode. 61-Point/AI Servo/Surround–Rear Focus AF as framed active at the moment of exposure. There were 3 sensors active about 1/3 of the way up the bill. Click here to see the latest version of the Rear Focus Tutorial. Click on the image to see a larger version.

The Tighter Head Throw Image

For me, being on a tripod when trying for head throw images with the 200-400 is imperative. Holding this relatively heavy lens in place while hoping for a head throw–they do not do them often–is simply not feasible for Mr. Famous Bird Photographer. And if you hold the lens in a rest position until the action begins and plan on raising it and framing the image quickly, most folks will find doing so difficult at best.

I nearly clipped this one and needed to move the bird down in the frame while effectively extending extending canvas above and creating a tall, skinny image that I feel works well here. I used the techniques detailed in APTATS II; the whole thing took about 90 seconds. Mention this blog post and Jim will be glad to apply a $10 discount on your APTATS II purchase with phone orders only.

Exposing to the Right

In the animated GIF above, note how light the original image is. I exposed to the right just to the point of getting a few blinkies on the silver feathers. I used a 15% Multiply Blending Mode layer to darken the image. And not much else besides a small crop from the left and from above. The high quality pixel-rich files of today’s digital camera bodies allow sharp images to easily stand up to even healthy crops.

Your Favorite?

Please take a moment to leave a comment and let us know which of the two images here you like best. Be sure to let us know why.

Breathe deeply, bite the bullet, and live life to its fullest; we all get only one ride on the merry-go-round… Join me on this great trip. Click on the image to enjoy a larger version.

The Southern Ocean…

There has already been a ton of interest including that from some long time wonderful Happy Camper BIRDS AS ART folks. Mulitple-IPT veteran Michael Viljoen of South Afirca has already committed to making the trip with his son. He and lovely, smiling wife Lyndsey were with me on the memorable and wonderful October 2012 Cheesemans’ South Georgia Expedition. Repeat-clients–I like to call them recidivists–are a good sign that you are doing something right.

Click here for complete details. If you are seriously interested please shoot me an e-mail for the trip link.

Support the BAA Blog. Support the BAA Bulletins: Shop B&H here!
This Bulletin took about 12 hours to prepare

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

Everyone buys something from Amazon, be it a big lens or deodorant. Support the blog by starting your search by starting your search by clicking on the logo-link below. No purchase is too small to be appreciated; they all add up. Why make it a habit? Because I make it a habit of bringing you new images and information on an almost daily basis.

Typos

In all blog posts and Bulletins, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos, wrong words, misspellings, omissions, or grammatical errors. Just be right. 🙂

IPT Info

Many of our great trips are filling up. See especially info on the South Florida, Holland, and Nickerson Beach IPTs. Two great leaders on most trips ensure that you will receive individual attention, have all of your questions answered, and learn a ton including how to think like a pro, see the situation, and get the right exposure every time. In addition you will have fun, and make lots of great images. Click here for IPT details and general information.

The Amazing Streak Continues; I Gotta be Nuts. 🙂

Woke at 3:30am in a San Diego hotel, getting ready to head to LaJolla for some pelican photography in less than an hour.

Today’s blog post marks 49 days in a row with a new blog post, a record by far that should be extended for at least another week or two. Or not. 🙂 To show your appreciation, we ask that use our B&H and Amazon affiliate links for all of your B&H and Amazon purchases. Please check the availability of all photographic accessories in the BIRDS AS ART Online Store. We sell only what I use and 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.

You can find the following items in the store: Gitzo tripods, Mongoose M3.6 and Wimberley heads, plates, low feet, and accessories, flash brackets, , Delkin e-film Pro Compact Flash Cards, LensCoat products, and our unique line-up of educational materials including ABP I & II, Digital Basics, Site and Set-up e-Guides, Canon and Nikon Camera Users and AF e-Guides, and MP-4 Photoshop video tutorials among others.

