The Streak Continues: 321
Yesterday during a long working lunch I met with my ART (Active Release Technique) chiropractor, Dr. TJ McKeon, and his interior designer, Shelly. TJ is re-doing his office space and will be using a selection of BIRDS AS ART images as part of the re-decoration. I still managed a late swim and a really cold ice bath; the water temp was 58.9 degrees when I got out of the tub! I should be sending my final edit ofthe DPP 4.0 RAW Conversion Guide ready to Arash early tomorrow morning. I hope to get the final PDF from him no later than Monday.
This blog post, the 321st in a row, took me about 1 1/2 hours to prepare. It was published just after 5:30am from my home at Indian Lake Estates, FL.
To show your appreciation for my efforts here, we ask that you use our the B&H and Amazon affiliate links on the right side of the blog for all of your purchases. Please check the availability of all photographic accessories in the BIRDS AS ART Online Store, especially Gitzo tripods, Wimberley tripod heads, and the like. We sell only what I have used, have tested, and can 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.
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This image was created just after sunrise on the morning of October 12, 2014 on day 2 of the recently concluded Fort DeSoto IPT. I used the Gitzo 3532 LS carbon fiber tripod, the Mongoose M3.6 head, with the Canon EF 600mm f/4L IS II USM lens and a beta version of the Canon EOS 7D Mark II . ISO 200 (via ISO Safety Shift). Evaluative metering +1 1/3 stops as framed: 1/1000 sec. at f/4.5 in Tv mode. AWB. Central Sensor/AI Servo/Rear Focus AF on the kingfisher and recompose. Click here to see the latest version of the Rear Focus Tutorial. Click on the image to see a larger version. |
The Situation
As regular readers might surmise, IPT groups are routinely in the field well before sunrise to take advantage of a great variety of exciting and sometimes unexpected lighting conditions. At my favorite DeSoto dawn location, we often have a variety of birds flying through the color in the eastern sky. As there was not a whole lot going on on this particular morning, I decided to create a silhouette tree-scape with my long lens. As I rear-focused on the lower tree, I saw the distant Belted Kingfisher sitting on the perfect perch. I re-focused on the bird, re-framed the image, pressed the shutter button once, and watched the bird take flight.
I checked out the image on the rear LCD and pretty much began jumping for joy. Then I ran around sharing the image with all seven folks who were with me that day. All were glad for me. It was a once in a lifetime totally serendipitous situation. In bird photography the situation is often there for just an instant. And either you get it or you miss it. Usually the latter. But not this time :).
From: “Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART”
To: “artie”
Subject: Blog Image Template general
Date: Thursday, August 07, 2014 6:17 PM
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This is a darker, more orange version that I created after answering Gary Axton’s question about the sky color. It was probably somewhere between the two versions. Which one do you like best? |
Selling Your Used Photo Gear Through BIRDS AS ART
Selling your used (or like-new) photo gear through the BAA Blog or via a BAA Online Bulletin is a great idea. We charge only a 5% commission. One of the more popular used gear for sale sites charges a minimum of 20% plus assorted fees! Yikes. The minimum item price here is $500 (or less for a $25 fee). If you are interested please e-mail with the words Items for Sale Info Request cut and pasted into the Subject line :). Stuff that is priced fairly–I offer free pricing advice, usually sells in no time flat. In the past few months, we have sold just about everything in sight.
Used Gear Cautions
Though I am not in a position to post images of gear for sale here or elsewhere, prospective buyers are encouraged to request for photos of the gear that they are interested in purchasing via e-mail. Doing so will help to avoid any misunderstandings as to the condition of the gear. Sellers are advised to take care to photograph their used gear with care against clean backgrounds so that the stuff is represented accurately and in the best light; please pardon the pun :).
Used EOS-1D Mark IV Digital Camera Body
Marc Lombardi is offering a used Canon EOS-1D Mark IV in excellent condition for $2699. The body has one minor cosmetic scratch on top. The sale includes the charger and two batteries, a RRS plate, and insured ground shipping to US addresses only. Your camera will be shipped only after your check clears unless other arrangements are made.
