What’s Up?
I’ve been having fun each morning with the Venus Optics Laowa 100mm f/2.8 2X Ultra Macro APO Lens for Sony E despite the problems with the Venus Optics Laowa Tripod Collar for 100mm f/2.8 2x Ultra Macro APO. I have figured out several ways of making a negative into a positive. I will share them with you here soon.
I will be heading out early this morning — Monday 13 July 2020, still concentrating on wildflowers. We have had torrential rains here every afternoon for the past week. The pool is close to overflowing and it is not advisable to drive on the fields down by the lake as the chances of getting stuck in the mud and wet grass are high (and will be for some time).
On Not Letting the Old Man In …
Many folks reacted to the Don’t Let the Old Man In video in the recent blog post here. If you missed it, you might wish to check it out, especially if you are getting on in years.
I remember getting back from my last Galapagos trip in early August 2019. I was exhausted and laid on the couch for about a week. I began thinking that if I continued it would not be long until they were putting me in a box. So I got back in the pool, started walking every day, and returned to my cardio bursts program. Since then, I have lost about ten pounds and added a daily walk on the StairMaster. I have gotten out to photograph every single morning since I began isolating on 22 March 2020. If you are not doing much and think that you are doomed, I urge you to begin with perhaps a short walk every day and go from there. At age 62 my younger sister Arna chose to let the old woman in, and laid in her bed at the rehab center until she died … Life is about choices. What’s your choice?
Please Remember
If you enjoy and learn from the blog, please remember to use one of my two affiliate programs when purchasing new gear. Doing so will not cost you a single penny and if you use Bedfords, you will save at least $50.00 on all orders greater than $1000.00. In these crazy times — I am out at least forty to sixty thousand dollars so far due to COVID 19 (with lots more to come) — remembering to use my B&H link or shop at Bedfords will help me out a ton and will be greatly appreciated. Overseas folks who cannot order from the US because of import fees, duties, and taxes can always help out by clicking here if they see fit.
BIRDS AS ART
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Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 400mm f/2.8E FL ED VR Lens
BAA Record-low Price!
Angie Birmingham is offering a Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 400mm f/2.8E FL ED VR in like-new condition for $7,996.95. The sale includes the rear lens cap, the lens trunk, the original tough front lens cover, the lens strap, and insured ground shipping via major courier to lower-48 US addresses only.
Your item will not ship until your payment clears unless other arrangements are made.
Please contact Angie via e-mail or by phone at 1-361-815-8852 (Central time zone).
This, the lightest,latest, greatest version of the Nikon 400mm f/2.8 lenses, is superb for large mammals in low light and birds at close range. It is superbly sharp alone or with the TC-14E III. It offers the world’s sweetest Boken. As a new goes for $11,196.95 right, you can save a very smooth $3,200 by grabbing Angie’s lens. artie
This super telephoto prime is designed for FX-format Nikon F-mount cameras, however can also be used with DX models where it will provide a 600mm equivalent focal length. Its impressively bright f/2.8 maximum aperture excels in difficult lighting conditions and also enables extensive control over depth of field for isolating subjects using selective focus techniques.Two fluorite and two extra-low dispersion lens elements work to reduce chromatic aberrations; improve overall image sharpness, clarity, and color fidelity; and help to minimize the overall weight of the lens. Vibration Reduction image stabilization helps to reduce the appearance of camera shake by up to four shutter speed stops, benefiting this lens’s use in low-light conditions. Additionally, a designated Sport Mode is well-suited to working in fast-paced conditions and a Tripod Mode helps to suppress subtle ground vibrations when working atop a support system. The Silent Wave Motor affords quick, quiet, and precise autofocus performance along with full-time manual focus override. An internal focusing design is also used, where only the internal lens groups are moved during focusing, to maintain the overall length of the lens during use and to promote faster focusing speeds. Dust- and moisture-resistant magnesium-alloy lens barrel benefits the lens’ use in inclement conditions. A removable tripod collar is included with the lens for well-balanced support when working from a monopod or tripod. The collar ring also incorporates ball bearings for smooth transitions between horizontal and vertical shooting orientations. Specialized electromagnetic aperture mechanism provides greater exposure control stability that is especially beneficial when working with fast continuous shooting rates. This 400 f/2.8 is compatible with optional AF-S Teleconverter TC-14, TC-17, and TC-20 teleconverters. B&H
SONY e-Guide Discount Program
Purchase a (new) qualifying SONY camera body (a7r iii, a7r iv, a9, a9 ii) from Bedfords or using a BIRDS AS ART B&H affiliate link, and you will receive a $40 discount on the SONY e-guide. Purchase a (new) SONY 200-600mm G lens from Bedfords or using a BIRDS AS ART B&H affiliate link, and you will receive a $25 discount on the SONY e-guide. Purchase a (new) SONY 600mm f/4 GM lens from Bedfords or using a BIRDS AS ART B&H affiliate link, and you will receive a free SONY e-guide with one or two videos.
