April 6th, 2018 Stuff
Blog regular and IPT veteran Ramona Boone hired me for a morning session at Gilbert in hopes of brushing up her understanding of working in Manual mode, Though Thursday morning paled in comparison to Wednesday morning we had lots of good opportunities for me to teach exposure and for her to learn and practice exposure. Thanks to several folks, most especially Ivan Sebborn who e-mailed alerting me to several typos in the The Nikon Autofocus Focus Fine-tune e-Guide.
The shoulder is coming along slowly. I will be heading out to photography every morning that I am here. I fly home on Tuesday.
The Streak
Today makes two hundred fifty days in a row with a new educational blog post! This one took about an hour prepare including the time spent on the image optimization. With all of my upcoming free time (or not…), the plan right now is to try to break the current record streak of 480 … Good health and good internet connections and my continuing insanity willing.
BIRDS AS ART
BIRDS AS ART is registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
Money Saving Reminder
If you need a hot photo item that is out of stock at B&H, would enjoy free overnight shipping, and would like a $50 discount on your first purchase, click here to order and enter the coupon code BIRDSASART at checkout. If you are looking to strike a deal on Canon or Nikon gear (including the big telephotos) or on a multiple item order, contact Steve Elkins via e-mail or on his cell at (479) 381-2592 (Eastern time) and be sure to mention your BIRDSASART coupon code and use it for your online order. Patrick Sparkman saved $350 on a recent purchase!
Booking.Com
Several folks on the Gatorland IPT used the Booking.Com link below and got great rates and saved a handsome $25.00 in the process. If you too would like to give Booking.Com a shot, click here and to earn a $25 reward on your first booking. Thanks to the many who have already tried and used this great service.
Gear Questions and Advice
Too many folks attending BAA IPTs and dozens of folks whom I see in the field, and on BPN, are–out of ignorance–using the wrong gear especially when it comes to tripods and more especially, tripod heads… Please know that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail. Those questions might deal with systems, camera bodies, accessories, and/or lens choices and decisions.
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This image was created at the Riparian Preserve at Gilbert Water Ranch on my second day in Phoenix, April 4, 2018. I used the Induro GIT 304L/Mongoose M3.6-mounted Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 600mm f/4E FL ED VR lens, the Nikon AF-S Teleconverter TC-14E III, and the Nikon D850. ISO 400. Matrix metering +1/3 stop as originally framed: 1/8 sec. at f/16 was confirmed by eliminating blinkies. AUTO1 WB at 8:30am in the shade.
AF-S in Live View with the square on the lower right corner of the blue speculum.
AF Focus peaking does not apply when in Live View as you are focusing off contrast on the sensor. Click on the image to see a larger version.
Mallard, speculum of sleeping drake
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Long Lens Still-Life Technique
How I Created the Mallard Speculum Still-Life
- 1- Positioned the tripod with the camera at the minimum focusing distance of the lens, about 4.4 meters, while striving to keep the back of the camera parallel to the plane of the subject.
- 2- Set f/16 to ensure enough depth of field given the curvature of the duck’s body.
- 3- Made several test exposures to eliminate blinkies.
- 4- Turned on Live View and 5-second timer.
- 5- Locked up both tripod knobs and the tightened the tripod collar all to the max.
- 6- Pushed the shutter button three times.
Pro Contrast
Because this image was so flat I added some Pro Contrast to my NIK Color Efex Pro 30/30 recipe and experimented with the sliders. Wow, it really brought the image to life but the WHITEs were too bright in two spots so I added a Regular Layer Mask and painted those hotspots away.
The Nikon Autofocus Focus Fine-tune e-Guide
There is lots of mis-information out there on Nikon Automatic AF Fine-tune. Working with Patrick Sparkman, we developed a way of using that feature most effectively. Patrick was on a roll and perfected a method for using the Focus Peaking feature available only on the D850 to quickly and accurately micro-adjust all lenses and TC-Es with the D-850. Both Nikon Automatic AF Fine-tune and D850 Focus Peaking AF Fine-tune require a LensAlign Mark II kit so that you can obtain accurate results. I learned recently that the Nikon D500 DSLR and the older D7500 both offer Automatic AF Fine-tune.
Folks who use one of my links to purchase a Nikon D850, a Nikon D5 DSLR Camera (Body Only, Dual XQD Slots), a Nikon D500 DSLR , or any Nikon gear totaling more than $2,000 will receive the new guide free.
IPT Stuff
All IPTs include an introductory briefing before the IPT begins so you know what to expect, frequent in-the-field instruction and guidance (priceless), image editing and small group Photoshop instruction during and after lunch. Breakfasts are on your own so that we can get in the field early. Lunches are on me. Dinners are on your own as well so that we can get to bed as the days in spring will be long.
Rides with the leader are available on a limited basis for $50/day.
Registering for an IPT
To register for an IPT call Jim or Jen in the office at 863-692-0906 from Monday morning through Friday lunch with your credit card in hand to leave your $500 non-refundable deposit. Balances may not be paid by credit card so you will be asked to send a check for your balance along with the signed paperwork that you will find here.
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Spring at DeSoto is often magical
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DeSoto IPT #1 Sunrise: 7:07 am. Sunset: 6:22pm.
3 1/2 DAYS: SUN 15 APR thru the morning session on WED 18 APR: $1599. Limit 5 photographers.
You must purchase a season Parking Pass in advance for early entry. Click here and scroll down for info. If you are not a local, the six month pass if fine. Best to order by mail. Join me to photograph a wide variety of birds of the shore including pelicans, gulls, terns, sandpipers, oystercatchers, heron, egrets, and night-herons. Many in full breeding plumage. Most are ridiculously tame. Osprey likely. Learn to get the right exposure, flight photography techniques, my secret DeSoto locations, how to see the best situations (nobody is better at that than me), and how to make great images in extremely cluttered situations. Enjoy some great sunrises and sunsets.
Which will offer better opportunities, Desoto #1 or DeSoto #2? I have no idea. Both have the potential to be great.
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Tame birds in breeding plumage and heron and egret chicks are great fun.
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Gatorland IPT #2. Sunrise: 6:48am. Sunset: 7:58pm.
3 1/2 DAYs: THURS 26 APR through and including the morning of SUN 29 APR. $1599. Limit 5 photographers.
(2 1/2 DAY option) FRI 27 APR through and including the morning of SUN 29 APR. $1199.
Must purchase Gatorland Photographers Pass. Click here for details. All early entry. Late stays Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Gatorland IPT #2 should have lots of chicks, and lots of birds in breeding plumage. We will get to photograph Great Egret, Snowy Egret, Tricolored Heron, and Wood Stork. The Cattle Egrets in full breeding plumage will be present in good numbers. Learn my Gatorland strategy, to get the right exposure, flight photography techniques, my secret Gatorland spots, how to see the best situations (nobody is better at that than me), and how to make great images in extremely cluttered situations.
Help Support the Blog
Please help support my (stupendous) efforts here on the blog by remembering to click on the logo link above each time that you shop Amazon. That would be greatly appreciated. There is no problem using your Prime account; just click on the link and log into your Prime account. With love, artie
If In Doubt …
If in doubt about using the BAA B&H affiliate link correctly, you can always start your search by clicking here. Please note that the tracking is invisible. Web orders only. Please, however, remember to shoot me your receipt via e-mail.
Please Remember to use my Affiliate Links and to Visit the New BAA Online Store 🙂
To show your appreciation for my continuing efforts here, we ask, as always, that you get in the habit of using my B&H affiliate links on the right side of the blog for all of your photo and electronics purchases. Please check the availability of all photographic accessories in the New BIRDS AS ART Online Store, especially the Mongoose M3.6 tripod head, Wimberley lens plates, Delkin flash cards and accessories, and LensCoat stuff.
As always, we sell only what I have used, have tested, and can depend on. We will not sell you junk. We know what you need to make creating great images easy and fun. And please remember that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail.
I would of course appreciate your using our B&H affiliate links for all of your major gear, video, and electronic purchases. For the photographic stuff mentioned in the paragraph above, and for everything else in the new store, we, meaning BAA, would of course greatly appreciate your business. Here is a huge thank you to the many who have been using our links on a regular basis and those who will be visiting the New BIRDS AS ART Online Store as well.
Facebook
Be sure to like and follow BAA on Facebook by clicking on the logo link upper right. Tanks a stack.
Typos
In all blog posts and Bulletins, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors. Just be right :).
April 5th, 2018 Problem Solved; Thank You Joe Przybyla!
Via e-mail from friend and BPN Member Joe Przybyla:
Hi Artie, Maybe you’ve already done this, but you might try cleaning the contacts on the lens and camera. It might be that the camera and lens not communicating.
Joe
As soon as I read Joe’s e-mail I was confident that he was correct. Why? The sporadic nature of the problem should have screamed “electrical contact problems.” I grabbed on old white t-shirt and the plastic bottle of Lens Clens (Industrial Optical Cleaner) that I travel with and went to work. Then I set up the tripod in the room, mounted the rig, opened the door, and noted that the AF system performed perfectly with Store by Orientation (a7 on the CUSTOM SETTING MENU set to Focus point and AF-area mode) in the exact same situation that it had failed yesterday.
The funny thing is that whenever someone came to me for the past few decades stating that they had AF problems with their Canon gear (especially when a teleconverter was involved), I would have instantly suggested “clean the contacts.” Af the problems that I was having — the AF point jumping up and down and side to side — were problems that I had never encountered when on the white side, I fell into a mind set in thinking that it was either the camera body or a setting.
Note: while I use Lens Clens to clean the glass elements of my lenses and teleconverters I use it also on the finish of the camera bodies, the viewfinder, the LCDs, and the monitor of my MacBook Pro with Retina Display. And nothing does a better job on the electrical contacts than Lens Clens.
Many thanks to Joe for restoring my sanity and getting my head on straight. 🙂
My Final Comment
Duh!
April 5th, 2018 Stuff
I slept long but not very well on Tuesday morning but did not realize that the sunrise was at 6:11am. I got out of bed and hustled over to Gilbert. As I was setting up I missed a long, wings raised copulation by one minute. I was back at the room early blowing balloons. Amy had a cancellation so I enjoyed an extra treatment. I had my MRI done in the late afternoon. As soon as I finish this blog post I am hitting the sack.
The Nikon Autofocus Focus Fine-tune e-Guide was finished several days ago. I still need to put the finishing touches on it and create the PDF but it is functionally finished. It is currently out for review and should be in the BAA Online Store within a week. It will sell for $30. More soon. See below for the details. If you would like to receive the MS Word file give Jim a buzz at 863-692-0906 and have him run your credit card for $30. He will contact me and I will shoot you the link. I would love to hear about anything that is unclear or does not make sense. You will receive the final PDF when it is completed.
The Streak
Today makes two hundred forty-nine days in a row with a new educational blog post! This one took about 90 minutes in all to prepare including the time spent on the image optimization. With all of my upcoming free time (or not…), the plan right now is to try to break the current record streak of 480 … Good health and good internet connections and my continuing insanity willing.
BIRDS AS ART
BIRDS AS ART is registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
Money Saving Reminder
If you need a hot photo item that is out of stock at B&H, would enjoy free overnight shipping, and would like a $50 discount on your first purchase, click here to order and enter the coupon code BIRDSASART at checkout. If you are looking to strike a deal on Canon or Nikon gear (including the big telephotos) or on a multiple item order, contact Steve Elkins via e-mail or on his cell at (479) 381-2592 (Eastern time) and be sure to mention your BIRDSASART coupon code and use it for your online order. Patrick Sparkman saved $350 on a recent purchase!
Booking.Com
Several folks on the Gatorland IPT used the Booking.Com link below and got great rates and saved a handsome $25.00 in the process. If you too would like to give Booking.Com a shot, click here and to earn a $25 reward on your first booking. Thanks to the many who have already tried and used this great service.
Gear Questions and Advice
Too many folks attending BAA IPTs and dozens of folks whom I see in the field, and on BPN, are–out of ignorance–using the wrong gear especially when it comes to tripods and more especially, tripod heads… Please know that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail. Those questions might deal with systems, camera bodies, accessories, and/or lens choices and decisions.
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This image was created at the Riparian Preserve at Gilbert Water Ranch on my first day in Phoenix, April 4, 2018. I used the Induro GIT 304L/Mongoose M3.6-mounted Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 600mm f/4E FL ED VR lens, the Nikon AF-S Teleconverter TC-14E III, and the Nikon D850. ISO 400. Matrix metering at about -2/3 stop as originally framed: 1/2000 sec. at f/7.1 was confirmed by lack of blinkies. AUTO1 WB at 7:16am on a clear morning.
One up and to the left of the center Group (grp) shutter Button AF with the right hand AF point on the spot where the bill’s crossed.
AF Focus peaking Fine-tune: +4. Click on the image to see the rather spectacular larger version.
Black-necked Stilt pair/post-copulatory bill-crossing courtship display
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The Behavior
- 1- Two birds hang out together.
- 2- The female leans forward with her tail up and her bill near the water.
- 3- The male walks around her several times splashing water with his bill tip.
- 4- The male mounts the female and copulates. Sometimes with wings raised. This may consume anywhere from a very few to maybe twenty seconds at most.
- 5- The male hops off and the pair crosses bills for five to ten seconds.
Understanding bird behavior can help you anticipate the action and make some great images.
All of the world’s stilts and avocets exhibit the same behaviors described above.
I was onto this pair from step two above. I photographed 2, 3, 4 (briefly), and 5 (very well thank you). The copulation was very quick and I was wishing that I had not had the vertical AF problems that I mentioned in the last blog post. I created about 15 frames of the bill crossing ceremony. All were razor sharp on both eyes. I kept six frames. The raised foot here made this my #1 pick.
The Nikon Autofocus Focus Fine-tune e-Guide
There is lots of mis-information out there on Nikon Automatic AF Fine-tune. Working with Patrick Sparkman, we developed a way of using that feature most effectively. Patrick was on a roll and perfected a method for using the Focus Peaking feature available only on the D850 to quickly and accurately micro-adjust all lenses and TC-Es with the D-850. Both Nikon Automatic AF Fine-tune and D850 Focus Peaking AF Fine-tune require a LensAlign Mark II kit so that you can obtain accurate results. I learned recently that the Nikon D500 DSLR and the older D7500 both offer Automatic AF Fine-tune.
Folks who use one of my links to purchase a Nikon D850, a Nikon D5 DSLR Camera (Body Only, Dual XQD Slots), a Nikon D500 DSLR , or any Nikon gear totaling more than $2,000 will receive the new guide free.
IPT Stuff
All IPTs include an introductory briefing before the IPT begins so you know what to expect, frequent in-the-field instruction and guidance (priceless), image editing and small group Photoshop instruction during and after lunch. Breakfasts are on your own so that we can get in the field early. Lunches are on me. Dinners are on your own as well so that we can get to bed as the days in spring will be long.
Rides with the leader are available on a limited basis for $50/day.
Registering for an IPT
To register for an IPT call Jim or Jen in the office at 863-692-0906 from Monday morning through Friday lunch with your credit card in hand to leave your $500 non-refundable deposit. Balances may not be paid by credit card so you will be asked to send a check for your balance along with the signed paperwork that you will find here.
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Spring at DeSoto is often magical
|
DeSoto IPT #1 Sunrise: 7:07 am. Sunset: 6:22pm.
3 1/2 DAYS: SUN 15 APR thru the morning session on WED 18 APR: $1599. Limit 5 photographers.
You must purchase a season Parking Pass in advance for early entry. Click here and scroll down for info. If you are not a local, the six month pass if fine. Best to order by mail. Join me to photograph a wide variety of birds of the shore including pelicans, gulls, terns, sandpipers, oystercatchers, heron, egrets, and night-herons. Many in full breeding plumage. Most are ridiculously tame. Osprey likely. Learn to get the right exposure, flight photography techniques, my secret DeSoto locations, how to see the best situations (nobody is better at that than me), and how to make great images in extremely cluttered situations. Enjoy some great sunrises and sunsets.
Which will offer better opportunities, Desoto #1 or DeSoto #2? I have no idea. Both have the potential to be great.
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Tame birds in breeding plumage and heron and egret chicks are great fun.
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Gatorland IPT #2. Sunrise: 6:48am. Sunset: 7:58pm.
3 1/2 DAYs: THURS 26 APR through and including the morning of SUN 29 APR. $1599. Limit 5 photographers.
(2 1/2 DAY option) FRI 27 APR through and including the morning of SUN 29 APR. $1199.
Must purchase Gatorland Photographers Pass. Click here for details. All early entry. Late stays Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Gatorland IPT #2 should have lots of chicks, and lots of birds in breeding plumage. We will get to photograph Great Egret, Snowy Egret, Tricolored Heron, and Wood Stork. The Cattle Egrets in full breeding plumage will be present in good numbers. Learn my Gatorland strategy, to get the right exposure, flight photography techniques, my secret Gatorland spots, how to see the best situations (nobody is better at that than me), and how to make great images in extremely cluttered situations.
Help Support the Blog
Please help support my (stupendous) efforts here on the blog by remembering to click on the logo link above each time that you shop Amazon. That would be greatly appreciated. There is no problem using your Prime account; just click on the link and log into your Prime account. With love, artie
If In Doubt …
If in doubt about using the BAA B&H affiliate link correctly, you can always start your search by clicking here. Please note that the tracking is invisible. Web orders only. Please, however, remember to shoot me your receipt via e-mail.
Please Remember to use my Affiliate Links and to Visit the New BAA Online Store 🙂
To show your appreciation for my continuing efforts here, we ask, as always, that you get in the habit of using my B&H affiliate links on the right side of the blog for all of your photo and electronics purchases. Please check the availability of all photographic accessories in the New BIRDS AS ART Online Store, especially the Mongoose M3.6 tripod head, Wimberley lens plates, Delkin flash cards and accessories, and LensCoat stuff.
As always, we sell only what I have used, have tested, and can depend on. We will not sell you junk. We know what you need to make creating great images easy and fun. And please remember that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail.
I would of course appreciate your using our B&H affiliate links for all of your major gear, video, and electronic purchases. For the photographic stuff mentioned in the paragraph above, and for everything else in the new store, we, meaning BAA, would of course greatly appreciate your business. Here is a huge thank you to the many who have been using our links on a regular basis and those who will be visiting the New BIRDS AS ART Online Store as well.
Facebook
Be sure to like and follow BAA on Facebook by clicking on the logo link upper right. Tanks a stack.
Typos
In all blog posts and Bulletins, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors. Just be right :).
April 4th, 2018 Help Needed With Nikon Gear AF Mystery …
The Situation
Tripod-mounted Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 600mm f/4G ED VR AF lens with or without the Nikon AF-S Teleconverter TC-14E III with the Nikon D850. AF-C with shutter button AF.
Please note that the problem only occurs when I am working with the camera oriented vertically.
The Problem
When I select an AF point in any AF area mode, the AF point moves on its own when I half-press the shutter button. Sometimes it moves up and down, sometimes side to side. The system never locks on. I’ve tried this with and without the TC-14E. I have tried it with d-25 and with Group and with S (single) and with d-9. I have previously had the same problem with the TC-E20. I have checked every Menu item I can think of and not only do I have no clue, I have never heard of anything like in with any camera system. My understanding is that once I pick an AF point it should stay exactly where I put it …
This problem has occurred sporadically before this morning when it did it consistently.
If you have a clue, please leave a comment.
thanks with love, artie
This Just In …
I had a thought that perhaps the issue might have to do with the vertical grip. I tried it again in the hotel room and the problem showed up only sporadically. Then I thought to use the shutter button on the camera body rather than the shutter button on the vertical grip. Again the problem occurred sporadically only when working vertically … So it seems likely that the problem is not with the grip. I cannot try without the vertical grip because I do not travel with the smaller batteries.
April 4th, 2018 Stuff
I began working on this blog post on the way up to the airport on Monday evening. I took the 4am shuttle to the airport and was at the gate early blowing up balloons. I purchased 4 ounces of stale pistachio nuts for the bargain price of $8.51; that is $34.04 per pound! I was at the gate early and after connecting at Dallas Love Field we arrived on time at PHX Sky Harbor. I wound up getting three treatment sessions (because of cancellations) and the shoulder is feeling somewhat better. Not good, just better. 🙂 MRI late on Wednesday.
I can’t believe that I forgot to mention that I finished the Nikon Autofocus Focus Fine-tune e-Guide several days ago. I still need to put the finishing touches on it and create the PDF but it is functionally finished. It is currently out for review and should be in the BAA Online Store within a week. It will sell for $30. More soon. See below for the details. If you would like to receive the MS Word file give Jim a buzz at 863-692-0906 and have him run your credit card for $30. He will contact me and I will shoot you the link. I would love to hear about anything that is unclear or does not make sense.
There are lots of new Sale Pendings on the Used Gear Page here as the action continues to be hot and heavy.
The Streak
Today makes two hundred forty-eight days in a row with a new educational blog post! This one took about 90 minutes in all to prepare including the time spent on the image optimization. With all of my upcoming free time (or not…), the plan right now is to try to break the current record streak of 480 … Good health and good internet connections and my continuing insanity willing.
Canon EOS 40D/EF 28-135mm IS Zoom Lens Kit (with extras)
Price Reduction
David Solis is offering a Canon EOS 40D/EF 28-135 mm IS USM kit with both items in excellent condition for the amazing, ridiculously low price of $249 (was $349.00.) With the camera body the sale includes the original box, the front body cap, LCD screen protectors, and one Delkin 16 GB (60 MB/s, 450x) compact flash card. With the lens the sale includes the front lens cap, the lens hood — EW-78B II — in good condition, a B+W 72mm 010 (UV) filter, a Tiffen 72mm circular polarizer filter, a Tarmac soft pouch 3-filter holder, the user manuals, the EOS Digital Solution Disk, four Canon BP-511A camera batteries, two Canon CG-580 battery chargers, the interface & video cables, a new Canon camera strap, and the BG-E2n battery grip, the 6-AA-battery magazine — BGM-E2 — as an alternative to using two camera batteries, and insured ground shipping via UPS to U.S. addresses only. Photos are available on request. Your purchase will not ship until your check clears the bank.
Please contact David via e-mail or phone at 1-(505) 699-4968 (Mountain time Zone). No text messages please.
The 40D was Denise Ippolito’s favorite camera body. She rued the day that she sold it to get the original 7D. The 40D has an excellent AF system and produces clean 10.1 megapixel files. The 28-135 was the forerunner of the two versions of the 24-105L IS zooms. I used my 28-135 for many years to create a variety of B-roll images, most notably was one of a baby Common Raven in a nest below the roadway of a bridge in Nome, AK. Several folks held my ankles as I hung over the side to get the image. This kit would make a great starter rig for beginning photographers of any age. artie
BIRDS AS ART
BIRDS AS ART is registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
Money Saving Reminder
If you need a hot photo item that is out of stock at B&H, would enjoy free overnight shipping, and would like a $50 discount on your first purchase, click here to order and enter the coupon code BIRDSASART at checkout. If you are looking to strike a deal on Canon or Nikon gear (including the big telephotos) or on a multiple item order, contact Steve Elkins via e-mail or on his cell at (479) 381-2592 (Eastern time) and be sure to mention your BIRDSASART coupon code and use it for your online order. Patrick Sparkman saved $350 on a recent purchase!
Booking.Com
Several folks on the Gatorland IPT used the Booking.Com link below and got great rates and saved a handsome $25.00 in the process. If you too would like to give Booking.Com a shot, click here and to earn a $25 reward on your first booking. Thanks to the many who have already tried and used this great service.
Gear Questions and Advice
Too many folks attending BAA IPTs and dozens of folks whom I see in the field, and on BPN, are–out of ignorance–using the wrong gear especially when it comes to tripods and more especially, tripod heads… Please know that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail. Those questions might deal with systems, camera bodies, accessories, and/or lens choices and decisions.
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This image was created on Monday April 2 with the Induro GIT 304L/Mongoose M3.6-mounted Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR lens (at 500mm) and the blazingly fast professional digital camera body, the Nikon D5 DSLR camera body with dual XQD slots). ISO 1600. Matrix metering +1 stop as originally framed: 1/1000 sec. at f/9 in Manual mode. AUTO1 WB at 9:00am on a clear morning.
Group/Shutter Button AF. Click on the image to enjoy a larger version.
Nikon Automatic Fine-tune value/Focus Tune AFC test value: +3.
Black Vulture scavenging opossum carcass
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The Situation
I found the fresh-dead, road-killed opossum on Sunday morning on the way down to the lake after our sunrise tree-scape session. I placed it in the south field sure that the birds would respond within the hour but that did not happen. I did not photograph on Sunday afternoon. By Monday morning the vultures had dragged what was left of the carcass — not much, down the slope to the canal. There were about 25 birds on it when I arrived. I grabbed the carcass and moved it up onto the grass and then drove away. When I returned in 15 minutes the birds were already dining. With my bad left wing working off the tripod is much easier than hand holding so I set up the 200-500/D5 combo and slowly made my way down the slope towards the canal. This has two advantages:
- 1-The birds are much less threatened than if you were standing at full height on the field.
- 2-You can get some really sweet backgrounds including the deep blue water of the lake. By getting just a bit higher or lower you can choose from a variety of almost endless perspectives. I do need to take care to avoid the getting any of the white buildings on the far shore in the frame.
I went with the D5 over the D850 because I was hoping for some action and some flight opportunities. One out of two ain’t bad.
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Nikon ViewNX-i Screen Capture
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Nikon ViewNX-i
I learned recently that I can get all the EXIF that I need and also see the focus points as well in Nikon ViewNX-i, a free download. ViewNX-i refreshes automatically and but Nikon Capture NX-D does not. Do understand that I use Nikon ViewNX-i only to garner the info that I need to make the blog posts more educational; I do not do any RAW (NEF) conversions in either of the programs that I mentioned.
What We Can Learn from the Screen Capture
- 1- Note the absolutely perfect histogram.
- 2- Note the Nikon automatic fine-tune value/FocusTune AFC test value: +3. With the D5 I do the Automatic Fine-tuning and then follow-that up with a LensAlignFocusTune Autofocus Consistency (AFC) test. The results usually differ by one or two points. I always go with the best AFC test value. When I first started doing the Focus peaking AF Fine-tune with my D850 I would run a LensAlignFocusTune Autofocus Consistency (AFC) test as a follow-up. As the results matched almost perfectly — always within one point at most — I no longer do the follow-up test; I trust Focus peaking AF Fine-tune completely.
- 3- Note that with the bird angled toward me and the the Group AF points centered on the bird’s shoulder, focus on the eye was razor sharp because the shoulder and the near-eye were on the same plane.
