Which of today’s two featured images is the strongest? Why?
One thing about Image #1 does bug me. What is it?
Join me in Little Rock, Arkansas this May for a great weekend of learning and fun. You can check out any and all of the latest/greatest photo gear. If you know any good nearby spots for bird photography, and/or if you would like a free (5-image) portfolio review, shoot me an e-mail.
Little Rock Photo EXPO
A Bedford Event: Inspire, Learn, Discover
HUGE TWO DAY INTERACTIVE TRADE-SHOW
May 17-18, 2024
State House Convention Center
101 E. Markham St., Little Rock, Arkansas
Don’t miss the Photo Expo in Little Rock! Regardless of your experience level, join hundreds of photographers, as we take over Little Rock on May 17-18, 2024. The Little Rock Photo Expo offers a remarkable experience packed with presentations, hands-on demonstrations, and a massive trade show featuring all the major photographic companies. Explore the latest gear, trade in your old camera equipment, and gain valuable insights from our experts. Get up close and personal with world-renowned keynote speakers and seize countless unique photo opportunities. Bring your camera and get ready for a weekend of fun, learning, and inspiration to elevate YOUR photography to new heights.
Click here to learn more and follow the links to see the schedule of events and/or register. Use this discount code at checkout to save $20.00: VIPEXPO24.
What’s Up?
With a variable south breeze on Friday morning, I had a great session. With a strong NW wind on Saturday morning, and continuing clear skies, things were much more difficult.
I e-mailed a link to the 300mm f/2.8 lens guide yesterday to the nine folks who used one of my affiliate links to purchase this amazing lens.
Today is Saturday 6 April 2024. Whatever you opt to do, I hope that you also have a great day. Remember: happiness is a choice.
Don’t look now, but this blog post makes seven days in a row with a new educational post just for you.
Please, therefore, remember to use the B&H 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. You will be amazed at how much you will learn!
If an item — a Delkin flash card, or a tripod head — 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.
Save 15%!
If you’d like to try out a new lens or if you need a lens for a specific trip or project (or for an IPT), LensRentals.com is the only way to go. To save 15%, simply click on the logo link above, arrange for your rental, and type in BIRDSASART15. If you type the gear you are looking for in the search box, it will pop right up. LensRentals.com offers affordable insurance. You can decline it, opt for LensCap: Damage Only, or select LensCap: Damage & Theft. Then hit PROCEED TO CHECKOUT. After you enter all of your info but before completing your order, be sure to scroll down to Promo Code box and enter the BIRDSASART15 code to save 15%.
I checked on renting a Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II lens for a week. The cost is only $122.00. LensCap: Damage Only coverage can be added for a very low $18.00. Going with LensCap: Damage & Theft would be $27.00. The shipping charge varies. They offer an interesting program called Lensrentals HD. By signing up for this shipping discount program ($99.00/year), you’ll get free Standard Shipping on all the orders you place.
Renting a Sony 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens for a week will cost you $536.00. The two coverage options come in at $76.00 or $114.00. Less your 15% discount when you enter the BIRDSASART15 code into the Promo Code box at checkout and enter the BIRDSASART15 code in the Promo Code box at checkout to save 15%.
Remember, to save the 15% on your rental you must start your search by clicking on the logo above, or on this link: LensRentals.com
B&H
To ensure that I get credit for your B&H purchases, you can always click here. The tracking is invisible but greatly appreciated. And, you can use your PayBoo card. You must use the website to order. B&H will reopen on Fri April 14. 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.
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 or begin their searches with this link, they are always disappointed. If in doubt, please contact me via e-mail and request a BH link. I am always glad to help and to guide you to the right gear.
Bedfords Simplified
Click here 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.
Bedfords Amazing BAA Discount Policy
Folks who have fallen in love with Bedfords can now use the BIRDSASART coupon code at checkout to enjoy a post-purchase, 3% off-statement credit (excluding taxes and shipping charges) on orders paid with a credit card. The 3% credit will be refunded to the card you used for your purchase. Be sure, also, to check the box for free shipping to enjoy free Second Day Air Fed-Ex. This offer does not apply to purchases of Classes, Gift Cards, prior purchases.