Please send your Bedford’s or B&H receipts to me via e-mail to receive your discount and your ordering instructions. Folks purchasing from Bedfords and using the BIRDSASART code will save $50. Folks sending their B&H receipts may need to wait a few days to have their purchases confirmed. Folks using Bedfords will have their purchases confirmed immediately.
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102 sold to rave reviews. The SONY e-Guide by Patrick Sparkman and Arthur Morris |
The Sony Camera User’s e-Guide (and Videos)
Click here to purchase the guide with one Camera Set-up Video. Be sure to e-mail us by clicking here to specify your camera body so that we can send you a link for the correct video.
Click here to purchase the guide with two Camera Set-up Videos. Be sure to e-mail us by clicking here to specify your two camera bodies so that we can send you links for the correct videos.
Click here to learn more about the SONY e-Guide.
Money Saving Reminder
If you need a hot photo item that is out of stock at B&H, would enjoy free overnight shipping, and would like a $50 discount on your first purchase over $1000.00, click here to order and enter the coupon code BIRDSASART at checkout. If you are looking to strike a deal on Canon or Nikon gear (including the big telephotos) or on a multiple item order, contact Steve Elkins via e-mail or on his cell at (479) 381-2592 (Eastern time) and be sure to mention your BIRDSASART coupon code and use it for your online order. Steve has been great at getting folks the hot items that are out of stock at B&H. Those include the SONY a7r IV, the SONY 200-600, the SONY 600mm f/4 GM, and the Nikon 500mm PF. Steve is eager to please.
Gear Questions and Advice
Too many folks attending BAA IPTs and dozens of photographers whom I see in the field and on BPN, are–out of ignorance–using the wrong gear especially when it comes to tripods and more especially, tripod heads… Please know that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail. Those questions might deal with systems, camera bodies, accessories, and/or lens choices and decisions.
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This image was created at Bosque del Apache NWR on the 2019 Return to Bosque IPT. I used the handheld Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS lens (at at 259mm) and the 61-mega-pixel monster, the Sony Alpha a7R IV Mirrorless Digital camera body. Exposure determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear dial. ISO 400: 1/400 sec. at f/11 in Manual mode. AWB at 9:40am on a snowy day. Flexible Spot (S) was active at the moment of exposure. The AF point was right on the bird. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a larger version. Image #1: Red-tailed Hawk perched dark morph |
I returned to Bosque in late November of 2019 and found conditions much improved. And best of all, the IPT was blessed when six inches of wet snow fell. While long focal lengths are needed to photograph single geese or cranes in flight, the shorter focal lengths are often best for blurs and bird-scapes. For today’s featured image I went with the Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS lens. In addition I often used the Sony FE 24-105mm f/4G OSS lens and the Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS.
I am hoping to do a Bosque IPT again this year a bit earlier than the last one in hopes of finding lots of birds close to the road while praying for winds in the morning with a southerly component … With the uncertainty of the pandemic, folks may cancel at any time for any reason and still receive a full refund.
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This image was created at Bosque del Apache NWR on the 2019 Return to Bosque IPT. I used the handheld Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS lens (at at 259mm) and the 61-mega-pixel monster, the Sony Alpha a7R IV Mirrorless Digital camera body. Exposure determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear dial. ISO 400: 1/400 sec. at f/11 in Manual mode. AWB at 9:40am on a snowy daaay. Flexible Spot (S) was active at the moment of exposure. The AF point was right on the bird. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a larger version. Image #2: Red-tailed Hawk perched dark morph — Black and White Wet Rocks |
Black and White Wet Rocks
I created this B&W version using the Wet Rocks pre-set by going Filter > Nik Collection > Silver Efex Pro II. SEP II gives you lots of pre-sets — 38 in the version that I am using. After checking most of them I usually wind up going with Wet Rocks. Other favorites include High Contrast (harsh or smooth), High Structure (smooth), Push Process (N + 1.5), Full Dynamic (smooth), and Fine Art Process.