We would of course appreciate you using our B&H and Amazon affiliate links for all of your B&H and Amazon major gear, video, electronic, household, and personal purchases. For the photographic stuff mentioned above we would of course great appreciate your business.

Thanks and enjoy today’s blog post!

This image was created at the west jetty at Shinnecock Inlet, Hampton Bays, Long Island, NY with the Gitzo 3532 LS carbon fiber tripod, Mongoose M3.6 head, the Canon EF 600mm f/4L IS II USM lens, the Canon 2x EF Extender III (Teleconverter), and the Canon EOS-1D X. ISO 800. Evaluative metering -1/3 stop: 1/1250 sec. at f/9 in Manual mode. Central sensor (by necessity) Expand/AI Servo Rear Focus AF active at the moment of exposure as framed. Click here if you missed the latest version of the Rear Focus Tutorial. Click on the image to see a larger version.

Against All Odds…

• White-winged Scoter is an extremely difficult species to photograph. My first chances in 30+ years were at Shinnecock last week.
• Though conditions seemed to be perfect, a big swell from the southeast had large waves crashes against the jetty. This made it impossible to get low in the rocks. This left me farther from the birds….
• And several times when a big wave hit I needed to turn the lens away from the biggest splashes. And to make matters worse, I was working without the lens hood so that it was easier to control the lens in the strong north/northwest wind and to reduce vibrations.
• The forecast had been for southwest winds. With the winds strong from the north/northwest flight photography was very difficult.
• Worst of all, the sea ducks were bobbing up and down like corks in a hurricane. It was difficult to find them in the frame and almost impossible to keep them properly framed.

The Best Strategy in Nearly Impossible Situations

I find that for me, the very best strategy when things are difficult is to quit trying to make perfect images. If you wait until you have acquired AF and have the subject nicely framed when the birds are bobbing up and down constantly, you will likely never press the shutter button. Instead, simply fire at will. Get the bird somewhere in the frame, acquire focus, and push the shutter button. Do not worry about maintaining AF, and do not worry about the framing. Let;s call this “focus and fire.”

That exactly what I did to create the amazing image above. When I saw the image on the laptop I was stunned. I love the incredible sharpness of the eye and the face, the perfect exposure–see BAA Bulletin 454–coming soon, and the fact that you can see the white speculum that gives the bird its common name on the dorsal surface of the far wing. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy the spectacular larger version.

Image Questions

Why ISO 800 in bright sun?
Why -1/3 stop?

Breathe deeply, bite the bullet, and live life to its fullest; we all get only one ride on the merry-go-round… Join me on this great trip. Click on the image to enjoy a larger version.

The Southern Ocean…

There has already been a ton of interest including that from some long time wonderful Happy Camper BIRDS AS ART folks. Mulitple-IPT veteran Michael Viljoen of South Afirca has already committed to making the trip with his son. He and lovely, smiling wife Lyndsey were with me on the memorable and wonderful October 2012 Cheesemans’ South Georgia Expedition. Repeat-clients–I like to call them recidivists–are a good sign that you are doing something right.

Click here for complete details. If you are seriously interested please shoot me an e-mail for the trip link.

With so many folks signing up at the last minute and with so many folks having trouble uploading their images due to server overload the deadline for entering the contest (registering and paying) has been extended until January 31, 2014 and the deadline for uploading images has been extended until midnight Eastern time on February 10, 2014. Take advantage of this extension to have a crack at the great prizes.

Learn more and enter the BIRDS AS ART 2nd International Bird Photography Competition here. Twenty-five great prizes including the $1000 Grand Prize and intense competition. Bring your best.

Register and Pay

To register click here.

To learn of payment options, click here.

Support the BAA Blog. Support the BAA Bulletins: Shop B&H here!
This Bulletin took about 12 hours to prepare

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

Everyone buys something from Amazon, be it a big lens or deodorant. Support the blog by starting your search by starting your search by clicking on the logo-link below. No purchase is too small to be appreciated; they all add up. Why make it a habit? Because I make it a habit of bringing you new images and information on an almost daily basis.

