In the Pink in San Diego with the 70-200 II, the 200-400 with Internal Extender, & the 300 II

DiMaggio’s Record Falls!

I am again feeling a bit better today. I am now upgraded to crappy….

This post marks 57 days in a row with a new educational blog post, a record by far that should be extended for at least another week or two. Or not. 🙂 To show your appreciation, we ask that use our B&H and Amazon affiliate links for all of your B&H and Amazon purchases. Please check the availability of all photographic accessories in the BIRDS AS ART Online Store. We sell only what I use and depend on. We will not sell you junk. We know what you need to make creating great images easy and fun. And we are always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail.

You can find the following items in the store: Gitzo tripods, Mongoose M3.6 and Wimberley heads, plates, low feet, and accessories, flash brackets, , Delkin e-film Pro Compact Flash Cards, LensCoat products, and our unique line-up of educational materials including ABP I & II, Digital Basics, Site and Set-up e-Guides, Canon and Nikon Camera Users and AF e-Guides, and MP-4 Photoshop video tutorials among others.

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Thanks and enjoy today’s blog post! More than 4 1/2 hours of work went into the creation of this blog post 🙂

South Florida IPT Late Registration Discount Info

Scroll down here for IPT details then call us at 863-692-0906 or e-mail to learn of the Late Registration Discounts for each of the three segments and the complete trip.

This image was created on the San Diego Short Notice IPT with the Gitzo 3532 LS carbon fiber tripod, Mongoose M3.6 head, the Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM lens (at 200mm) and the and the Canon EOS-1D X. ISO 400. Evaluative metering +1/3 stop as framed: 1/100 sec. at f/2.8 in Av mode. Central sensor/Rear Focus AF on the moon and recompose. Click here to see the latest version of the Rear Focus Tutorial. Click on the image to see a larger version. Image #1: The Minimalist Full Moon

The Blue/Purple/Pink

You get up early virtually every day on an IPT. And you stay out late most days as well. In the mornings, we are often in place with our gear nearly an hour before the time of sunrise; if you have a view of the eastern sky, you can get some spectacular color very early. At LaJolla, the is no view of the eastern sky but we arrive early most days to photograph the cliffs in the dark with long shutter speeds. You will learn more about that in a future blog post.

On clear days the low western sky, seen above, often takes on gorgeous colors, usually ranging from blue just above horizon to various shades of pink and purple. Creative photographers are often able to incorporate these lovely skies into their images in a variety of ways.

All that you need to do to become a pink/purple/blue master is get up early and open your eyes and your mind….

Image Question

Why did I go with vertical format for the image above?

Optimizing the Pinks

As I strive to expose my RAW files well to the right, the images often look a lot less pink that the scene did in real life. I start by doing something that I rarely do in DPP, messing with the Tune tab for White balance fine adjustment. Once you open it, you will quickly figure out to drag it down a bit to increase the intensity of the colors. Experiment further by moving the small box either left or right.

Once the image is brought into Photoshop I use Selective Color on a Layer to remove CYAN and add MAGENTA to the WHITEs to further enhance the pinks.

The DPP RAW Conversion Guide

To learn why I use Canon’s Digital Photo Professional (DPP) to convert every image that I work on, click here.

This image Brown Pelican predawn image was also created on the San Diego Short Notice IPT with the Gitzo 3532 LS carbon fiber tripod, Mongoose M3.6 head, theCanon EF 200-400mm f/4L IS USM Lens with Internal 1.4x Extender (with the internal extender in place at 560mm) and the Canon EOS-1D X. ISO 800. Evaluative metering +2 stops: 1/30 sec. at f/7.1 in Manual mode. White Balance = K 7500. Six sensors up from the Central Sensor/AI Servo-Rear Focus AF on black at the base of the bill in front of the eye active at the moment of exposure. Click here to see the latest version of the Rear Focus Tutorial. Click on the image to see a larger version. Image #2: Pelican in Pink

Choice of Perspective

Here I positioned my tripod as far up the small bank in front of the bird to line up with the brightest pink. I was not happy with the out-of-focus dirt in the foreground but was able to minimize it. Then along came IPT participant Clemens van der Werf, all 6′ 6″ of him. He was easily able to eliminate the dirt ridge in the foreground. I will be sharing some of Clemens spectacular new Southern Oceans images here soon.

