DeSoto Last-second 2-DAY IPT and SONY Camera User’s Video & e-Guide Making Progress!

What’s Up?

In yesterday’s Image-Difficulty Multiple Choice Quiz blog post here, several folks have played, but so far no right answer. Give it a try — you will likley learn something 🙂

Please e-mail for Homer IPT late registration discount information.

DeSoto Last-second 2-DAY IPT

Afternoon session on TUES FEB 11th through the morning session on Thursday FEB 13, 2010. 2 DAYS (2 half and one full): $1099.00. Limit 3/Openings 2.

On the last morning, there might be an option to do the super-tame American White Pelicans in Lakeland. Working brunch (included) with image review on WED and THURS. The tides are perfect and the long-range weather forecast looks pretty good FWIW 🙂

If you would like to join us, please get in touch immediately either via e-mail or by cell phone: 863-221-2372.

SONY Camera User’s Video & e-Guide co-authors artie and Patrick Sparkman outside of Cafe Vahik in La Jolla. I-phone image courtesy of and copyright 2010: Cliff Oliver

The SONY Camera User’s Video & e-Guide

As noted here previously, we wound up doing a separate video for the a9, the a9 ii, the 7R iii, and the 7r iv. Yesterday Patrick sent me the first finished video, the one for the a9. It is quite excellent. I have begun working on the text and galleries portions of the SONY User’s e-Guide that will be included with one or more video purchases. We can see the light at the end of the tunnel …

I had a tasty, healthy brunch at Cafe Vahik every morning that I photographed the pelicans at La Jolla.

The comprehensive SONY Camera Body User’s Guides should be ready before the end of January. For those who have not used a BAA B&H or the Bedford’s BIRDS AS ART discount code at checkout it will be priced oppressively. That means that it will be outrageously expensive. Folks who purchased their gear using my B&H affiliate links or through Steve Elkins at Bedford Camera will receive a very generous discount. The size of the discount will be dependent on what you bought. As regular readers know, I put a tremendous amount of work into the blog and using the BAA Online Store and/or my affiliate links is the very best way to thank me and is greatly appreciated. In addition, using the links often earns you free guides and videos or substantial discounts.

The Homer Bald Eagle IPTs

Please e-mail for Homer IPT late registration discount information.

For the first trip only, I am offering a $500/person discount for those who sign up with a friend or spouse. You can access the complete trip offering here.

IPT #1: FEB 25 through the full day on MAR 1, 2020. Six full days: $4799.00. Limit 5 photographers/Openings: 1.

IPT #2: MAR 3 through the full day on MAR 7, 2020. Five full days: $3999.00. Limit 5 photographers/Openings: 2.

Via e-mail from Multiple IPT veteran Greg Ferguson:

I attended this IPT in 2011 and can only say it was the most intensive bird photography I have ever experienced. My arms were tired and sore from shooting so many action photos. It is highly recommended! I called Jim today and signed up for a reprise. Greg

Via e-mail from Multiple IPT veteran Dick Curtain:

I attended the Homer IPT in the past and can only say it was a great experience. Many eagles, beautiful scenery, great instruction, and many fond memories. Don’t miss it.

IPT Updates

• The Greatest-ever Bald Eagle Experience IPTs:
• IPT #1: FEB 25 through the full day on MAR 1, 2020. Six full days: $4799.00 (Price reduced to $3999.00!). Limit 5 photographers/Openings: 1.
• IPT #2: MAR 3 through the full day on MAR 7, 2020. Five full days: $3999.00. Limit 5 photographers/Openings: 2
• The 2020 Hooptie Deux/Roseate Spoonbill Boat 3 1/2 DAY IPT — MAR 19 thru the morning session 22 MAR 2020: $2599.00. Limit: 5 photographers/Sold out
• The GALAPAGOS Photo Cruise of a Lifetime IPT/The Complete Galapagos Archipelago Photographic Experience. August 17-31, 2021 on the boat. 13 FULL and two half-days of photography: $14,999.00. Limit: 12 photographers/Openings: 6.

Coming Soon

BAA will be releasing a one hour, sixteen-minute screen capture video in Wednesday’s blog post. Watch me pick my keepers from an almost 800-image folder entitled San Diego II. Learn what makes one image better than very similar ones. Learn the minutiae of head and light angles, compositional fine points including the importance of adding diagonal lines to your images, more on wing positions and flight poses, my image optimization plans for many images, and tons more. With today’s digital camera bodies offering superb AF accuracy, fast frame rates, and often ridiculously large image files, learning to edit (pick your keepers) tightly is an important skill to develop.