What’s Up?
I really enjoyed reading the comments at the last two blog posts. Thanks to the many who participated. There was not much in bloom at Ridge Audubon on Saturday morning, and the sun broke through even before I arrived. But on the way into town, there were lots of Cattle Egrets in the fields just north of SR 60 along with lots of black cows. And some of the egrets were standing on the backs of the cows! I will check things out before the sun comes up and hope for some clouds. I have tons of work to do so I need to get back home fairly early.
Today is Sunday 1 October 2023. I will be revealing the ISOs in the blog post tomorrow with lots more on the upcoming Digital Basics III Video Series. Wherever you are an whatever you are doing, I hope that you too have a great day.
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This image was created on 12 May 2023 at Fort DeSoto Park, South of St. Petersburg, FL. I used the handheld Sony FE 400mm f/2.8 GM OSS lens with the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter, and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera). The exposure was determined via Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 1000: 1/1000 sec. at f/5.6 (stopped down one stop) in Manual mode. When evaluated in RawDigger, the raw file exposure was determined to be dead-solid perfect. AWB at 9:09:17am on a partly cloudy morning. Tracking: Zone/AF-C with Bird Face/Eye detection enabled performed to perfection. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Great Egret “studio head shot” |
Great Egret “Studio Shot”
Yes, out-of-focus concrete can make a beautiful background, reminiscent of the plain, matte backgrounds often use to create portraits in a studio. Creating such images at my favorite morning back-up spot at Fort DeSoto is pretty much child’s play.
Depth-of-Field Question
Why did the man who loves to shoot wide open stop down one full stop?
If You’re Free This Coming Week
Drive or fly to the Tampa/St. Pete Florida area arriving at about 4pm this Tuesday, 3 OCT. Share my AirBnb in Gulfport with me for three nights and enjoy six in-the-field sessions. Head home after the morning session on Friday 6 OCT The weather is looking excellent. I am offering this opportunity for a ridiculously low price. Remember that you only live once. For details, shoot me an e-mail or text me on my cell phone at 863-221-2372. This gig includes two working lunches with image review and Photoshop lessons.
Typos
With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
To keep the whites from blowing out. Might even darken the background ever so slightly to help the white egret stand out.
Not at all.
with love, artie
You forgot that you had stopped down……?
That happens sometimes when I forget that I have removed the TC. But that was not the case here.
with love, artie
Shooting wide-open may have created vignetting which would be noticeable against the even background. Stopping down reduces vignetting.
Not 🙁
with love, artie
Hi Artie, thanks for your prompt reply, may I submit a second guess? Did you stop down because concrete already makes a beautiful background without the need for separation with a wide open aperture?
Sure. But no 🙁
with love, artie
Great Egret “studio head shot” is well made and interesting! I wish there had been some more images!
Hi Artie, did you stop down because you are using a teleconverter and wanted to improve the IQ and sharpness, bringing out the detail of this head shot from edge to edge across the frame?
Hi Robert, Thanks for stopping by. The TC had just a bit to do with it but was not the primary reason for stopping down. Stick around as this topic is covered here frequently.
with love, artie
I believe you stopped down 1stop to get the whole bird in focus, from tip of bill to neck. It looks like he mace be slightly looking toward camera and, with shallow depth of field, the tip of bill would be out of focus.
Close. But why stop down in this situation?
with love, a
Because you are so close to the subject. You have a “sliver” of DOF being so close.
Hey Anthony, Me silence should speak volumes.
with love, artie
Hi, Artie. I have no idea why you stopped down one stop. Lovely image. One of my favorite hummingbird images is of a bird feeding on lovely flowers against a background of an out-of-focus pinkish wall. But in general I don’t know many places where I can take advantage of such backgrounds for birds.
Stay tuned for the why. As far as crazy backgrounds, all we need to do is keep our eyes open and our mind open to the possibilities.
with love, artie