{"id":69518,"date":"2020-09-27T06:17:41","date_gmt":"2020-09-27T10:17:41","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.birdsasart-blog.com\/?p=69518"},"modified":"2025-03-07T11:44:15","modified_gmt":"2025-03-07T15:44:15","slug":"late-to-the-topaz-party-two-totally-amazing-before-and-after-screen-captures","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.birdsasart-blog.com\/baa\/2020\/09\/27\/late-to-the-topaz-party-two-totally-amazing-before-and-after-screen-captures\/","title":{"rendered":"Late to the Topaz Party … Two Totally Amazing Before and After Screen Captures!"},"content":{"rendered":"

What’s Up?<\/h3>\n

After nine great days at DeSoto, Anita North and I enjoyed a nice morning with the Mother’s Day crane family on Saturday. With Anita’s help, I spent the afternoon getting acquainted with Topaz Sharpen AI<\/a> and with Topaz DeNoise AI<\/a>. In short, I was astounded. As you read on, do understand that I am just scratching the surface with these two amazingly effective plug-ins. I need to learn about the options other than Auto. <\/p>\n

Great Topaz News (Corrected)!<\/h3>\n

I did not realize that folks who use the BAA Topaz link to purchase Sharpen AI, DeNoise AI, or the Utility Bundle (or any other Topaz plugins) will receive a 15% discount by entering the ARTHUR15 code at checkout. To get the discount you must use my link and you must enter the discount code. Be sure to use this link<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Topaz Stuff<\/h3>\n

As I have said often, I should have listened sooner. If you, like me, are new to the Topaz party, please use this link<\/a> to purchase. Right now I can wholeheartedly recommend both Topaz Sharpen AI<\/a> and Topaz DeNoise AI<\/a>. Though I have not yet worked with JPEGtoRAW AI or Gigapixel AI, I have installed both of these plug-ins and look forward to trying them on some I-Phone 11 images fairly soon. If you think like me, consider the Utility Bundle that includes all four plug-ins mentioned above at a money-saving price. <\/p>\n

Those who purchase Sharpen AI or DeNoise AI using my link<\/a>, can e-mail<\/a> to request a short Getting Started with Topaz<\/em><\/strong> e-Guide. I had a bit of trouble getting the two plug-ins installed and having them appear in the Photoshop Filter Menu. In addition, I will explain how to best learn about the two plug-ins by applying them on a Layer (in Photoshop). It will take me a few days to put this short guide together. Please include a copy of your Topaz order when requesting the guide. <\/p>\n

I learned some neat stuff about the two Topaz plug-ins in Alan Murphy’s recent Image Processing Webinar. Those interested in purchasing that or his previous excellent webinars, can view the options by clicking here<\/a>. <\/p>\n

I was glad to learn that IPT veteran Mark Overgaard sold his second Canon EOS 5D Mark IV body, this one in excellent plus condition with the Really Right Stuff B5D4-L L-plate, for $1379.00 (was $1479.00) the day we dropped the price two days ago. Yesterday, I sold Patty McCulloch’s Canon 100mm f\/2.8L IS Macro Lens before it was even listed! That is a neat trick :). I will be posting Patty’s complete listings (including a Canon 600 II) here soon. <\/p>\n

We will have Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pros<\/a> back in stock by Wednesday of this week. <\/p>\n

Today is Sunday, 27 September 2020. Anita and I will be heading down to the lake early. L’Shana Tova to all of BAA’s Jewish friends as they bring in the new year. And L’Chaim<\/a> to all. <\/p>\n

Via e-mail From Derek Hallum<\/h3>\n

Thank you so very much Artie! You and Patrick did a spectacular job with the SONY e-Guide and Video<\/a>. They helped me tremendously! Much love to you and your family. Sincerely, Derek Hallum<\/em><\/p>\n

RawDigger e-Guide and Video Advance Copy Available<\/h3>\n

Save $10 Now<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The RawDigger e-Guide and Video is almost finished. It will sell for $51.00. If you are anxious to get started with RawDigger, learn to mega-Expose to the Right, and wind up with the highest quality image files, you can save $10.00 and have a chance to review a pre-publication copy of the guide by sending a PayPal for $41.00 to birdsasart@verizon.net<\/a> with the words RawDigger e-Guide and Video Pre-publication Copy cut and pasted into the Subject line.<\/p>\n

You will of course receive a link for the completed PDF when the guide is finished. <\/p>\n