Typos

In all blog posts and Bulletins, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos, wrong words, misspellings, omissions, or grammatical errors. Just be right. 🙂

IPT Info

Many of our great trips are filling up. See especially info on the South Florida, Holland, and Nickerson Beach IPTs. Two great leaders on most trips ensure that you will receive individual attention, have all of your questions answered, and learn a ton including how to think like a pro, see the situation, and get the right exposure every time. In addition you will have fun, and make lots of great images. Click here for IPT details and general information.

The Amazing Streak Continues; I Gotta be Nuts. 🙂

Today’s blog post marks 47 days in a row with a new blog post, a record by far that should be extended for at least another week or two. Or not. 🙂 To show your appreciation, we ask that use our B&H and Amazon affiliate links for all of your B&H and Amazon purchases. Please check the availability of all photographic accessories in the BIRDS AS ART Online Store. We sell only what I use and 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.

You can find the following items in the store: Gitzo tripods, Mongoose M3.6 and Wimberley heads, plates, low feet, and accessories, flash brackets, , Delkin e-film Pro Compact Flash Cards, LensCoat products, and our unique line-up of educational materials including ABP I & II, Digital Basics, Site and Set-up e-Guides, Canon and Nikon Camera Users and AF e-Guides, and MP-4 Photoshop video tutorials among others.

We would of course appreciate you using our B&H and Amazon affiliate links for all of your B&H and Amazon major gear, video, electronic, household, and personal purchases. For the photographic stuff mentioned above we would of course great appreciate your business.

Thanks and enjoy today’s blog post!

Quasi-Snowy Owl. The base image was created at Jones Beach State Park, Long Island, New York this week with the Gitzo 3532 LS carbon fiber tripod, Mongoose M3.6 head, the Canon EF 600mm f/4L IS II USM lens, the Canon 2x EF Extender III (Teleconverter), and the Canon EOS-1D X. ISO 800. Evaluative metering +1/3 stop: 1/1600 sec. at f/9 in Manual mode confirmed via histogram/blinkies check. Central sensor (by necessity) Expand/AI Servo Rear Focus AF on the ice column and re-compose. Click here if you missed the latest version of the Rear Focus Tutorial. Click on the image to see a larger version.

Snowy Owl Hallucinations…

The afternoon after getting to Long Island was sunny and bright so I made the 45 minute drive to Jones Beach after getting dressed properly for the bitter cold. In search of a Snowy Owl I walked south and then west to the jetty, about a mile or so. Searching for a Snowy Owl in the white dunes can be frustrating. You see a white plastic pipe or a Clorox bottle and your mind begins to play tricks on you…. So when I saw a column of ice on the jetty a good distance away my heart began to race; a Snowy Owl Owl on an ice-encased jetty? You’ve got to be kidding me…. As it turned out, you were :). But as I got closer to my Ice Owl I came up with an Out-of-the Box idea for creating a quasi-Snowy Owl in Photoshop. You can see the eye-donor Snowy Owl–my favorite ever of this species–by clicking here.

After creating the base image I headed north and then east and continued looking for a white owl. My cell phone rang. It was good friend Tom Pfeifer. He met a guy with a lens in the parking lot. The guy told him that there were several owls to the east…. Bummer. I had followed the ageold advice: go west young man. So I hustled my way another mile plus down the beach until I hooked up with Tom and old freind Jimmy G. They were watching a photographer and an owl yet another mile down the beach, another mile farther from the car. As the owl kept flying east as the guy approached it, we all decided to pass as it was getting late in the day.

