{"id":72343,"date":"2021-02-22T07:43:11","date_gmt":"2021-02-22T11:43:11","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.birdsasart-blog.com\/?p=72343"},"modified":"2025-03-07T11:39:48","modified_gmt":"2025-03-07T15:39:48","slug":"is-photographing-at-a-road-kill-cafe-or-at-any-bird-feeder-cheating-grackles-displaying-at-sunset-and-getting-the-right-exposure-for-silhouettes-with-rawdigger-help","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.birdsasart-blog.com\/baa\/2021\/02\/22\/is-photographing-at-a-road-kill-cafe-or-at-any-bird-feeder-cheating-grackles-displaying-at-sunset-and-getting-the-right-exposure-for-silhouettes-with-rawdigger-help\/","title":{"rendered":"Is Photographing at a Road-Kill Cafe (or at any bird feeder) Cheating? Grackles Displaying at Sunset. And Getting the Right Exposure for Silhouettes (with RawDigger help!)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Is Photographing at a Road-Kill Cafe (or at any bird feeder) “Cheating”?<\/h3>\n

The other day someone commented that setting up a road-kill cafe “seemed like cheating” to her. We exchanged several e-mails. I pointed out that road-kills were natural (or un-natural if you would) food sources for the vultures but that leaving them on the road would result in some vultures (and Bald Eagles) becoming road-kill themselves. From where I sit, bird feeding is not illegal and moving the carcasses is much safer for the birds. I have no ethical problem at all photographing at a bird feeder of any type. If I did ever wish to enter one of the resulting images in a photo contest, I would strictly adhere to the rules. Some contests strictly forbid baiting, others require full disclosure, and some are OK with baiting but not with baiting with live animals (or birds).<\/p>\n

What do you think?<\/p>\n

Featured Image Questions<\/h3>\n

Do you prefer the lighter gold tones in Image #1 or the darker gold tones in Image #2? (Note: the two raw files were identical as far as color is concerned.)<\/p>\n

Does anyone think that Image #1 is the stronger of today’s featured images? Why or why not> <\/p>\n

What’s Up?<\/h3>\n

On Saturday, neighbor\/friend\/photographer Kathy Chaffins kindly showed me the location of a Great Horned Owl nest atop an Osprey tower. She had found one of the chicks on the ground earlier in the day. It was pretty much dark but we did see the adult perched in a tree. On Saturday morning I searched the area without success. On the way to the lake, I saw a freshly-killed raccoon along Park Drive so I headed home, got a cooler, and headed down to the lake. I put out the road-kill on the South Peninsula and within minutes several Turkey Vultures circled and landed. But with the wind from the north rather than the forecast east, I made very few images. All of the birds seemed quite skittish and none approached the carcass. I stayed in my SUV and got a ton of work done on the R5 Camera User’s e-Guide. I grabbed the recently-departed raccoon, placed it in the cooler, and remembered to put the cooler in the back-up fridge in the laundry room where it replaced last week’s armadillo. <\/p>\n

I gave up at 9:15am, drove around to check on the two new two-chick crane families (both were fine), and then headed home. After my morning meal, I got back to work on the guide and was thrilled to finish the first draft of the now-complete Menu section. Though this will be the largest portion of the guide, I still have some work to do. And I will get more done today. <\/p>\n

I got my AirBnB for the Merritt Island IPT yesterday. John Dupps and I are sharing and we have one extra bedroom for anyone who would like cheap lodging shared three ways. <\/p>\n

I did quite well at sunset on Sunday. There was some nice color and with a brisk northeast wind, the birds were flying high and eventually landing toward me. I will be editing that folder today, Monday 22 February 2021. The forecast for this morning is for sunny turning partly cloudy with gentle winds from the southeast. The raccoon just might see the light of day.<\/p>\n

This blog post took about two hours to prepare and makes sixty-four days in a row with a new one. Please remember …<\/p>\n

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

With income from IPTs now at zero, please, if you enjoy and learn from the blog, remember to use one of my two affiliate programs when purchasing new gear. Doing so just might make it possible for me to avoid having to try to get a job as a Walmart greeter and will not cost you a single penny more. And if you use Bedfords and remember to enter the BIRDSASART code at checkout, you will save 3% on every order and enjoy free second-day air shipping. In these crazy times \u2014 I am out at least forty to sixty thousand dollars so far due to COVID 19 (with lots more to come) \u2014 remembering to use my B&H link or to shop at Bedfords will help me out a ton and be greatly appreciated. Overseas folks who cannot order from the US because of import fees, duties, and taxes, are invited to help out by clicking here to leave a blog thank you gift if they see fit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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RawDigger e-Guide with Two Videos\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n

The RawDigger e-Guide with Two Videos<\/h3>\n

by Arthur Morris with Patrick Sparkman<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The RawDigger e-Guide was created only for serious photographers who wish to get the absolute most out of their raw files. <\/p>\n

Patrick and I began work on the guide in July 2020. At first we struggled. We asked questions. We learned about Max-G values. We puzzled as to why the Max G values for different cameras were different. IPT veteran Bart Deamer asked lots of questions that we could not answer. We got help from RawDigger creator Iliah Borg. We learned. In December, Patrick came up with an Adapted Histogram that allows us to evaluate the exposures and raw file brightness for all images created with all digital camera bodies from the last two decades. What we learned each time prompted three complete beginning to end re-writes. <\/p>\n