Please Remember<\/em><\/strong><\/h2>\n

If you enjoy and learn from the blog, please remember to use one of my two affiliate programs when purchasing new gear. Doing so will not cost you a single penny and if you use Bedfords and remember to enter the BIRDSASART code at checkout, you will save at least $50.00 on all orders greater than $1000.00. In these crazy times — I am out at least forty to sixty thousand dollars so far due to COVID 19 (with lots more to come) — remembering to use my B&H link or to shop at Bedfords will help me out a ton and will be greatly appreciated. Overseas folks who cannot order from the US because of import fees, duties, and taxes can always help out by clicking here<\/a> if they see fit. <\/p>\n

BIRDS AS ART is registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The BAA Used Gear Page<\/em><\/h3>\n

Right now, the Used Gear page is red hot! It is BAA Used Gear Page<\/a> is the<\/em><\/strong> place to sell your used photographic equipment. We will help you to get your gear sold quickly for 20 to 60% or more than what the big guys are offering … Doubt me? Check out the Recent Sales list at the bottom of the page.<\/p>\n

New and Better Bedfords Discount Policy!<\/h3>\n

You can now save 3% on all of your Bedfords photo gear purchases by entering the BIRDSASART coupon code at checkout. Your discount will be applied to your pre-tax total. In addition, by using the code you will get 2nd day air shipping via Fed Ex.<\/p>\n

Grab a Nikon AF-S Teleconverter TC-14E III and save $14.99. Purchase a Canon EOS R5 and your discount will be $116.97. Purchase a Sony FE 600mm f\/4 GM OSS lens and save a remarkable $389.94! Your Bedford’s purchase no longer needs to be greater than $1,000.00 for you to receive a discount. The more you spend, the more you save. <\/p>\n

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Money Saving Reminder<\/h3>\n

Many have learned that if you need a hot photo item that is out of stock at B&H and would enjoy free overnight shipping, your best bet is to click here<\/a>, place an order with Bedfords, and enter the coupon code BIRDSASART at checkout. If an item is out of stock, contact Steve Elkins via e-mail<\/a> or on his cell phone at (479) 381-2592 (Eastern time). Be sure to mention the BIRDSASART coupon code and use it for your online order. Steve has been great at getting folks the hot items that are out of stock at B&H and everywhere else. The wait lists at the big stores can be a year or longer for the hard to get items. Steve will surely get you your gear long before that. For the past year, he has been helping BAA Blog folks get their hands on items like the SONY a9 ii, the SONY 200-600 G OSS lens, the Canon EOS R5, the Canon RF 100-500mm lens, and the Nikon 500mm PF. Steve is personable, helpful, and eager to please. <\/p>\n

SONY e-Guide Discount Program<\/h3>\n

Purchase a (new) qualifying SONY camera body (a7r iii, a7r iv, a9, a9 ii) from Bedfords or using a BIRDS AS ART B&H affiliate link, and you will receive a $40 discount on the SONY e-guide. Purchase a (new) SONY 200-600mm G lens from Bedfords or using a BIRDS AS ART B&H affiliate link, and you will receive a $25 discount on the SONY e-guide. Purchase a (new) SONY 600mm f\/4 GM lens from Bedfords or using a BIRDS AS ART B&H affiliate link, and you will receive a free SONY e-guide with one or two videos. <\/p>\n

Please send your Bedford’s or B&H receipts to me via e-mail<\/a> to receive your discount and your ordering instructions. Folks purchasing from Bedfords and using the BIRDSASART code will save 3% on all orders. Folks sending their B&H receipts may need to wait a few days to have their purchases confirmed. Folks using Bedfords will have their purchases confirmed immediately.<\/p>\n


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Gear Questions and Advice<\/h3>\n

Too many folks attending BAA IPTs and dozens of photographers whom I see in the field and on BPN<\/a>, 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<\/a>. Those questions might deal with systems, camera bodies, accessories, and\/or lens choices and decisions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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This image was created at Fort DeSoto Park in Pinellas County, FL on the morning of 21 September 2020. I used the handheld Sony FE 200-600mm f\/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens<\/a> (at 565mm) and the blazingly fast AF King, the Sony Alpha a9 II Mirrorless Digital camera body.<\/a> ISO 640. Exposure was determined via Zebra evaluation with ISO on the rear dial as detailed in The Sony Camera User\u2019s e-Guide and One Camera Set-up Video<\/a>. 1\/2500sec. at f7.1. ABW at 9:12am in mostly sunny conditions. RawDigger showed that the RAW file was marginally over-exposed. <\/p>\n

Center Zone Continuous AF was active at the moment of exposure and worked well. Click on the image to see a larger version.<\/p>\n

Image #1: Sandwich Tern diving\n