- 4-Note that with the bird jerking backwards as it tugged on the carcass the framing was less than perfect. I cropped from below and behind the bird and then expanded the canvas left and above and filled in the new canvas using Content Aware Fill. With the dark blue strip leaving somewhat of a mess I cleaned the new sky up with the Patch Tool.
The Nikon Autofocus Focus Fine-tune e-Guide
There is lots of mis-information out there on Nikon Automatic AF Fine-tune. Working with Patrick Sparkman, we developed a way of using that feature most effectively. Patrick was on a roll and perfected a method for using the Focus Peaking feature available only on the D850 to quickly and accurately micro-adjust all lenses and TC-Es with the D-850. Both Nikon Automatic AF Fine-tune and D850 Focus Peaking AF Fine-tune require a LensAlign Mark II kit so that you can obtain accurate results. I learned recently that the Nikon D500 DSLR and the older D7500 both offer Automatic AF Fine-tune.
Folks who use one of my links to purchase a Nikon D850, a Nikon D5 DSLR Camera (Body Only, Dual XQD Slots), a Nikon D500 DSLR , or any Nikon gear totaling more than $2,000 will receive the new guide free.
IPT Stuff
All IPTs include an introductory briefing before the IPT begins so you know what to expect, frequent in-the-field instruction and guidance (priceless), image editing and small group Photoshop instruction during and after lunch. Breakfasts are on your own so that we can get in the field early. Lunches are on me. Dinners are on your own as well so that we can get to bed as the days in spring will be long.
Rides with the leader are available on a limited basis for $50/day.
Registering for an IPT
To register for an IPT call Jim or Jen in the office at 863-692-0906 from Monday morning through Friday lunch with your credit card in hand to leave your $500 non-refundable deposit. Balances may not be paid by credit card so you will be asked to send a check for your balance along with the signed paperwork that you will find here.
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Spring at DeSoto is often magical
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DeSoto IPT #1 Sunrise: 7:07 am. Sunset: 6:22pm.
3 1/2 DAYS: SUN 15 APR thru the morning session on WED 18 APR: $1599. Limit 5 photographers.
You must purchase a season Parking Pass in advance for early entry. Click here and scroll down for info. If you are not a local, the six month pass if fine. Best to order by mail. Join me to photograph a wide variety of birds of the shore including pelicans, gulls, terns, sandpipers, oystercatchers, heron, egrets, and night-herons. Many in full breeding plumage. Most are ridiculously tame. Osprey likely. Learn to get the right exposure, flight photography techniques, my secret DeSoto locations, how to see the best situations (nobody is better at that than me), and how to make great images in extremely cluttered situations. Enjoy some great sunrises and sunsets.
Which will offer better opportunities, Desoto #1 or DeSoto #2? I have no idea. Both have the potential to be great.
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Tame birds in breeding plumage and heron and egret chicks are great fun.
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Gatorland IPT #2. Sunrise: 6:48am. Sunset: 7:58pm.
3 1/2 DAYs: THURS 26 APR through and including the morning of SUN 29 APR. $1599. Limit 5 photographers.
(2 1/2 DAY option) FRI 27 APR through and including the morning of SUN 29 APR. $1199.
Must purchase Gatorland Photographers Pass. Click here for details. All early entry. Late stays Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Gatorland IPT #2 should have lots of chicks, and lots of birds in breeding plumage. We will get to photograph Great Egret, Snowy Egret, Tricolored Heron, and Wood Stork. The Cattle Egrets in full breeding plumage will be present in good numbers. Learn my Gatorland strategy, to get the right exposure, flight photography techniques, my secret Gatorland spots, how to see the best situations (nobody is better at that than me), and how to make great images in extremely cluttered situations.
Help Support the Blog
Please help support my (stupendous) efforts here on the blog by remembering to click on the logo link above each time that you shop Amazon. That would be greatly appreciated. There is no problem using your Prime account; just click on the link and log into your Prime account. With love, artie
If In Doubt …
If in doubt about using the BAA B&H affiliate link correctly, you can always start your search by clicking here. Please note that the tracking is invisible. Web orders only. Please, however, remember to shoot me your receipt via e-mail.
Please Remember to use my Affiliate Links and to Visit the New BAA Online Store 🙂
To show your appreciation for my continuing efforts here, we ask, as always, that you get in the habit of using my B&H affiliate links on the right side of the blog for all of your photo and electronics purchases. Please check the availability of all photographic accessories in the New BIRDS AS ART Online Store, especially the Mongoose M3.6 tripod head, Wimberley lens plates, Delkin flash cards and accessories, and LensCoat stuff.
As always, we sell only what I have used, have tested, and can depend on. We will not sell you junk. We know what you need to make creating great images easy and fun. And please remember that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail.
I would of course appreciate your using our B&H affiliate links for all of your major gear, video, and electronic purchases. For the photographic stuff mentioned in the paragraph above, and for everything else in the new store, we, meaning BAA, would of course greatly appreciate your business. Here is a huge thank you to the many who have been using our links on a regular basis and those who will be visiting the New BIRDS AS ART Online Store as well.
Facebook
Be sure to like and follow BAA on Facebook by clicking on the logo link upper right. Tanks a stack.
Typos
In all blog posts and Bulletins, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors. Just be right :).
April 3rd, 2018 Stuff
I went down to the lake to visit my Opossum Road Kill Cafe. The Black Vultures did a nice job on the carcass. It took a while to get into position but I did get some nice images with the tripod mounted 200-500 and the D5. Photo soon. I spent most of the rest of the day packing for my short trip to Phoenix. Jim drove me up to an airport hotel after dinner so that he did not have to wake at 2am tomorrow. My flight is at 6:20am. I connect in Dallas
There are lots of new Sale Pendings on the Used Gear Page here as the action continues to be hot and heavy.
When It Rains It Pours
I was pretty sure by 4pm on Monday afternoon that I have an inguinal hernia on my right side. I had one on my left side that was surgically repaired with a web about ten or fifteen years ago. Between the time I discovered the hernia until I had the surgery I did Africa, the Bear Boat, and a Galapagos trip. The year was 2006 I think.
Oh yeah, the shoulder still hurts too. 🙂
The Streak
Today makes two hundred forty-seven days in a row with a new educational blog post! This one took about an hour to prepare including the time spent on the image optimizations. With all of my upcoming free time (or not…), the plan right now is to try to break the current record streak of 480 … Good health and good internet connections and my continuing insanity willing.
BIRDS AS ART
BIRDS AS ART is registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
Money Saving Reminder
If you need a hot photo item that is out of stock at B&H, would enjoy free overnight shipping, and would like a $50 discount on your first purchase, click here to order and enter the coupon code BIRDSASART at checkout. If you are looking to strike a deal on Canon or Nikon gear (including the big telephotos) or on a multiple item order, contact Steve Elkins via e-mail or on his cell at (479) 381-2592 (Eastern time) and be sure to mention your BIRDSASART coupon code and use it for your online order. Patrick Sparkman saved $350 on a recent purchase!
Booking.Com
Several folks on the Gatorland IPT used the Booking.Com link below and got great rates and saved a handsome $25.00 in the process. If you too would like to give Booking.Com a shot, click here and to earn a $25 reward on your first booking. Thanks to the many who have already tried and used this great service.
Gear Questions and Advice
Too many folks attending BAA IPTs and dozens of folks whom I see in the field, and on BPN, are–out of ignorance–using the wrong gear especially when it comes to tripods and more especially, tripod heads… Please know that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail. Those questions might deal with systems, camera bodies, accessories, and/or lens choices and decisions.
What I See …
When I look at the optimized image above I see a goose facing us and flapping with the bird’s apparently larger right wing closest to us and the bird’s apparently smaller left wing farthest from us. I see the bird angled about 45 degrees toward us. It seems that we are looking at the underside of each wing. Appearances can be deceiving.
Another Optical Illusion?
From the recent Potpourri blog post here:
Is the goose in today’s featured image facing toward us or away?
Two out of three folks who commented on the blog, on my two Facebook pages, and on the NANPA Facebook page, thought that the bird was 100% facing away. About one out of three folks who commented on the blog, on my two Facebook pages, and on the NANPA Facebook page, thought that the bird was 100% facing toward us. Most were adamant as to how they knew they were right.
Scroll down to see the foolproof answer.
Facing Away for Sure!
Once you see the much lighter original image, you know that the big goose was in fact facing away and flapping.
Why Did I Make An Image If I Knew In The Field that the Bird Was Facing Away?
Over the past 15 years I have learned that if you are shooting digital in quasi-silhouette situations that it often pays to make some action images in hopes of catching just the right pose for an optical illusion. Some of you may remember the Brown Booby facing optical illusion blog post here. It was exactly the same situation. The bird was facing away. I used a Levels adjustment to create a pure black silhouetted bird. Many were absolutely positive that the bird was facing me and posted their proof. Then I posted a lightened version here and the truth was told.
Similarly, I have had a crane flying away from me into a gorgeous sky at sunset and made an image where everyone would bet their life on the fact that the bird was flying toward me. So if you know that the possibility of creating a neat action optical illusion at sunrise (like the Brown Booby image) or at sunset (like today’s flapping Canada Goose), take a shot. Heck, it’s digital. And with the 1DX II or the D5 and their blazing frame rates your chances are increased.
IPT Stuff
All IPTs include an introductory briefing before the IPT begins so you know what to expect, frequent in-the-field instruction and guidance (priceless), image editing and small group Photoshop instruction during and after lunch. Breakfasts are on your own so that we can get in the field early. Lunches are on me. Dinners are on your own as well so that we can get to bed as the days in spring will be long.
Rides with the leader are available on a limited basis for $50/day.
Registering for an IPT
To register for an IPT call Jim or Jen in the office at 863-692-0906 from Monday morning through Friday lunch with your credit card in hand to leave your $500 non-refundable deposit. Balances may not be paid by credit card so you will be asked to send a check for your balance along with the signed paperwork that you will find here.
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Spring at DeSoto is often magical
|
DeSoto IPT #1 Sunrise: 7:07 am. Sunset: 6:22pm.
3 1/2 DAYS: SUN 15 APR thru the morning session on WED 18 APR: $1599. Limit 5 photographers.
You must purchase a season Parking Pass in advance for early entry. Click here and scroll down for info. If you are not a local, the six month pass if fine. Best to order by mail. Join me to photograph a wide variety of birds of the shore including pelicans, gulls, terns, sandpipers, oystercatchers, heron, egrets, and night-herons. Many in full breeding plumage. Most are ridiculously tame. Osprey likely. Learn to get the right exposure, flight photography techniques, my secret DeSoto locations, how to see the best situations (nobody is better at that than me), and how to make great images in extremely cluttered situations. Enjoy some great sunrises and sunsets.
Which will offer better opportunities, Desoto #1 or DeSoto #2? I have no idea. Both have the potential to be great.
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Tame birds in breeding plumage and heron and egret chicks are great fun.
|
Gatorland IPT #2. Sunrise: 6:48am. Sunset: 7:58pm.
3 1/2 DAYs: THURS 26 APR through and including the morning of SUN 29 APR. $1599. Limit 5 photographers.
(2 1/2 DAY option) FRI 27 APR through and including the morning of SUN 29 APR. $1199.
Must purchase Gatorland Photographers Pass. Click here for details. All early entry. Late stays Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Gatorland IPT #2 should have lots of chicks, and lots of birds in breeding plumage. We will get to photograph Great Egret, Snowy Egret, Tricolored Heron, and Wood Stork. The Cattle Egrets in full breeding plumage will be present in good numbers. Learn my Gatorland strategy, to get the right exposure, flight photography techniques, my secret Gatorland spots, how to see the best situations (nobody is better at that than me), and how to make great images in extremely cluttered situations.
Help Support the Blog
Please help support my (stupendous) efforts here on the blog by remembering to click on the logo link above each time that you shop Amazon. That would be greatly appreciated. There is no problem using your Prime account; just click on the link and log into your Prime account. With love, artie
If In Doubt …
If in doubt about using the BAA B&H affiliate link correctly, you can always start your search by clicking here. Please note that the tracking is invisible. Web orders only. Please, however, remember to shoot me your receipt via e-mail.
Please Remember to use my Affiliate Links and to Visit the New BAA Online Store 🙂
To show your appreciation for my continuing efforts here, we ask, as always, that you get in the habit of using my B&H affiliate links on the right side of the blog for all of your photo and electronics purchases. Please check the availability of all photographic accessories in the New BIRDS AS ART Online Store, especially the Mongoose M3.6 tripod head, Wimberley lens plates, Delkin flash cards and accessories, and LensCoat stuff.
As always, we sell only what I have used, have tested, and can depend on. We will not sell you junk. We know what you need to make creating great images easy and fun. And please remember that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail.
I would of course appreciate your using our B&H affiliate links for all of your major gear, video, and electronic purchases. For the photographic stuff mentioned in the paragraph above, and for everything else in the new store, we, meaning BAA, would of course greatly appreciate your business. Here is a huge thank you to the many who have been using our links on a regular basis and those who will be visiting the New BIRDS AS ART Online Store as well.
Facebook
Be sure to like and follow BAA on Facebook by clicking on the logo link upper right. Tanks a stack.
Typos
In all blog posts and Bulletins, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors. Just be right :).
April 2nd, 2018 Stuff
On Saturday morning, Jim White and I tried for a sunrise but there was none, only clouds. On Sunday, we left early again, headed west on SR 60, and were rewarded with some not=too-bad color. There was lots to learn for Jim as we created some tree-capes. That included the K7690 trick, using self-timer/Live View in the pre-dawn, and some compositional lessons as well. Then it was back to ILE for more cranes. We put out a road killed opossum and I expected some vultures within an hour. That was not to be. Then it was more baby cranes and an accepting Limpkin. When we got back to the ranch, we spent a while reviewing all his keepers. After another great curry lunch, Jim decided to head back down to Naples early as he has a ton to do on Monday afternoon.
I fly to Phoenix late on Monday. The shoulder is the shoulder. 🙂
The Streak
Today makes two hundred forty-six days in a row with a new educational blog post! This one took about an hour to prepare including the time spent on the image optimizations. With all of my upcoming free time (or not…), the plan right now is to try to break the current record streak of 480 … Good health and good internet connections and my continuing insanity willing.
BIRDS AS ART
BIRDS AS ART is registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
Money Saving Reminder
If you need a hot photo item that is out of stock at B&H, would enjoy free overnight shipping, and would like a $50 discount on your first purchase, click here to order and enter the coupon code BIRDSASART at checkout. If you are looking to strike a deal on Canon or Nikon gear (including the big telephotos) or on a multiple item order, contact Steve Elkins via e-mail or on his cell at (479) 381-2592 (Eastern time) and be sure to mention your BIRDSASART coupon code and use it for your online order. Patrick Sparkman saved $350 on a recent purchase!
Booking.Com
Several folks on the Gatorland IPT used the Booking.Com link below and got great rates and saved a handsome $25.00 in the process. If you too would like to give Booking.Com a shot, click here and to earn a $25 reward on your first booking. Thanks to the many who have already tried and used this great service.
Gear Questions and Advice
Too many folks attending BAA IPTs and dozens of folks whom I see in the field, and on BPN, are–out of ignorance–using the wrong gear especially when it comes to tripods and more especially, tripod heads… Please know that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail. Those questions might deal with systems, camera bodies, accessories, and/or lens choices and decisions.
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This image was created on March 31, 2018 at Indian Lake Estates by student/friend Jim White with the hand held Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR lens (at 400mm) and the Nikon D810 DSLR. ISO 1600. Matrix metering +2 2/3 stops off the white sky: 1/1600 sec at f/7.1. SUNNY WB at 11:19am on a totally cloudy morning.
Group (grp)/Shutter button AF was active at the moment of exposure.
Osprey with fresh caught bream (I think.)
Be sure to click on the image to see the spectacular larger version.
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Master Class Student Outdoes Instructor By a Mile!
I am not a big fan of photographing Ospreys in flight at 11 o’clock on a sunny day. With heavy cloud cover and a brisk northeast wind, conditions were perfect. Jim enjoyed learning how to set the right exposure for white sky flight photography. As on the D850, the analog scale on the D810 only shows +/-2 stops, not +/- 3 stops as on the D-850. The situation is exactly the same with the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV DSLR (only shows +/-2 stops) and the Canon EOS-1D X Mark II (shows +/- 3 stops).
With the analogue scale only showing +/- 2 stops here is how I taught Jim to set +2 2/3 stops off the sky:
- Pick your aperture (f/7.1).
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Set the ISO as dictated by the conditions (ISO 1600).
- Point the lens at the white sky.
- Select the shutter speed that shows exactly +2 stops; for Jim that was 1/2500 sec.
- So if 1/2500 sec is +2, you need to reduce the shutter speed two clicks to let in more light. For Jim that meant going from 1/2500 to 1/2000 to 1/1600 second at which point the analogue scale showed +2 stops with a little arrow at the end of the scale indicating more than 2 stops of over-exposure. He was good to go. And he went.
One of the very nice things about cloudy days is that you do not need to be very concerned at all about light angle. As I mentioned in yesterday’s blog post, Jim had a ton to learn about the various AF modes and the AF system as a whole on his D810. He did quite well and left with a pretty good understanding of when to use Group, Single, d-9, d-21,and 3D. We disabled d-51 and Auto.
The Situation
We both walked slowly toward the telephone pole. The bird raised its wings to let us know that it was going to take flight. Neither of us realized that the handsome bird had a fish in its talons. I made about four frames of the bird, all sharp. The problem with my images was that the bird had its head turned to it’s left, facing away from me. When we were reviewing Jim’s images, I was astounded to see that he had made three sharp images with good head angles before the bird had turned left. Especially because he had been slightly behind me and to my left and the bird had flown to our right.
List of Instructor Excuses
- 1-I am old and weak slow. (Fact: Jim is several years older than I am.)
- 2-My bad shoulder prevented me from raising the lens as quickly as I needed to.
- 3-I was too busy teaching Jim. (Fact: that was done well before we approached the bird.)
The Nikon D850/D5/D500/D7500 Focus Fine-tune Guide
There is lots of mis-information out there on Nikon Automatic AF Fine-tune. Working with Patrick Sparkman, we developed a way of using that feature effectively. Patrick was on a roll and perfected a method for using the Focus Peaking feature available only on the D850 to quickly and accurately micro-adjust all lenses and TC-Es with your D-850. Both Nikon Automatic AF Fine-tune and D850 Focus Peaking AF Fine-tune require a LensAlign Mark II kit so that you can obtain accurate results. I learned recently that the Nikon D500 DSLR and the older D7500 both offer Automatic AF Fine-tune.
Folks who use one of my links to purchase a Nikon D850, a Nikon D5 DSLR Camera (Body Only, Dual XQD Slots), a Nikon D500 DSLR , or any Nikon gear totaling more than $2,000 will receive the new guide free.
IPT Stuff
All IPTs include an introductory briefing before the IPT begins so you know what to expect, frequent in-the-field instruction and guidance (priceless), image editing and small group Photoshop instruction during and after lunch. Breakfasts are on your own so that we can get in the field early. Lunches are on me. Dinners are on your own as well so that we can get to bed as the days in spring will be long.
Rides with the leader are available on a limited basis for $50/day.
Registering for an IPT
To register for an IPT call Jim or Jen in the office at 863-692-0906 from Monday morning through Friday lunch with your credit card in hand to leave your $500 non-refundable deposit. Balances may not be paid by credit card so you will be asked to send a check for your balance along with the signed paperwork that you will find here.
|
|
Spring at DeSoto is often magical
|
DeSoto IPT #1 Sunrise: 7:07 am. Sunset: 6:22pm.
3 1/2 DAYS: SUN 15 APR thru the morning session on WED 18 APR: $1599. Limit 5 photographers.
You must purchase a season Parking Pass in advance for early entry. Click here and scroll down for info. If you are not a local, the six month pass if fine. Best to order by mail. Join me to photograph a wide variety of birds of the shore including pelicans, gulls, terns, sandpipers, oystercatchers, heron, egrets, and night-herons. Many in full breeding plumage. Most are ridiculously tame. Osprey likely. Learn to get the right exposure, flight photography techniques, my secret DeSoto locations, how to see the best situations (nobody is better at that than me), and how to make great images in extremely cluttered situations. Enjoy some great sunrises and sunsets.
Which will offer better opportunities, Desoto #1 or DeSoto #2? I have no idea. Both have the potential to be great.
|
|
Tame birds in breeding plumage and heron and egret chicks are great fun.
|
Gatorland IPT #2. Sunrise: 6:48am. Sunset: 7:58pm.
3 1/2 DAYs: THURS 26 APR through and including the morning of SUN 29 APR. $1599. Limit 5 photographers. Openings: 3.
(2 1/2 DAY option) FRI 27 APR through and including the morning of SUN 29 APR. $1199.
Must purchase Gatorland Photographers Pass. Click here for details. All early entry. Late stays Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Gatorland IPT #2 should have lots of chicks, and lots of birds in breeding plumage. We will get to photograph Great Egret, Snowy Egret, Tricolored Heron, and Wood Stork. The Cattle Egrets in full breeding plumage will be present in good numbers. Learn my Gatorland strategy, to get the right exposure, flight photography techniques, my secret Gatorland spots, how to see the best situations (nobody is better at that than me), and how to make great images in extremely cluttered situations.
Help Support the Blog
Please help support my (stupendous) efforts here on the blog by remembering to click on the logo link above each time that you shop Amazon. That would be greatly appreciated. There is no problem using your Prime account; just click on the link and log into your Prime account. With love, artie
If In Doubt …
If in doubt about using the BAA B&H affiliate link correctly, you can always start your search by clicking here. Please note that the tracking is invisible. Web orders only. Please, however, remember to shoot me your receipt via e-mail.
Please Remember to use my Affiliate Links and to Visit the New BAA Online Store 🙂
To show your appreciation for my continuing efforts here, we ask, as always, that you get in the habit of using my B&H affiliate links on the right side of the blog for all of your photo and electronics purchases. Please check the availability of all photographic accessories in the New BIRDS AS ART Online Store, especially the Mongoose M3.6 tripod head, Wimberley lens plates, Delkin flash cards and accessories, and LensCoat stuff.
As always, we sell only what I have used, have tested, and can depend on. We will not sell you junk. We know what you need to make creating great images easy and fun. And please remember that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail.
I would of course appreciate your using our B&H affiliate links for all of your major gear, video, and electronic purchases. For the photographic stuff mentioned in the paragraph above, and for everything else in the new store, we, meaning BAA, would of course greatly appreciate your business. Here is a huge thank you to the many who have been using our links on a regular basis and those who will be visiting the New BIRDS AS ART Online Store as well.
Facebook
Be sure to like and follow BAA on Facebook by clicking on the logo link upper right. Tanks a stack.
Typos
In all blog posts and Bulletins, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors. Just be right :).
April 1st, 2018 Stuff
The shoulder is about the same. Master Class client Jim White had two great sessions despite solid clouds all day. The most ironic part was the former Mr. Canon, yours truly, teaching a Nikon photographer all about his camera, the D810. Jim was amazed that there was so much about the AF system that he did not know. In the morning it was small crane colts with lots of flying Osprey and in the afternoon we photographed the two tiny chicks and the largest colt that I had not seen in a week. And of course some neat stuff on the adult cranes both am and pm. The student created the best Osprey flight shot by miles 🙁 Photo soon.
It is 8:27pm as I put the finishing touches on this blog post and I will be asleep soon.
The Streak
Today makes two hundred forty-five days in a row with a new educational blog post! This one took about an hour to prepare including the time spent on the image optimizations. With all of my upcoming free time (or not…), the plan right now is to try to break the current record streak of 480 … Good health and good internet connections and my continuing insanity willing.
BIRDS AS ART
BIRDS AS ART is registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
Money Saving Reminder
If you need a hot photo item that is out of stock at B&H, would enjoy free overnight shipping, and would like a $50 discount on your first purchase, click here to order and enter the coupon code BIRDSASART at checkout. If you are looking to strike a deal on Canon or Nikon gear (including the big telephotos) or on a multiple item order, contact Steve Elkins via e-mail or on his cell at (479) 381-2592 (Eastern time) and be sure to mention your BIRDSASART coupon code and use it for your online order. Patrick Sparkman saved $350 on a recent purchase!
Booking.Com
Several folks on the Gatorland IPT used the Booking.Com link below and got great rates and saved a handsome $25.00 in the process. If you too would like to give Booking.Com a shot, click here and to earn a $25 reward on your first booking. Thanks to the many who have already tried and used this great service.
Gear Questions and Advice
Too many folks attending BAA IPTs and dozens of folks whom I see in the field, and on BPN, are–out of ignorance–using the wrong gear especially when it comes to tripods and more especially, tripod heads… Please know that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail. Those questions might deal with systems, camera bodies, accessories, and/or lens choices and decisions.
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This image was created on Cayman Brac on the late afternoon of February 15, 2018 with the hand held Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR lens (at 500mm) and the mega mega-pixel Nikon D850 DSLR.. ISO 400. Matrix metering probably +2 stops: 1/10 sec. at f/7.1 in S mode (Shutter Priority, Tv with Canon). AUTO0 at 6:40pm on a partly cloudy afternoon.
Center Group (grp)/Shutter Button AF as framed. Click on the image to enjoy a larger version.
Image #1: Wave blur
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Making Soup From a Stone …
With strong east winds all day long afternoons were a challenge at the beach on Cayman Brac. Near the end of the trip I had tired of photographing the several nests with big chicks so I got my rig off the tripod and stood at the edge of the ocean. When a cloud covered the sun I quickly realized that blurs were the way to go. I struck while the iron was hot; today’s featured images were created less than two minutes apart.
While it is important to make lots of images when trying to create pleasing blurs, it pays to give some thought to the image design rather than to fire off hundreds of images haphazardly. Above, I wanted to have a small strip of sky at the top of the frame and looked for neat patterns in the breaking waves before pulling the trigger. Here I love the peak of the breaking wave left of center and the darker triangle to our right.
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This image was created on Cayman Brac on the late afternoon of February 15, 2018 with the hand held Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR lens (at 500mm) and the mega mega-pixel Nikon D850 DSLR.. ISO 400. Matrix metering probably +2 stops: 1/10 sec. at f/7.1 in S mode (Shutter Priority, Tv with Canon). AUTO0 at 6:42pm on a partly cloudy afternoon.
Center Group (grp)/Shutter Button AF as originally framed. I panned a bit ahead of the bird and the system held focus. This trick often worked well with my Canon gear. Click on the image to enjoy a larger version.
Brown Booby wave blur
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Success!