Visit the Bedfords website here, shoot Steve Elkins an e-mail, or text him on his cell phone at (479) 381-2592.
Gear Questions and Advice
Too many folks attending BAA IPTs and dozens of photographers 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. And the same is true in spades when ordering new camera bodies or lenses. My advice will often stave you some serious money and may help you avoid making a seriously bad choice. Please know that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail. If you are desperate, you can try me on my cell at 863-221-2372. Please leave a message and shoot me a text if I do not pick up.
This image was created on 5 April 2024 down by the lake near my home in Indian Lake Estates, FL. working from the front seat of my SUV, I used the handheld Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens (Sony E) with the Sony FE 2x Teleconverter and the ridiculously amazing Sony a9 III Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined via Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 800: 1/4000 sec. at f/5.6 (wide open) in Manual mode. When evaluated in RawDigger, the raw file brightness was determined to be dead solid perfect. AWB at 8:21:38am on a clear sunny morning.
Tracking Zone/AF-C with Bird Face/Eye detection enabled performed to perfection. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy the high-res version.
Image #1: Cattle Egret grabbing tiny insect
Where Does the Sony 300mm f/2.8 GM Lens Fit?
For me, at this time, the 300 f/2.8 is an auxiliary lens. I still use and love my 600mm f/4 GM, and there are times when I enjoy working at 840mm (with the 1.4X TC) and at 1200mm (with the 2X TC), and making razor sharp images. The 600, however, gets heavier every day and is always a bear to travel with. Will there come a time when I depend more and more on the smaller, lighter 300 f/2.8 that is so much easier to use and to travel with become my workhorse super-telephoto lens? Perhaps, but not right now. I will be taking both the 600 and the 300 with me to North Dakota for my Sharp-tailed Grouse/Prairie Chicken trip.
More Importantly
More importantly, where does the Sony 300m f/2.8 GM lens fit for you? There are about a zillion bird photographers shooting the Sony 200-600mm f/6.3 (at the long end) G lens as their big telephoto. Most are using theirs with an a-1 while a few have stuck with the a9 ii or the original a9. The 200-600 is a very versatile lens. The single biggest drawback is the relatively slow f/6.3 maximum aperture. The question now is, should they be retiring their 200-600 and going with the 300mm f/2.8 as their big gun? The 300 is smaller and well lighter (3.18 lbs. versus 4.65 lbs.). It creates super-sharp images with either the 1.4X or the 2X TC (the latter as seen in today’s featured images). And when working with relatively tame birds (as on most BAA IPTs), the wide apertures — f/2.8 at 300mm, f/4 at 420mm, and f/5.6 at 600mm, are a huge advantage when working in low light. I will be exploring this topic in depth in future blog posts.
I think that with the release of the 300mm f/2.8 GM lens that many more folks will switching to Sony in the near term.
Grabbing a Bug Images
I was astounded at the number of frames the a9 iii captures as the birds were swallowing the tiny bugs. At 120fps, I had perhaps ten with the bug in midair in the bird’s bill. For Image #1, I chose the perfect one with the insect centered in the egret’s open bill. Note also the second sharp insect just behind the claw of the bird’s raised foot.
For those who did not use my link to purchase their Sony 300mm f/2.8 GM lens, you can order your a copy here for $209.93.
Click on the image to enlarge and to be able to read the fine print.
The BAA Sony 300mm f/2.8 Lens Guide
Impressed by my Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens (Sony E) images from the last three posts? Use either my Bedfords or B&H affiliate link to purchase your Sony 300mm f/2.8 GM lens and shoot me your receipt via e-mail and request a copy of the first-ever BAA Lens Guide. I thought that it would take only minutes to create this guide, but I was dead wrong. In the process of creating it, I learned a ton about the lens. And even better, I discovered a simple yet potentially fatal flaw that was resulting in sporadically unsharp flight images. The set-up fix is simple. Just be sure to use one of my affiliate links and get the guide for free.
If not, you can purchase a copy here for $209.93. Yes, it never hurts to use my links and it never costs you one penny more. And if you contact me via e-mail before you make a major purchase, I can often save you some money.