This in-camera Art Vivid HDR image was created with the Gitzo 3532 LS carbon fiber tripod, the Mongoose M3.6 head, the Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM lens (at 145mm) and the Canon EOS 5D Mark III ISO 400. Evaluative metering +/- 2 stops around the base exposure that was +2 2/3 stops: 1/40 sec. at f/4 in Av mode. (As I have said here often you need to over-expose a ton when creating HDR Art Vivid images to obtain a decent histogram.) Central sensor/Rear Focus AF on the birds on the bottom of the cliff and re-compose. Click here to see the latest version of the Rear Focus Tutorial. Click on the image to see a larger version. Image #3: Brandt’s Cormorant Cliffs in Pink Predawn

Seeing the Shot

I saw this image in my mind the moment I headed down to the cliffs on my first scouting morning in San Diego. It was the first time that I had seeing a big group of cormorants on these particular cliffs. On the 2nd IPT morning we had some decent surf and photographed these cliffs in the dark with 30 second exposures. On the 3rd IPT morning–my last in San Diego–we stayed a bit later to enjoy the blue/purple pink skies. That’s when the idea of an HDR Art Vivid image hit me. Voila!

This Western Gull image was created after sunset on a San Diego Beach with the hand held Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS II USM lens and the Canon EOS-1D X. ISO 800. Evaluative metering +2 stops: 1/125 sec. at f/2.8 in Manual mode. Five sensors to the right of the central Sensor/AI Servo–Rear Focus AF on the spot where the bird’s right wing meets the breast active at the moment of exposure. Click here to see the latest version of the Rear Focus Tutorial. Click on the image to see a larger version. Image #4: Western Gull on Wet Sand at Sunset

Afternoon at the Beach

We spent two afternoons with the Wood Ducks, one was OK, one was fantastic. We did get to spend a single afternoon at the beach. We brought four loaves of white bread so that we could get the gulls where we wanted them. We created a variety of images and of course, we stayed late. As we were getting ready to leave, I noticed this nice Western Gull on the wet sand with the lovely pink reflections. I made only two images. I decided to travel light without a tripod and brought only the 300 for the gulls on the ground and used it with both the 1.4X and the 2X III TCs. I used the hand held 70-200 II for flight photography. Hand holding the 300 II is a lot easier than lugging the 600 II or toting the 200-400…. The trick is to learn to make good images with whatever rig you have in your hands.

Your Favorite?

Please take a moment to let us know which of these four completely different images is your favorite, and why.

San Diego Site Guide

A BAA Site Guide is the next best thing to being on an IPT. And they cost only fifty bucks; a lot less than an IPT! I share everything that I know about the five killer photography spots within 20 minutes of downtown San Diego. Learn where and how and when to photograph the amazing California race of Brown Pelican; Marbled Godwits against bright buff backgrounds; Wood Ducks, Lesser Scaup, and Ring-necked Duck at point blank range; and a variety of stunning gulls (including Heerman’s, Western, and California) both perched and in flight. You will learn where to go on what wind and what tides are best for each coastal location. As usual, I have held nothing back. You can get your copy of the San Diego Site Guide by clicking here; it will prove most useful to folks visiting in the colder months, but many of the locations are productive in other seasons as well, especially spring.

You can learn about our 13 other great Site Guides by clicking here.

Join us to learn the ins and outs of Little Estero Lagoon. Call us at 863-692-0906 or e-mail to learn of the Late Registration Discounts for both the segments and the complete trip.

Little Estero Lagoon IPT: 2 full days–Sat/Sun: JAN 25-26 (Limit 12/Openings 9): $799. Introductory slide program: 7pm, FRI, JAN 24, 2014

Join Denise Ippolito and Arthur Morris for four great photography sessions at one of the top bird photography hotspots in North America. Morning sessions: 6:15am to 10:30am. Afternoon sessions: 3:00pm till 5:45pm. Lunch included. Informal image review and Photoshop sessions after lunch. Call 863-292-0906 to registger; payment if full is now due so call with your credit card in hand. Please e-mail with any questions.

Monday: Jan 27: Optional Estero Add-on/morning only (Limit 12/Openings 9): $249

Adding the last morning as above is an option.