Please contact Marc via e-mail or by phone at 610-585-3500 (Eastern time).
Two Mark IVs served as my workhorse bodies for more than three years.
Used Canon EF 100-400 f 4.5-5.6 L IS Lens
Multiple IPT veteran Jack Panzeca is offering a used Canon EF 100-400 f 4.5-5.6 L IS lens in very good + condition for $999 including insured shipping via UPS Ground to US addresses only. The tripod collar has one small scratch. The sale includes the original tough fabric case, the original box, the front and rear caps, the lens hood, and the strap. Your gear will be shipped only after your check clears.
Please contact Jack via e-mail or by phone at 817 819 1756. Central Time Zone.
The 100-400 is a versatile intermediate telephoto zoom lens with 1,000+ uses. It makes a great starter lens especially for folks who do general nature and wildlife in addition to birds. I’ve sold 100s of images made with a 1-4 and denise loved hers for many years forsaking it only recently for the Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM lens. Jack’s 100-400 is priced to sell.
Used Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS (Image Stabilizer) USM Lens
Price reduced $350 on 10/17/2014!
Dan Womack is offering a used Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS (Image Stabilizer) USM lens in excellent condition with clean glass with a few small nicks on the lens hood for $5150. B&H is offering a virtually identical used “old 500” for $6,299.95; you can save more than $1000 by grabbing Dan’s lens asap. The sale includes the front leather hood, the rear dust cap, the original case with keys, and insured shipping to US addresses only. Your lens will be shipped only after your check clears unless other arrangements are made.
Please contact Dan via e-mail or by phone at 337 412 1898.
Used Canon EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM Lens
Price reduced $100 on 10/17/2014
Multiple IPT veteran Shelly Goldstein is also offering a Canon EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM lens, this one in excellent condition for a ridiculously low $699. The lens sells new for $1,399.00. The sale includes the front lens cap, the lens shade, the rear dust cap, and insured shipping via Fed Ex Ground to US addresses only. The lens was cleaned and checked by Canon in September 2014.
You can contact Shelly via e-mail or by phone at 646-423-0392 (EST). Your lens will be shipped only after your check clears.
The lightweight, relatively tiny, but optically excellent 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS is a great one-lens-fits-all walk-around or travel lens. And it would do well on your shoulder at places like Bosque as well.
Used Canon TS-E 90mm f/2.8 Tilt-Shift Manual Focus Lens
Price reduced $100 on 10/17/2014
Multiple IPT veteran Shelly Goldstein is offering a used Canon TS-E 90mm f/2.8 Tilt-Shift Manual Focus lens in excellent condition for the ridiculously low price of $799. The lens sells new for $1,399.00. The sale includes the front lens cap, the lens shade, the rear dust cap, and insured shipping via Fed Ex Ground to US addresses only. The lens was cleaned and checked by Canon in September 2014.
You can contact Shelly via e-mail or by phone at 646-423-0392 (EST). Your lens will be shipped only after your check clears.
The 90 Tilt Shift is a specialized lens that enable precise control of depth of field along with perspective control. It is useful for portrait, product, and landscape photography. George Lepp loves it for flower field and macro photography, using it often with the 2X III teleconverter.
Used Canon Wide Angle Tilt Shift TS-E 24mm f/3.5L Manual Focus Lens
Price reduced $100 on 10/17/2014
Multiple IPT veteran Shelly Goldstein is offering a used Canon Wide Angle Tilt Shift TS-E 24mm f/3.5L Manual Focus Lens in excellent condition for a ridiculously low $749. The sale includes the front lens cap, the lens shade, the rear dust cap, and insured shipping via Fed Ex Ground to US addresses only. The lens was cleaned and checked by Canon in September 2014.
You can contact Shelly via e-mail or by phone at 646-423-0392 (EST). Your lens will be shipped only after your check clears.
This specialized lens provides tilt-shift functions to control perspective and correct convergence of lines. It is especially useful in architecture, landscape, and product photography. The optical tilt mechanisms enable precise control of depth of field along with perspective control.
