{"id":17236,"date":"2013-12-10T15:26:28","date_gmt":"2013-12-10T19:26:28","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.birdsasart-blog.com\/?p=17236"},"modified":"2014-09-26T08:38:37","modified_gmt":"2014-09-26T12:38:37","slug":"three-lenses-and-the-power-of-twelve","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.birdsasart-blog.com\/baa\/2013\/12\/10\/three-lenses-and-the-power-of-twelve\/","title":{"rendered":"Three Lenses, and the Power of Twelve"},"content":{"rendered":"<table>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.birdsasart-blog.com\/baa\/wp-content\/gallery\/africa\/woodland-kingfisher-in-habitat-_y5o1977-mobile-tented-camp-mara-river-serengeti-tanzania.jpg\" class='shutterset'><br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"ngg-singlepic ngg-center\" src=\"https:\/\/www.birdsasart-blog.com\/baa\/wp-content\/gallery\/africa\/woodland-kingfisher-in-habitat-_y5o1977-mobile-tented-camp-mara-river-serengeti-tanzania.jpg\" alt=\"woodland-kingfisher-in-habitat-_y5o1977-mobile-tented-camp-mara-river-serengeti-tanzania\" title=\"woodland-kingfisher-in-habitat-_y5o1977-mobile-tented-camp-mara-river-serengeti-tanzania\" width=533 \/><\/a>   <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p>This image was created on the Tanzania Summer Safari with the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.bhphotovideo.com\/c\/product\/397662-USA\/Canon_0344B002_EF_24_105mm_f_4L_IS.html\/BI\/6633\/KBID\/7226\/kw\/CA241054LIS\/DFF\/d10-v2-t1-xCA241054LIS\" target=\"_blank\">Canon EF 24-105mm f\/4L IS USM lens<\/a> (hand held at 65mm) and the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.bhphotovideo.com\/c\/product\/827036-REG\/Canon_5253B002_EOS_1D_X_Digital_SLR.html\/BI\/6633\/KBID\/7226\/kw\/CAE1DX\/DFF\/d10-v2-t1-xCAE1DX\" target=\"_blank\">Canon EOS-1D X<\/a>.  ISO 400.  Evaluative metering +1\/3 stop: 1\/320 sec. at f\/16 in Av mode.   <\/p>\n<p>Central sensor AI Servo Surround Rear Focus AF on the bird and re-compose. Click <a href=\"https:\/\/www.birdsasart-blog.com\/baa\/2013\/10\/31\/if-this-doesnt-get-the-point-across-nothing-will\/\">here<\/a> if you missed the latest version of the Rear Focus Tutorial.  Click on the image to see a larger version.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"468\" scrolling=\"no\" height=\"60\" frameborder=\"0\" style=\"border:none;\" border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/mer54715.datafeedfile.com\/widget\/aff_widget_prdt_generate-2.0.php?aff_num=7226&#038;aff_net=1&#038;size=468x60&#038;mode=m&#038;bucket_num=3066&#038;link_target=y&#038;sid=\" marginheight=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\"><\/p>\n<p>Your browser does not support iFrame.<\/p>\n<p><\/iframe><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<h3>The 24-105<\/h3>\n<p>As regular readers know, I never leave home without my <a href=\"http:\/\/www.bhphotovideo.com\/c\/product\/397662-USA\/Canon_0344B002_EF_24_105mm_f_4L_IS.html\/BI\/6633\/KBID\/7226\/kw\/CA241054LIS\/DFF\/d10-v2-t1-xCA241054LIS\" target=\"_blank\">Canon EF 24-105mm f\/4L IS USM lens<\/a>.  It comes in handy for a great variety of images; see &#8220;A Fitting Ending\/Short Zoom Lens Tips&#8221; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.birdsasart-blog.com\/baa\/2013\/12\/03\/a-fitting-endingshort-zoom-lens-tips\/\">here<\/a> to learn more about this useful B-roll lens. Whenever I head afield without my 24-105 it is usually not long before I am wishing that I had brought it along&#8230;. <\/p>\n<p>The bird in the tree is a Striped Kingfisher. <\/p>\n<table>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.birdsasart-blog.com\/baa\/wp-content\/gallery\/africa\/woodland-kingfisher-_y5o1975-mobile-tented-camp-mara-river-serengeti-tanzania.jpg\" class='shutterset'><br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"ngg-singlepic