What you will learn:

When to be where and where to be when at Little Estero Lagoon to maximize the photographic opportunities.
Autofocus basics and correct camera and gear set-up.
How to get the right exposure with digital every time.
How and why to expose to the right.
How to create pre-dawn silhouettes.
How to design pleasing images.
How to find the best perspective.
How to make strong images in cluttered situations.
How to photography birds in flight.
In-the-Field creative techniques.

Do consider joining us for the all or part of the South Florida Composite IPT. Call us at 863-692-0906 or e-mail to learn of the Late Registration Discounts for both the segments and the complete trip.

This afternoon seminar is 100% free and open to the public.

Free Afternoon Seminar

Join Denise Ippolito and me on the afternoon of January 28, 2014 at 1:00pm in the Boca Grande Community Center for a free two-part nature photography seminar entitled “Birds and Blooms.” At 1:00pm I will be presenting “A Bird Photographer’s Story” (updated with lots of my favorite new images). Denise will follow with her hugely popular “Bloomin’ Ideas.” The venue is located at 131 First Street West, Boca Grande, FL 33921.

Suggestion

Join us for the free seminar and then for the Venice Rookery IPT the following day.

Do join us on the Venice Rookery IPT, or better yet, for the whole South Florida Composite IPT. Scroll down or click here for complete details.

Jan 29 (WED): Venice Rookery In-the-Field: all day: (Limit 12/Openings 8): $399. Introductory slide program 7pm, Jan 28.

30 (THURS) -Venice am only. (Limit 12/Openings 8):: $249

You can sign up for one or more of the short IPTs and/or one or more of the add-on days or you can opt to sign up for the all the sessions. Those signing up for the whole shebang will be having all lunches and dinners with us most every day. Call us at 863-692-0906 or e-mail to learn of the Late Registration Discounts for both the segments and the complete trip.

Bird Photography Hotspot: Anhinga Trail, Everglades National Park. Learn more here.

Anhinga Trail/Everglades National Park Mini-IPT: Feb 1-2, (SAT/SUN), 2014. (Limit 12/Openings 5): $799. Introductory slide program: 7pm: FRI Jan 31. (Limit 14/Openings: 12):

Join Denise Ippolito and Arthur Morris for four great photography sessions at one of the top bird photography hotspots in North America. Morning sessions: 6:15am to 10:30am. Afternoon sessions: 3:00pm till 5:45pm. Lunch included. Informal image review and Photoshop sessions after lunch.

Jan 31 (Friday) Anhinga Trail/Everglades National Park Optional Add-on/Morning Only (Limit 14/Openings 12): $249

Includes lunch, and informal image review and Photoshop session.

Call us at 863-692-0906 or e-mail to learn of the Late Registration Discounts for both the segments and the complete trip.

2014 South Florida Composite IPT: 6 1/2 days of photography spread over 9 days of learning, hanging out, and travel: $2644. (Limit 12/Openings: 5

Because of our intense travel schedule that includes a trip to Japan I will not be running the traditional SW FLA IPT. In addition, in an effort to give some folks a chance to get a taste of our teaching and our passion for bird photography, Denise Ippolito and I have organized a series of short IPTs that may be combined into one wonderful experience or enjoyed piecemeal. Click here for complete details or to register. Please e-mail with any questions or leave a comment below.

A $500 non-refundable deposit is required to hold your slot for this IPT. For the short segments that are less than $500 payment in full is due at the time of registration. Your balance is due 4 months before the date of the IPT and is also non-refundable. If the trip fills, we will be glad to apply a credit applicable to a future IPT for the full amount less a $100 processing fee. If we do not receive your check for the balance on or before the due date we will try to fill your spot from the waiting list. If your spot is filled, you will lose your deposit. If not, you can secure your spot by paying your balance. Best to call Jim or Jennifer with a credit card in hand to register. Credit cards are not accepted for balances. Alternatively you can send a check for $500 made out to Arthur Morris to us at PO Box 7245, Indian Lake Estates, FL, 33855. Please include a note with your e-mail address and be sure to let us know what you are signing up for.

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IPT Info

Many of our great trips are filling up. See especially info on the South Florida, Holland, and Nickerson Beach IPTs. Two great leaders on most trips ensure that you will receive individual attention, have all of your questions answered, and learn a ton including how to think like a pro, see the situation, and get the right exposure every time. In addition you will have fun, and make lots of great images. Click here for IPT details and general information.