When I first started working on the blurs that afternoon, the image that I visualized was of a Brown Booby flying low over the ocean with a breaking wave somewhere. This image required some serious leveling, eliminating a badly blurred bird on the left side of the frame, a crop from below and behind the bird, and lots of serious color work. As I did not have many chances I felt that getting this one was somewhat of a miracle.
Do You Like Yours With or Without?
Which of today’s featured images do you like best, Image #1 without a bird, or Image #2 with the bird. Be sure to let us know why you made your choice.
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Learn the secrets of creating contest winning images in our “A Guide to Pleasing Blurs.”
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A Guide to Pleasing Blurs
In our A Guide to Pleasing Blurs by Denise Ippolito and yours truly, we discuss just about every technique ever used mankind to create pleasingly blurred image. Ninety-nine point nine percent of pleasing blurs are not happy accidents. You can learn pretty much everything that there is to know about creating them in this instructive, well written, easy to follow guide.
The Nikon D850/D5/D500/D7500 Focus Fine-tune Guide
There is lots of mis-information out there on Nikon Automatic AF Fine-tune. Working with Patrick Sparkman, we developed a way of using that feature effectively. Patrick was on a roll and perfected a method for using the Focus Peaking feature available only on the D850 to quickly and accurately micro-adjust all lenses and TC-Es with your D-850. Both Nikon Automatic AF Fine-tune and D850 Focus Peaking AF Fine-tune require a LensAlign Mark II kit so that you can obtain accurate results. I learned recently that the Nikon D500 DSLR and the older D7500 both offer Automatic AF Fine-tune.
Folks who use one of my links to purchase a Nikon D850, a Nikon D5 DSLR Camera (Body Only, Dual XQD Slots), a Nikon D500 DSLR , or any Nikon gear totaling more than $2,000 will receive the new guide free.
IPT Stuff
All IPTs include an introductory briefing before the IPT begins so you know what to expect, frequent in-the-field instruction and guidance (priceless), image editing and small group Photoshop instruction during and after lunch. Breakfasts are on your own so that we can get in the field early. Lunches are on me. Dinners are on your own as well so that we can get to bed as the days in spring will be long.
Rides with the leader are available on a limited basis for $50/day.
Registering for an IPT
To register for an IPT call Jim or Jen in the office at 863-692-0906 from Monday morning through Friday lunch with your credit card in hand to leave your $500 non-refundable deposit. Balances may not be paid by credit card so you will be asked to send a check for your balance along with the signed paperwork that you will find here.
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Spring at DeSoto is often magical
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DeSoto IPT #1 Sunrise: 7:07 am. Sunset: 6:22pm.
3 1/2 DAYS: SUN 15 APR thru the morning session on WED 18 APR: $1599. Limit 5 photographers.
You must purchase a season Parking Pass in advance for early entry. Click here and scroll down for info. If you are not a local, the six month pass if fine. Best to order by mail. Join me to photograph a wide variety of birds of the shore including pelicans, gulls, terns, sandpipers, oystercatchers, heron, egrets, and night-herons. Many in full breeding plumage. Most are ridiculously tame. Osprey likely. Learn to get the right exposure, flight photography techniques, my secret DeSoto locations, how to see the best situations (nobody is better at that than me), and how to make great images in extremely cluttered situations. Enjoy some great sunrises and sunsets.
Which will offer better opportunities, Desoto #1 or DeSoto #2? I have no idea. Both have the potential to be great.
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Tame birds in breeding plumage and heron and egret chicks are great fun.
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Gatorland IPT #2. Sunrise: 6:48am. Sunset: 7:58pm.
3 1/2 DAYs: THURS 26 APR through and including the morning of SUN 29 APR. $1599. Limit 5 photographers.
(2 1/2 DAY option) FRI 27 APR through and including the morning of SUN 29 APR. $1199.
Must purchase Gatorland Photographers Pass. Click here for details. All early entry. Late stays Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Gatorland IPT #2 should have lots of chicks, and lots of birds in breeding plumage. We will get to photograph Great Egret, Snowy Egret, Tricolored Heron, and Wood Stork. The Cattle Egrets in full breeding plumage will be present in good numbers. Learn my Gatorland strategy, to get the right exposure, flight photography techniques, my secret Gatorland spots, how to see the best situations (nobody is better at that than me), and how to make great images in extremely cluttered situations.
Help Support the Blog
Please help support my (stupendous) efforts here on the blog by remembering to click on the logo link above each time that you shop Amazon. That would be greatly appreciated. There is no problem using your Prime account; just click on the link and log into your Prime account. With love, artie
If In Doubt …
If in doubt about using the BAA B&H affiliate link correctly, you can always start your search by clicking here. Please note that the tracking is invisible. Web orders only. Please, however, remember to shoot me your receipt via e-mail.
Please Remember to use my Affiliate Links and to Visit the New BAA Online Store 🙂
To show your appreciation for my continuing efforts here, we ask, as always, that you get in the habit of using my B&H affiliate links on the right side of the blog for all of your photo and electronics purchases. Please check the availability of all photographic accessories in the New BIRDS AS ART Online Store, especially the Mongoose M3.6 tripod head, Wimberley lens plates, Delkin flash cards and accessories, and LensCoat stuff.
As always, we sell only what I have used, have tested, and can depend on. We will not sell you junk. We know what you need to make creating great images easy and fun. And please remember that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail.
I would of course appreciate your using our B&H affiliate links for all of your major gear, video, and electronic purchases. For the photographic stuff mentioned in the paragraph above, and for everything else in the new store, we, meaning BAA, would of course greatly appreciate your business. Here is a huge thank you to the many who have been using our links on a regular basis and those who will be visiting the New BIRDS AS ART Online Store as well.
Facebook
Be sure to like and follow BAA on Facebook by clicking on the logo link upper right. Tanks a stack.
Typos
In all blog posts and Bulletins, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors. Just be right :).
March 31st, 2018 Stuff
I went into town in the morning to get a 10,000 watt laser treatment on the shoulder. By afternoon, things seemed to be a bit better. Master Class participant Jim White drove up from Naples and arrived a bit before 4pm. Jim has been on many IPTs over the years, many of them out of the country. He and lovely wife Linda were on a Galapagos Photo-Cruise with me more than a decade ago. By 5pm we were out photographing the baby cranes at close range under overcast skies. Then a great chile dinner, image review, a balloon exercise session for me, cold and moist hear, and then off to sleep.
Thanks to Vic Sheehan for pointing out a recent mistake that I made. He let me know that Nikon Automatic Fine-tune is not available on the D750 as I originally thought and that it is available on the newer D7500.
The Streak
Today makes two hundred forty-four days in a row with a new educational blog post! This one took about an hour to prepare including the time spent on the image optimization. With all of my upcoming free time (or not…), the plan right now is to try to break the current record streak of 480 … Good health and good internet connections and my continuing insanity willing.
BIRDS AS ART
BIRDS AS ART is registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
Money Saving Reminder
If you need a hot photo item that is out of stock at B&H, would enjoy free overnight shipping, and would like a $50 discount on your first purchase, click here to order and enter the coupon code BIRDSASART at checkout. If you are looking to strike a deal on Canon or Nikon gear (including the big telephotos) or on a multiple item order, contact Steve Elkins via e-mail or on his cell at (479) 381-2592 (Eastern time) and be sure to mention your BIRDSASART coupon code and use it for your online order. Patrick Sparkman saved $350 on a recent purchase!
The Used Gear Page
Action on the Used Gear Page recently has been fantastic. You can see all current listings here. March 2018 was surely a record-breaking month:
Jim Brennan sold his Canon 5D Mark III camera body in very good to excellent condition for $1,299.00 and his Canon 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM lens in good condition for $999.00, both within hours of listing in late March, 2018.
Top BAA Used Gear page seller Jim Keener sold a Fujifilm X-Pro2 Mirrorless Digital Camera in like-new condition for $1299.
Katherine Tryon sold her Canon EOS-1D X in excellent condition (with less than 16,000 shutter actuations) for $2324.00 in late March, 2018.
Kevin Hice sold a lightly used Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS II USM lens in near-mint condition for $3099.00 soon after it was listed in late March, 2018.
Ron Thill sold his Tamron SP 150-600 f/5.6-6.5 Di VC USD G2 lens for Canon EF in like-new condition for $949 in mid-March.
Joel Williams sold his Fujifilm XF 16-55 f/2.8 R LM WR lens in like-new condition for only $549 near the end of March 2018.
Jim Brennan sold his Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM lens in excellent plus condition for only $1,219.00 on the first day of listing.
Jim Burns sold his EOS-1D Mark IV body in excellent plus condition for a BAA record low $998; not sure exactly when 🙂
David Solis sold a brand new Sanho HyperDrive Colorspace UDMA 3 1 TB wireless photo/video memory card backup for $399.00 after being contacted on the first day of listing.
David Solis sold his Canon EF 300 mm f/2.8L IS USM (the original version) lens in excellent plus condition for $2399.00 after being contacted on the first day of listing.
David Solis sold his Canon EF 500 mm f/4L IS USM (the “old five”) in excellent plus condition with perfect glass for the BAA record low price of $3399.00.
Les Greenberg sold his Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM zoom lens in mint condition to a local buyer and is sending me a check for 2 1/2% of the original asking price of $1599.
Joel Williams sold his Fujifilm XF 50 f/2 R WR lens in like-new condition for only $299 in early March.
Rajat Kapoor sold his Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM lens (the “old 1-4”) in near-mint condition the first day is was listed for $649.
Jim Brennan sold his Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS USM lens (the “old five”) in near-mint condition and a Canon EF 1.4 III teleconverter in very good condition for $3,599.00 right after listing them in early March.
Gary Meyer sold his Canon EOS 7D Mark II in near-mint condition for $798 soon after it was listed in early March.
The sale of John Norris’s Canon 1DX Mark II in like-new condition for $3,996.00 is pending.
New Listings
Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM Lens
Sale pending
James Lewis is offering a used Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM lens in excellent plus condition for only $1,199.00. The sale includes the original box and everything that came in it. The item will be sent via insured ground shipping to continental US addresses only. The lens will not ship until your check clears.
Please contact James via e-mail.
The 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II is an amazingly versatile lens; I made a zillion great images with it when I was using Canon. It works well with both the 1.4X III and the 2X III TCs, even with the 7D II! It is easily hand holdable. It is great for tame birds, landscapes, urbex, indoor stuff likes concerts and recitals, and just about anything you want to photograph. A new 70-200 II currently sells for $1,949 so you can save a cool $730 by buying Jim’s lens at a great low price. artie
Canon EOS 5D Mark II & a Canon EF 40 mm f2.8 STM lens
James Lewis is offering a used Canon EOS 5D Mark II & a Canon EF 40 mm f2.8 STM lens, both in excellent plus condition, for $749.00. The sale includes the original boxes and everything that came in them. The items will be sent via insured ground shipping to continental US addresses only and will not ship until your check clears.
Please contact James via e-mail.
James’s attractive package would be ideal for a budding landscape or Urbex photographer, as well as for some looking for a great body to convert to IR. My 5D II was expertly converted to IR by Kolari Vision. And I used mine as a back-up for my old 1D Mark IV bodies. It served me very well in that capacity in the Southern Ocean a while back when I foolishly used my two 5D IVs in a driving rainstorm for two hours with the expected result. The 5D II saved the trip for me. That tells you that it is a decent body for birds and all types of nature photography. This package is priced to sell. artie
Canon EOS 7D Mark II & BG-E-16 Battery Grip
Sale pending
James Lewis is offering a used Canon EOS 7D Mark II and a BG-E-16 Battery Grip, both in both in excellent plus condition for an astoundingly low $797.00. The sale includes the original boxes and everything that came in them. The items will be sent via insured ground shipping to continental US addresses only and will not ship until your check clears.
Please contact James via e-mail.
Both Patrick Sparkman and I used and loved the 7D Mark II until about two years ago when we both committed to using full frame Canon bodies. We both made some truly great images with it. Two of my three 2016 Nature’s Best honored entries were created with the 7D II, one still, and one video. One thing is for sure: the 7D Mark II is the greatest value ever in a digital camera body. With a new one going for $1499 you can save a cool $702 by grabbing James’s lens. artie
Canon EF 16-35 mm f2.8 L II USM Lens
Sale pending
James Lewis is offering a used Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8 L II USM lens in excellent plus condition for only $799.00. The sale includes an 82mm Hoya Circular Polarizer (a $189 value) and the original box along with everything that came in it. The items will be sent via insured ground shipping to continental US addresses only. The lens will not ship until your check clears.
Please contact James via e-mail.
This lens is the landscape photographer’s dream wide angle. artie
Booking.Com
Several folks on the Gatorland IPT used the Booking.Com link below and got great rates and saved a handsome $25.00 in the process. If you too would like to give Booking.Com a shot, click here and to earn a $25 reward on your first booking. Thanks to the many who have already tried and used this great service.
Gear Questions and Advice
Too many folks attending BAA IPTs and dozens of folks whom I see in the field, and on BPN, are–out of ignorance–using the wrong gear especially when it comes to tripods and more especially, tripod heads… Please know that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail. Those questions might deal with systems, camera bodies, accessories, and/or lens choices and decisions.
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This image was created on October 17, 2016 on Saunders Island,the Falklands, with the Induro GIT 304L/Mongoose M3.6-mounted Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM lens, the Canon Extender EF 2X III, and my favorite bird photography camera body, the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV. ISO 400. Evaluative metering -1/3 stop: 1/400 sec. at f/14 in Manual mode. AWB at 8:31am.
LensAlign/FocusTune micro-adjustment: -5.
The center AF point/AI Servo/Expand/Shutter button AF was active at the moment of exposure. The selected AF point was on the top of the head about 1/2 inch beyond and slightly to the left of the base of the bill. Right on the same plane as the penguin’s eye.
Rockhopper Penguins
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New Rockhopper Riddle
In the New Rockhopper Riddle blog post here, I posted the stuff below with regards to the image above;
The Situation
We were carefully making our way down the cliffside rocks to the famed rockhopper shower at Rookery. Many of the handsome small penguins were returning from an early morning fishing run. Seated behind my lower tripod I nestled down in the rocks hoping to get some head portraits as the birds paused on their way back up the hill to the colony. The only thing that I like better than tight head portraits are tight head portraits in early morning light made against distant blue water backgrounds. 🙂 Success is sweet.
Light Angle Considerations and a Real Stumper of a Question
By noting the position of the shadow of the bird’s bill, you can see that the sun was coming ever-so-slightly from over my right shoulder … Here is the real stumper of question: what is wrong in the image, what does not make sense?
Depth-of-Field Question
Why f/14? How many stops down from wide open?
The Easy Answers First …
Everyone who answered the exposure math question got it right: wide open is f/8 so f/16 would be stopped down two stops and thus, f/14 is stopped down 1 2/3 stops. No one correctly addressed the why f/14? issue. The simple answer is that I was close to the minimum focusing distance of the lens where depth-of-field is quite small at best. Tony Z and Warren H were in the right neighborhood.
The Answer to the Real Stumper …
As far as what is wrong in the image, what does not make sense?, UK Puffins and Gannets IPT veteran Tony Z was the only one on the right track and then multiple IPT veteran David Policansky took my response to Tony’s reply, flew with it, and made a nice, smooth, landing. Next are the relevant portions of the exchange that shows that revisiting the comments is always a good plan for serious students.
Tony Z/March 28, 2018 at 9:58am:
Hi Artie, I’ll take a swing at today’s questions. First up, you said you’re shooting downhill, sun over your right shoulder, casts a shadow on the penguins right side. However his right eye is the same brightness as his left eye, despite the fact that his right side face feathers are a little darker. Did you brighten his right eye a bit?
Best, Tony
Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART/March 28, 2018 at 11:13am:
Did not brighten the eye a bit. But that is a trick answer 🙂 See you in the Falklands!!!
with love, artie
David Policansky/March 28, 2018 at 12:19pm:
Artie: Could you have cloned the bird’s left eye and reversed it, and put it in the place where the right eye originally was? Looking at the pupil it seems to me that you might have done that. This occurred to me only after reading Todd Z’s response and your response to him.
Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART/March 30, 2018 at 6:54:am:
You are correct sir. with love, artie
Eyeball Transplant and Bill Cleanup
As Mr. Policansky deduced, I painted a Quick Mask of the bird’s left (completely sunlit) eye, put it on its own layer, flopped and positioned it, transformed and warped it, added a Regular Layer Mask, and refined that warping and re-positioning as needed. Note in the original that the pupil was barely visible under the shadow. I ran my NIK 30/30 Detail Extractor/Tonal Contrast recipe on the darkest tones on the right (shaded) side of the face but my work was not quite good enough to fool Detective Tony Z. Good work Tony!
The bill and surrounding area cleanup was done with my usual cadre of tools, the Patch Tool, the Spot Healing Brush, some Content Aware Fill, and several small Quick Masks refined with a Regular Layer Mask.
Some of the comments were a bit off base; one person thought that I had done a head transplant …
The Nikon D850/D5/D500/D7500 Focus Fine-tune Guide
There is lots of mis-information out there on Nikon Automatic AF Fine-tune. Working with Patrick Sparkman, we developed a way of using that feature effectively. Patrick was on a roll and perfected a method for using the Focus Peaking feature available only on the D850 to quickly and accurately micro-adjust all lenses and TC-Es with your D-850. Both Nikon Automatic AF Fine-tune and D850 Focus Peaking AF Fine-tune require a LensAlign Mark II kit so that you can obtain accurate results. I learned recently that the Nikon D500 DSLR and the older D7500 both offer Automatic AF Fine-tune.
Folks who use one of my links to purchase a Nikon D850, a Nikon D5 DSLR Camera (Body Only, Dual XQD Slots), a Nikon D500 DSLR , or any Nikon gear totaling more than $2,000 will receive the new guide free.
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The BIRDS AS ART Current Workflow e-Guide (Digital Basics II).
You can order your copy from the BAA Online Store here, by sending a Paypal for $40 here, or by calling Jim or Jennifer weekdays at 863-692-0906 with your credit card in hand.
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The BIRDS AS ART Current Workflow e-Guide (Digital Basics II)
Your guessed it, everything mentioned above and tons more is covered in detail in the BIRDS AS ART Current Workflow e-Guide (Digital Basics II), an instructional PDF that is sent via e-mail. Learn more and check out the free excerpt in the blog post here. While the new e-Guide reflects my Macbook Pro/Photo Mechanic/DPP 4/Photoshop workflow, folks using a PC and/or BreezeBrowser will also benefit greatly by studying the material on DB II. Do note that you will find the RGB Curves Adjustment Color Balancing tutorial only in the new e-guide. Note: folks working on a PC and/or those who do not want to miss anything Photoshop may wish to purchase the original Digital Basics along with DB II while saving $15 by clicking here to buy the DB Bundle.
The two most recent and many of the older MP4 Photoshop Tutorial videos releases go hand and hand with the information in DB II):
- The Wingtip Repairs MP4 Video here.
- The MP4 Crow Cleanup Video here.
Folks who learn well by following along rather than by reading can check out the complete collection of MP 4 Photoshop Tutorial Videos by clicking here.
You can learn how and why I converted nearly all of my Canon digital RAW files in DPP 4 using Canon Digital Photo Professional in the DPP 4 RAW conversion Guide here. And, yes, I still have many Canon images to work on. 🙂 You can learn advanced Quick Masking and advanced Layer Masking techniques in APTATS I & II. You can save $15 by purchasing the pair. Folks can learn sophisticated sharpening and (NeatImage) Noise Reduction techniques in the The Professional Post Processing Guide by Arash Hazeghi and yours truly.
IPT Stuff
All IPTs include an introductory briefing before the IPT begins so you know what to expect, frequent in-the-field instruction and guidance (priceless), image editing and small group Photoshop instruction during and after lunch. Breakfasts are on your own so that we can get in the field early. Lunches are on me. Dinners are on your own as well so that we can get to bed as the days in spring will be long.
Rides with the leader are available on a limited basis for $50/day.
Registering for an IPT
To register for an IPT call Jim or Jen in the office at 863-692-0906 from Monday morning through Friday lunch with your credit card in hand to leave your $500 non-refundable deposit. Balances may not be paid by credit card so you will be asked to send a check for your balance along with the signed paperwork that you will find here.
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Spring at DeSoto is often magical
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DeSoto IPT #1 Sunrise: 7:07 am. Sunset: 6:22pm.
3 1/2 DAYS: SUN 15 APR thru the morning session on WED 18 APR: $1599. Limit 5 photographers.
You must purchase a season Parking Pass in advance for early entry. Click here and scroll down for info. If you are not a local, the six month pass if fine. Best to order by mail. Join me to photograph a wide variety of birds of the shore including pelicans, gulls, terns, sandpipers, oystercatchers, heron, egrets, and night-herons. Many in full breeding plumage. Most are ridiculously tame. Osprey likely. Learn to get the right exposure, flight photography techniques, my secret DeSoto locations, how to see the best situations (nobody is better at that than me), and how to make great images in extremely cluttered situations. Enjoy some great sunrises and sunsets.
Which will offer better opportunities, Desoto #1 or DeSoto #2? I have no idea. Both have the potential to be great.
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Tame birds in breeding plumage and heron and egret chicks are great fun.
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Gatorland IPT #2. Sunrise: 6:48am. Sunset: 7:58pm.
3 1/2 DAYs: THURS 26 APR through and including the morning of SUN 29 APR. $1599. Limit 5 photographers.
(2 1/2 DAY option) FRI 27 APR through and including the morning of SUN 29 APR. $1199.
Must purchase Gatorland Photographers Pass. Click here for details. All early entry. Late stays Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Gatorland IPT #2 should have lots of chicks, and lots of birds in breeding plumage. We will get to photograph Great Egret, Snowy Egret, Tricolored Heron, and Wood Stork. The Cattle Egrets in full breeding plumage will be present in good numbers. Learn my Gatorland strategy, to get the right exposure, flight photography techniques, my secret Gatorland spots, how to see the best situations (nobody is better at that than me), and how to make great images in extremely cluttered situations.
Help Support the Blog
Please help support my (stupendous) efforts here on the blog by remembering to click on the logo link above each time that you shop Amazon. That would be greatly appreciated. There is no problem using your Prime account; just click on the link and log into your Prime account. With love, artie
If In Doubt …
If in doubt about using the BAA B&H affiliate link correctly, you can always start your search by clicking here. Please note that the tracking is invisible. Web orders only. Please, however, remember to shoot me your receipt via e-mail.
Please Remember to use my Affiliate Links and to Visit the New BAA Online Store 🙂
To show your appreciation for my continuing efforts here, we ask, as always, that you get in the habit of using my B&H affiliate links on the right side of the blog for all of your photo and electronics purchases. Please check the availability of all photographic accessories in the New BIRDS AS ART Online Store, especially the Mongoose M3.6 tripod head, Wimberley lens plates, Delkin flash cards and accessories, and LensCoat stuff.
As always, we sell only what I have used, have tested, and can depend on. We will not sell you junk. We know what you need to make creating great images easy and fun. And please remember that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail.
I would of course appreciate your using our B&H affiliate links for all of your major gear, video, and electronic purchases. For the photographic stuff mentioned in the paragraph above, and for everything else in the new store, we, meaning BAA, would of course greatly appreciate your business. Here is a huge thank you to the many who have been using our links on a regular basis and those who will be visiting the New BIRDS AS ART Online Store as well.
Facebook
Be sure to like and follow BAA on Facebook by clicking on the logo link upper right. Tanks a stack.
Typos
In all blog posts and Bulletins, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors. Just be right :).
March 30th, 2018 Stuff
Shoulder is the same. I did get in to pool to do some stretching while blowing balloons. I got a ton of work done on the Nikon AF Fine-Tune e-Guide and did Focus Peaking AF Fine-tuning with my 80-400 VR and my new (second) D850 with and without the TC-E14. The lens alone at 400mm worked out to a significant +10, with the TC at 560 to a not-so-significant +5. I photographed the rear LCD in Live View to illustrate Focus peaking for the guide. I will probably use about half a dozen images. Fine-tuning the D850 with the TC-E14 took about 2 minutes!
The Streak
Today makes two hundred forty-three days in a row with a new educational blog post! This one took less than an hour to prepare including the time spent on the image optimization. With all of my upcoming free time (or not…), the plan right now is to try to break the current record streak of 480 … Good health and good internet connections and my continuing insanity willing.
BIRDS AS ART
BIRDS AS ART is registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
Money Saving Reminder
If you need a hot photo item that is out of stock at B&H, would enjoy free overnight shipping, and would like a $50 discount on your first purchase, click here to order and enter the coupon code BIRDSASART at checkout. If you are looking to strike a deal on Canon or Nikon gear (including the big telephotos) or on a multiple item order, contact Steve Elkins via e-mail or on his cell at (479) 381-2592 (Eastern time) and be sure to mention your BIRDSASART coupon code and use it for your online order. Patrick Sparkman saved $350 on a recent purchase!
The Used Gear Page
Action on the Used Gear Page recently has been fantastic. You can see all current listings here. March 2018 was surely a record-breaking month:
Jim Brennan sold his Canon 5D Mark III camera body in very good to excellent condition for $1,299.00 and his Canon 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM lens in good condition for $999.00, both within hours of listing in late March, 2018.
Top BAA Used Gear page seller Jim Keener sold a Fujifilm X-Pro2 Mirrorless Digital Camera in like-new condition for $1299.
Katherine Tryon sold her Canon EOS-1D X in excellent condition (with less than 16,000 shutter actuations) for $2324.00 in late March, 2018.
Kevin Hice sold a lightly used Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS II USM lens in near-mint condition for $3099.00 soon after it was listed in late March, 2018.
Ron Thill sold his Tamron SP 150-600 f/5.6-6.5 Di VC USD G2 lens for Canon EF in like-new condition for $949 in mid-March.
Joel Williams sold his Fujifilm XF 16-55 f/2.8 R LM WR lens in like-new condition for only $549 near the end of March 2018.
Jim Brennan sold his Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM lens in excellent plus condition for only $1,219.00 on the first day of listing.
Jim Burns sold his EOS-1D Mark IV body in excellent plus condition for a BAA record low $998; not sure exactly when 🙂
David Solis sold a brand new Sanho HyperDrive Colorspace UDMA 3 1 TB wireless photo/video memory card backup for $399.00 after being contacted on the first day of listing.
David Solis sold his Canon EF 300 mm f/2.8L IS USM (the original version) lens in excellent plus condition for $2399.00 after being contacted on the first day of listing.
David Solis sold his Canon EF 500 mm f/4L IS USM (the “old five”) in excellent plus condition with perfect glass for the BAA record low price of $3399.00.
Les Greenberg sold his Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM zoom lens in mint condition to a local buyer and is sending me a check for 2 1/2% of the original asking price of $1599.