This image was created on 6 April 2024 down by the lake near my home in Indian Lake Estates, FL. Standing outside of SUV, I used the handheld Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens (Sony E) with the Sony FE 2x Teleconverter and the ridiculously amazing Sony a9 III Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined via Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 2000: 1/1000 sec. at f/6.3 (stopped down 1/-3 stop in error) in Manual mode. When evaluated in RawDigger, the raw file brightness was determined to be dead solid perfect. AWB at 7:54:27am on a clear sunny morning.
Tracking Zone/AF-C with Bird Face/Eye detection enabled performed to perfection. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy the high-res version.
Image #2: Bald Eagle recently fledged juvenile looking back
Fledged and Flying but Not Gone
The new eagle nest is so cluttered that I have not even attempted to make a singe photograph of the chicks. Last week, they were both flapping like crazy in their re-located nest so I knew they would be fledging soon. They had begun branching the week before. On Friday, both adults and the two very large chicks were at the nest tree. This morning when I drove by there were no birds eat the nest.
As I drove around on the South Field, I spotted the two young eagles low down in a pine tree on the edge of the canal. I got out of my vehicle, adjusted the exposure to get lots of Zebras on the sky (to ensure lots of detail in the dark tones of the plumage), and made a few images. When this bird pushed off to take flight, the branch it was perched on split off the tree with a very loud crack! Its nest-mate followed as they flew directly to the nest tree.
With perched birds on sunny days with NW winds you need to wait for a look-back head angle. As above.
Typos
With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
With bird’s flying from one side of the frame to the other in either direction, most of today’s high-end mirrorless bodies will occasionally (and understandably) grab the bird’s near wing. As you see in the short video, the a9 iii handles those situations “better than most.”
Better Than Most!
If you are in a hurry and wish to skip the lead-up and the drama, start watching from the 2:10 mark. Better than most for sure. Young Tiger’s confident smile as he was approaching his peak is one for the ages.
From the Jacksonville.com/Florida Times-Union article by Garry Smits of the Florida Times-Union here.
Be sure to watch the video and hear Gary Koch’s call!
“Better than most,” is the phrase NBC 17th-hole tower announcer Gary Koch uttered three times — twice when Woods’ 60-foot, triple-breaking, downhill putt at the par-3 17th hole was on its way and one more after it caught the right edge of the hole and dropped in, to the amazement, delight and unabashed joy of the thousands of fans ringing the Island Green.
The next day, Tiger Woods won his first Player’s Championship.
What’s Up?
I headed down to the lake on Thursday morning. It was clear and sunny and the wind was howling at 30+ MPH from the NW. I did not make a single image. On Friday morning, it was clear and sunny with a gentle breeze that swung around from the NE to the SW. As always, I learned a lot. And I created 2883 images. As is usually the case, understanding wind directions and sky conditions is the key to becoming a great bird photographer. Join me on an IPT toward that end.
Today is Friday 5 April, 2024. Whatever you are doing, I hope that you also have a great day. Be sure to watch the Sony a9 iii Bird-Face/Eye Detection Autofocus video that opens this post.
Don’t look now but this blog post makes six days in a row with a new educational post just for you.
If you plan on purchasing a Sony a9 III Mirrorless Camera (or anything else for that matter), please remember to use or write for either my Bedfords discount code or my B&H affiliate link. Folks who use one of my two affiliate links to purchase the a9 III will receive my .DAT settings (the complete camera set-up) along with a Buttons and Dials Guide.
Please remember to use the B&H 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. You will be amazed at how much you will learn!
If an item — a Delkin flash card, or a tripod head — 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.
B&H
To ensure that I get credit for your B&H purchases, you can always click here. The tracking is invisible but greatly appreciated. And, you can use your PayBoo card. You must use the website to order. B&H will reopen on Fri April 14. 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.
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 or begin their searches with this link, they are always disappointed. If in doubt, please contact me via e-mail and request a BH link. I am always glad to help and to guide you to the right gear.
Bedfords Simplified
Click here 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.
