Over-exposed American Robin and More

This image was created at Jones Beach State Park last week with the Canon EF 600mm f/4L IS II USM lens, the Canon 2x EF Extender III (Teleconverter), and the Canon EOS-1D X Digital SLR camera. ISO 800. Evaluative metering +2/3 stop: 1/50 sec. at f/10 in Manual Mode. Central sensor (by necessity) Expand/AI Servo/Rear Focus on the center of the bird’s breast active at the moment of exposure. Click here if you missed the Rear Focus Tutorial. Click on the image to see a larger version. Above you are looking at the optimized image.

Over-exposed American Robin

In the “Your Call and More” blog post here, I presented what seemed to be a badly over-exposed image of an American Robin. Most folks were confident that I would be able to salvage the image. The optimized image above shows that they were correct.

The Image Optimization

First eliminated the blinkies in DPP and then reduced the Brightness by two clicks to -.33 stops. As detailed in the DPP RAW Conversion Guide. In Photoshop a simple Curves adjustment brought the image to life. In addition, note also the elimination of several of the taller, ugly, weed-like stalks. Those repairs were done with the Patch Tool and the Clone Stamp Tool. As described in our in Digital Basics File, an instructional PDF that is sent via e-mail. It includes my complete digital workflow, dozens of great Photoshop tips including Digital Eye Doctor techniques, several different ways of expanding canvas, all of my time-saving Keyboard Shortcuts, and Layer Masking and NIK Color Efex Pro basics.

This 3-frame in-camera HDR Art Vivid image was created with the tripod-mounted Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS II USM Telephoto Lens, the Canon 1.4x EF Extender III (Teleconverter), and the Canon EOS 5D Mark III . ISO 400. Evaluative metering +1 1/3 stops yielded a base exposure of 1/125 sec. at f/8 in Av mode. 2-second timer. Central sensor/AI Servo Surround/Rear Focus AF on the central anther and re-compose. Click here if you missed the Rear Focus Tutorial. Click on the image for a larger version. Iris flower #2

My Favorite Iris Who Image

In the recent “Iris Who?” post here, I asked folks to let us know which was their favorite of the four images and why. Iris flower #1 was the clear favorite. #s 2 and 3 got a few votes as well. #2 was my favorite for the soft yellow color palette and the sweet, out-of-focus green background.

BIRDS AS ART Bulletin #441

BAA Bulletin #441 is online and can be accessed here. There are 8 previously unpublished images each with its own legendary BAA educational caption.

• The Holland 2014 A Creative Adventure/BIRDS AS ART/Tulips & A Touch of Holland IPT
• Tulips on the Blog
• Last 2013 Short Notice, Dirt Cheap, In-the-Field Nickerson Beach Photographic Instruction with Arthur Morris
• Japan in Winter
• Thanks!
• Affiliate Links
• Used Camera Gear
• IPT Info

Last 2013 Short Notice, Dirt Cheap, In-the-Field Nickerson Beach Photographic Instruction with Arthur Morris

June 7 (pm), June 8 (am & pm), 8 and possibly the morning of June 9. Afternoons with west wind can be great. Morning sessions run from 5am sharp-9:30 am. Afternoon sessions from 4pm til whenever. These are priced so low that you need to e-mail for the rates. Limit 5/session.

If you e-mail, please include all phone numbers. Payment in full due immediately via credit card after calling the office on a weekday: 863-221-2372. If you would like to join me, please get in touch via e-mail. Breeding American Oystercatcher (chicks likely) and Piping Plover (chicks possible). Common Tern and Black Skimmer/courtship behaviors. Herring and Great Black-backed Gulls. Lots of flight photography when the wind is right. Learn digital exposure and creative image design. Learn to create pleasing blurs at 5am. As I will be living and photographing on Great Gull Island for a week from the afternoon of May 30 until the late afternoon of June 6 and may not have internet access, do sign up and be patient. You will hear from me via e-mail early on June 7th if not the previous evening.

Thanks!

Thanks a stack to the many who used our B&H link over the past 30 days; May was one of our best months ever. Using our B&H Affiliate Links is a great way to thank me for the 20+ hours each week on the blog, for my efforts in getting out the BAA Bulletins, and for the countless e-mail questions that I answer each week. All are invited to do the same. 🙂

Typos

On all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or leave a comment regarding any typos, wrong words, misspellings, omissions, or grammatical errors. Just be right. 🙂

Support the BAA Blog. Support the BAA Bulletins: Shop B&H here!

We want and need to keep providing you with the latest free information, photography and Photoshop lessons, and all manner of related information. Show your appreciation by making your purchases immediately after clicking on any of our B&H or Amazon Affiliate links in this blog post. Remember, B&H ain’t just photography!

If you are considering an item for purchase or comparison shopping be sure to place an item in your cart to see the too-low-to show the actual price. In many cases the prices are so low that B&H is forbidden from publicizing them!

If you are considering an item for purchase or comparison shopping be sure to place an item in your cart to see the too-low-to show the actual price. In many cases the prices are so low that B&H is forbidden from publicizing them!

Support the Blog

Amazon

Everyone buys something from Amazon, be it a big lens or deodorant. Support the blog by starting your search by typing in the little white box below. No purchase is too small to be appreciated; they all add up. Why make it a habit? Because I make it a habit of bringing you new images and information on an almost daily basis.

And from the BAA On-line Store:

LensCoats. I have a LensCoat on each of my big lenses to protect them from nicks and thus increase their re-sales value. All my big lens LensCoat stuff is in Hardwood Snow pattern.
LegCoat Tripod Leg Covers. I have four tripods active and each has a Hardwood Snow LegCoat on it to help prevent further damage to my tender shoulders 🙂 And you will love them in mega-cold weather….
Gitzo GT3532 LS CF Tripod. This one replaces the GT3530LS Tripod and will last you a lifetime. Learn more about this great tripod here.
Mongoose M3.6 Tripod Head. Right now this is the best tripod head around for use with lenses that weigh less than 9 pounds. For heavier lenses, check out the Wimberley V2 head.
Double Bubble Level. You will find one in my camera’s hot shoe whenever I am not using flash.
The Lens Align Mark II. I use the Lens Align Mark II pretty much religiously to micro-adjust all of my gear an average of once a month and always before a major trip. Enjoy our free comprehensive tutorial here.
BreezeBrowser. I do not see how any digital photographer can exist without this program.
Delkin Flash Cards. I use and depend on Delkin compact Flash Cards and card readers most every day. Learn more about their great 700X and 1000X cards here or about my favorite Delkin card here.