ngg-center\" src=\"https:\/\/www.birdsasart-blog.com\/baa\/wp-content\/gallery\/africa\/woodland-kingfisher-_y5o1975-mobile-tented-camp-mara-river-serengeti-tanzania.jpg\" alt=\"woodland-kingfisher-_y5o1975-mobile-tented-camp-mara-river-serengeti-tanzania\" title=\"woodland-kingfisher-_y5o1975-mobile-tented-camp-mara-river-serengeti-tanzania\" width=533 \/><\/a>   <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p>This image was also created from the top of our safari van on the Tanzania Summer Safari last August with the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.bhphotovideo.com\/c\/product\/973129-REG\/Canon_5176B002_EF_200_400mm_f_4L_IS.html\/BI\/6633\/KBID\/7226\/kw\/CA2004004IS\/DFF\/d10-v2-t1-xCA2004004IS\" target=\"_blank\">Canon EF 200-400mm f\/4L IS USM Lens with Internal 1.4x Extender<\/a> (with the internal TC in place at 345mm) and the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.bhphotovideo.com\/c\/product\/827036-REG\/Canon_5253B002_EOS_1D_X_Digital_SLR.html\/BI\/6633\/KBID\/7226\/kw\/CAE1DX\/DFF\/d10-v2-t1-xCAE1DX\" target=\"_blank\">Canon EOS-1D X<\/a>. ISO 400.  Evaluative metering +1\/3 stop as framed in Av Mode: 1\/320 sec. at f\/16. <\/p>\n<p>Central sensor\/AI Servo\/Surround&#8211;Rear Focus AF on the bird and re-compose.  Click <a href=\"https:\/\/www.birdsasart-blog.com\/baa\/2013\/10\/31\/if-this-doesnt-get-the-point-across-nothing-will\/\">here<\/a> to see the latest version of the Rear Focus Tutorial. Click on the image to see a larger version.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"468\" scrolling=\"no\" height=\"60\" frameborder=\"0\" style=\"border:none;\" border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/mer54715.datafeedfile.com\/widget\/aff_widget_prdt_generate-2.0.php?aff_num=7226&#038;aff_net=1&#038;size=468x60&#038;mode=m&#038;bucket_num=4229&#038;link_target=y&#038;sid=\" marginheight=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\"><\/p>\n<p>Your browser does not support iFrame.<\/p>\n<p><\/iframe><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<h3>Going Wide with the 200-400 with Internal TC<\/h3>\n<p>To create the second story telling image in this series I went with the 200-400 at 345mm.  Many folks would ask, &#8220;Why did you need the teleconverter in place?&#8221;  I didn&#8217;t.  It was in place to give me additional reach if needed; as I zoomed to frame the image I simply pressed the shutter button once I was pleased with the composition.  <\/p>\n<p>Note that when creating vertical images of small-in-the-frame subjects that placing the subject near one of the corners is almost always the best way to go.   Learn more about Advanced Composition and Image Design in <a href=\"https:\/\/store.birdsasart.com\/shop\/item.aspx?itemid=19\">The Art of Bird Photography II<\/a> (ABP II: 916 pages, 900+ images on CD only).  <\/p>\n<table>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.birdsasart-blog.com\/baa\/wp-content\/gallery\/africa\/woodland-kingfisher-_y7o3799-mobile-tented-camp-mara-river-serengeti-tanzania.jpg\" class='shutterset'><br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"ngg-singlepic ngg-center\" src=\"https:\/\/www.birdsasart-blog.com\/baa\/wp-content\/gallery\/africa\/woodland-kingfisher-_y7o3799-mobile-tented-camp-mara-river-serengeti-tanzania.jpg\" alt=\"woodland-kingfisher-_y7o3799-mobile-tented-camp-mara-river-serengeti-tanzania\" title=\"woodland-kingfisher-_y7o3799-mobile-tented-camp-mara-river-serengeti-tanzania\" width=533 \/><\/a>   <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p>This Striped Kingfisher image was also created from the top of our safari van, this one with the <a href=\"https:\/\/store.birdsasart.com\/shop\/item.aspx?itemid=274\">Mongoose M3.6 head<\/a> on a Todd-pod along with