Joel Williams sold his Fujifilm XF 50 f/2 R WR lens in like-new condition for only $299 in early March.
Rajat Kapoor sold his Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM lens (the “old 1-4”) in near-mint condition the first day is was listed for $649.
Jim Brennan sold his Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS USM lens (the “old five”) in near-mint condition and a Canon EF 1.4 III teleconverter in very good condition for $3,599.00 right after listing them in early March.
Gary Meyer sold his Canon EOS 7D Mark II in near-mint condition for $798 soon after it was listed in early March.
The sale of John Norris’s Canon 1DX Mark II in like-new condition for $3,996.00 is pending.
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This image was created at Gatorland on March 25, 2017 with the hand held Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM lens, the Canon Extender EF 1.4X III (at 560mm) and the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV. ISO 400. Evaluative metering -2/3 stop: 1/640 sec. at f/9 in Manual mode was more than a stop under-exposed. AWB at 5:19pm — gently backlit but mostly shaded.
One to the left and two rows up from the center AF point/AI Servo Expand/Shutter button AF as framed. The selected AF point was on the base of the lower mandible as seen in the DPP 4 screen capture above.
LensAlign/FocusTune AF micro-adjustment: +7.
DPP 4 screen capture for Great Egret chicks in nest
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Keep or Delete?
When I walked up on these two I did not have time to make a test exposure. Then I simply misjudged the exposure. I was thinking that I had to guard against over-exposing the WHITEs and did not realize that with so much WHITE in the frame in the shade that I needed to over- (rather than under-) exposure. But the deal was done. Before you scroll down, answer this question: would you make an effort to rescue this image or would you delete it?
If the former, what would your post-processing plan be? Scroll down to see my results.
Another Question
What is the black stick-like thing near the left frame edge.
Don’t Forget to Scroll Down to Learn if I Kept or Deleted Today’s Featured Image …
And do consider joining me on the Gatorland IPT #2 to learn to see the image and then optimize it in Photoshop. Scroll down for details.
Booking.Com
Several folks on the Gatorland IPT used the Booking.Com link below and got great rates and saved a handsome $25.00 in the process. If you too would like to give Booking.Com a shot, click here and to earn a $25 reward on your first booking. Thanks to the many who have already tried and used this great service.
Gear Questions and Advice
Too many folks attending BAA IPTs and dozens of folks whom I see in the field, and on BPN, are–out of ignorance–using the wrong gear especially when it comes to tripods and more especially, tripod heads… Please know that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail. Those questions might deal with systems, camera bodies, accessories, and/or lens choices and decisions.
IPT Stuff
All IPTs include an introductory briefing before the IPT begins so you know what to expect, frequent in-the-field instruction and guidance (priceless), image editing and small group Photoshop instruction during and after lunch. Breakfasts are on your own so that we can get in the field early. Lunches are on me. Dinners are on your own as well so that we can get to bed as the days in spring will be long.
Rides with the leader are available on a limited basis for $50/day.
Registering for an IPT
To register for an IPT call Jim or Jen in the office at 863-692-0906 from Monday morning through Friday lunch with your credit card in hand to leave your $500 non-refundable deposit. Balances may not be paid by credit card so you will be asked to send a check for your balance along with the signed paperwork that you will find here.
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Spring at DeSoto is often magical
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DeSoto IPT #1 Sunrise: 7:07 am. Sunset: 6:22pm.
3 1/2 DAYS: SUN 15 APR thru the morning session on WED 18 APR: $1599. Limit 5 photographers.
You must purchase a season Parking Pass in advance for early entry. Click here and scroll down for info. If you are not a local, the six month pass if fine. Best to order by mail. Join me to photograph a wide variety of birds of the shore including pelicans, gulls, terns, sandpipers, oystercatchers, heron, egrets, and night-herons. Many in full breeding plumage. Most are ridiculously tame. Osprey likely. Learn to get the right exposure, flight photography techniques, my secret DeSoto locations, how to see the best situations (nobody is better at that than me), and how to make great images in extremely cluttered situations. Enjoy some great sunrises and sunsets.
Which will offer better opportunities, Desoto #1 or DeSoto #2? I have no idea. Both have the potential to be great.
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Tame birds in breeding plumage and heron and egret chicks are great fun.
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Gatorland IPT #2. Sunrise: 6:48am. Sunset: 7:58pm.
3 1/2 DAYs: THURS 26 APR through and including the morning of SUN 29 APR. $1599. Limit 5 photographers.
(2 1/2 DAY option) FRI 27 APR through and including the morning of SUN 29 APR. $1199.
Must purchase Gatorland Photographers Pass. Click here for details. All early entry. Late stays Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Gatorland IPT #2 should have lots of chicks, and lots of birds in breeding plumage. We will get to photograph Great Egret, Snowy Egret, Tricolored Heron, and Wood Stork. The Cattle Egrets in full breeding plumage will be present in good numbers. Learn my Gatorland strategy, to get the right exposure, flight photography techniques, my secret Gatorland spots, how to see the best situations (nobody is better at that than me), and how to make great images in extremely cluttered situations.
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This image was created at Gatorland on March 25, 2017 with the hand held Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM lens, the Canon Extender EF 1.4X III (at 560mm) and the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV. ISO 400. Evaluative metering -2/3 stop: 1/640 sec. at f/9 in Manual mode was more than a stop under-exposed. AWB at 5:19pm — gently backlit but mostly shaded.
One to the left and two rows up from the center AF point/AI Servo Expand/Shutter button AF as framed. The selected AF point was on the base of the lower mandible as seen in the DPP 4 screen capture above.
LensAlign/FocusTune AF micro-adjustment: +7.
The optimized version: Great Egret chicks in nest
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Digital Really is Amazing
Not only was I easily able to create a high quality TIFF file from an underexposed mess, the optimized image did not even need any noise reduction. I learned this lesson in Tanzania well more than a decade ago when I underexposed a hippo family image by about five stops. You can find both the nearly all black original and the optimized version in the Art of Bird Photography II (ABP II: 916 pages, 900+ image).
My Post-processing Plan
My post-processing plan was to open the image up during the RAW conversion, execute a crop from the left and from below, eliminate the two out-of-focus sticks in front of the out-of-focus bird, run my NIK 25/25 recipe on the subject, pull the curve up on that a bit, and apply a Contrast Mask to the bird on our left. How did I do?
Learn to do all of that and tons more here.
Help Support the Blog
Please help support my (stupendous) efforts here on the blog by remembering to click on the logo link above each time that you shop Amazon. That would be greatly appreciated. There is no problem using your Prime account; just click on the link and log into your Prime account. With love, artie
If In Doubt …
If in doubt about using the BAA B&H affiliate link correctly, you can always start your search by clicking here. Please note that the tracking is invisible. Web orders only. Please, however, remember to shoot me your receipt via e-mail.
Please Remember to use my Affiliate Links and to Visit the New BAA Online Store 🙂
To show your appreciation for my continuing efforts here, we ask, as always, that you get in the habit of using my B&H affiliate links on the right side of the blog for all of your photo and electronics purchases. Please check the availability of all photographic accessories in the New BIRDS AS ART Online Store, especially the Mongoose M3.6 tripod head, Wimberley lens plates, Delkin flash cards and accessories, and LensCoat stuff.
As always, we sell only what I have used, have tested, and can depend on. We will not sell you junk. We know what you need to make creating great images easy and fun. And please remember that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail.
I would of course appreciate your using our B&H affiliate links for all of your major gear, video, and electronic purchases. For the photographic stuff mentioned in the paragraph above, and for everything else in the new store, we, meaning BAA, would of course greatly appreciate your business. Here is a huge thank you to the many who have been using our links on a regular basis and those who will be visiting the New BIRDS AS ART Online Store as well.
Facebook
Be sure to like and follow BAA on Facebook by clicking on the logo link upper right. Tanks a stack.
Typos
In all blog posts and Bulletins, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors. Just be right :).
March 29th, 2018 Stuff
Went into town for my regular check-up in the morning and followed up with Dr. Cliff Oliver on FaceTime in the afternoon. Blew up lots of balloons and watched a few movies. Answered a ton of Used Gear (and other) e-mails and id a bit of work on the Nikon AF e-Guide. I should have lots of time to work on that tomorrow and start AF Fine-tuning my second D850. Focus peaking makes that easy.
The Streak
Today makes two hundred forty-one days in a row with a new educational blog post! This one took less than an hour to prepare including the time spent on the image optimization. With all of my upcoming free time (or not…), the plan right now is to try to break the current record streak of 480 … Good health and good internet connections and my continuing insanity willing.
BIRDS AS ART
Please note that BIRDS AS ART is registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
Money Saving Reminder
If you need a hot photo item that is out of stock at B&H, would enjoy free overnight shipping, and would like a $50 discount on your first purchase, click here to order and enter the coupon code BIRDSASART at checkout. If you are looking to strike a deal on Canon or Nikon gear (including the big telephotos) or on a multiple item order, contact Steve Elkins via e-mail or on his cell at (479) 381-2592 (Eastern time) and be sure to mention your BIRDSASART coupon code and use it for your online order. Patrick Sparkman saved $350 on a recent purchase!
The Used Gear Page
Action on the Used Gear Page recently has been fantastic. You can see all current listings here. March 2018 was surely a record-breaking month:
Jim Brennan sold his Canon 5D Mark III camera body in very good to excellent condition for $1,299.00 and his Canon 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM lens in good condition for $999.00, both within hours of listing in late March, 2018.
Top BAA Used Gear page seller Jim Keener sold a Fujifilm X-Pro2 Mirrorless Digital Camera in like-new condition for $1299.
Katherine Tryon sold her Canon EOS-1D X in excellent condition (with less than 16,000 shutter actuations) for $2324.00 in late March, 2018.
Kevin Hice sold a lightly used Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS II USM lens in near-mint condition for $3099.00 soon after it was listed in late March, 2018.
Ron Thill sold his Tamron SP 150-600 f/5.6-6.5 Di VC USD G2 lens for Canon EF in like-new condition for $949 in mid-March.
Joel Williams sold his Fujifilm XF 16-55 f/2.8 R LM WR lens in like-new condition for only $549 near the end of March 2018.
Jim Brennan sold his Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM lens in excellent plus condition for only $1,219.00 on the first day of listing.
Jim Burns sold his EOS-1D Mark IV body in excellent plus condition for a BAA record low $998; not sure exactly when 🙂
David Solis sold a brand new Sanho HyperDrive Colorspace UDMA 3 1 TB wireless photo/video memory card backup for $399.00 after being contacted on the first day of listing.
David Solis sold his Canon EF 300 mm f/2.8L IS USM (the original version) lens in excellent plus condition for $2399.00 after being contacted on the first day of listing.
David Solis sold his Canon EF 500 mm f/4L IS USM (the “old five”) in excellent plus condition with perfect glass for the BAA record low price of $3399.00.
Les Greenberg sold his Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM zoom lens in mint condition to a local buyer and is sending me a check for 2 1/2% of the original asking price of $1599.
Joel Williams sold his Fujifilm XF 50 f/2 R WR lens in like-new condition for only $299 in early March.
Rajat Kapoor sold his Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM lens (the “old 1-4”) in near-mint condition the first day is was listed for $649.
Jim Brennan sold his Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS USM lens (the “old five”) in near-mint condition and a Canon EF 1.4 III teleconverter in very good condition for $3,599.00 right after listing them in early March.
Gary Meyer sold his Canon EOS 7D Mark II in near-mint condition for $798 soon after it was listed in early March.
The sale of John Norris’s Canon 1DX Mark II in like-new condition for $3,996.00 is pending.
New Listing
Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM Lens
BAA Record-Low Price
Top BAA Used Gear page seller Jim Keener is offering a Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM lens in like-new condition (but for a one-inch scratch on the lens hood) for the BIRDS AS ART record-low price of $1598. The sale includes the front and rear caps, the tan zippered case, and insured ground shipping via major courier to the 48 contiguous states only. The camera will not ship until your check clears. No PayPal.
Please contact Jim via e-mail or by phone at 310-741-7435 (9am-9pm Mountain time).
Y’all know how much I used and loved and miss my 100-400II for its incredible sharpness (even with the 1.4X TC), it’s amazing versatility, and its hard-to-believe close focus. artie
Featured Listing
Canon EF 600mm f/4L IS II USM Lens
BAA Record-Low, Shock-the-world Price
Greg Morris is offering a barely used EF 600mm f/4L IS II USM lens in mint to like-new condition with extras for the BAA record low price of $9394.00. The sale includes the LensCoat that has protected this lens since day one, a RRS stuff foot (installed), the original foot, the lens trunk, the original box and everything that came in it: front cover, rear cap, manuals, & the rest, and insured ground shipping via major courier to US addresses only. Your item will not ship until your personal of certified check clears unless other arrangements are made.
Please contact Greg via e-mail or by phone at 1-580-678-5929 (Central time).
WMD: Weapon of Mass Destruction!
The 600 II is the state of the art super-telephoto for birds, nature, wildlife, and sports. When I could get it to my location, it was my go-to weapon. It is fast and sharp and deadly alone or with either TC. With a new one going for $11,499, you can save a cool $2,005.00 by grabbing Walt’s might-as-well-be-new lens right now. artie
Booking.Com
Several folks on the Gatorland IPT used the Booking.Com link below and got great rates and saved a handsome $25.00 in the process. If you too would like to give Booking.Com a shot, click here and to earn a $25 reward on your first booking. Thanks to the many who have already tried and used this great service.
Gear Questions and Advice
Too many folks attending BAA IPTs and dozens of folks whom I see in the field, and on BPN, are–out of ignorance–using the wrong gear especially when it comes to tripods and more especially, tripod heads… Please know that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail. Those questions might deal with systems, camera bodies, accessories, and/or lens choices and decisions.
Why Photograph a Common Species?
I say it often: I’d rather make a very good image of the most common bird than make a crappy image of a rare bird or a life bird, a species I have never seen before. The key to being successful when photographing a Song Sparrow or a Canada Goose is to learn to see the good situations — nice or unique light, clean distant backgrounds, or neat behavior — anything to make an image special, dramatic, different. During my on my first Phoenix visit, I enjoyed two fire-in-the-mist mornings at Gilbert. On both of those days many other photographers showed up an hour after I did. With no idea as to what they missed. Getting up and out early is always a good plan for a nature photographer.
Tv Mode (S in Nikon)
Many folks believe that real photographers work in Manual mode 100% of the time. My thoughts are that there are certain situations when some of the other shooting modes are far superior to Manual. Here, I set a shutter speed that I thought would pretty much freeze the flapping wings, set the EC at +1 1/3 stops, let the camera set the necessary ISO, and reaped the benefits.
The Canon 600 II Does Not Suck
When I look back on my Canon years I say that when I used my six hundred f/4 lenses that I went with the bare lens about 10% of the time, with the 1.4X TC about 60% of the time, and with the 2X TC at least 30% of the time. With Nikon I have been sticking with the 14TC-E14 most of the time, often cropping the super high quality D850 images. I had a lot more confidence with my Canon 600 II at 1200mm than I do with my Nikon 600 at 1200mm.
Another Optical Illusion?
Is the goose in today’s featured image facing toward us or away?
IPT Stuff
All IPTs include an introductory briefing before the IPT begins so you know what to expect, frequent in-the-field instruction and guidance (priceless), image editing and small group Photoshop instruction during and after lunch. Breakfasts are on your own so that we can get in the field early. Lunches are on me. Dinners are on your own as well so that we can get to bed as the days in spring will be long.
Rides with the leader are available on a limited basis for $50/day.
Registering for an IPT
To register for an IPT call Jim or Jen in the office at 863-692-0906 from Monday morning through Friday lunch with your credit card in hand to leave your $500 non-refundable deposit. Balances may not be paid by credit card so you will be asked to send a check for your balance along with the signed paperwork that you will find here.
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Spring at DeSoto is often magical
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DeSoto IPT #1 Sunrise: 7:07 am. Sunset: 6:22pm.
3 1/2 DAYS: SUN 15 APR thru the morning session on WED 18 APR: $1599. Limit 5 photographers.
You must purchase a season Parking Pass in advance for early entry. Click here and scroll down for info. If you are not a local, the six month pass if fine. Best to order by mail. Join me to photograph a wide variety of birds of the shore including pelicans, gulls, terns, sandpipers, oystercatchers, heron, egrets, and night-herons. Many in full breeding plumage. Most are ridiculously tame. Osprey likely. Learn to get the right exposure, flight photography techniques, my secret DeSoto locations, how to see the best situations (nobody is better at that than me), and how to make great images in extremely cluttered situations. Enjoy some great sunrises and sunsets.
Which will offer better opportunities, Desoto #1 or DeSoto #2? I have no idea. Both have the potential to be great.
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Tame birds in breeding plumage and heron and egret chicks are great fun.
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Gatorland IPT #2. Sunrise: 6:48am. Sunset: 7:58pm.
3 1/2 DAYs: THURS 26 APR through and including the morning of SUN 29 APR. $1599. Limit 5 photographers.
(2 1/2 DAY option) FRI 27 APR through and including the morning of SUN 29 APR. $1199.
Must purchase Gatorland Photographers Pass. Click here for details. All early entry. Late stays Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Gatorland IPT #2 should have lots of chicks, and lots of birds in breeding plumage. We will get to photograph Great Egret, Snowy Egret, Tricolored Heron, and Wood Stork. The Cattle Egrets in full breeding plumage will be present in good numbers. Learn my Gatorland strategy, to get the right exposure, flight photography techniques, my secret Gatorland spots, how to see the best situations (nobody is better at that than me), and how to make great images in extremely cluttered situations.
Help Support the Blog
Please help support my (stupendous) efforts here on the blog by remembering to click on the logo link above each time that you shop Amazon. That would be greatly appreciated. There is no problem using your Prime account; just click on the link and log into your Prime account. With love, artie
If In Doubt …
If in doubt about using the BAA B&H affiliate link correctly, you can always start your search by clicking here. Please note that the tracking is invisible. Web orders only. Please, however, remember to shoot me your receipt via e-mail.
Please Remember to use my Affiliate Links and to Visit the New BAA Online Store 🙂
To show your appreciation for my continuing efforts here, we ask, as always, that you get in the habit of using my B&H affiliate links on the right side of the blog for all of your photo and electronics purchases. Please check the availability of all photographic accessories in the New BIRDS AS ART Online Store, especially the Mongoose M3.6 tripod head, Wimberley lens plates, Delkin flash cards and accessories, and LensCoat stuff.
As always, we sell only what I have used, have tested, and can depend on. We will not sell you junk. We know what you need to make creating great images easy and fun. And please remember that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail.
I would of course appreciate your using our B&H affiliate links for all of your major gear, video, and electronic purchases. For the photographic stuff mentioned in the paragraph above, and for everything else in the new store, we, meaning BAA, would of course greatly appreciate your business. Here is a huge thank you to the many who have been using our links on a regular basis and those who will be visiting the New BIRDS AS ART Online Store as well.
Facebook
Be sure to like and follow BAA on Facebook by clicking on the logo link upper right. Tanks a stack.
Typos
In all blog posts and Bulletins, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors. Just be right :).
March 28th, 2018 Stuff
For the first time in well more than a week, I enjoyed a pain-free night of sleep by switching from my bed to the recliner section of my couch. On Tuesday I got a bit more work done on the Nikon D850/D5/D500/D7500 Focus Fine-tune Guide and plan on doing the more today. I am just starting the section on D850 Focus Peaking AF fine-tuning. See the details below.
The Streak
Halfway There — to Tie!
Today makes two hundred forty days in a row with a new educational blog post! I began this blog post from scratch at 4am Tuesday morning; it took 90 minutes to prepare including the time spent on the image optimizations. With all of my upcoming free time (or not…), the plan right now is to try to break the current record streak of 480 … Good health and good internet connections and my continuing insanity willing.
BIRDS AS ART
Please note that BIRDS AS ART is registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
Money Saving Reminder
If you need a hot photo item that is out of stock at B&H, would enjoy free overnight shipping, and would like a $50 discount on your first purchase, click here to order and enter the coupon code BIRDSASART at checkout. If you are looking to strike a deal on Canon or Nikon gear (including the big telephotos) or on a multiple item order, contact Steve Elkins via e-mail or on his cell at (479) 381-2592 (Eastern time) and be sure to mention your BIRDSASART coupon code and use it for your online order. Patrick Sparkman saved $350 on a recent purchase!
The Used Gear Page
Action on the Used Gear Page recently has been fantastic. You can see all current listings here. March 2018 was surely a record-breaking month:
Kevin Hice sold a lightly used Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS II USM lens in near-mint condition for $3099.00 soon after it was listed in late March, 2018.
Ron Thill sold his Tamron SP 150-600 f/5.6-6.5 Di VC USD G2 lens for Canon EF in like-new condition for $949 in mid-March.
Joel Williams sold his Fujifilm XF 16-55 f/2.8 R LM WR lens in like-new condition for only $549 near the end of March 2018.
Jim Brennan sold his Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM lens in excellent plus condition for only $1,219.00 on the first day of listing.
Jim Burns sold his EOS-1D Mark IV body in excellent plus condition for a BAA record low $998; not sure exactly when 🙂
David Solis sold a brand new Sanho HyperDrive Colorspace UDMA 3 1 TB wireless photo/video memory card backup for $399.00 after being contacted on the first day of listing.
David Solis sold his Canon EF 300 mm f/2.8L IS USM (the original version) lens in excellent plus condition for $2399.00 after being contacted on the first day of listing.
David Solis sold his Canon EF 500 mm f/4L IS USM (the “old five”) in excellent plus condition with perfect glass for the BAA record low price of $3399.00.
Les Greenberg sold his Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM zoom lens in mint condition to a local buyer and is sending me a check for 2 1/2% of the original asking price of $1599.
Joel Williams sold his Fujifilm XF 50 f/2 R WR lens in like-new condition for only $299 in early March.
Rajat Kapoor sold his Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM lens (the “old 1-4”) in near-mint condition the first day is was listed for $649.
Jim Brennan sold his Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS USM lens (the “old five”) in near-mint condition and a Canon EF 1.4 III teleconverter in very good condition for $3,599.00 right after listing them in early March.
Gary Meyer sold his Canon EOS 7D Mark II in near-mint condition for $798 soon after it was listed in early March.
The sale of John Norris’s is offering Canon 1DX Mark II in like-new condition for $3,996.00 is pending.
New Listing
Canon EF 400mm f/2.8L IS II USM Lens
Mansoor Assadi is offering a barely used Canon EF 400mm f/2.8L IS II USM lens in mint condition for the BIRDS AS ART record-low price of $7748. The sale includes the original box and everything that came in it including the lens trunk along with insured ground shipping via major courier. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.
Please contact Mansoor via e-mail or by phone at 415-559-8027 (Pacific time).
This fast, super-sharp, relatively lightweight (8.49 pounds) super-telephoto lens (the Nikon version weighs 10.2 pounds) is a versatile lens for wildlife photographers, especially for those who live in the west and do large mammals in low light. And it is a hugely popular lens with sports photographers. For bird photographers working at close range at feeder set-ups will really love the 3m (9.8 feet) close focus. And best of all, it creates super-sharp images with both the 1.4X III and the 2X III Extenders. It currently sells new at B&H for $9,999. You can save some significant bucks by grabbing Mansoor’s lens right now. artie
Price Drop!
Canon 300mm f/2.8 L IS Lens
Price reduced $200 on March 28, 2018
Jeff Guettinger is offering a Canon 300mm f/2.8 L IS lens (the original version) in mint condition for $2499 (was $2,699.00). The sale includes the original lens trunk, the front leather cover, the rear lens cap, the strap, and insured ground shipping via major courier to continental US addresses only. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.
Please contact Jeff via e-mail or by phone at 715.379.6302.
The older version of the Canon 300mm f/2.8L IS is a super sharp lens that is great for hand held flight and action photography and great with both teleconverters. It has long been the favorite focal length of the world’s best hawk photographers. Jeff’s immaculate lens is priced to sell quickly. artie
Booking.Com
Several folks on the Gatorland IPT used the Booking.Com link below and got great rates and saved a handsome $25.00 in the process. If you too would like to give Booking.Com a shot, click here and to earn a $25 reward on your first booking. Thanks to the many who have already tried and used this great service.
Gear Questions and Advice
Too many folks attending BAA IPTs and dozens of folks whom I see in the field, and on BPN, are–out of ignorance–using the wrong gear especially when it comes to tripods and more especially, tripod heads… Please know that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail. Those questions might deal with systems, camera bodies, accessories, and/or lens choices and decisions.
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This image was created on October 17, 2016 on Saunders Island,the Falklands, with the Induro GIT 304L/Mongoose M3.6-mounted Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM lens, the Canon Extender EF 2X III, and my favorite bird photography camera body, the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV. ISO 400. Evaluative metering -1/3 stop: 1/400 sec. at f/14 in Manual mode. AWB at 8:31am.
LensAlign/FocusTune micro-adjustment: -5.
The center AF point/AI Servo/Expand/Shutter button AF was active at the moment of exposure. The selected AF point was on the top of the head about 1/2 inch beyond and slightly to the left of the base of the bill. Right on the same plane as the penguin’s eye.
Rockhopper Penguins
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The Situation
We were carefully making our way down the cliffside rocks to the famed rockhopper shower at Rookery. Many of the handsome small penguins were returning from an early morning fishing run. Seated behind my lower tripod I nestled down in the rocks hoping to get some head portraits as the birds paused on their way back up the hill to the colony. The only thing that I like better than tight head portraits are tight head portraits in early morning light made against distant blue water backgrounds. 🙂 Success is sweet.
Light Angle Considerations and a Real Stumper of a Question
By noting the position of the shadow of the bird’s bill, you can see that the sun was coming ever-so-slightly from over my right shoulder … Here is the real stumper of question: what is wrong in the image, what does not make sense?
Depth-of-Field Question
Why f/14? How many stops down from wide open?
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This image was created at La Jolla Shores Beach on the afternoon of January 17, 2018. I was standing behind my Induro GIT 304L/Mongoose M3.6-mounted Canon EF 600mm f/4L IS II USM lens, the Canon Extender EF 1.4X III, and the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV. ISO 800. Evaluative metering +2/3 stop: 1/640 sec. at f/5.6 in Manual mode. Cloudy WB at 4:43pm.
One to the left and two rows up from the center AF point/AI Servo/Surround AF was active at the moment of exposure. The selected AF point was on the back of the base of the bird’s neck on the same plane as the bird’s eye.
LensAlign/FocusTune AFA micro-adjustment: -1.