The point of the guide is to teach you to truly expose to the mega-Expose-to-the-Right so that you will minimize noise, maximize image quality, best utilize your camera\u2019s dynamic range, and attain the highest possible level of shadow detail in your RAW files in every situation. In addition, your properly exposed RAW files will contain more tonal information and feature the smoothest possible transitions between tones. And your optimized images will feature rich, accurate color.<\/p>\n

We teach you why the GREEN channel is almost always the first to over-expose. We save you money by advising you which version of RawDigger you need. We teach you how to interpret the Max G values for your Canon, Nikon, and SONY camera bodies. It is very likely that the Shock-your-World section will shock you. And lastly — thanks to the technical and practical brilliance of Patrick Sparkman \u2014 we teach you a simple way to quickly and easily evaluate your exposures and raw file brightness using an Adapted RawDigger histogram. <\/p>\n

The flower video takes you through a session where artie edits a folder of images in Capture One while checking the exposures and Max-G values in RawDigger. The Adapted Histogram video examines a series of recent images with the pink histograms and covers lots of fine points including and especially how to deal with specular highlights. The directions for setting up the Adapted Histogram are in the text. <\/p>\n

If we priced this guide based on how much effort we put into it, it would sell it for $999.00. But as this guide will be purchased only by a limited number of serious photographers, we have priced it at $51.00. You can order yours here<\/a> in the BAA Online Store<\/a>. <\/p>\n

Canon EOS R5 Camera User’s e-Guide<\/h3>\n

As most of you know, I have been working on a complete BAA Canon EOS R5 Camera User’s e-Guide. Because the camera and the Menus are so complex, this has required a lot of research, a lot of time, and a lot of effort (and will continue to do so until it is complete). It should be finished by late February. The final update of the R5\/R6 AF e-guide has become part of the complete Camera User’s e-Guide; it will be revised if warranted. <\/p>\n

The complete Camera User’s guide will sell for $75.00. Folks who purchased their Canon gear using my links will receive a $65.00 discount; the guide will cost them a nominal $10.00. Folks who spent more than $7500.00 on Canon mirrorless gear using either of my affiliate links (B&H or Bedfords), will receive the User\u2019s Guide for free. Folks who purchased the R5\/R6 AF e-Guide will receive a $10.00 discount on the User\u2019s e-Guide. The best news is that the end is in sight.<\/p>\n

Great Topaz News!<\/h3>\n

Folks who use the BAA Topaz link to purchase Sharpen AI, DeNoise AI, or the Utility Bundle (or any other Topaz plug-ins) will receive a 15% discount by entering the ARTHUR15 code at checkout. If the stuff is on sale (as it usually is), you save 15% off of the sale price! To get the discount you must use my link and you must enter the discount code. Be sure to start with this link<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Those who purchase Sharpen AI, DeNoise AI, or any other Topaz plug-ins using my link<\/a> and then entering the ARTHUR15 code at checkout can e-mail<\/a> to request a short Getting Started with Topaz<\/em><\/strong> e-Guide. Please include a copy of your Topaz receipt that shows the discount. Aside from the basics, the guide explains how to install the plug-ins so that they appear in the Photoshop Filter Menu. <\/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 second-day air 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 (Central time). Be sure to mention the BIRDSASART coupon code and use it for your online order to save 3% and enjoy free 2nd-day air shipping. 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


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All of the images (plus lots more) were created on a very short visit at the end of January. Click on the card to enjoy a larger version. <\/p>\n

Merritt Island NWR IPT card\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n

Merritt Island NWR IPT<\/h3>\n

Merritt Island NWR IPT. 3 1\/2 DAYS. MON 15 MAR thru the morning session on THURS 18 MAR 2021. $1499 includes three lunches. Limit: 6. Openings: 4. <\/strong><\/h2>\n

When I visited — and later lived — in Deltona, FL, I made many trips to Black Point Wildlife Drive and environs. On a recent visit, I did quite well. The birds were much tamer than I remembered. I know the place well. Early spring was always best. There are tons of ducks, and wading birds including and especially both ibises. It can be great at sunrise with large flocks of shorebirds, waterfowl, ibises, and American White Pelicans filling the skies. We should get to do lots of flight photography on the causeway. At least a few good chances with Roseate Spoonbill are possible. <\/p>\n

A $499 deposit is required to hold your spot for this IPT. You can send a check (made out to “BIRDS AS ART) to us here: BIRDS AS ART, PO Box 7245, Indian Lake Estates, FL, 3385, or call Jim or Jennifer at the office with a credit card at 863-692-0906. Your balance, payable only by check, is due immediately after you sign up. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me via e-mail<\/a><\/center>. If you cancel due to COVID 19 concerns, all of your payments will be refunded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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This image was created on 10 February 2021 down by the lake near my home in ILE. I used the BLUBB<\/a>-supported Sony FE 600mm f\/4 GM OSS lens<\/a>, the Sony FE 2.0x Teleconverter<\/a>, and the blazingly fast AF King, the Sony Alpha a9 II Mirrorless Digital camera body)<\/a>. Multi-metering +2 stops: AUTO ISO set ISO 500. 1\/500 sec. at f\/8 (wide open) in Shutter Priority (S) mode. RawDigger showed that this raw file was slightly underexposed. AWB at 5:41:19pm. <\/p>\n

Tracking Expand Flexible Spot AF-C was active at the moment of exposure and performed to perfection. Click on the image to enjoy a larger version.<\/p>\n

Image #1: Boat-tailed Grackle males displaying\n