Bedfords Amazing BAA Discount Policy
Folks who have fallen in love with Bedfords can now use the BIRDSASART coupon code at checkout to enjoy a post-purchase, 3% off-statement credit (excluding taxes and shipping charges) on orders paid with a credit card. The 3% credit will be refunded to the card you used for your purchase. Be sure, also, to check the box for free shipping to enjoy free Second Day Air Fed-Ex. This offer does not apply to purchases of Classes, Gift Cards, prior purchases.
Visit the Bedfords website here, shoot Steve Elkins an e-mail, or text him on his cell phone at (479) 381-2592.
Gear Questions and Advice
Too many folks attending BAA IPTs and dozens of photographers 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. And the same is true in spades when ordering new camera bodies or lenses. My advice will often stave you some serious money and may help you avoid making a seriously bad choice. Please know that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail. If you are desperate, you can try me on my cell at 863-221-2372. Please leave a message and shoot me a text if I do not pick up.
For those who did not use my link to purchase their Sony 300mm f/2.8 GM lens, you can order your a copy here for $209.93.
Click on the image to enlarge and to be able to read the fine print.
The BAA Sony 300mm f/2.8 Lens Guide
Impressed by my Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens (Sony E) images from the last three posts? Use either my Bedfords or B&H affiliate link to purchase your Sony 300mm f/2.8 GM lens and shoot me your receipt via e-mail and request a copy of the first-ever BAA Lens Guide. I thought that it would take only minutes to create this guide, but I was dead wrong. In the process of creating it, I learned a ton about the lens. And even better, I discovered a simple yet potentially fatal flaw that was resulting in sporadically unsharp flight images. The set-up fix is simple. Just be sure to use one of my affiliate links and get the guide for free.
If not, you can purchase a copy here for $209.93. Yes, it never hurts to use my links and it never costs you one penny more. And if you contact me via e-mail before you make a major purchase, I can often save you some money.
This image was also created on 3 April 2024 down by the lake near my home in Indian Lake Estates, FL. Standing at full height, I used the handheld Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens (Sony E) with the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter and the ridiculously amazing Sony a9 III Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined via Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 2500: 1/3200 sec. at f/4 (wide open) in Manual mode. When evaluated in RawDigger, the raw file brightness was determined to be 1/3 stop short of perfect. With the sun going in and out I wanted to make sure to avoid toasting the TV’s white bill tip. AWB at 8:06:11am on a variably sunny morning.
Wide/AF-C with Bird Face/Eye detection enabled performed perfectly. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version.
Fly-by Turkey Vulture
Piece of Cake
I love walking around with the handheld 300mm f/2.8/1.4X/a9 iii rig down by the lakeshore. With the wind on Wednesday from the east/southeast, I approached the vultures by walking from south to north knowing that they would take off towards me. And this morning, I played around with the 2X while photographing Cattle Egrets foraging and in flight. Photos soon.
This image was also created on 3 April 2024 down by the lake near my home in Indian Lake Estates, FL. Standing at full height, I used the handheld Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens (Sony E) with the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter and the ridiculously amazing Sony a9 III Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined via Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 2500: 1/3200 sec. at f/4 (wide open) in Manual mode. When evaluated in RawDigger, the raw file brightness was determined to be 1/3 stop short of perfect. With the sun going in and out I wanted to make sure to avoid toasting the TV’s white bill tip. AWB at 8:06:11am on a variably sunny morning.
Wide/AF-C with Bird Face/Eye detection enabled performed perfectly. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version.
A7INFO screen capture for the Fly-by Turkey Vulture image
Thanks Wolfram!
When I first got my Sony a9 III Mirrorless Camera, I opened a folder of images in A7INFO and noted that the program had not been updated for the a9 iii. I wrote Wolfram Söns and asked him if it would be updated. He replied that he was very busy. So I took the bull by the horns and sent him a few a9 iii raw files. He wrote back in ten minutes and told me that the deed was done. How’s that for service? A7INFO is the only program I know of that shows you the AF points for all or most Sony mirrorless cameras bodies.
While you can download A7INFO for free, do consider leaving a $10.00 donation to support Wolfram’s efforts.
The Image Optimization
The a7INFO screen capture immediately above shows the AF point squarely on the vulture’s eye. And it shows the original framing of the raw file. Note that I moved the bird back in the frame by adding canvas and re-crafted the marsh grasses. All of the techniques that I used are covered in detail in the Digital Basics III Video Series.