Western Gull on clean, grey sand
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Old Riddle Solved
In the You Will Need to Put Your Thinking Caps On to Figure This One Out … blog post here, I wrote, If you can figure out what is wrong with this image, please leave a comment. Note: the beach was perfectly clean in the RAW file; no shells, no pebbles, no nothing. Thus, there was no beach clean-up needed.
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Western Gull on clean, grey sand, the original, with the reflection of the undertail coverts and the primary tips.
Note the big YELLOW color cast in the original that was dealt with in post-processing.
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The first to the answer was Juan (March 18, 2018 at 10:19am) There is no reflection of the tail …
Then this (slightly amended by yours truly), from blog regular David Policansky (March 18, 2018 at 3:02pm.) Artie: I agree with Juan that there should have been a reflection of the bird’s tail as it is on the same level as the bird’s knees, which are reflected. I agree with Rob Stambaugh: kneeling or sitting on the sand with an incoming tide and the waves coming behind you is a bad idea with a certain amount of danger involved.
Kudos to David for his correct answer, his explanation as to why, and his answering the second question posed that day. I did in fact get knocked down by a wave a moment after I made the Western Gull image; I remember holding on for dear life to one leg of tripod as the wave went by … The things we do.
David’s only mistake was calling the visible joints on the gull’s leg its knees; they are in fact its ankles. The knees are actually hidden by the belly feathers.
ps: I used the Patch Tool to remove the reflection of the tail.
The Nikon D850/D5/D500/D7500 Focus Fine-tune Guide
There is lots of mis-information out there on Nikon Automatic AF Fine-tune. Working with Patrick Sparkman, we developed a way of using that feature effectively. Patrick was on a roll and perfected a method for using the Focus Peaking feature available only on the D850 to quickly and accurately micro-adjust all lenses and TC-Es with your D-850. Both Nikon Automatic AF Fine-tune and D850 Focus Peaking AF Fine-tune require a LensAlign Mark II kit so that you can obtain accurate results. I learned recently that the Nikon D500 DSLR and the older D7500 both offer Automatic AF Fine-tune.
Folks who use one of my links to purchase a Nikon D850, a Nikon D5 DSLR Camera (Body Only, Dual XQD Slots), a Nikon D500 DSLR , or any Nikon gear totaling more than $2,000 will receive the new guide free.
IPT Stuff
All IPTs include an introductory briefing before the IPT begins so you know what to expect, frequent in-the-field instruction and guidance (priceless), image editing and small group Photoshop instruction during and after lunch. Breakfasts are on your own so that we can get in the field early. Lunches are on me. Dinners are on your own as well so that we can get to bed as the days in spring will be long.
Rides with the leader are available on a limited basis for $50/day.
Registering for an IPT
To register for any of the IPTs below call Jim or Jen in the office at 863-692-0906 from Monday morning through Friday lunch with your credit card in hand to leave your $500 non-refundable deposit. Balances may not be paid by credit card so you will be asked to send a check for your balance along with the signed paperwork that you will find here.
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Spring at DeSoto is often magical
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DeSoto IPT #1 Sunrise: 7:07 am. Sunset: 6:22pm.
3 1/2 DAYS: SUN 15 APR thru the morning session on WED 18 APR: $1599. Limit 5 photographers.
You must purchase a season Parking Pass in advance for early entry. Click here and scroll down for info. If you are not a local, the six month pass if fine. Best to order by mail. Join me to photograph a wide variety of birds of the shore including pelicans, gulls, terns, sandpipers, oystercatchers, heron, egrets, and night-herons. Many in full breeding plumage. Most are ridiculously tame. Osprey likely. Learn to get the right exposure, flight photography techniques, my secret DeSoto locations, how to see the best situations (nobody is better at that than me), and how to make great images in extremely cluttered situations. Enjoy some great sunrises and sunsets.
Which will offer better opportunities, Desoto #1 or DeSoto #2? I have no idea. Both have the potential to be great.
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Tame birds in breeding plumage and heron and egret chicks are great fun.
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Gatorland IPT #2. Sunrise: 6:48am. Sunset: 7:58pm.
3 1/2 DAYs: THURS 26 APR through and including the morning of SUN 29 APR. $1599. Limit 5 photographers.
(2 1/2 DAY option) FRI 27 APR through and including the morning of SUN 29 APR. $1199.
Must purchase Gatorland Photographers Pass. Click here for details. All early entry. Late stays Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Gatorland IPT #2 should have lots of chicks, and lots of birds in breeding plumage. We will get to photograph Great Egret, Snowy Egret, Tricolored Heron, and Wood Stork. The Cattle Egrets in full breeding plumage will be present in good numbers. Learn my Gatorland strategy, to get the right exposure, flight photography techniques, my secret Gatorland spots, how to see the best situations (nobody is better at that than me), and how to make great images in extremely cluttered situations.
Help Support the Blog
Please help support my (stupendous) efforts here on the blog by remembering to click on the logo link above each time that you shop Amazon. That would be greatly appreciated. There is no problem using your Prime account; just click on the link and log into your Prime account. With love, artie
If In Doubt …
If in doubt about using the BAA B&H affiliate link correctly, you can always start your search by clicking here. Please note that the tracking is invisible. Web orders only. Please, however, remember to shoot me your receipt via e-mail.
Please Remember to use my Affiliate Links and to Visit the New BAA Online Store 🙂
To show your appreciation for my continuing efforts here, we ask, as always, that you get in the habit of using my B&H affiliate links on the right side of the blog for all of your photo and electronics purchases. Please check the availability of all photographic accessories in the New BIRDS AS ART Online Store, especially the Mongoose M3.6 tripod head, Wimberley lens plates, Delkin flash cards and accessories, and LensCoat stuff.
As always, we sell only what I have used, have tested, and can depend on. We will not sell you junk. We know what you need to make creating great images easy and fun. And please remember that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail.
I would of course appreciate your using our B&H affiliate links for all of your major gear, video, and electronic purchases. For the photographic stuff mentioned in the paragraph above, and for everything else in the new store, we, meaning BAA, would of course greatly appreciate your business. Here is a huge thank you to the many who have been using our links on a regular basis and those who will be visiting the New BIRDS AS ART Online Store as well.
Facebook
Be sure to like and follow BAA on Facebook by clicking on the logo link upper right. Tanks a stack.
Typos
In all blog posts and Bulletins, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors. Just be right :).
March 27th, 2018 Stuff
I am feeling pretty much like a bird with an injured wing. I have decided to go back to Phoenix next Tuesday for a week to get my shoulder worked on. On Monday I got a ton of work done on the Nikon D850/D5/D500/D750 Focus Fine-tune Guide and plan on doing the same today. See the details below.
There will be a Canon EF 400mm f/4 IS DO II lens listed on the Used Gear page very soon; If you would like advance notice, please shoot me an e-mail
The Streak
Today makes two hundred thirty-nine days in a row with a new educational blog post! I began this blog post from scratch at 4am Tuesday morning; it took 90 minutes to prepare including the time spent on the image optimizations. With all of my upcoming free time (or not…), the plan right now is to try to break the current record streak of 480 … Good health and good internet connections and my continuing insanity willing.
BIRDS AS ART
Please note that BIRDS AS ART is registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
Money Saving Reminder
If you need a hot photo item that is out of stock at B&H, would enjoy free overnight shipping, and would like a $50 discount on your first purchase, click here to order and enter the coupon code BIRDSASART at checkout. If you are looking to strike a deal on Canon or Nikon gear (including the big telephotos) or on a multiple item order, contact Steve Elkins via e-mail or on his cell at (479) 381-2592 (Eastern time) and be sure to mention your BIRDSASART coupon code and use it for your online order. Patrick Sparkman saved $350 on a recent purchase!
The Used Gear Page
Action on the Used Gear Page recently has been fantastic. You can see all current listings here.
Booking.Com
Several folks on the Gatorland IPT used the Booking.Com link below and got great rates and saved a handsome $25.00 in the process. If you too would like to give Booking.Com a shot, click here and to earn a $25 reward on your first booking. Thanks to the many who have already tried and used this great service.
Gear Questions and Advice
Too many folks attending BAA IPTs and dozens of folks whom I see in the field, and on BPN, are–out of ignorance–using the wrong gear especially when it comes to tripods and more especially, tripod heads… Please know that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail. Those questions might deal with systems, camera bodies, accessories, and/or lens choices and decisions.
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This image was created on March 2, 2018 at the Gilbert Water Ranch in Phoenix, AZ with the hand held Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR lens (at 400mm) and the Nikon D850 DSLR. ISO 400. Matrix metering at about -1 stop: 1/4000 sec at f/7.1. AUTO2 WB at 5:58 lat on a clear afternoon.
Center Group (grp) AF area mode/Shutter button AF was active at the moment of exposure. The upper and left AF points in the array were on the bird’s neck and breast as originally framed.
Focus peaking AF Fine-tune: +10!
American Coot incoming. Baited with goose and duck blend.
The ACR defaults.
Click on the image to see a larger version so that you can read the fine print.
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The ACR Defaults
With the defaults setting in ACR the image looked way too dark. But the RGB values for the brightest part of the white bill were R=231, G=227, B=221. Thus, the image was not as underexposed as it looked. In short, we have another of what appears to be a “Lying Histogram.”
The Exposure
Why was I shooting relatively dark?
80-400 VR/D850 for Flight
The hand held Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR lens (at 400mm) and the Nikon D850 DSLR is a deadly combination for flight photography. The group AF area mode is quite amazing …
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This image was created on March 2, 2018 at the Gilbert Water Ranch in Phoenix, AZ with the hand held Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR lens (at 400mm) and the Nikon D850 DSLR. ISO 400. Matrix metering at about -1 stop: 1/4000 sec at f/7.1. AUTO2 WB at 5:58 lat on a clear afternoon.
Center Group (grp) AF area mode/Shutter button AF was active at the moment of exposure. The upper and left AF points in the array were on the bird’s neck and breast as originally framed.
Focus peaking AF Fine-tune: +10!
American Coot incoming. Baited with goose and duck blend.
The ACR corrections.
Click on the image to see a larger version so that you can read the fine print.
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The ACR Corrections
The goal here was to open up the dark tones a lot while striving to avoid the grungy, crunch, noisy look and raising the RGB values into the high 240s.
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This image was created on March 2, 2018 at the Gilbert Water Ranch in Phoenix, AZ with the hand held Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR lens (at 400mm) and the Nikon D850 DSLR. ISO 400. Matrix metering at about -1 stop: 1/4000 sec at f/7.1. AUTO2 WB at 5:58 lat on a clear afternoon.
Center Group (grp) AF area mode/Shutter button AF was active at the moment of exposure. The upper and left AF points in the array were on the bird’s neck and breast as originally framed.
Focus peaking AF Fine-tune: +10!
American Coot incoming. Baited with goose and duck blend.
The Optimized Image/Version I
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The Optimized Image/Version I
After converting the image in ACR (as above) I cropped to 3X2 mostly from the left and below. I toned down the brightest specular highlights using the Spot Healing Brush (J). Then I selected the bird and applied my NIK 50-50 recipe. That was way overkill so I reduced the Opacity to 60%. Then I went Select > Color Range to select the darkest tones on the bird’s face and neck. I put them on their own layer and pulled up the curve. The I added a Regular Layer Mask and painted away the edges at 50% to smooth the transition.
When I posted the image above to the blog I realized that the big splash on the left side of the frame was not white enough; as immediately above, it shows a BLUE/GREEN/CYAN cast so back to Photoshop we went.
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This image was created on March 2, 2018 at the Gilbert Water Ranch in Phoenix, AZ with the hand held Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR lens (at 400mm) and the Nikon D850 DSLR. ISO 400. Matrix metering at about -1 stop: 1/4000 sec at f/7.1. AUTO2 WB at 5:58 lat on a clear afternoon.
Center Group (grp) AF area mode/Shutter button AF was active at the moment of exposure. The upper and left AF points in the array were on the bird’s neck and breast as originally framed.
Focus peaking AF Fine-tune: +10!
American Coot incoming. Baited with goose and duck blend.
The Optimized Image/Version II.
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The Optimized Image/Version II
Eliminating the BLUE/GREEN/CYAN color cast was actually fairly simple. I put the whole image on its own layer and went Image > Adjustments > Selective Color. First I selected WHITE from the drop-down menu. Then I adjusted the sliders as follows: CYAN to -100, MAGENTA to +10, and BLACK to -90 (effectively removing BLACK from the WHITES. It was extra work but well worth it to me. Notice how much WHITER the big splashes on the left frame-edge look in Version II.
The Nikon D850/D5/D500/D750 Focus Fine-tune Guide
There is lots of mis-information out there on Nikon Automatic AF Fine-tune. Working with Patrick Sparkman, we developed a way of using that feature effectively. Patrick was on a roll and perfected a method for using the Focus Peaking feature available only on the D850 to quickly and accurately micro-adjust all lenses and TC-Es with your D-850. Both Nikon Automatic AF Fine-tune and D850 Focus Peaking AF Fine-tune require a LensAlign Mark II kit so that you can obtain accurate results. I learned recently that the Nikon D500 DSLR and the older D750 both offer Automatic AF Fine-tune.
Folks who use one of my links to purchase a Nikon D850, a Nikon D5 DSLR Camera (Body Only, Dual XQD Slots), a Nikon D500 DSLR , or any Nikon gear totaling more than $2,000 will receive the new guide free.
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The BIRDS AS ART Current Workflow e-Guide (Digital Basics II).
You can order your copy from the BAA Online Store here, by sending a Paypal for $40 here, or by calling Jim or Jennifer weekdays at 863-692-0906 with your credit card in hand.
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The BIRDS AS ART Current Workflow e-Guide (Digital Basics II)
Your guessed it, everything mentioned above and tons more is covered in detail in the BIRDS AS ART Current Workflow e-Guide (Digital Basics II), an instructional PDF that is sent via e-mail. Learn more and check out the free excerpt in the blog post here. While the new e-Guide reflects my Macbook Pro/Photo Mechanic/DPP 4/Photoshop workflow, folks using a PC and/or BreezeBrowser will also benefit greatly by studying the material on DB II. Do note that you will find the RGB Curves Adjustment Color Balancing tutorial only in the new e-guide. Note: folks working on a PC and/or those who do not want to miss anything Photoshop may wish to purchase the original Digital Basics along with DB II while saving $15 by clicking here to buy the DB Bundle.
The two most recent and many of the older MP4 Photoshop Tutorial videos releases go hand and hand with the information in DB II):
- The Wingtip Repairs MP4 Video here.
- The MP4 Crow Cleanup Video here.
Folks who learn well by following along rather than by reading can check out the complete collection of MP 4 Photoshop Tutorial Videos by clicking here.
You can learn how and why I converted nearly all of my Canon digital RAW files in DPP 4 using Canon Digital Photo Professional in the DPP 4 RAW conversion Guide here. And, yes, I still have many Canon images to work on. 🙂 You can learn advanced Quick Masking and advanced Layer Masking techniques in APTATS I & II. You can save $15 by purchasing the pair. Folks can learn sophisticated sharpening and (NeatImage) Noise Reduction techniques in the The Professional Post Processing Guide by Arash Hazeghi and yours truly.
IPT Stuff
All IPTs include an introductory briefing before the IPT begins so you know what to expect, frequent in-the-field instruction and guidance (priceless), image editing and small group Photoshop instruction during and after lunch. Breakfasts are on your own so that we can get in the field early. Lunches are on me. Dinners are on your own as well so that we can get to bed as the days in spring will be long.
Rides with the leader are available on a limited basis for $50/day.
Registering for an IPT
To register for any of the IPTs below call Jim or Jen in the office at 863-692-0906 from Monday morning through Friday lunch with your credit card in hand to leave your $500 non-refundable deposit. Balances may not be paid by credit card so you will be asked to send a check for your balance along with the signed paperwork that you will find here.
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Tame birds in breeding plumage and chicks are great fun.
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Gatorland IPT #2. Sunrise: 6:48am. Sunset: 7:58pm.
3 1/2 DAYs: THURS 26 APR through and including the morning of SUN 29 APR. $1599. Limit 5 photographers/Openings: 3.
Must purchase Gatorland Photographers Pass. Click here for details. All early entry. Late stays Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Gatorland IPT #2 should have lots of chicks, and lots of birds in breeding plumage. We will get to photograph Great Egret, Snowy Egret, Tricolored Heron, and Wood Stork. The Cattle Egrets in full breeding plumage will be present in good numbers. Learn my Gatorland strategy, to get the right exposure, flight photography techniques, my secret Gatorland spots, how to see the best situations (nobody is better at that than me), and how to make great images in extremely cluttered situations.
Help Support the Blog
Please help support my (stupendous) efforts here on the blog by remembering to click on the logo link above each time that you shop Amazon. That would be greatly appreciated. There is no problem using your Prime account; just click on the link and log into your Prime account. With love, artie
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Tame birds in breeding plumage and heron and egret chicks are great fun.
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Gatorland IPT #2. Sunrise: 6:48am. Sunset: 7:58pm.
3 1/2 DAYs: THURS 26 APR through and including the morning of SUN 29 APR. $1599. Limit 5 photographers.
(2 1/2 DAY option) FRI 27 APR through and including the morning of SUN 29 APR. $1199.
Must purchase Gatorland Photographers Pass. Click here for details. All early entry. Late stays Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Gatorland IPT #2 should have lots of chicks, and lots of birds in breeding plumage. We will get to photograph Great Egret, Snowy Egret, Tricolored Heron, and Wood Stork. The Cattle Egrets in full breeding plumage will be present in good numbers. Learn my Gatorland strategy, to get the right exposure, flight photography techniques, my secret Gatorland spots, how to see the best situations (nobody is better at that than me), and how to make great images in extremely cluttered situations.
If In Doubt …
If in doubt about using the BAA B&H affiliate link correctly, you can always start your search by clicking here. Please note that the tracking is invisible. Web orders only. Please, however, remember to shoot me your receipt via e-mail.
Please Remember to use my Affiliate Links and to Visit the New BAA Online Store 🙂
To show your appreciation for my continuing efforts here, we ask, as always, that you get in the habit of using my B&H affiliate links on the right side of the blog for all of your photo and electronics purchases. Please check the availability of all photographic accessories in the New BIRDS AS ART Online Store, especially the Mongoose M3.6 tripod head, Wimberley lens plates, Delkin flash cards and accessories, and LensCoat stuff.
As always, we sell only what I have used, have tested, and can depend on. We will not sell you junk. We know what you need to make creating great images easy and fun. And please remember that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail.
I would of course appreciate your using our B&H affiliate links for all of your major gear, video, and electronic purchases. For the photographic stuff mentioned in the paragraph above, and for everything else in the new store, we, meaning BAA, would of course greatly appreciate your business. Here is a huge thank you to the many who have been using our links on a regular basis and those who will be visiting the New BIRDS AS ART Online Store as well.
Facebook
Be sure to like and follow BAA on Facebook by clicking on the logo link upper right. Tanks a stack.
Typos
In all blog posts and Bulletins, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors. Just be right :).
March 26th, 2018 Stuff
Very few folks voiced their opinions — good or bad — on the five images presented yesterday. If you have a minute, please click here and partake.
It became obvious when I got into bed on Saturday night in pain that I was doing too much hand held bird photography — see today’s featured image. Lots of icing and moist heat were followed by Soothanol, Zeel, and Traumeel interspersed with some fitful sleep. On Sunday I took it very easy and right before bed the injured wing was feeling pretty good. As soon as I got in bed the pain returned. So it was more Soothanol, Zeel and Traumeel at 10pm and then again just before midnight. And then I slept five sold hours, and then another on top of that. I woke with just a bit of tightness but no pain; a huge improvement as compared to Saturday night …
Again on Sunday I got some serious work done on the Nikon D850/D5/D500/D750 Focus Fine-tune Guide. See the details below.
I was glad to learn that there are now three folks signed up for the first DeSoto IPT. And I learned yesterday that the sale of Kevin Hice’s lightly used Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS II USM lens in near-mint condition became pending.
The Streak
Today makes two hundred thirty-eight days in a row with a new educational blog post! This one took about an hour to prepare including the time spent on the image optimization. With all of my upcoming free time (or not…), the plan right now is to try to break the current record streak of 480 … Good health and good internet connections and my continuing insanity willing.
Money Saving Reminder
If you need a hot photo item that is out of stock at B&H, would enjoy free overnight shipping, and would like a $50 discount on your first purchase, click here to order and enter the coupon code BIRDSASART at checkout. If you are looking to strike a deal on Canon or Nikon gear (including the big telephotos) or on a multiple item order, contact Steve Elkins via e-mail or on his cell at (479) 381-2592 (Eastern time) and be sure to mention your BIRDSASART coupon code and use it for your online order. Patrick Sparkman saved $350 on a recent purchase!
The Used Gear Page
Action on the Used Gear Page recently has been fantastic. You can see all current listings here.
Recent Sales
Ron Thill sold his Tamron SP 150-600 f/5.6-6.5 Di VC USD G2 lens for Canon EF in like-new condition for $949 in mid-March.
Joel Williams sold his Fujifilm XF 16-55 f/2.8 R LM WR lens in like-new condition for only $549 near the end of March 2018.
Jim Brennan sold his Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM lens in excellent plus condition for only $1,219.00 on the first day of listing.
Jim Burns recently sold his EOS-1D Mark IV body in excellent plus condition for a BAA record low $998; not sure exactly when 🙂
David Solis sold a brand new Sanho HyperDrive Colorspace UDMA 3 1 TB wireless photo/video memory card backup for $399.00 after being contacted on the first day of listing.
David Solis sold his Canon EF 300 mm f/2.8L IS USM (the original version) lens in excellent plus condition for $2399.00 after being contacted on the first day of listing.
David Solis sold his Canon EF 500 mm f/4L IS USM (the “old five”) in excellent plus condition with perfect glass for the BAA record low price of $3399.00.
Les Greenberg sold his Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM zoom lens in mint condition to a local buyer and is sending me a check for 2 1/2% of the original asking price of $1599.
Joel Williams sold his Fujifilm XF 50 f/2 R WR lens in like-new condition for only $299 in early March.
Rajat Kapoor sold his Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM lens (the “old 1-4”) in near-mint condition the first day is was listed for $649.
Jim Brennan sold his Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS USM lens (the “old five”) in near-mint condition and a Canon EF 1.4 III teleconverter in very good condition for $3,599.00 right after listing them in early March.
Gary Meyer sold his Canon EOS 7D Mark II in near-mint condition for $798 soon after it was listed in early March.
The sale of John Norris’s Canon 1DX Mark II — premium kit — (with less than 2,000 actuations!) in like-new condition but for a few small scuff marks for top left and bottom right for the BAA record-low price of $3,996.00 became pending on the first day it was listed.
And in addition, the sale of Kevin Hice’s lightly used Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS II USM lens in near-mint condition is also pending.
Booking.Com
Several folks on the Gatorland IPT used the Booking.Com link below and got great rates and saved a handsome $25.00 in the process. If you too would like to give Booking.Com a shot, click here and to earn a $25 reward on your first booking. Thanks to the many who have already tried and used this great service.
Gear Questions and Advice
Too many folks attending BAA IPTs and dozens of folks whom I see in the field, and on BPN, are–out of ignorance–using the wrong gear especially when it comes to tripods and more especially, tripod heads… Please know that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail. Those questions might deal with systems, camera bodies, accessories, and/or lens choices and decisions.
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This image was created on March 24, 2018 at ILE with the hand held Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR lens (at 400mm) and the Nikon D850 DSLR. ISO 400. Matrix metering at about -1/3 stop: 1/800 sec at f/9 in Manual mode was a gross underexposure. AUTO2 WB at 7:04pm on a clear evening.
3D-tracking AF area mode/Shutter button AF was active at the moment of exposure. The system selected a single AF point just below and behind the bird’s eye.
Focus peaking AF Fine-tune: +10!
Image #1: Sandhill Crane, small colt
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Why 3D?
Working vertically, I had been having problems all afternoon acquiring focus using d-25 and d-72, possibly in part to the pain in my shoulder. So when the crane family came really close late in the day, I tried 3-d out of frustration. When I was able to acquire focus the results were sharp as with today’s featured image. Understand that the little ones rarely stop moving for an instant … 3-D is quite similar to Canon’s 61-point. Learn more about 3D and read my comments on Canon’s 61-point and Large Zone AF in the blog post here. In any case, I was — once again — quite impressed with 3D AF in difficult situations.
Why f/9?
This is a tough question, why do you think that I wound up at f/9. I would normally be working at f/6.3 in situations like this with an f/5.6 lens … There are several reasonable possibilities.
What I Really Miss …
With the baby cranes frolicking right around me at point blank range, I kept having to scoot back on my butt to get 6 feet away from them: 5.74 feet away to be exact. I found myself wishing for the .98 meter(3.2 feet!) minimum focusing distance of the Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM lens. Big advantage there to Canon.
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Click on the image to see a larger version.
Unsharpened tight crop of head: Sandhill Crane, small colt
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Focus peaking AF Fine-tune of +10 makes a big difference!
Be sure to click on the image above to see a larger version and check out the incredible fine feather detail. Note (again) that with today’s featured image the Focus peaking AF Fine-tune value of +10 makes a significant difference in image sharpness as compared to the default setting, zero. Fine-tune values of +1 or -2 do not make any great difference, but the idea of fine-tuning and micro-adjusting is to ferret out the combos that need some serious adjustments and to maximize the percentage of sharp keepers with all iterations of your camera bodies, lenses, and TCs.
Here is how I created the tight head crop above: Working with the unsharpened, full sized, flattened 8-bit master file I cropped tight on the head. I believe that the resulting image represent a true 100% crop. But it was too large for presentation on the blog so I cropped that down to 1200 pixels at less than 395kb. The resulting JPEG is present above at 800 pixels wide. Still unsharpened.
The Nikon D850/D5/D500/D750 Focus Fine-tune Guide
There is lots of mis-information out there on Nikon Automatic AF Fine-tune. Working with Patrick Sparkman, we developed a way of using that feature effectively. Patrick was on a roll and perfected a method for using the Focus Peaking feature available only on the D850 to quickly and accurately micro-adjust all lenses and TC-Es with your D-850. Both Nikon Automatic AF Fine-tune and D850 Focus Peaking AF Fine-tune require a LensAlign Mark II kit so that you can obtain accurate results. I learned recently that the Nikon D500 DSLR and the older D750 both offer Automatic AF Fine-tune.
Folks who use one of my links to purchase a Nikon D850, a Nikon D5 DSLR Camera (Body Only, Dual XQD Slots), a Nikon D500 DSLR , or any Nikon gear totaling more than $2,000 will receive the new guide free.
IPT Stuff
All IPTs include an introductory briefing before the IPT begins so you know what to expect, frequent in-the-field instruction and guidance (priceless), image editing and small group Photoshop instruction during and after lunch. Breakfasts are on your own so that we can get in the field early. Lunches are on me. Dinners are on your own as well so that we can get to bed as the days in spring will be long.