Used Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS (Image Stabilizer) USM Lens
IPT veteran Stuart Hahn is offering a used original owner Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS (Image Stabilizer) USM lens in excellent condition with clean glass for $5250. B&H is offering a virtually identical used “old 500” for $6,299.95; you can save more than $1000 by grabbing Stu’s lens asap. The sale includes the front leather lens hood, the rear dust cap, a used RRS B-91 Flash Bracket, the original case with keys, and insured shipping via UPS Ground to US addresses only. Your lens will be shipped only after your check clears unless other arrangements are made.
Please contact Stu via e-mail or by phone (after October 3) at 916-485-1630 (Pacific time).
Canon 400mm EF f/5.6L USM Lens
Bob Bass is offering a used Canon 400mm EF f/5.6L USM lens in excellent condition for $999. The sale includes the original box, the tough fabric case, the front and rear lens caps, the instruction CD, and insured shipping via UPS Ground to US addresses only. Your new gear will be shipped only after your check clears unless other arrangements are made. You can contact Bob via e-mail or by phone at 781-275-5230 EST.
Original owner. The lens was purchased in 2012 and used infrequently. It was recently returned from Canon Professional Services where it received a clean and check. Images of the lens are available upon request as are images made with the lens.
The 400 f/5.6, my old “toy lens” is an ideal flight or starter lens for younger folks with a steady hand. It will AF with a 1.4X TC with the new 7D II….
Used Canon EOS-1D Mark III Digital Camera Body
Michael Zajac is offering a Canon EOS-1D Mark III professional digital camera body in Excellent condition for $1250. The sale includes the battery charger, one battery, the original paperwork, the camera strap, the original box, and shipping to the continental US.
Please contact Michael via e-mail or by phone at 732-979 -6644. Photos are available upon request.
Some EOS-1D Mark III bodies originally had AF problems. Michael’s did not. I have seen his great flight images made with this camera. This body features a 1.3X crop factor sensor and is a great step-up for someone who wants to take a big step up from a 7D. It’s powerful battery drives AF much faster than the pro-sumer bodies especially with either a 1.4X or 2X teleconverter in place.
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Typos
In all blog posts and Bulletins, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors. Just be right :).
Artie, if I’m not mistaken (no great surprise if I am), the darker yellow/orange line is chromatic aberration (CA), and can easily be removed in ACR. Probably also removable in DPP if you have a lens correction section. CA most commonly shows up in high contrast back-lit boundaries such as this.
Ron
Hi Ron, I do not think that it is CA as CA is usually tiny and appears one the edges of things near the edges of the frame. IAC, I like them :). Like you, I might very well be wrong. Someone needs to ask George Lepp 🙂 artie
I was anxiously awaiting your opinion of the 7D2 at 1600 ISO but I guess I will be happy with a once-in-a-lifetime shot instead 🙂 Extremely nice composition – I like the more orange-ish shot much more. Thanks for the great info and pictures you’ve been providing!
Thanks. And YAW. ISO 1600 is coming soon. a
I prefer the more orange one though had I not seen it I would have been very happy with the yellow one. The upper tree also looks better on the yellow one but that might be due to making the file size smaller.
While I agree the kingfisher stands out better on the yellow one, it’s more of a reward when you find it on the orange. 🙂 Probably a once in a lifetime image. I think you once said, luck favours the prepared.
I like the first. I think the Kingfisher sticks out a little
bit more vs the orange.
Doug
Love this. I prefer image 1 as it looks more realistic to me. Great catch and opportunity seized
Many tanks. I like it too 🙂 artie
Artie, I like the edited version best. Forgive my ignorance, but what causes that distinctive line of color around the rim of the background. I have that in a couple of my images and could not find an explanation. I thought I did something wrong, but now that I see it in yours, I am second guessing that thought. Is it just the sun’s back lit reflection?
It comes with silhouettes created with richly colored backgrounds. artie
ps: they are both “edited” optimized to me :). Do you like the yellow one or the orange one?
Thanks Artie, I like the yellow best
Nice. That’s his usual spot. 🙂
Very nice. Did it come out the camera that colour?
Pretty close to right out of camera but when I lightened the image the sky got more yellow and a bit less orange. artie
ps: I posted a more orange version just for you 🙂