Typos
With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
Which of the images featured in this blog post is your favorite?
What’s Up?
Congrats to the beyond amazing Caitlin Clark of Iowa and to Paige Bueckers of UConn for leading their teams to the Women’s Final Four in the Ladies “March Madness” NCAA college basketball tournament.
When I went down to the lake on Wednesday morning, the parents of the first pair of Sandhill Crane chicks that hatched at ILE about two weeks ago were foraging alone. Thus, I am 99.99% sure that the both of chicks perished some time on in the last two days. The two chicks that hatched more recently were doing fine yesterday.
Today is 4 April 2024. I will be heading down to the lake early today for a short visit. I have lots to do today and look forward to getting stuff done. Whatever you are doing I hope that you too opt to have a great day.
Don’t look now but this blog post makes five days in a row with a new educational post just for you.
If you plan on purchasing a Sony a9 III Mirrorless Camera (or anything else for that matter), please remember to use or write for either my Bedfords discount code or my B&H affiliate link. Folks who use one of my two affiliate links to purchase the a9 III will receive my .DAT settings (the complete camera set-up) along with a Buttons and Dials Guide.
Please remember to use the B&H 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. You will be amazed at how much you will learn!
If an item — a Delkin flash card, or a tripod head — 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.
For those who did not use my link to purchase their Sony 300mm f/2.8 GM lens, this item should be in the store this afternoon (for real this time). Click on the image to enlarge and to be able to read the fine print.
The BAA Sony 300mm f/2.8 Lens Guide
Impressed by my Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens (Sony E) images from the last three posts? Use either my Bedfords or B&H affiliate link to purchase your Sony 300mm f/2.8 GM lens and shoot me your receipt via e-mail and request a copy of the first-ever BAA Lens Guide. This short guide will be published this afternoon. I thought that it would take only minutes to create this guide, but I was dead wrong. In the process of creating it, I learned a ton about the lens. And even better, I discovered a simple yet potentially fatal flaw that was resulting in sporadically unsharp flight images. The set-up fix is simple. Just be sure to use one of my affiliate links and get the guide for free.
Tracking: Expand Spot AF-C with Bird Face/Eye detection enabled was active at the moment of exposure and performed perfectly. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy the larger version.
Image #1: Red-shouldered Hawk gently sidelit by the rising sun in moss-draped tree setting
More Moss!
In the Same Bird. Same Lens. Two Slightly Different Images blog post here, the small in the frame version (Image #1, above) was best by far according to me and all those who commented. Yes, one of the reasons I placed the bird on the right side looking out of the frame was to use the branch as a leading line, but more importantly for me, was to include more of the hanging moss in the frame; there was none to my right.
Image #2 was sharp and well-composed, and the rear view was nice, but this one was nothing really special.
This image was created on 30 March 2024 down by the lake near my home in Indian Lake Estates, FL. Seated on damp grass, I used the toepod technique with the handheld Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens (Sony E) and the ridiculously amazing Sony a9 III Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined via Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 1000: 1/1000 sec. at f/2.8 (wide open) in Manual mode. When evaluated in RawDigger, the raw file brightness was determined to be dead solid perfect. AWB at 7:33:24am on a clear sunny morning about 15 minutes after sunrise.
Tracking Zone/AF-C with Bird Face/Eye detection enabled performed to perfection. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy the high-res version.
Image #1: Sandhill Crane chick in purple flowers
Nothing Bugged Me! (Or Not?)
In the One in the Sun for Good Measure & a 2nd Nest Hatches blog post here, absolutely nothing bugged me. I just asked if anything bugged you 🙂
Here’s what I loved about this image:
1- The choice of perspective.
2- The layers of luscious colors (the result of 1 above).
3- The clean golden chick and the down-the-lens-barrel look.
4- The out of focus layer of shaded grass and flowers at the bottom of the frame.
5- The row of sharp sunlit purple flowers on the same plane as the chick.
6- The row of shaded purple flowers to the right of the chick. They were shaded by the adult that stood to the right of the chick. That they were darker than the sunlit purple flowers to our left of the chick added depth.