Rides with the leader are available on a limited basis for $50/day.
Registering for an IPT
To register for any of the IPTs below call Jim or Jen in the office at 863-692-0906 from Monday morning through Friday lunch with your credit card in hand to leave your $500 non-refundable deposit. Balances may not be paid by credit card so you will be asked to send a check for your balance along with the signed paperwork that you will find here.
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Early Spring Photo Opportunities at ILE
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BIRDS AS ART First-ever Master Class
Master Class. Two Full and two Half Days/Friday afternoon, March 30 through lunch on Monday, April 2, 2018: $1999.00. Limit: 4/Openings 3.
The Master Classe will be a small group — strictly limited to four photographers — with the first folks who register having the option of staying at my home ($50/night) or at a chain motel in nearby Lake Wales. Live, think, and breathe photography from Friday afternoon through lunch on Monday (late-morning); all meals included. There will be three afternoon photo sessions (FRI – SUN) hopefully with glorious sunsets like the ones you saw one the blog in December we should have good opportunities with the cranes even in the afternoon. We will enjoy three morning photography sessions (SAT – MON) with the main subjects being tame Sandhill Cranes almost surely with chicks or colts. Also vultures and Cattle Egrets and more. Limpkins are possible. Intermediate telephoto lenses are fine for the cranes, even the chicks at times. A 500 or 600mm lens would be best for many of the situations that we will encounter.
During the day we will sit together around my dining room table and pick everyone’s keepers and enjoy guided Photoshop sessions. On Monday before lunch, folks can make a single large print of their favorite image from the weekend. If you so choose, I will micro-adjust one of your lenses (at one focal length with your #1 camera body–Canon or Nikon) during a group instructional session. All will be welcome to practice what they have learned during the breaks using my set-up and my lighting gear.
To register, please first shoot me an e-mail to check on availability. Then you will be instructed to call Jim or Jen at 863-692-0906 during weekday business hours (except for Friday afternoons) to leave you non-refundable (unless the session sells out) $500 deposit. Only the deposit may be left on credit card. Balances must be paid by check immediately after you register (unless you wish to pay by credit card plus 4% to cover our fees).
I hope that you can join me on this new adventure.
with love, artie
ps: bring your bathing suit if you would like to try my pool.
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Tame birds in breeding plumage and chicks are great fun.
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Gatorland IPT #2. Sunrise: 6:48am. Sunset: 7:58pm.
3 1/2 DAYs: THURS 26 APR through and including the morning of SUN 29 APR. $1599. Limit 5 photographers/Openings: 3.
Must purchase Gatorland Photographers Pass. Click here for details. All early entry. Late stays Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Gatorland IPT #2 should have lots of chicks, and lots of birds in breeding plumage. We will get to photograph Great Egret, Snowy Egret, Tricolored Heron, and Wood Stork. The Cattle Egrets in full breeding plumage will be present in good numbers. Learn my Gatorland strategy, to get the right exposure, flight photography techniques, my secret Gatorland spots, how to see the best situations (nobody is better at that than me), and how to make great images in extremely cluttered situations.
Help Support the Blog
Please help support my (stupendous) efforts here on the blog by remembering to click on the logo link above each time that you shop Amazon. That would be greatly appreciated. There is no problem using your Prime account; just click on the link and log into your Prime account. With love, artie
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Tame birds in breeding plumage and heron and egret chicks are great fun.
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Gatorland IPT #2. Sunrise: 6:48am. Sunset: 7:58pm.
3 1/2 DAYs: THURS 26 APR through and including the morning of SUN 29 APR. $1599. Limit 5 photographers.
(2 1/2 DAY option) FRI 27 APR through and including the morning of SUN 29 APR. $1199.
Must purchase Gatorland Photographers Pass. Click here for details. All early entry. Late stays Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Gatorland IPT #2 should have lots of chicks, and lots of birds in breeding plumage. We will get to photograph Great Egret, Snowy Egret, Tricolored Heron, and Wood Stork. The Cattle Egrets in full breeding plumage will be present in good numbers. Learn my Gatorland strategy, to get the right exposure, flight photography techniques, my secret Gatorland spots, how to see the best situations (nobody is better at that than me), and how to make great images in extremely cluttered situations.
If In Doubt …
If in doubt about using the BAA B&H affiliate link correctly, you can always start your search by clicking here. Please note that the tracking is invisible. Web orders only. Please, however, remember to shoot me your receipt via e-mail.
Please Remember to use my Affiliate Links and to Visit the New BAA Online Store 🙂
To show your appreciation for my continuing efforts here, we ask, as always, that you get in the habit of using my B&H affiliate links on the right side of the blog for all of your photo and electronics purchases. Please check the availability of all photographic accessories in the New BIRDS AS ART Online Store, especially the Mongoose M3.6 tripod head, Wimberley lens plates, Delkin flash cards and accessories, and LensCoat stuff.
As always, we sell only what I have used, have tested, and can depend on. We will not sell you junk. We know what you need to make creating great images easy and fun. And please remember that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail.
I would of course appreciate your using our B&H affiliate links for all of your major gear, video, and electronic purchases. For the photographic stuff mentioned in the paragraph above, and for everything else in the new store, we, meaning BAA, would of course greatly appreciate your business. Here is a huge thank you to the many who have been using our links on a regular basis and those who will be visiting the New BIRDS AS ART Online Store as well.
Facebook
Be sure to like and follow BAA on Facebook by clicking on the logo link upper right. Tanks a stack.
Typos
In all blog posts and Bulletins, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors. Just be right :).
March 25th, 2018 Stuff
The shoulder continues to feel just a bit better every day. 6pm yesterday (Saturday) afternoon was the two-week anniversary of the big crash and smash. I went down to the lake on Friday afternoon and found a large colt (Image #5) and then relocated the two small colts (seen in Images 1, 3, and 4). Best of all, I was watching a nest where one of the birds has a deformed bill; it has nested successfully in the marsh at the far end of the north field for many years. I thought that the eggs might be duds, but this morning I spotted two tiny chicks that must have hatched over night. Photos of those soon I hope.
The Streak
Today makes two hundred thirty-seven days in a row with a new educational blog post! This one took about three hours to prepare including the time spent on the image optimizations. With all of my upcoming free time (or not…), the plan right now is to try to break the current record streak of 480 … Good health and good internet connections and my continuing insanity willing.
Money Saving Reminder
If you need a hot photo item that is out of stock at B&H, would enjoy free overnight shipping, and would like a $50 discount on your first purchase, click here to order and enter the coupon code BIRDSASART at checkout. If you are looking to strike a deal on Canon or Nikon gear (including the big telephotos) or on a multiple item order, contact Steve Elkins via e-mail or on his cell at (479) 381-2592 (Eastern time) and be sure to mention your BIRDSASART coupon code and use it for your online order. Patrick Sparkman saved $350 on a recent purchase!
The Used Gear Page
Action on the Used Gear Page recently has been fantastic. You can see all current listings here.
Recent Sales
Ron Thill sold his Tamron SP 150-600 f/5.6-6.5 Di VC USD G2 lens for Canon EF in like-new condition for $949 in mid-March.
Joel Williams sold his Fujifilm XF 16-55 f/2.8 R LM WR lens in like-new condition for only $549 near the end of March 2018.
Jim Brennan sold his Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM lens in excellent plus condition for only $1,219.00 on the first day of listing.
Jim Burns recently sold his EOS-1D Mark IV body in excellent plus condition for a BAA record low $998; not sure exactly when 🙂
David Solis sold a brand new Sanho HyperDrive Colorspace UDMA 3 1 TB wireless photo/video memory card backup for $399.00 after being contacted on the first day of listing.
David Solis sold his Canon EF 300 mm f/2.8L IS USM (the original version) lens in excellent plus condition for $2399.00 after being contacted on the first day of listing.
David Solis sold his Canon EF 500 mm f/4L IS USM (the “old five”) in excellent plus condition with perfect glass for the BAA record low price of $3399.00.
Les Greenberg sold his Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM zoom lens in mint condition to a local buyer and is sending me a check for 2 1/2% of the original asking price of $1599.
Joel Williams sold his Fujifilm XF 50 f/2 R WR lens in like-new condition for only $299 in early March.
Rajat Kapoor sold his Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM lens (the “old 1-4”) in near-mint condition the first day is was listed for $649.
Jim Brennan sold his Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS USM lens (the “old five”) in near-mint condition and a Canon EF 1.4 III teleconverter in very good condition for $3,599.00 right after listing them in early March.
Gary Meyer sold his Canon EOS 7D Mark II in near-mint condition for $798 soon after it was listed in early March.
In addition, the sale of John Norris’s Canon 1DX Mark II — premium kit — (with less than 2,000 actuations!) in like-new condition but for a few small scuff marks for top left and bottom right for the BAA record-low price of $3,996.00 became pending on the first day it was listed.
New Listings
Fujifilm Two-lens Package!
Top BAA Used Gear page seller Jim Keener is offering a Fujifilm XF 23mm f/2 R WR (Black) lens in excellent condition ($449 new) and a Fujifilm XF 50mm f/2 R WR (Black) Lens (also $449 new) in excellent condition for the amazing low give it away price of $399.00. Or buy one for $279. The sale includes the front and rear lens covers and insured ground shipping via major courier to the 48 contiguous states only. Your stuff will not ship until your check clears. No PayPal.
Please contact Jim via e-mail or by phone at 310-741-7435 (9am-9pm Mountain time).
Canon EOS 5D Mark III dSLR with tons of Extras!
Jim Brennan is offering a used Canon EOS 5D Mark III camera body in very good to excellent condition for $1,299.00. Included with the sale is a Canon 430EX II Speedlite also in excellent condition. The camera shows small scuff marks on bottom of body and a small, barely visible scratch on rear LCD screen. It was cleaned and checked by Canon Factory Service in August 2017. Also included are the front cap, the LC-E6 battery charger, one Canon LP-E6 battery, the strap, the original box and everything that came in it: manuals, cables, etc. With the flash comes the case, the bounce dome, the instructions, and original box. In addition the sale includes a ton of extras: two (2) extra batteries (one Canon, one Watson), a Better Beamer, the Really Right Stuff B5D3-LA L plate, a lightly used Canon RS-80N3 remote shutter release, a Vello RC-C211 ShutterBoss II Intervalometer Remote Switch, two (2) Lexar Professional 800x 16GB CF cards, one (1) Lexar Professional 64GB 1066 CF card, and insured ground shipping via UPS to US addresses only. Signature required. Personal or certified checks only unless other arrangements are made. The items will not ship until the check clears the bank. Photos and additional information are available upon request.
Please contact Jim e-mail or by cellphone: 1-(609) 432-9210 (Eastern time).
I owned and used this superb, full frame, 22mp digital body for several years. It was always my first choice for scenic, Urbex (urban exploration), and flower photography until I fell in love for a while with the 5DS R (for a lot more money!). Then I switched to the 5D IV body. In addition, I loved my 5D III body for birds with my big lenses and both TCs. I used mine to create many dozens of high quality images. Then I switched to Nikon. With the slew of valuable extras Jim’s lens is a sweet deal. artie
Canon EG 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM Lens
Jim Brennan is offering a used Canon 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM lens in good condition for $999.00. The front element was recently replaced by Canon. There is a small ding between 50 & 70mm marks on aperture ring. The aperture ring movement is smooth but a little tight. The sale includes the lens case (LP1219), the hood (EW-88C), the manual, the front & rear lens caps, the original box, and insured ground shipping via UPS to US addresses only. Signature required. Personal or certified checks only unless other arrangements are made. The items will not ship until the check clears the bank. Photos and additional information available upon request.
Please contact Jim e-mail or by cellphone: 1-(609) 432-9210 (Eastern time).
With the lens now selling for $1749 new, Jim’s lens is an excellent buy for the landscape photographer who has been lusting this one for years. artie
Booking.Com
Several folks on the Gatorland IPT used the Booking.Com link below and got great rates and saved a handsome $25.00 in the process. If you too would like to give Booking.Com a shot, click here and to earn a $25 reward on your first booking. Thanks to the many who have already tried and used this great service.
Gear Questions and Advice
Too many folks attending BAA IPTs and dozens of folks whom I see in the field, and on BPN, are–out of ignorance–using the wrong gear especially when it comes to tripods and more especially, tripod heads… Please know that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail. Those questions might deal with systems, camera bodies, accessories, and/or lens choices and decisions.
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This image was created on March 24, 2018 at ILE with the hand held Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR lens (at 290mm) and the Nikon D5 (with Dual XQD Slots). ISO 400. Matrix metering at zero: 1/1000 sec at f/7.1 in Manual mode. AUTO2 WB at 8:17am on a clear morning.
Group (grp)/Shutter button AF was active at the moment of exposure. The selected AF point was on the base of the colt’s neck.
Automatic AF Fine-tune: -6.
Image #1: Sandhill Crane, small colt stretching
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Five Very Good Reasons to Buy a Plane Ticket to Orlando Today. Unless you live in Florida …
When I planned the Master Classes — the first one was cancelled when I fell — I selected the dates by checking the dates on my crane chick and colt photos. As it turned out, the first dates would have been too early. But now I have two tame small colts, big chicks if you would, and one larger colt that I have now seen twice. But as above, two chicks hatched early on Saturday morning! So things are shaping up perfectly. Throw in Osprey, Limpkin, big flocks of Cattle Egrets, potential sunset silhouettes, and both vultures, there will be lots to photograph and even more to learn. Please shoot me an e-mail if you would like to learn of the late-registration discount. So far only multiple IPT/Galapagos Photo Cruise veteran and all-around super nice guy James White is signed up.
Tame baby cranes might be a good reason to join me.
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This image was created from my SUV on March 22, 2018 at ILE with the BLUBB-supported Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 600mm f/4G ED VR AF lens the Nikon AF-S Teleconverter TC-14E III, and the Nikon D850. ISO 400. Matrix metering at about -1/3 stop: 1/1250 sec at f/7.1 in Manual mode. AUTO2 WB at 8:18am on a clear morning.
d-25/Shutter button AF was active at the moment of exposure. The selected AF point was on center of the bird’s neck.
Focus peaking AF Fine-tune: +4.
Image #2: Osprey, staring
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Ospreys on the Ground
It is not unusual to see Osprey on the ground in the large grassy fields. Twice in the past week I have had chances with a pair on the ground. If we get some cloudy weather, there can be good opportunities for this species in flight.
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This image was created on March 24, 2018 at ILE with the hand held Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR lens (at 330mm) and the Nikon D5 (with Dual XQD Slots). ISO 400. Matrix metering at zero: 1/1000 sec at f/7.1 in Manual mode. AUTO2 WB at 8:17am on a clear morning.
Upper d-25/Shutter button AF was active at the moment of exposure. The selected AF point was on the base of the bird’s neck.
Automatic AF Fine-tune: -6.
Image #3: Sandhill Crane, small colt backlit
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Backlit
With their fuzzy feathers, crane colts make ideal backlit subjects; the trick is to show a few blinkies on the rim lighting as I did with the RAW (NEF) file for Image #3.
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This image was created on March 24, 2018 at ILE with the hand held Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR lens (at 360mm) and the Nikon D5 (with Dual XQD Slots). ISO 400. Matrix metering at zero: 1/1000 sec at f/8 in Manual mode was an accidental underexposure; I turn the Index finger dial two clicks without know it. AUTO2 WB at 8:07am on a clear morning.
Upper d-25/Shutter button AF was active at the moment of exposure. The selected AF point was on the upper third of the bird’s neck.
Automatic AF Fine-tune: -6.
Image #4: Sandhill Crane, small colt walking
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Getting Even …
I have a spot where I can pretty much get as low as I want by moving down the bank of a canal. I plan to experiment by getting lower than I did for this image …
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This image was created from my SUV on March 23, 2018 at ILE with the BLUBB-supported Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 600mm f/4G ED VR AF lens the Nikon AF-S Teleconverter TC-14E III, and the Nikon D850. ISO 400. Matrix metering at zero: 1/1600 sec at f/7.1 in Manual mode. AUTO2 WB at 6:30pm on a clear late afternoon.
d-25/Shutter button AF was active at the moment of exposure. The selected AF point was on the base of the colt’s neck.
Focus peaking AF Fine-tune: +4.
Image #5: Sandhill Crane, large colt
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Your Calls?
Please leave a comment and let us know which of today’s five images you like best and which one you like least. And why for each.
I did see the large colt in Image #5 again on Saturday afternoon. It looked as if it had taken a nice bath as it was pretty grungy looking on Friday …
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Early Spring Photo Opportunities at ILE
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BIRDS AS ART First-ever Master Class
Master Class. Two Full and two Half Days/Friday afternoon, March 30 through lunch on Monday, April 2, 2018: $1999.00. Limit: 4/Openings 3.
The Master Classe will be a small group — strictly limited to four photographers — with the first folks who register having the option of staying at my home ($50/night) or at a chain motel in nearby Lake Wales. Live, think, and breathe photography from Friday afternoon through lunch on Monday (late-morning); all meals included. There will be three afternoon photo sessions (FRI – SUN) hopefully with glorious sunsets like the ones you saw one the blog in December we should have good opportunities with the cranes even in the afternoon. We will enjoy three morning photography sessions (SAT – MON) with the main subjects being tame Sandhill Cranes almost surely with chicks or colts. Also vultures and Cattle Egrets and more. Limpkins are possible. Intermediate telephoto lenses are fine for the cranes, even the chicks at times. A 500 or 600mm lens would be best for many of the situations that we will encounter.
During the day we will sit together around my dining room table and pick everyone’s keepers and enjoy guided Photoshop sessions. On Monday before lunch, folks can make a single large print of their favorite image from the weekend. If you so choose, I will micro-adjust one of your lenses (at one focal length with your #1 camera body–Canon or Nikon) during a group instructional session. All will be welcome to practice what they have learned during the breaks using my set-up and my lighting gear.
To register, please first shoot me an e-mail to check on availability. Then you will be instructed to call Jim or Jen at 863-692-0906 during weekday business hours (except for Friday afternoons) to leave you non-refundable (unless the session sells out) $500 deposit. Only the deposit may be left on credit card. Balances must be paid by check immediately after you register (unless you wish to pay by credit card plus 4% to cover our fees).
I hope that you can join me on this new adventure.
with love, artie
ps: bring your bathing suit if you would like to try my pool.
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Tame birds in breeding plumage and chicks are great fun.
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Gatorland IPT #2. Sunrise: 6:48am. Sunset: 7:58pm.
3 1/2 DAYs: THURS 26 APR through and including the morning of SUN 29 APR. $1599. Limit 5 photographers/Openings: 3.
Must purchase Gatorland Photographers Pass. Click here for details. All early entry. Late stays Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Gatorland IPT #2 should have lots of chicks, and lots of birds in breeding plumage. We will get to photograph Great Egret, Snowy Egret, Tricolored Heron, and Wood Stork. The Cattle Egrets in full breeding plumage will be present in good numbers. Learn my Gatorland strategy, to get the right exposure, flight photography techniques, my secret Gatorland spots, how to see the best situations (nobody is better at that than me), and how to make great images in extremely cluttered situations.
Help Support the Blog
Please help support my (stupendous) efforts here on the blog by remembering to click on the logo link above each time that you shop Amazon. That would be greatly appreciated. There is no problem using your Prime account; just click on the link and log into your Prime account. With love, artie
If In Doubt …
If in doubt about using the BAA B&H affiliate link correctly, you can always start your search by clicking here. Please note that the tracking is invisible. Web orders only. Please, however, remember to shoot me your receipt via e-mail.
Please Remember to use my Affiliate Links and to Visit the New BAA Online Store 🙂
To show your appreciation for my continuing efforts here, we ask, as always, that you get in the habit of using my B&H affiliate links on the right side of the blog for all of your photo and electronics purchases. Please check the availability of all photographic accessories in the New BIRDS AS ART Online Store, especially the Mongoose M3.6 tripod head, Wimberley lens plates, Delkin flash cards and accessories, and LensCoat stuff.
As always, we sell only what I have used, have tested, and can depend on. We will not sell you junk. We know what you need to make creating great images easy and fun. And please remember that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail.
I would of course appreciate your using our B&H affiliate links for all of your major gear, video, and electronic purchases. For the photographic stuff mentioned in the paragraph above, and for everything else in the new store, we, meaning BAA, would of course greatly appreciate your business. Here is a huge thank you to the many who have been using our links on a regular basis and those who will be visiting the New BIRDS AS ART Online Store as well.
Facebook
Be sure to like and follow BAA on Facebook by clicking on the logo link upper right. Tanks a stack.
Typos
In all blog posts and Bulletins, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors. Just be right :).
March 24th, 2018 Stuff
The shoulder continues to improve as I get close to the two week mark. I went into town on Thursday and Friday for some light deep tissue massage work And I was glad to find the two crane chicks in good health down by the lake in the morning.
Chuck Westfall
I learned recently that the photography world and Canon USA lost a giant of the camera industry, Chuck Westfall to kidney cancer last week. Chuck, who held several different positions with Canon over the past few decades, was simply Canon’s top tech rep. His knowledge of the Canon system was both encyclopedic and unmatched. Best of all was his kind manner and willingness to share. An e-mail to Chuck rarely went unanswered for more than an hour. Condolences to the wife and daughter he left behind and all of those who are missing him.
When I let my remaining friends at Canon know that I had switched to Nikon I received this gracious-as-always e-mail:
Artie,
Thank you very much for letting us know about your recent decision. I look forward to hearing about your progress in the coming months, and hope that you’ll let me know if there is anything more I can do to help.
Best Regards Always, Chuck
Chuck Westfall
Advisor, Technical Information
ITCG Image Communication Products
Marketing Division
Canon U.S.A., Inc.
And when I sent condolences to his sidekick Rudy Winston he replied:
Many thanks, Artie. I know Chuck was exceptionally fond of you, and the terrific work you’ve always done. We’ll all miss him. Hope things are going well for you. Rudy Winston, Canon USA
I had the pleasure of working on a Canon EOS 40D video at The St. Augustine Alligator Farm several years ago with Chuck and on several videos with Rudy Winston. Losing Chuck was like losing a member of the family.
The Streak
Today makes two hundred thirty-six days in a row with a new educational blog post! This one took about an hour to prepare. With all of my upcoming free time (or not…), the plan right now is to try to break the current record streak of 480 … Good health and good internet connections and my continuing insanity willing.
Money Saving Reminder
If you need a hot photo item that is out of stock at B&H, would enjoy free overnight shipping, and would like a $50 discount on your first purchase, click here to order and enter the coupon code BIRDSASART at checkout. If you are looking to strike a deal on Canon or Nikon gear (including the big telephotos) or on a multiple item order, contact Steve Elkins via e-mail or on his cell at (479) 381-2592 (Eastern time) and be sure to mention your BIRDSASART coupon code and use it for your online order. Patrick Sparkman saved $350 on a recent purchase!
The Used Gear Page
Action on the Used Gear Page recently has been fantastic. You can see all current listings here.
Recent Sales
Joel Williams sold his Fujifilm XF 16-55 f/2.8 R LM WR lens in like-new condition for only $549 near the end of March 2018.
Jim Brennan sold his Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM lens in excellent plus condition for only $1,219.00 on the first day of listing.
Jim Burns recently sold his EOS-1D Mark IV body in excellent plus condition for a BAA record low $998; not sure exactly when 🙂
David Solis sold a brand new Sanho HyperDrive Colorspace UDMA 3 1 TB wireless photo/video memory card backup for $399.00 after being contacted on the first day of listing.
David Solis sold his Canon EF 300 mm f/2.8L IS USM (the original version) lens in excellent plus condition for $2399.00 after being contacted on the first day of listing.
David Solis sold his Canon EF 500 mm f/4L IS USM (the “old five”) in excellent plus condition with perfect glass for the BAA record low price of $3399.00.
Les Greenberg sold his Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM zoom lens in mint condition to a local buyer and is sending me a check for 2 1/2% of the original asking price of $1599.
Joel Williams sold his Fujifilm XF 50 f/2 R WR lens in like-new condition for only $299 in early March.
Rajat Kapoor sold his Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM lens (the “old 1-4”) in near-mint condition the first day is was listed for $649.
Jim Brennan sold his Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS USM lens (the “old five”) in near-mint condition and a Canon EF 1.4 III teleconverter in very good condition for $3,599.00 right after listing them in early March.
Gary Meyer sold his Canon EOS 7D Mark II in near-mint condition for $798 soon after it was listed in early March.
In addition, the sale of John Norris’s Canon 1DX Mark II — premium kit — (with less than 2,000 actuations!) in like-new condition but for a few small scuff marks for top left and bottom right for the BAA record-low price of $3,996.00 became pending on the first day it was listed.
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Both of these images were created at the east jetty at Shinnecock Inlet on November 24, 2017 during my Thanksgiving visit to Long Island. I used the hand held Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM lens (at 400mm) and the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV. ISO 400. Evaluative metering at zero: 1/2000 sec. at f/6.3 in Manual mode was an underexposure. AWB at 4:33 on a clear late afternoon.
LensAlign/Mark II autofocus micro-adjustment: -5.
For the image on the left: one row up and three AF points to the right of the center AF point/Expand/Shutter button AF was active at the moment of exposure. The selected AF point was on the gull’s neck just about on the same plane as its eye. For the image on the right all was the same but for the selected AF point: one row up and three AF points to the left of the center AF point.
Click on the image to enjoy a larger version.
The two originals from which today’s featured image was created
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Bad Luck: Yawned the Wrong Way …
I framed _P3A0782 with the bird on our right hoping that it would look to its right, our left. Instead it yawned to its left, our right. That left the bird on the traditionally wrong side of the frame, i.e., looking out of the short side. Since the bird was sitting in the same spot I moved the AF point to the left and made a second frame knowing that I could use the water on the right side of frame in _P3A0786 as source material. At times it pays to think digitally while you are in the field.
What to Do?
See item next for the simple solution.
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Herring Gull winter plumage yawning
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The Optimized Image
By force of recent habit I converted both images in ACR picking “use previous conversion” from the drop-down menu. Once I had both TIFFs in Photoshop with the Background copy duplicated, I expanded the canvas of _P3A0782 well to the right. There is not need to be exact since I knew that I would wind up cropping the resulting image to 3X2. Then I grabbed the top layer of _P3A0786 and used the Move Tool (V) to drag it roughly into position. Then I reduced the Opacity of the top layer to 50% so that I could effectively seen through it to the layer below. I used the arrow keys to line things up perfectly; when the rock above matched the rock below the two images seem to snap into sharp focus. Then I raised the Opacity of the top layer to 100%, added a Regular Layer Mask, and using a large, soft brush, and erased everything to the left of the end of the rock revealing the yawning bird below.