the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.bhphotovideo.com\/c\/product\/754508-REG\/Canon_5125B002_EF_600mm_f_4L_IS.html\/BI\/6633\/KBID\/7226\/kw\/CA6004LIFEF2\/DFF\/d10-v2-t1-xCA6004LIFEF2\" target=\"_blank\">Canon EF 600mm f\/4L IS II USM lens<\/a>, the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.bhphotovideo.com\/c\/product\/732111-USA\/Canon_4410B002_2x_EF_Extender_III.html\/BI\/6633\/KBID\/7226\/kw\/CA2XEF3\/DFF\/d10-v2-t1-xCA2XEF3\" target=\"_blank\">Canon 2x EF Extender III (Teleconverter)<\/a>, and the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.bhphotovideo.com\/c\/product\/827036-REG\/Canon_5253B002_EOS_1D_X_Digital_SLR.html\/BI\/6633\/KBID\/7226\/kw\/CAE1DX\/DFF\/d10-v2-t1-xCAE1DX\" target=\"_blank\">Canon EOS-1D X<\/a>.  ISO 400: Evaluative metering +1\/3 stop: 1\/500 sec. at f\/10 in Manual mode.   <\/p>\n<p>Central sensor (by necessity) Expand\/AI Servo Rear Focus AF on bird&#8217;s eye and re-compose. Click <a href=\"https:\/\/www.birdsasart-blog.com\/baa\/2013\/10\/31\/if-this-doesnt-get-the-point-across-nothing-will\/\">here<\/a> if you missed the latest version of the Rear Focus Tutorial.  Click on the image to see a larger version.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"728\" scrolling=\"no\" height=\"90\" frameborder=\"0\" style=\"border:none;\" border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/mer54715.datafeedfile.com\/widget\/aff_widget_prdt_generate-2.0.php?aff_num=7226&#038;aff_net=1&#038;size=728x90&#038;mode=m&#038;bucket_num=3433&#038;link_target=y&#038;sid=\" marginheight=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\"><\/p>\n<p>Your browser does not support iFrame.<\/p>\n<p><\/iframe><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<h3>The Power of Twelve Hundred Millimeters<\/h3>\n<p>To create the relatively large-in-the-frame vertical image above I went with the 600II\/2X III combo.  Though many state openly that it is not possible to create critically sharp images with a 2X teleconverter I do just that consistently.  For quite a while I worked at f\/8 or f\/9 with this combination (f\/8 is wide open) but more recently I have begun stopping down to f\/10, f\/11, or f\/13 when possible. To learn to make sharp images at long effective focal lengths see &#8220;Advanced Sharpness Techniques in <a href=\"https:\/\/store.birdsasart.com\/shop\/item.aspx?itemid=19\">The Art of Bird Photography II<\/a> (ABP II: 916 pages, 900+ images on CD only).  For those who as I have done gone completely to full frame bodies learning to work successfully with a 2X TC is huge advantage for both bird and wildlife photography. <\/p>\n<p>Also relevant and of interest to many would be &#8220;Big Lens Choices for Canon and Nikon&#8211;As I See Them&#8230;.&#8221; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.birdsasart-blog.com\/baa\/2013\/11\/18\/big-lens-choices-for-canon-and-nikon-as-i-see-them\/\">here<\/a>. <\/p>\n<table>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.birdsasart-blog.com\/baa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/12\/ANIM-GIF-Woodland-Kingfisher-_Y7O3799-Mobile-Tented-Camp-Mara-River-Serengeti-Tanzania.gif\" class=\"aligncenter\" \/>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<h3>The Image Optimization <\/h3>\n<p>After converting the RAW file in Canon&#8217;s Digital Photo Professional (click <a href=\"https:\/\/store.birdsasart.com\/shop\/item.aspx?itemid=359\">here<\/a> to learn how and why I use DPP) I dust-spotted the image, eliminated several extraneous branches with a series of Quick Masks as detailed in <a href=\"https:\/\/store.birdsasart.com\/shop\/item.aspx?itemid=54\">APTATS I<\/a> and regular layer masks, moved the bird up and a bit back in the frame using techniques from <a href=\"https:\/\/store.birdsasart.com\/shop\/item.aspx?itemid=277\">APTATS II<\/a>, lightened the mask using Tim Grey Dodge and Burn techniques, and ran a 50% layer of my NIK 50\/50 preset on the bird and the perch only.  