Which of today’s four featured square images do you like best? Why? <\/p>\n
In Thursday’s blog post, I agree with all who commented that the vertical crop was the most powerful. Thanks to Cliff Beittel for his erudite (as always) comment:<\/p>\n
(1) While theoretically you can hand hold a 24mm lens at 1\/4 sec., that won\u2019t stop subject movement, so I\u2019m not sure ISO 1000 and 1\/1600 sec. is ridiculous given a great sensor, Topaz DeNoise, and the chance of squabbling or flying birds. (2) Yes, I could imagine getting closeups, as 24mm makes the birds look twice as distant as they were. (3) But I wouldn\u2019t have been at all sure I could get a result as great as your vertical twosome, a family jewel reminiscent of your best gannets.<\/em><\/p>\n 1- I had not thought of that. In the same situation, I would, however, cut the ISO and the shutter speed in half.<\/p>\n 2- Isolating the head was the biggest problem.<\/p>\n 3- Thanks for your kind words.<\/em><\/p>\n Right now, the market for editorial sales of natural history images has virtually disappeared. The incomes of the world’s top stock photographers are down by at least 90%. Like me, most depend on income from photo trips, the sale of educational materials, and income from this or that affiliate program. <\/p>\n In 2001, BAA sold the publication rights to images for nearly one-quarter million US dollars. That amount dropped to about $20,000 by 2011, and in 2017, to slightly more than $2,000.00. We’ve stopped counting. IPTs used to fill within days. Now I am happy to go with one or two folks, but I’d much rather have you along. And so it goes. In 2009, I turned to creating educational blog posts, now to the tune of 4010. Yes, 4010 educational blog posts. So, please remember to use either my B&H or Bedfords affiliate links for your major purposes. It does not cost you one cent to do either. <\/p>\n Many folks have written recently stating that they purchased a Sony a1 from B&H and would like their free membership in the Sony 1 Info and Updates Group, a $150.00 value. When I check my affiliate account, their orders have not been there. When I let them know that they get credit for B&H purchases only if they use one of the many B&H affiliate links on the blog <\/em><\/strong> or begin their searches with this link<\/a>, they are always disappointed. If in doubt, please contact me via e-mail<\/a> and request a BH link. I am always glad to help and to guide you to the right gear.<\/p>\n To ensure that I get credit for your B&H purchases, you can always click here.<\/a> The tracking is invisible but greatly appreciated. And, you can use your PayBoo card. You must use the website to order. Thanking me for the past 4000 educational blog posts could not be any easier and will not cost you one penny. Please shoot me your B&H receipt for major purchases. <\/p>\n Click here<\/a> to start your search. Choose standard shipping, and when you get to the payment page, enter BIRDSASART in the discount code box and hit apply. You will be upgraded to free second day air Fed-Ex and receive 3% cash back on your credit card once your stuff ships. Either is greatly appreciated by yours truly. <\/p>\n My decades-long dream of spending time on Grimsey Island, Iceland, with the puffins \u2014 13 days in this case!, will be realized this coming July. I am doing back-to-back trips as a participant. If anyone would like information on the world\u2019s greatest Iceland\/Atlantic Puffin trip<\/a> this coming July, please contact me via e-mail.<\/a><\/p>\n My Bonaire vacation continues to be both productive and restful. On Friday morning, Steve and I revisited the Main Pond at the sewer works. We did well, but not as well as I had expected. On Thursday evening Steve, Mere, and I dined out with Elsmarie Beukenboom, recently knighted by King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands honoring her lifetime of work in nature management and cultural affairs on Bonaire. <\/p>\n Today is Saturday 28 April 2023. I fly back to Miami this afternoon and will spend the night there, wake early, and head either to Wakdahatchee or Green Cay. This blog post took about three hours to prepare including the time spent on the image optimizations. Wherever you are and whatever you are doing, I hope that you too have a great day. <\/p>\n Please remember to use the B&H and Amazon links that are found on most blog pages and to use the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout when purchasing your new gear from Bedfords to get 3% back on your credit card and enjoy free second-day air FedEx. Please, also, consider joining a BAA IPT<\/a>. You will be amazed at how much you will learn! <\/p>\n You can find some great photo accessories (and necessities, like surf booties!) on Amazon by clicking on the Stuff tab on the orange\/yellow menu bar above. On a related note, it would be extremely helpful if blog-folks who, like me, spend too much money on Amazon, would get in the habit of clicking on the Amazon logo link on the right side of each blog post when they shop online. As you might expect, doing so will not cost you a single penny, but would be appreciated tremendously by yours truly. And doing so, works seamlessly with your Amazon Prime account.<\/p>\n Please remember that if an item \u2014 a Delkin flash card, or a tripod head \u2014 for example, that is available from B&H and\/or Bedfords, is also available in the BAA Online Store, it would be great, and greatly appreciated, if you would opt to purchase from us. We will match any price. Please remember also to use my B&H affiliate links or to earn 3% cash back at Bedfords by using the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout for your major gear purchases. Doing either often earns you free guides and\/or discounts. And always earns my great appreciation.<\/p>\n This image was created on 27 April 2023 at one of the two ponds by the sewer works on Bonaire in the Caribbean Netherlands. Seated on hard pan with the tripod lowered, I used the Robus RC-5558-3 Vantage Series 3 Carbon Fiber Tripod<\/a>\/Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro<\/a><\/a>-mounted Sony FE 600mm f\/4 GM OSS lens<\/a> with the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter<\/a>, and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera.<\/a>. ISO 1250: 1\/3200 second at f\/5.6.(wide open) in Manual mode. AWB at 7:43:39am on a mostly sunny morning. <\/p>\n Tracking: Zone with Bird Face\/Eye detection enabled performed quite well. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy the high-res version.<\/p>\nArthur Morris\/BIRDS AS ART\/April 28, 2023 at 4:56 pm<\/h2>\n
The Fact$ of Life<\/h3>\n
B&H<\/h3>\n
B&H Simplified<\/h3>\n
Bedfords Simplified<\/h3>\n
Iceland<\/h3>\n
What’s Up?<\/h3>\n
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\n \n \n \n Image #1: Lesser Yellowlegs defending feeding territory