It would seem that you would be pretty much done at that point but I was unhappy with the dark areas in the background to the right of the rock so I worked on those with the Patch Tool and some Content Aware Fill. Then I used the Gaussian Blur technique detailed in yesterday’s blog post to really smooth things out. Then I selected the bird and the rock, put it on it’s own layer, and applied my NIK 30/30 recipe. The bird still looked a bit flat so I went back into NIK and added some Pro Contrast. Voila.
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The BIRDS AS ART Current Workflow e-Guide (Digital Basics II).
You can order your copy from the BAA Online Store here, by sending a Paypal for $40 here, or by calling Jim or Jennifer weekdays at 863-692-0906 with your credit card in hand.
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The BIRDS AS ART Current Workflow e-Guide (Digital Basics II)
Your guessed it, everything mentioned above and tons more is covered in detail in the BIRDS AS ART Current Workflow e-Guide (Digital Basics II), an instructional PDF that is sent via e-mail. Learn more and check out the free excerpt in the blog post here. While the new e-Guide reflects my Macbook Pro/Photo Mechanic/DPP 4/Photoshop workflow, folks using a PC and/or BreezeBrowser will also benefit greatly by studying the material on DB II. Do note that you will find the RGB Curves Adjustment Color Balancing tutorial only in the new e-guide. Note: folks working on a PC and/or those who do not want to miss anything Photoshop may wish to purchase the original Digital Basics along with DB II while saving $15 by clicking here to buy the DB Bundle.
The two most recent and many of the older MP4 Photoshop Tutorial videos releases go hand and hand with the information in DB II):
- The Wingtip Repairs MP4 Video here.
- The MP4 Crow Cleanup Video here.
Folks who learn well by following along rather than by reading can check out the complete collection of MP 4 Photoshop Tutorial Videos by clicking here.
You can learn how and why I converted nearly all of my Canon digital RAW files in DPP 4 using Canon Digital Photo Professional in the DPP 4 RAW conversion Guide here. And, yes, I still have many Canon images to work on. 🙂 You can learn advanced Quick Masking and advanced Layer Masking techniques in APTATS I & II. You can save $15 by purchasing the pair. Folks can learn sophisticated sharpening and (NeatImage) Noise Reduction techniques in the The Professional Post Processing Guide by Arash Hazeghi and yours truly.
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Early Spring Photo Opportunities at ILE
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BIRDS AS ART First-ever Master Class
Master Class. Two Full and two Half Days/Friday afternoon, March 30 through lunch on Monday, April 2, 2018: $1999.00. Limit: 4/Openings 3.
The Master Classe will be a small group — strictly limited to four photographers — with the first folks who register having the option of staying at my home ($50/night) or at a chain motel in nearby Lake Wales. Live, think, and breathe photography from Friday afternoon through lunch on Monday (late-morning); all meals included. There will be three afternoon photo sessions (FRI – SUN) hopefully with glorious sunsets like the ones you saw one the blog in December we should have good opportunities with the cranes even in the afternoon. We will enjoy three morning photography sessions (SAT – MON) with the main subjects being tame Sandhill Cranes almost surely with chicks or colts. Also vultures and Cattle Egrets and more. Limpkins are possible. Intermediate telephoto lenses are fine for the cranes, even the chicks at times. A 500 or 600mm lens would be best for many of the situations that we will encounter.
During the day we will sit together around my dining room table and pick everyone’s keepers and enjoy guided Photoshop sessions. On Monday before lunch, folks can make a single large print of their favorite image from the weekend. If you so choose, I will micro-adjust one of your lenses (at one focal length with your #1 camera body–Canon or Nikon) during a group instructional session. All will be welcome to practice what they have learned during the breaks using my set-up and my lighting gear.
To register, please first shoot me an e-mail to check on availability. Then you will be instructed to call Jim or Jen at 863-692-0906 during weekday business hours (except for Friday afternoons) to leave you non-refundable (unless the session sells out) $500 deposit. Only the deposit may be left on credit card. Balances must be paid by check immediately after you register (unless you wish to pay by credit card plus 4% to cover our fees).
I hope that you can join me on this new adventure.
with love, artie
ps: bring your bathing suit if you would like to try my pool.
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Tame birds in breeding plumage and chicks are great fun.
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Gatorland IPT #2. Sunrise: 6:48am. Sunset: 7:58pm.
3 1/2 DAYs: THURS 26 APR through and including the morning of SUN 29 APR. $1599. Limit 5 photographers/Openings: 3.
Must purchase Gatorland Photographers Pass. Click here for details. All early entry. Late stays Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Gatorland IPT #2 should have lots of chicks, and lots of birds in breeding plumage. We will get to photograph Great Egret, Snowy Egret, Tricolored Heron, and Wood Stork. The Cattle Egrets in full breeding plumage will be present in good numbers. Learn my Gatorland strategy, to get the right exposure, flight photography techniques, my secret Gatorland spots, how to see the best situations (nobody is better at that than me), and how to make great images in extremely cluttered situations.
Help Support the Blog
Please help support my (stupendous) efforts here on the blog by remembering to click on the logo link above each time that you shop Amazon. That would be greatly appreciated. There is no problem using your Prime account; just click on the link and log into your Prime account. With love, artie
If In Doubt …
If in doubt about using the BAA B&H affiliate link correctly, you can always start your search by clicking here. Please note that the tracking is invisible. Web orders only. Please, however, remember to shoot me your receipt via e-mail.
Please Remember to use my Affiliate Links and to Visit the New BAA Online Store 🙂
To show your appreciation for my continuing efforts here, we ask, as always, that you get in the habit of using my B&H affiliate links on the right side of the blog for all of your photo and electronics purchases. Please check the availability of all photographic accessories in the New BIRDS AS ART Online Store, especially the Mongoose M3.6 tripod head, Wimberley lens plates, Delkin flash cards and accessories, and LensCoat stuff.
As always, we sell only what I have used, have tested, and can depend on. We will not sell you junk. We know what you need to make creating great images easy and fun. And please remember that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail.
I would of course appreciate your using our B&H affiliate links for all of your major gear, video, and electronic purchases. For the photographic stuff mentioned in the paragraph above, and for everything else in the new store, we, meaning BAA, would of course greatly appreciate your business. Here is a huge thank you to the many who have been using our links on a regular basis and those who will be visiting the New BIRDS AS ART Online Store as well.
Facebook
Be sure to like and follow BAA on Facebook by clicking on the logo link upper right. Tanks a stack.
Typos
In all blog posts and Bulletins, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors. Just be right :).
March 23rd, 2018 Stuff
The shoulder continues to feel better but there is still lots of impingement with abduction and flexion. But everyday it becomes a bit easier to do the everyday things with my left arm that we take for granted. I did not lift a finger on the Nikon Focus Fine-tune Guide on Thursday. As always, writing good how-to is a time consuming challenge and I was quite busy.
Back in the Saddle
I went down to the lake for the first time in too long on Wednesday evening. It was cold and windy. I was thrilled to find a pair of cranes with two tame chicks but was about five minutes too late to make and nice backlit images. I was glad to learn that I could easily manage the 600 on the BLUBB with my bad left wing. I went back down on Wednesday morning 100% sure that I would see the crane chicks in the exact same spot. I did not. I will head back down again Friday morning to look for them. Despite the strong NW winds in the morning, I did have lots of fun with the turkey hens and a pair of Ospreys on the ground. And I did some flight photography with the hand held D5 and the 200-500.
It felt good to get out and do some photography. But it was probably not the smartest thing to be doing quite yet …
The Streak
Today makes two hundred thirty-five days in a row with a new educational blog post! This one took about an hour to prepare. With all of my upcoming free time (or not…), the plan right now is to try to break the current record streak of 480 … Good health and good internet connections and my continuing insanity willing.
Money Saving Reminder
If you need a hot photo item that is out of stock at B&H, would enjoy free overnight shipping, and would like a $50 discount on your first purchase, click here to order and enter the coupon code BIRDSASART at checkout. If you are looking to strike a deal on Canon or Nikon gear (including the big telephotos) or on a multiple item order, contact Steve Elkins via e-mail or on his cell at (479) 381-2592 (Eastern time) and be sure to mention your BIRDSASART coupon code and use it for your online order. Patrick Sparkman saved $350 on a recent purchase!
The Used Gear Page
Action on the Used Gear Page recently has been fantastic. You can see all current listings here.
Recent Sales
Jim Brennan sold his Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM lens in excellent plus condition for only $1,219.00 on the first day of listing.
Jim Burns recently sold his EOS-1D Mark IV body in excellent plus condition for a BAA record low $998; not sure exactly when 🙂
David Solis sold a brand new Sanho HyperDrive Colorspace UDMA 3 1 TB wireless photo/video memory card backup for $399.00 after being contacted on the first day of listing.
David Solis sold his Canon EF 300 mm f/2.8L IS USM (the original version) lens in excellent plus condition for $2399.00 after being contacted on the first day of listing.
David Solis sold his Canon EF 500 mm f/4L IS USM (the “old five”) in excellent plus condition with perfect glass for the BAA record low price of $3399.00.
Les Greenberg sold his Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM zoom lens in mint condition to a local buyer and is sending me a check for 2 1/2% of the original asking price of $1599.
Joel Williams sold his Fujifilm XF 50 f/2 R WR lens in like-new condition for only $299 in early March.
Rajat Kapoor sold his Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM lens (the “old 1-4”) in near-mint condition the first day is was listed for $649.
Jim Brennan sold his Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS USM lens (the “old five”) in near-mint condition and a Canon EF 1.4 III teleconverter in very good condition for $3,599.00 right after listing them in early March.
Gary Meyer sold his Canon EOS 7D Mark II in near-mint condition for $798 soon after it was listed in early March.
In addition, the sale of John Norris’s Canon 1DX Mark II — premium kit — (with less than 2,000 actuations!) in like-new condition but for a few small scuff marks for top left and bottom right for the BAA record-low price of $3,996.00 became pending on the first day it was listed.
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This image was created on the morning of March 22, 2018 at ILE with the BLUBB-supported Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 600mm f/4G ED VR AF lens the Nikon AF-S Teleconverter TC-14E III, and the Nikon D850. ISO 800. Matrix metering at ZERO: 1/1250 sec at f/6.3 in Manual mode. AUTO2 WB at 8:02am on a clear morning.
d-9/Shutter button AF was active at the moment of exposure. The selected AF point was on the turkey’s upper back, just about on the same plane as its eye.
Click on the image to enjoy a larger version.
Focus peaking AF Fine-tune: +4.
Wild Turkey hen
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I Forgot About Them Turkeys …
I saw the dark forms on the grass from about a quarter mile away, at the far end of the north field. I knew exactly what they were. Wild Turkey come down to the lake to feed regularly in early spring. Most of them are hens but at times they are joined by some big spectacular toms. On average I will be seeing them every other day from now through May.
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Click on the image to for a larger version.
The original for today’s featured image, with lots of flaws …
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Simple Basic Image Cleanup
The straightforward RAW conversion was done in ACR. As you can see in the before version above, there were more than a few distracting elements to deal with: the single stalk lower right; the brown crud behind the bird’s tail; a few vertical stalks of grass in the background; and lot of round sort of large specular highlights also in the background.
I used the Patch Tool on the single stalk lower right but needed to clean things up with two small Quick Masks refined by Regular Layer Masks. The crud was covered with a single large Quick Mask refined by Regular Layer Mask. I used the Patch Tool on the vertical stalks and a large Spot Healing Brush on the distracting circles. To smooth out the background I created a duplicate layer, ran a 59 pixel Gaussian Blur on that, applied a Hide-All (Inverse or Black) Mask and then hit B + D + X and painted in the effect on the out-of-focus background being careful to avoid he subject.
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The BIRDS AS ART Current Workflow e-Guide (Digital Basics II) will teach you an efficient Mac or PC/Photo Mechanic/Photoshop workflow that will make it easy for you to make your images better in Photoshop (rather than worse). That true whether you convert your images in DPP 4 or ACR. See the blog post here to learn lots more and to read a free excerpt.
You can order your copy from the BAA Online Store here, by sending a Paypal for $40 here, or by calling Jim or Jennifer weekdays at 863-692-0906 with your credit card in hand.
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The BIRDS AS ART Current Workflow e-Guide (Digital Basics II)
Your guessed it, everything mentioned above and tons more is covered in detail in the BIRDS AS ART Current Workflow e-Guide (Digital Basics II), an instructional PDF that is sent via e-mail. Learn more and check out the free excerpt in the blog post here. While the new e-Guide reflects my Macbook Pro/Photo Mechanic/DPP 4/Photoshop workflow, folks using a PC and/or BreezeBrowser will also benefit greatly by studying the material on DB II. Do note that you will find the RGB Curves Adjustment Color Balancing tutorial only in the new e-guide. Note: folks working on a PC and/or those who do not want to miss anything Photoshop may wish to purchase the original Digital Basics along with DB II while saving $15 by clicking here to buy the DB Bundle.
The two most recent and many of the older MP4 Photoshop Tutorial videos releases go hand and hand with the information in DB II):
- The Wingtip Repairs MP4 Video here.
- The MP4 Crow Cleanup Video here.
Folks who learn well by following along rather than by reading can check out the complete collection of MP 4 Photoshop Tutorial Videos by clicking here.
You can learn how and why I converted nearly all of my Canon digital RAW files in DPP 4 using Canon Digital Photo Professional in the DPP 4 RAW conversion Guide here. And, yes, I still have many Canon images to work on. 🙂 You can learn advanced Quick Masking and advanced Layer Masking techniques in APTATS I & II. You can save $15 by purchasing the pair. Folks can learn sophisticated sharpening and (NeatImage) Noise Reduction techniques in the The Professional Post Processing Guide by Arash Hazeghi and yours truly.
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Early Spring Photo Opportunities at ILE
|
BIRDS AS ART First-ever Master Class
Master Class. Two Full and two Half Days/Friday afternoon, March 30 through lunch on Monday, April 2, 2018: $1999.00. Limit: 4/Openings 3.
The Master Classe will be a small group — strictly limited to four photographers — with the first folks who register having the option of staying at my home ($50/night) or at a chain motel in nearby Lake Wales. Live, think, and breathe photography from Friday afternoon through lunch on Monday (late-morning); all meals included. There will be three afternoon photo sessions (FRI – SUN) hopefully with glorious sunsets like the ones you saw one the blog in December we should have good opportunities with the cranes even in the afternoon. We will enjoy three morning photography sessions (SAT – MON) with the main subjects being tame Sandhill Cranes almost surely with chicks or colts. Also vultures and Cattle Egrets and more. Limpkins are possible. Intermediate telephoto lenses are fine for the cranes, even the chicks at times. A 500 or 600mm lens would be best for many of the situations that we will encounter.
During the day we will sit together around my dining room table and pick everyone’s keepers and enjoy guided Photoshop sessions. On Monday before lunch, folks can make a single large print of their favorite image from the weekend. If you so choose, I will micro-adjust one of your lenses (at one focal length with your #1 camera body–Canon or Nikon) during a group instructional session. All will be welcome to practice what they have learned during the breaks using my set-up and my lighting gear.
To register, please first shoot me an e-mail to check on availability. Then you will be instructed to call Jim or Jen at 863-692-0906 during weekday business hours (except for Friday afternoons) to leave you non-refundable (unless the session sells out) $500 deposit. Only the deposit may be left on credit card. Balances must be paid by check immediately after you register (unless you wish to pay by credit card plus 4% to cover our fees).
I hope that you can join me on this new adventure.
with love, artie
ps: bring your bathing suit if you would like to try my pool.
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Tame birds in breeding plumage and chicks are great fun.
|
Gatorland IPT #2. Sunrise: 6:48am. Sunset: 7:58pm.
3 1/2 DAYs: THURS 26 APR through and including the morning of SUN 29 APR. $1599. Limit 5 photographers/Openings: 3.
Must purchase Gatorland Photographers Pass. Click here for details. All early entry. Late stays Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Gatorland IPT #2 should have lots of chicks, and lots of birds in breeding plumage. We will get to photograph Great Egret, Snowy Egret, Tricolored Heron, and Wood Stork. The Cattle Egrets in full breeding plumage will be present in good numbers. Learn my Gatorland strategy, to get the right exposure, flight photography techniques, my secret Gatorland spots, how to see the best situations (nobody is better at that than me), and how to make great images in extremely cluttered situations.
Help Support the Blog
Please help support my (stupendous) efforts here on the blog by remembering to click on the logo link above each time that you shop Amazon. That would be greatly appreciated. There is no problem using your Prime account; just click on the link and log into your Prime account. With love, artie
If In Doubt …
If in doubt about using the BAA B&H affiliate link correctly, you can always start your search by clicking here. Please note that the tracking is invisible. Web orders only. Please, however, remember to shoot me your receipt via e-mail.
Please Remember to use my Affiliate Links and to Visit the New BAA Online Store 🙂
To show your appreciation for my continuing efforts here, we ask, as always, that you get in the habit of using my B&H affiliate links on the right side of the blog for all of your photo and electronics purchases. Please check the availability of all photographic accessories in the New BIRDS AS ART Online Store, especially the Mongoose M3.6 tripod head, Wimberley lens plates, Delkin flash cards and accessories, and LensCoat stuff.
As always, we sell only what I have used, have tested, and can depend on. We will not sell you junk. We know what you need to make creating great images easy and fun. And please remember that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail.
I would of course appreciate your using our B&H affiliate links for all of your major gear, video, and electronic purchases. For the photographic stuff mentioned in the paragraph above, and for everything else in the new store, we, meaning BAA, would of course greatly appreciate your business. Here is a huge thank you to the many who have been using our links on a regular basis and those who will be visiting the New BIRDS AS ART Online Store as well.
Facebook
Be sure to like and follow BAA on Facebook by clicking on the logo link upper right. Tanks a stack.
Typos
In all blog posts and Bulletins, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors. Just be right :).
March 22nd, 2018 Stuff
The shoulder continues to feel better but still lots of impingements with abduction and flexion. But I am finding it easier to do the everyday things with my left arm that we take for granted. And I slept a lot better on Tuesday night than I did on Monday night.
I got a ton of work done on the Nikon Focus Fine-tune Guide. As always, writing good how-to is a time consuming challenge. I do well by doing the task while writing about it; that ensures that all the instructions will be clear, accurate, and complete. At least that is the plan.
The Streak
Today makes two hundred thirty-four days in a row with a new educational blog post! This about an hour to prepare. With all of my upcoming free time (or not…), the plan right now is to try to break the current record streak of 480 … Good health and good internet connections and my continuing insanity willing.
Money Saving Reminder
If you need a hot photo item that is out of stock at B&H, would enjoy free overnight shipping, and would like a $50 discount on your first purchase, click here to order and enter the coupon code BIRDSASART at checkout. If you are looking to strike a deal on Canon or Nikon gear (including the big telephotos) or on a multiple item order, contact Steve Elkins via e-mail or on his cell at (479) 381-2592 (Eastern time) and be sure to mention your BIRDSASART coupon code and use it for your online order. Patrick Sparkman saved $350 on a recent purchase!
The Used Gear Page
Action on the Used Gear Page recently has been fantastic. You can see all current listings here.
Recent Sales
Jim Brennan sold his Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM lens in excellent plus condition for only $1,219.00 on the first day of listing.
Jim Burns recently sold his EOS-1D Mark IV body in excellent plus condition for a BAA record low $998; not sure exactly when 🙂
David Solis sold a brand new Sanho HyperDrive Colorspace UDMA 3 1 TB wireless photo/video memory card backup for $399.00 after being contacted on the first day of listing.
David Solis sold his Canon EF 300 mm f/2.8L IS USM (the original version) lens in excellent plus condition for $2399.00 after being contacted on the first day of listing.
David Solis sold his Canon EF 500 mm f/4L IS USM (the “old five”) in excellent plus condition with perfect glass for the BAA record low price of $3399.00.
Les Greenberg sold his Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM zoom lens in mint condition to a local buyer and is sending me a check for 2 1/2% of the original asking price of $1599.
Joel Williams sold his Fujifilm XF 50 f/2 R WR lens in like-new condition for only $299 in early March.
Rajat Kapoor sold his Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM lens (the “old 1-4”) in near-mint condition the first day is was listed for $649.
Jim Brennan sold his Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS USM lens (the “old five”) in near-mint condition and a Canon EF 1.4 III teleconverter in very good condition for $3,599.00 right after listing them in early March.
Gary Meyer sold his Canon EOS 7D Mark II in near-mint condition for $798 soon after it was listed in early March.
In addition, the sale of John Norris’s Canon 1DX Mark II — premium kit — (with less than 2,000 actuations!) in like-new condition but for a few small scuff marks for top left and bottom right for the BAA record-low price of $3,996.00 became pending on the first day it was listed.
New Listing
Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS II USM Lens
Kevin Hice is offering a lightly used Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS II USM lens in near-mint condition for $4099.00. The sale includes the rear lens cap, the lens trunk, the tough front lens cover, the lens strap, a LensCoat, the Canon drop-in polarizer (PL-C52 — W11) with inexpensive filter replaced by a Singh Ray LB Warming Circular Polarizer (about a $400 value), and and insured ground shipping via major courier to US addresses only. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.
Please contact Kevin via e-mail or by phone at 1-701-460-6112 (Central time).
The 300mm f/2.8 autofocus lenses have long been the first choice of the world’s best hawks-in-flight photographers with and without a 1.4X TC. When teamed up with either the 1.4X or 2X TC, it makes a great hand holdable walk-around lens. Grabbing Kevin’s near-mint lens will save you an incredible $2,000.00 as new ones are going for $6099 from B&H. I owned and used several versions of the 300 f/2.8 lens for many years until finally replacing my 300 f/2.8 II with the 400 DO II about a year ago. That said, the 300 f/2.8 II represents a great value as the 400 DO II sells new for 6,899.00. artie
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This image was created on February 17, 2018 at Gatorland with the Induro GIT 304L/Mongoose M3.6-mounted Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 600mm f/4G ED VR AF lens and the Nikon D850. ISO 400. Matrix metering probably at -1/3 stop as originally framed: 1/4000 sec. at f/6.3 in Manual mode. SUNNY WB at 8:24am on a clear morning.
Center Group/Shutter Button AF as originally framed; the bottom AF point in the diamond pattern was squarely on the bird’s eye.
Click on the image to enjoy a larger version.
Focus peaking AF Fine-tune: +11
Snowy Egret, mega-breeding plumage in flight
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Flight Photography with High Megapixel Camera Bodies …
There are several advantages to using high megapixel cameras like the Nikon D850, the Canon 5D Mark IV, and the Canon 5DS R:
1-When you shoot wider, that is, with the subject smaller in the frame, you enjoy extra depth-of-field because the subject is relatively far away.
2-With the subject relatively far away, the bird will be moving more slowly relative to your position than if you had added a TC to a lower mega-pixel body in an effort to get more pixels on the subject.
3-With the subject moving more slowly relative to your position AF tracking and accuracy perform better resulting in sharper images.
4-You can execute relatively large crops and wind up with high quality images.
Focus peaking AF Fine-tune: +11!
Note with today’s featured image that the Focus peaking AF Fine-tune of +11 makes a significant difference in image sharpness as compared to the default setting, zero.
Fine-tune values of +1 or -2 do not make any great differences but the idea of fine-tuning and micro-adjusting is to ferret out the combos that need some serious adjustments and to maximize the percentage of sharp keepers with all iterations of your camera bodies, lenses, and TCs.
The Nikon D850/D5/D500/D750 Focus Fine-tune Guide
I began work on the Nikon D850/D5/D500/D750 Focus Fine-tune Guide last Friday. There is lots of mis-information out there on Nikon Automatic AF Fine-tune. Working with Patrick Sparkman, we developed a way of using that feature effectively. Patrick was on a roll and perfected a method for using the Focus Peaking feature available only on the D850 to quickly and accurately micro-adjust all lenses and TC-Es with your D-850. Both Nikon Automatic AF Fine-tune and D850 Focus Peaking AF Fine-tune require a LensAlign Mark II kit so that you can obtain accurate results. I learned recently that the Nikon D500 DSLR and the older D750 both offer Automatic AF Fine-tune.
Folks who use one of my links to purchase a Nikon D850, a Nikon D5 DSLR Camera (Body Only, Dual XQD Slots), a Nikon D500 DSLR , or any Nikon gear totaling more than $2,000 will receive the new guide free. I hope to have it finished in two weeks but don’t hold me to it 🙂
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Click on the image to get a better view.
Capture NX-D screen capture
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A Healthy Crop …
Today’s featured image is only 23.7% of the original. That means that 76.3% of those original pixels were cropped away and discarded. The flattened 8-bit master file is 30.9 M. The flattened 8-bit TIFF is 130 M. The high mega-pixel camera bodies allow you to crop almost with impunity and maintain decent image quality, provided that the original image is sharp.
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Early Spring Photo Opportunities at ILE
|
BIRDS AS ART First-ever Master Class
Master Class. Two Full and two Half Days/Friday afternoon, March 30 through lunch on Monday, April 2, 2018: $1999.00. Limit: 4/Openings 3.
The Master Classe will be a small group — strictly limited to four photographers — with the first folks who register having the option of staying at my home ($50/night) or at a chain motel in nearby Lake Wales. Live, think, and breathe photography from Friday afternoon through lunch on Monday (late-morning); all meals included. There will be three afternoon photo sessions (FRI – SUN) hopefully with glorious sunsets like the ones you saw one the blog in December we should have good opportunities with the cranes even in the afternoon. We will enjoy three morning photography sessions (SAT – MON) with the main subjects being tame Sandhill Cranes almost surely with chicks or colts. Also vultures and Cattle Egrets and more. Limpkins are possible. Intermediate telephoto lenses are fine for the cranes, even the chicks at times. A 500 or 600mm lens would be best for many of the situations that we will encounter.
During the day we will sit together around my dining room table and pick everyone’s keepers and enjoy guided Photoshop sessions. On Monday before lunch, folks can make a single large print of their favorite image from the weekend. If you so choose, I will micro-adjust one of your lenses (at one focal length with your #1 camera body–Canon or Nikon) during a group instructional session. All will be welcome to practice what they have learned during the breaks using my set-up and my lighting gear.
To register, please first shoot me an e-mail to check on availability. Then you will be instructed to call Jim or Jen at 863-692-0906 during weekday business hours (except for Friday afternoons) to leave you non-refundable (unless the session sells out) $500 deposit. Only the deposit may be left on credit card. Balances must be paid by check immediately after you register (unless you wish to pay by credit card plus 4% to cover our fees).