All the rest as described in detail in our in <a href=\"https:\/\/store.birdsasart.com\/shop\/item.aspx?itemid=252\">Digital Basics File<\/a>, an instructional PDF that is sent via e-mail.  It includes my complete digital workflow, dozens of great Photoshop tips, several different ways to expand canvas, all of my time-saving Keyboard Shortcuts, Quick Masking, Layer Masking, and NIK Color Efex Pro basics, image clean-up techniques, Digital Eye Doctor, and tons more. <\/p>\n<p>I do realize that but for too much room at the top that the wider framing in the original post has merit. <\/p>\n<h3>Image Questions<\/h3>\n<p>#1- Which of these images do you think that I created first?  Why?<br \/>\n#2: Why only +1\/3 stop for all three of these images?<br \/>\n#3:  Which is your favorite image?  Why?<\/p>\n<h3>2014 Tanzania Summer Safari<\/h3>\n<p>If you are interested in joining us in Tanzania next summer please shoot me an <a href=\"mailto:samandmayasgrandpa@att.net\">e-mail<\/a><\/center> and I will be glad to forward you the PDF with dates, itinerary, and price.  With <a href=\"https:\/\/www.birdsasart-blog.com\/baa\/2013\/08\/15\/an-eye-for-design-jean-luc-vaillant\/\">Jean-Luc  Vaillant<\/a> already signed up, this trip is a go.  <\/p>\n<h3>Coming Soon<\/h3>\n<p>Stay tuned for next year&#8217;s Bosque IPT dates with the promised reduced rates and info on the Bosque Site Guide Current Conditions Update.  The latter, which should be available be the end of this week, will be sent at no charge to all who have purchased the invaluable <a href=\"https:\/\/store.birdsasart.com\/shop\/item.aspx?itemid=72\">Bosque Site Guide<\/a>.  It will also be available as a separate purchase. <\/p>\n<p>Also in the pipeline is a brand new MP-4 Photoshop Tutorial Video on creating high quality animated GIF files and using the Text Tool to type on images.  It will sell for $4 and will be the first of many new MP-4 videos.  See <a href=\"https:\/\/store.birdsasart.com\/shop\/category.aspx?catid=36\">here<\/a> for the current library. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<\/p>\n<p>This image was created on the Tanzania Summer Safari with the Canon EF 24-105mm f\/4L IS USM lens (hand held at 65mm) and the Canon EOS-1D X. ISO 400. Evaluative metering +1\/3 stop: 1\/320 sec. at f\/16 in Av mode. <\/p>\n<p>Central sensor AI Servo Surround Rear Focus AF on the bird and [&#8230;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[460],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-17236","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-460","odd"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.birdsasart-blog.com\/baa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17236","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.birdsasart-blog.com\/baa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.birdsasart-blog.com\/baa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.birdsasart-blog.com\/baa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.birdsasart-blog.com\/baa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=17236"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.birdsasart-blog.com\/baa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17236\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.birdsasart-blog.com\/baa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=17236"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.birdsasart-blog.com\/baa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=17236"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.birdsasart-blog.com\/baa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=17236"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}