On the way back to the car I decided to take a short cut, angling towards the parking lot. I became trapped in acres of very tall phragmites. The going was touch and slow. I came upon a small frozen pond. I made my way around the edge even though I was sure that it was frozen solid. BTW, did I tell you that had I found an owl I would have had to hand hold my 600 II? Why? When I got to Jones I realized that I had left my tripod in the back of Mike Lotito’s truck that morning…. I relaxed a bit when I got to the northern shore of the pond. I could see my car in the lot just on the other side of a smaller stand of the difficult-to-traverse phragmites. On the next step I broke through the ice into about a foot of water and lost my balance. By sheer luck and determination, I regained my balance after a few crashing and uncontrolled steps. I am pretty sure that I was motivated by the thought of my 600 II/1.4X III/!D X winding up in a foot of water.

By the time that I got back to my car I had walked a good three miles. I was exhausted as I headed back to Mom’s photographically empty-handed. That’s the way it often is with Snowy Owls; here one day, gone the next….

The original bait bucket image was created on a December trip to Long Island several years ago at Jones Beach State Park with the predecessor of the Gitzo 3532 LS carbon fiber tripod, the Mongoose M3.6 head, the Canon EF 800mm f/5.6L IS USM Autofocus lens and EOS-1D Mark IV (now replaced for me by the Canon EOS-1D X digital SLR ). ISO 400. Evaluative metering + 1 stop as framed: 1/500 sec. at f/8 in Av mode.

Different Year: Same Story

The year was 2008. The story was quite similar only on that day I wound up walking almost 5 owl-less miles. When you search too long for Bubo scandiacus everything start to look like a white owl. Bubo is Latin for owl. If anyone can come up with the Latin translation of scandiacus please do share. I think that it might be related to the word “arctic” but was not able to verify that despite a long web search.

The Photoshop Creation Process

The Photoshop creation process for each of the images above took only a few moments. For each I painted a Quick Mask of the owl’s eye and bill from two different images and placed that on it’s own Layer. I moved that layer with the Move Tool (V) onto the base image, added a Regular Layer Mask, and fine-tuned the selection. Just basic Layer Masking composite technique.

All of the above of course as detailed in my Digital Basics File, an instructional PDF that is sent via e-mail. It includes my complete digital workflow, dozens of great Photoshop tips, several different ways to expand canvas, all of my time-saving Keyboard Shortcuts, Quick Masking, Layer Masking, and NIK Color Efex Pro basics, my killer image clean-up techniques, Digital Eye Doctor, and tons more. Learn the details of advanced Quick Masking techniques in APTATS I. Mention this blog post and apply a $5 discount with phone orders only.

Breathe deeply, bite the bullet, and live life to its fullest; we all get only one ride on the merry-go-round… Join me on this great trip. Click on the image to enjoy a larger version.

The Southern Ocean…

There has already been a ton of interest including that from some long time wonderful Happy Camper BIRDS AS ART folks. Mulitple-IPT veteran Michael Viljoen of South Afirca has already committed to making the trip with his son. He and lovely, smiling wife Lyndsey were with me on the memorable and wonderful October 2012 Cheesemans’ South Georgia Expedition. Repeat-clients–I like to call them recidivists–are a good sign that you are doing something right.

Click here for complete details. If you are seriously interested please shoot me an e-mail for the trip link.

With so many folks signing up at the last minute and with so many folks having trouble uploading their images due to server overload the deadline for entering the contest (registering and paying) has been extended until January 31, 2014 and the deadline for uploading images has been extended until midnight Eastern time on February 10, 2014. Take advantage of this extension to have a crack at the great prizes.

Learn more and enter the BIRDS AS ART 2nd International Bird Photography Competition here. Twenty-five great prizes including the $1000 Grand Prize and intense competition. Bring your best.

Register and Pay

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IPT Info

Many of our great trips are filling up. See especially info on the South Florida, Holland, and Nickerson Beach IPTs. Two great leaders on most trips ensure that you will receive individual attention, have all of your questions answered, and learn a ton including how to think like a pro, see the situation, and get the right exposure every time. In addition you will have fun, and make lots of great images. Click here for IPT details and general information.