7- The out-of-focus strip of green grass between the flowers and the marsh.
8- The golden sunlit marsh grasses.
9- The out-of-focus blue of Lake Walk-in-water.
Or Not?
Though I obviously love this image, the merge of the crane chick’s head with the top edge of the marsh grasses does bother me a tiny bit. I wonder if I should have squeezed my feet together to raise the lens perhaps two inches. That would have eliminated the merge but might have destroyed the arrangement of the many different layers of colors and tones …
This image was also created on 28 March 2024 down by the lake near my home in Indian Lake Estates, FL. Seated on damp grass, I used the knee-pod technique with the handheld Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens (Sony E) with the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter and the ridiculously amazing Sony a9 III Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined via Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 500: 1/500 sec. at f/4 (wide open) in Manual mode. When evaluated in RawDigger, the raw file brightness was determined to be perfect. AWB at 8:47:32am as things brightened up just a bit.
Tracking: Expand Spot/AF-C with Bird Face/Eye detection enabled performed well. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version.
In the I Never Gave Up Hope 🙂 Crane Chicks in Purple Flowers blog post here, my favorite image was the one that did not include purple flowers in the frame, Image #3, above. Why? #1, as pointed out by Cliff Beittel, was simply was not sharp on face at 1/500 second. And #3 is the only tight shot of a crane food handoff that features two acceptable head angles. I have hundreds where with the head of the adult or the head of the chick is angled away.
This image was created on 28 March 2024 down by the lake near my home in Indian Lake Estates, FL. Seated on damp grass, I used the toepod technique with the handheld Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens (Sony E) and the ridiculously amazing Sony a9 III Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined via Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 2000: 1/500 sec. at f/2.8 (wide open) in Manual mode. When evaluated in RawDigger, the raw file brightness was determined to be perfect. AWB at 8:29:00am on a very overcast morning.
Tracking Zone/AF-C with Bird Face/Eye detection enabled performed to perfection. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy the high-res version.
Image #1: Sandhill Crane chick running to adult to grab a morsel
Much Loved
Most folks, including multiple IPT veteran David Pugsley (who was there), went with Image #1 — immediately above — as their favorite because of the cuteness factor, the running action, the raised wings, and the purple flowers. Thanks to a modicum of Topaz Sharpen AI, the image looked OK for web presentation, but know that it was not critically sharp on the face was too much for me to overcome.
That brings us to the why double the ISO? question. Had I raised the ISO to 4000 I could have doubled the shutter speed to 1/1000 sec. and created a sharper image. That is an error that I make over and over again. It is much easier to deal with high ISO noise than it is to deal with motion blur. But old habits (avoiding very high ISOs), are hard to break.
This image was created on 28 March 2024 down by the lake near my home in Indian Lake Estates, FL. Seated on damp grass, I used the toepod technique with the handheld Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens (Sony E) and the ridiculously amazing Sony a9 III Mirrorless Camera. The exposure was determined via Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 2000: 1/500 sec. at f/2.8 (wide open) in Manual mode. When evaluated in RawDigger, the raw file brightness was determined to be perfect. AWB at 8:29:00am on a very overcast morning.
Tracking Zone/AF-C with Bird Face/Eye detection enabled performed to perfection. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy the high-res version.
Image #1A: An improved version of the Sandhill Crane chick running to adult to grab a morsel image
A Better Version
When John (Storjohann) posted the comment below (in part), I realized that while I had enhanced the catchlight in Images #2 and #3, I failed to do that with Image #1.
I love the animated pose in the first image (along with the color of the spring flowers and the strong composition). I wish there had been a stronger catch light in the predominantly black eye. The second image is also beautiful, if not as animated, and there is a catch light in the the eye that gives direction to the chick’s gaze.
So, I decided to improve the optimized version by enhancing the catchlight and juicing up the colors a bit. To enhance the catchlight I used a new technique that will be detailed in future Digital Basics III recordings. To enrich the purples I used another new technique that I developed only recently. It too will be detailed in future Digital Basics III recordings.
WDYT?
How did I do? To better see the catchlight, be sure to enlarge the two images by clicking on each of them. Can you note the brighter Purples and Greens?
Typos
With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