I hope that you can join me on this new adventure.
with love, artie
ps: bring your bathing suit if you would like to try my pool.
|
|
Tame birds in breeding plumage and chicks are great fun.
|
Gatorland IPT #2. Sunrise: 6:48am. Sunset: 7:58pm.
3 1/2 DAYs: THURS 26 APR through and including the morning of SUN 29 APR. $1599. Limit 5 photographers/Openings: 3.
Must purchase Gatorland Photographers Pass. Click here for details. All early entry. Late stays Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Gatorland IPT #2 should have lots of chicks, and lots of birds in breeding plumage. We will get to photograph Great Egret, Snowy Egret, Tricolored Heron, and Wood Stork. The Cattle Egrets in full breeding plumage will be present in good numbers. Learn my Gatorland strategy, to get the right exposure, flight photography techniques, my secret Gatorland spots, how to see the best situations (nobody is better at that than me), and how to make great images in extremely cluttered situations.
Help Support the Blog
Please help support my (stupendous) efforts here on the blog by remembering to click on the logo link above each time that you shop Amazon. That would be greatly appreciated. There is no problem using your Prime account; just click on the link and log into your Prime account. With love, artie
If In Doubt …
If in doubt about using the BAA B&H affiliate link correctly, you can always start your search by clicking here. Please note that the tracking is invisible. Web orders only. Please, however, remember to shoot me your receipt via e-mail.
Please Remember to use my Affiliate Links and to Visit the New BAA Online Store 🙂
To show your appreciation for my continuing efforts here, we ask, as always, that you get in the habit of using my B&H affiliate links on the right side of the blog for all of your photo and electronics purchases. Please check the availability of all photographic accessories in the New BIRDS AS ART Online Store, especially the Mongoose M3.6 tripod head, Wimberley lens plates, Delkin flash cards and accessories, and LensCoat stuff.
As always, we sell only what I have used, have tested, and can depend on. We will not sell you junk. We know what you need to make creating great images easy and fun. And please remember that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail.
I would of course appreciate your using our B&H affiliate links for all of your major gear, video, and electronic purchases. For the photographic stuff mentioned in the paragraph above, and for everything else in the new store, we, meaning BAA, would of course greatly appreciate your business. Here is a huge thank you to the many who have been using our links on a regular basis and those who will be visiting the New BIRDS AS ART Online Store as well.
Facebook
Be sure to like and follow BAA on Facebook by clicking on the logo link upper right. Tanks a stack.
Typos
In all blog posts and Bulletins, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors. Just be right :).
March 21st, 2018 Stuff
Tuesday was a dark stormy day in central Florida. My shoulder is actually showing significant improvement. Many of the simple everyday movements that had caused me pain for the past nine days are becoming easier to do. Range of motion is still quite restricted but I am pretty sure that the light that I see at the end of the tunnel is not an oncoming train.
My Recipe
Codfish Curry
The starred ingredients all have anti-inflammatory properties.
5 oz codfish — 5 oz sweet potato * — diced onion * — smashed garlic * — 4 oz. almond milk — curry powder *
Bake the sweet potato at 425 for 40 minutes and then cut into chunks. Sautée the onion and garlic in olive oil. Dump everything into a casserole dish and sprinkle with lots of curry powder. Salt to taste. Bake at 425 degrees for 25 minutes. Sweeten with a bit of stevia. Serve with a side dish of unsweetened applesauce. Yummy! And easy on my blood sugar levels. You can of course substitute the protein of your choice.
The Streak
Today makes two hundred thirty-three days in a row with a new educational blog post! This one took less than 90 minutes to prepare. With all of my upcoming free time (or not…), the plan right now is to try to break the current record streak of 480 … Good health and good internet connections and my continuing insanity willing.
Lots More to Learn
Read my replies to many of the comments on the Getting Close and Tall for a Reason: Blackground! blog post here. There is almost always a ton to learn by re-visiting the Comments section of each blog post.
A Nikon Camera Body Question
Is there a switch or button on the D5 and/or the D850 that you can use to switch from AF-S (Single servo AF for static subjects) to AF-C (Full time servo AF for moving subjects)? I remember seeing a C/S switch on older Nikon camera bodies but … As I never use AF-S I set a-10 under the CUSTOM SETTING MENU to AF-C. The name for a-10 is Autofocus mode restrictions. The name makes no sense to me … All help and/or explanations would be greatly appreciated.
Money Saving Reminder
If you need a hot photo item that is out of stock at B&H, would enjoy free overnight shipping, and would like a $50 discount on your first purchase, click here to order and enter the coupon code BIRDSASART at checkout. If you are looking to strike a deal on Canon or Nikon gear (including the big telephotos) or on a multiple item order, contact Steve Elkins via e-mail or on his cell at (479) 381-2592 (Eastern time) and be sure to mention your BIRDSASART coupon code and use it for your online order. Patrick Sparkman saved $350 on a recent purchase!
The Used Gear Page
Action on the Used Gear Page recently has been fantastic. You can see all current listings here.
Recent Sales
Jim Brennan sold his Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM lens in excellent plus condition for only $1,219.00 on the first day of listing.
Jim Burns recently sold his EOS-1D Mark IV body in excellent plus condition for a BAA record low $998; not sure exactly when 🙂
David Solis sold a brand new Sanho HyperDrive Colorspace UDMA 3 1 TB wireless photo/video memory card backup for $399.00 after being contacted on the first day of listing.
David Solis sold his Canon EF 300 mm f/2.8L IS USM (the original version) lens in excellent plus condition for $2399.00 after being contacted on the first day of listing.
David Solis sold his Canon EF 500 mm f/4L IS USM (the “old five”) in excellent plus condition with perfect glass for the BAA record low price of $3399.00.
Les Greenberg sold his Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM zoom lens in mint condition to a local buyer and is sending me a check for 2 1/2% of the original asking price of $1599.
Joel Williams sold his Fujifilm XF 50 f/2 R WR lens in like-new condition for only $299 in early March.
Rajat Kapoor sold his Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM lens (the “old 1-4”) in near-mint condition the first day is was listed for $649.
Jim Brennan sold his Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS USM lens (the “old five”) in near-mint condition and a Canon EF 1.4 III teleconverter in very good condition for $3,599.00 right after listing them in early March.
Gary Meyer sold his Canon EOS 7D Mark II in near-mint condition for $798 soon after it was listed in early March.
In addition, the sale of John Norris’s Canon 1DX Mark II — premium kit — (with less than 2,000 actuations!) in like-new condition but for a few small scuff marks for top left and bottom right for the BAA record-low price of $3,996.00 became pending on the first day it was listed.
DJI Phantom 4 Pro Quadcopter
Jim Keener is offering a lightly used DJI Phantom 4 Pro Quadcopter in like-new condition $999.00. The sale includes the original product box, the instruction manual, and insured ground shipping by major courier to US addresses only. The drone was flown only five times for about 30 minutes each flight. It is very much fun to use and produces exceptional video. Personal checks only. No PayPal. Your item will not be shipped until your check clears.
Please contact Jim via e-mail or by phone at 310-741-7435 (9am-9pm Mountain time).
The Phantom 4 Pro from DJI boasts a 3-axis-stabilized gimbal camera with a 20MP, 1″ CMOS sensor capable of shooting up to 4K/60fps video and well as photo bursts at up to 14 fps. The hull has been updated from the previous Phantom 4, now featuring magnesium alloy construction for increased rigidity and reduced weight. The FlightAutonomy system adds dual rear-vision sensors plus infrared sensing for a total of five directions of obstacle sensing and four directions of obstacle avoidance. Compared to the Phantom 4 Advanced variant, the Pro features the noted four, rather than two, directions of obstacle avoidance and offers a 5.8 GHz channel for the Lightbridge link, in addition to 2.4 GHz. B&H
Folks who fly quadcopters are reminded to take care when flying them around wildlife. To put it simply, I have seen birds and animals freaked out by these devices flown too closely. artie
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This image was created on February 17, 2018 at Gatorland with the Induro GIT 304L/Mongoose M3.6-mounted Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR lens (at 500mm) and the mega mega-pixel Nikon D850 DSLR.. ISO 800. Matrix metering probably at +1/3 stop as originally framed: 1/1600 sec. at f/6.3 in Manual mode. WB: AUTO0 at 9:02am on a foggy morning.
Center Group/Shutter Button AF as originally framed; the diamond pattern was on the male’s shoulder. Click on the image to enjoy a larger version.
Image #1: Great Egret pair copulating at the nest
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This image was created at Gatorland on the morning of February 22, 2018 with the Induro GIT 304L/Mongoose M3.6-mounted Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 600mm f/4E FL ED VR lens, the Nikon AF-S Teleconverter TC-14E III, and the Nikon D850. ISO 1250. Matrix metering +2/3 stop as originally framed: 1/500 sec. at f6.3. Cloudy WB at 7:28am in the shade.
Center Group (grp) shutter Button AF with the AF cluster centered on the bird’s neck.
AF Fine-tune: +5. (Please see and carefully read Nikon Focus Fine-tune Guide item below). Click on the image to see a larger version.
Image #2: Great Egret with single egg in nest
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My Choice
In the Intimate Views blog post here, I asked which of the two images above was your favorite. Most folks preferred the second image for its intimacy. Only Jordan Cait of Toronto agreed with me in feeling that Image #1 was the stronger of the two. I like it best in part because Image #2 had a pretty bad BLUE/CYAN cast (that I had missed during post-processing). In addition there were the two very good head angles to go with the raised wing pose of the male. Just my two cents.
Blemished or Un-blemished?
In the Blemished or Un-blemished? blog post here, I far preferred the unblemished version. Why not?
In the Is Everything Just Ducky? Moral and Ethical Bird Photography Questions … blog post here, agreement was pretty much unanimous in feeling that if feeding is permitted and the food is healthy that baiting ducks to fly in and provide flight and other photographic opportunities was just fine. I of course feel exactly the same.
Many folks flew off course as far as their comments regarding entering photos of baited birds in major photographic competitions. The last time I looked, baiting of any kind was either permitted (with the exception of live bait) or simply not mentioned. The BBC contest’s only restriction is that if a subject has been baited that that fact should be revealed. I know for a fact that that is — for whatever reason — often not what happens.
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Early Spring Photo Opportunities at ILE
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BIRDS AS ART First-ever Master Class
Master Class. Two Full and two Half Days/Friday afternoon, March 30 through lunch on Monday, April 2, 2018: $1999.00. Limit: 4/Openings 3.
The Master Classe will be a small group — strictly limited to four photographers — with the first folks who register having the option of staying at my home ($50/night) or at a chain motel in nearby Lake Wales. Live, think, and breathe photography from Friday afternoon through lunch on Monday (late-morning); all meals included. There will be three afternoon photo sessions (FRI – SUN) hopefully with glorious sunsets like the ones you saw one the blog in December we should have good opportunities with the cranes even in the afternoon. We will enjoy three morning photography sessions (SAT – MON) with the main subjects being tame Sandhill Cranes almost surely with chicks or colts. Also vultures and Cattle Egrets and more. Limpkins are possible. Intermediate telephoto lenses are fine for the cranes, even the chicks at times. A 500 or 600mm lens would be best for many of the situations that we will encounter.
During the day we will sit together around my dining room table and pick everyone’s keepers and enjoy guided Photoshop sessions. On Monday before lunch, folks can make a single large print of their favorite image from the weekend. If you so choose, I will micro-adjust one of your lenses (at one focal length with your #1 camera body–Canon or Nikon) during a group instructional session. All will be welcome to practice what they have learned during the breaks using my set-up and my lighting gear.
To register, please first shoot me an e-mail to check on availability. Then you will be instructed to call Jim or Jen at 863-692-0906 during weekday business hours (except for Friday afternoons) to leave you non-refundable (unless the session sells out) $500 deposit. Only the deposit may be left on credit card. Balances must be paid by check immediately after you register (unless you wish to pay by credit card plus 4% to cover our fees).
I hope that you can join me on this new adventure.
with love, artie
ps: bring your bathing suit if you would like to try my pool.
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Tame birds in breeding plumage and chicks are great fun.
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Gatorland IPT #2. Sunrise: 6:48am. Sunset: 7:58pm.
3 1/2 DAYs: THURS 26 APR through and including the morning of SUN 29 APR. $1599. Limit 5 photographers/Openings: 3.
Must purchase Gatorland Photographers Pass. Click here for details. All early entry. Late stays Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Gatorland IPT #2 should have lots of chicks, and lots of birds in breeding plumage. We will get to photograph Great Egret, Snowy Egret, Tricolored Heron, and Wood Stork. The Cattle Egrets in full breeding plumage will be present in good numbers. Learn my Gatorland strategy, to get the right exposure, flight photography techniques, my secret Gatorland spots, how to see the best situations (nobody is better at that than me), and how to make great images in extremely cluttered situations.
Help Support the Blog
Please help support my (stupendous) efforts here on the blog by remembering to click on the logo link above each time that you shop Amazon. That would be greatly appreciated. There is no problem using your Prime account; just click on the link and log into your Prime account. With love, artie
If In Doubt …
If in doubt about using the BAA B&H affiliate link correctly, you can always start your search by clicking here. Please note that the tracking is invisible. Web orders only. Please, however, remember to shoot me your receipt via e-mail.
Please Remember to use my Affiliate Links and to Visit the New BAA Online Store 🙂
To show your appreciation for my continuing efforts here, we ask, as always, that you get in the habit of using my B&H affiliate links on the right side of the blog for all of your photo and electronics purchases. Please check the availability of all photographic accessories in the New BIRDS AS ART Online Store, especially the Mongoose M3.6 tripod head, Wimberley lens plates, Delkin flash cards and accessories, and LensCoat stuff.
As always, we sell only what I have used, have tested, and can depend on. We will not sell you junk. We know what you need to make creating great images easy and fun. And please remember that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail.
I would of course appreciate your using our B&H affiliate links for all of your major gear, video, and electronic purchases. For the photographic stuff mentioned in the paragraph above, and for everything else in the new store, we, meaning BAA, would of course greatly appreciate your business. Here is a huge thank you to the many who have been using our links on a regular basis and those who will be visiting the New BIRDS AS ART Online Store as well.
Facebook
Be sure to like and follow BAA on Facebook by clicking on the logo link upper right. Tanks a stack.
Typos
In all blog posts and Bulletins, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors. Just be right :).
March 20th, 2018 Stuff
Monday was more of the same: Blowing up balloons. More ice and moist hot towels on the shoulder. Did not work on the Nikon Focus Fine-tune Guide. Ate well. Spoke with Amy on the phone; she advised getting out to do some photography tomorrow. I will do just that on Tuesday morning unless we have mega-foggy day number three in a row. I can easily hand hold the 200-500 or work with the 600 f/4 on the BLUBB. I will do my best not to fall out of the car …
The Streak
Today makes two hundred thirty-two days in a row with a new educational blog post! This one took less than an hour to prepare. With all of my upcoming free time (or not…), the plan right now is to try to break the current record streak of 480 … Good health and good internet connections and my continuing insanity willing.
Money Saving Reminder
If you need a hot photo item that is out of stock at B&H, would enjoy free overnight shipping, and would like a $50 discount on your first purchase, click here to order and enter the coupon code BIRDSASART at checkout. If you are looking to strike a deal on Canon or Nikon gear (including the big telephotos) or on a multiple item order, contact Steve Elkins via e-mail or on his cell at (479) 381-2592 (Eastern time) and be sure to mention your BIRDSASART coupon code and use it for your online order. Patrick Sparkman saved $350 on a recent purchase!
The Used Gear Page
Action on the Used Gear Page recently has been fantastic. You can see all current listings here.
Recent Sales
Jim Burns recently sold his EOS-1D Mark IV body in excellent plus condition for a BAA record low $998; not sure exactly when 🙂
David Solis sold a brand new Sanho HyperDrive Colorspace UDMA 3 1 TB wireless photo/video memory card backup for $399.00 after being contacted on the first day of listing.
David Solis sold his Canon EF 300 mm f/2.8L IS USM (the original version) lens in excellent plus condition for $2399.00 after being contacted on the first day of listing.
David Solis sold his Canon EF 500 mm f/4L IS USM (the “old five”) in excellent plus condition with perfect glass for the BAA record low price of $3399.00.
Les Greenberg sold his Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM zoom lens in mint condition to a local buyer and is sending me a check for 2 1/2% of the original asking price of $1599.
Joel Williams sold his Fujifilm XF 50 f/2 R WR lens in like-new condition for only $299 in early March.
Rajat Kapoor sold his Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM lens (the “old 1-4”) in near-mint condition the first day is was listed for $649.
Jim Brennan sold his Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS USM lens (the “old five”) in near-mint condition and a Canon EF 1.4 III teleconverter in very good condition for $3,599.00 right after listing them in early March.
Gary Meyer sold his Canon EOS 7D Mark II in near-mint condition for $798 soon after it was listed in early March.
Canon 1DX Mark II Professional Digital Camera Body (with premium kit)
Sale pending
John Norris is offering a Canon 1DX Mark II — premium kit — (with less than 2,000 actuations!) in like-new condition but for a few small scuff marks for top left and bottom right for the BAA record-low price of $3,996.00. The sale includes the original box and everything in it, all of that which is unused/unopened, an extra LP-E19 battery, a SanDisk Extreme Pro Cfast 2.0 64 GB card, the SanDisk Extreme Pro Cfast 2.0 Reader, and insured ground shipping via major courier to US addresses only. The item will not ship until the buyer’s personal or certified check clears the bank.
Please contact John via e-mail or by phone at 1-214-521-1520 (Central time).
The 1DX Mark II is Canon’s rugged, blazingly fast professional digital camera body. It features a great AF system and high quality image files with great dynamic range. I owned and used two of these for several years. As a new 1DX II currently sells for $5,699.00 you can save $1703 on a practically new body with less than 2,000 shutter actuations. artie
Booking.Com
Several folks on the Spoonbill IPTs used the Booking.Com link below and got great rates and saved a handsome $25.00 in the process. If you too would like to give Booking.Com a shot, click here and to earn a $25 reward on your first booking. Thanks to the many who have already tried and used this great service.
Gear Questions and Advice
Too many folks attending BAA IPTs and dozens of folks whom I see in the field, and on BPN, are–out of ignorance–using the wrong gear especially when it comes to tripods and more especially, tripod heads… Please know that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail. Those questions might deal with systems, camera bodies, accessories, and/or lens choices and decisions.
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This image was created on Cayman Brac on February 12, 2018 with the hand held Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR lens and the Nikon D5 with Dual XQD Slots). ISO 800. Matrix metering +1/3 stop: 1/800 sec. at f/6.3 in Manual mode. AUOT0 WB at 8:52am on a partly cloudy morning.
Center Group (grp) Shutter Button AF was active at the moment of exposure. The four AF points were centered on the trailing edge of the bird’s far wing — see the Capture NX-D screen shot below — yet the image was sharp on the eye
LensAlign/FocusTune Fine-tune: -1.
Brown Booby top shot
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Everybody Wants to Know …
Over the past few weeks, I have received many e-mails asking:
- 1- Are you happy that you switched?
- 2- It seems that lots of great bird photographers are switching. Should I switch to Nikon?
#1: I am very happy that I switched from Canon to Nikon. I switched primarily in hopes of becoming a better flight photographer. And that is exactly what has happened. All these years I thought that it was me … As it turned out, I am not too bad. My strength, hand-eye coordination, and fine motor skills however, are lacking to some degree when compared to the young guns. But, do understand several things:
a-Not every flight shot that I make with Nikon is perfectly sharp. That is most often due to operator error: I fail to get (and keep) the AF point or points on the bird’s face, head, neck, or upper breast. At times when I think that an image should be sharp, it is not. At times that is due to my failing to acquire focus soon enough and track the subject properly. But for me, and I need to emphasize that, for me, a far higher percentage of my flight images are in sharp focus than they were with my Canon gear.
Do know that if I have my Canon gear in my hands I would not have even attempted the top shot that is featured in todays’ blog post. I tried too many times and failed every time. Was every top shot that I attempted with my Nikon gear sharp? No. Fewer than half were sharp in this rather specific situation. But it is good to know that I at least have a chance with the gear that I am presently using.
b-The are many things that the Canon system does far better than the Nikon system. I have mentioned many of them in blog post here over the past few months. Topping that list is AF performance with the 2X TC. And there are many things about the Nikon system that drive me absolutely nuts. Some are to be expected but some are simply due to inferior ergonomics; did they really pay someone to design it that way? Heading that list is the Focus mode selector button …
c-There are many great photographers out there using Canon gear, and many of them are creating astounding flight images. You can find many of them on BirdPhotographers.Net. Check out the amazing current work of David Salem, Daniel Cadieux, Tim Folz, Isaac Grant, Ann Pacheco, Sasan Nejadi, Stuart Edwards, and Stu Bowie. All those on the first three pages of images alone. Gail Bisson uses Canon and makes lots of great images; I have not seen any recent posts with her flight images.
- #2: You switched, should I?
I have no idea if switching systems is right for you. Your job is to assess how you are doing with your current gear. If you are making great images that make you happy then there is no reason at all to switch. Here is how I replied to this question in a recent e-mail: I switched for one reason: better results for birds in flight. For most of what I do Canon is just as good or better than Nikon. If you are not making good images then you need to ask lots of questions, study lots of images –especially images that excite you, and then re-assess. Whether you stick with Canon or Fuji or Sony or make the big switch as I did, please remember to use a BAA affiliate link as a thank you for what you have learned here.
In closing I will say this: If my life depended on making a sharp image of a bird in flight there is no rig that I would rather have in my hands than the Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR lens and the Nikon D5..
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This image was created on Cayman Brac on February 12, 2018 with the hand held Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR lens and the Nikon D5 with Dual XQD Slots). ISO 800. Matrix metering +1/3 stop: 1/800 sec. at f/6.3 in Manual mode. AUOT0 WB at 8:52am on a partly cloudy morning.
Center Group (grp) Shutter Button AF was active at the moment of exposure. The four AF points were centered on the trailing edge of the bird’s far wing — see the Capture NX-D screen shot below — yet the image was sharp on the eye
LensAlign/FocusTune Fine-tune: -1.
Brown Booby top shot
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Nikon NX-D Screen Capture
The four barely visible red squares show where the Group (grp) AF points were on the bird at the moment of exposure. Though I could have done a lot better by getting the array on the back of the bird’s neck the resulting image was quite sharp on the eye. From the histogram it looks as if this image is well under-exposed. But I did not need to move the Exposure slider in ACR. I did move the Shadow slider to +36. Why would I call this a lying histogram?
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Early Spring Photo Opportunities at ILE
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BIRDS AS ART First-ever Master Class
Master Class. Two Full and two Half Days/Friday afternoon, March 30 through lunch on Monday, April 2, 2018: $1999.00. Limit: 4/Openings 3.
The Master Classe will be a small group — strictly limited to four photographers — with the first folks who register having the option of staying at my home ($50/night) or at a chain motel in nearby Lake Wales. Live, think, and breathe photography from Friday afternoon through lunch on Monday (late-morning); all meals included. There will be three afternoon photo sessions (FRI – SUN) hopefully with glorious sunsets like the ones you saw one the blog in December we should have good opportunities with the cranes even in the afternoon. We will enjoy three morning photography sessions (SAT – MON) with the main subjects being tame Sandhill Cranes almost surely with chicks or colts. Also vultures and Cattle Egrets and more. Limpkins are possible. Intermediate telephoto lenses are fine for the cranes, even the chicks at times. A 500 or 600mm lens would be best for many of the situations that we will encounter.
During the day we will sit together around my dining room table and pick everyone’s keepers and enjoy guided Photoshop sessions. On Monday before lunch, folks can make a single large print of their favorite image from the weekend. If you so choose, I will micro-adjust one of your lenses (at one focal length with your #1 camera body–Canon or Nikon) during a group instructional session. All will be welcome to practice what they have learned during the breaks using my set-up and my lighting gear.
To register, please first shoot me an e-mail to check on availability. Then you will be instructed to call Jim or Jen at 863-692-0906 during weekday business hours (except for Friday afternoons) to leave you non-refundable (unless the session sells out) $500 deposit. Only the deposit may be left on credit card. Balances must be paid by check immediately after you register (unless you wish to pay by credit card plus 4% to cover our fees).
I hope that you can join me on this new adventure.
with love, artie
ps: bring your bathing suit if you would like to try my pool.
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|
Tame birds in breeding plumage and chicks are great fun.
|
Gatorland IPT #2. Sunrise: 6:48am. Sunset: 7:58pm.
3 1/2 DAYs: THURS 26 APR through and including the morning of SUN 29 APR. $1599. Limit 5 photographers/Openings: 3.
Must purchase Gatorland Photographers Pass. Click here for details. All early entry. Late stays Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Gatorland IPT #2 should have lots of chicks, and lots of birds in breeding plumage. We will get to photograph Great Egret, Snowy Egret, Tricolored Heron, and Wood Stork. The Cattle Egrets in full breeding plumage will be present in good numbers. Learn my Gatorland strategy, to get the right exposure, flight photography techniques, my secret Gatorland spots, how to see the best situations (nobody is better at that than me), and how to make great images in extremely cluttered situations.
Help Support the Blog
Please help support my (stupendous) efforts here on the blog by remembering to click on the logo link above each time that you shop Amazon. That would be greatly appreciated. There is no problem using your Prime account; just click on the link and log into your Prime account. With love, artie
If In Doubt …
If in doubt about using the BAA B&H affiliate link correctly, you can always start your search by clicking here. Please note that the tracking is invisible. Web orders only. Please, however, remember to shoot me your receipt via e-mail.
Please Remember to use my Affiliate Links and to Visit the New BAA Online Store 🙂
To show your appreciation for my continuing efforts here, we ask, as always, that you get in the habit of using my B&H affiliate links on the right side of the blog for all of your photo and electronics purchases. Please check the availability of all photographic accessories in the New BIRDS AS ART Online Store, especially the Mongoose M3.6 tripod head, Wimberley lens plates, Delkin flash cards and accessories, and LensCoat stuff.
As always, we sell only what I have used, have tested, and can depend on. We will not sell you junk. We know what you need to make creating great images easy and fun. And please remember that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail.
I would of course appreciate your using our B&H affiliate links for all of your major gear, video, and electronic purchases. For the photographic stuff mentioned in the paragraph above, and for everything else in the new store, we, meaning BAA, would of course greatly appreciate your business. Here is a huge thank you to the many who have been using our links on a regular basis and those who will be visiting the New BIRDS AS ART Online Store as well.
Facebook
Be sure to like and follow BAA on Facebook by clicking on the logo link upper right. Tanks a stack.
Typos
In all blog posts and Bulletins, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors. Just be right :).
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