Your Preference?
All are invited to leave a comment letting us know whether they prefer Image #1, the color version, or Image #2, the B&W version. As always, please let us know why you made your choice. I have a clear favorite and will share my thoughts with you here soon.
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Bosque del Apache 2019 IPTNotice the incredible variety of images that you can learn to make by developing your skills and your creative vision on a BAA IPT. |
Bosque del Apache NWR 2020 IPT
NOV 18 (afternoon session) thru the morning session on November 23, 2020. 5 DAYS. Four full and two half days. $1999.00. Deposit: $500.00. Limit: 8 photographers/Openings: 5.
Extra Day Options: Please e-mail to learn about the before or after In-the-Field Day options.
The very best news is that the 2020 Festival of the Cranes has been canceled so we will be able to visit on what are usually the perfect dates!
I quit going to Bosque several years ago as conditions had worsened each year for several seasons running. In 2018, things had improved dramatically and in 2019 the photography was great. Simply put, I know Bosque better than anyone. Join me to learn how wind and sky conditions influence bird photography, how to create dramatic sunrise and sunset silhouettes, how to be in the right place at the right time, and how to create contest-winning blurs. As usual, you will learn to get the right exposure every time, to use your camera’s AF system to create pleasing, balanced image designs, and to improve your flight photography skills.
We should get to photograph many thousands of Snow Geese, more than a few blast-offs, some Ross’s Geese, and lots of Sandhill Cranes in the water, taking flight and flying. Depending on local conditions we may get to shoot some ducks: point-blank American Wigeon and Wood Duck. With any luck, we might enjoy sunrises and sunsets that leave you in tears. Live, eat, and breathe photography with one of (if not the) world’s premier photographic educators at one of his very favorite locations on the planet. Top-notch Photoshop instruction. Join me to learn to think like a pro and to recognize situations and to anticipate them based on the weather. Every time we make a move, I will let you know why. When you get home, applying what you learned will prove to be invaluable.
Lunch is included.
To Register
To register, send your $500 deposit — check made out to BIRDS AS ART — via US Mail to PO Box 7245, Indian Lake Estates, FL 33855. Or call Jim weekdays at 863-692-0906 to put your deposit on a credit card. Balances should be paid in full by check no later than two months before the IPT. Remember that with the uncertainty of the pandemic, folks may cancel at any time for any reason and still receive a full refund.
If In Doubt …
If you are in doubt about using the BAA B&H affiliate link correctly, you can always start your search by clicking here. Please note that the tracking is invisible. Web orders only. Please, however, remember to shoot me your receipt via e-mail.
Please Remember to use my Affiliate Links and to Visit the BAA Online Store 🙂
To show your appreciation for my continuing efforts here, we ask, as always, that you get in the habit of using my B&H affiliate links on the right side of the blog or Bedfords, for all of your photo and electronics purchases. Please check the availability of all photographic accessories in the New BIRDS AS ART Online Store, especially the Mongoose M3.6 tripod head, Wimberley lens plates, Delkin flash cards and accessories, and LensCoat stuff.
As always, 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 please remember that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail.
I would, of course, appreciate your using our B&H affiliate links or Bedfords for all of your major gear, video, and electronic purchases. For the photographic stuff mentioned in the paragraph above, and for everything else in the new store, we, meaning BAA, would of course greatly appreciate your business. Here is a huge thank you to the many who have been using our links on a regular basis and those who regularly visit the New BIRDS AS ART Online Store as well.
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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 :).
I dig the tonality of the color version, really makes the image for me.
I miss some cooler weather!! B&W.
I prefer the warmth of the colour version. I also find the leaves a little distracting on the B&W version.
Our eyes and brains are wired for color and we need to train ourselves to see luminosity. This is one gauge I use to distinguish whether an image will appear better in B&W or color. As presented, I find the color image more interesting and pleasing as the tonal range of the B&W image is too compressed towards highlights and whites. After playing with the image for a while, though I could improve the image, I kept coming back to the color rendition.
Thanks, Adam. I do not know much about B&W. LMK if yoou wouold like me to send you the color master file via a large file server and you can create a better B&W.
with love, a
Hi Artie,
Sure, please send me a link to the master file and I’ll have a go at it.
Adam
The first is my favorite with that small amount of color still in the tree. I am not far behind you in age and I exercise 3-5 times a week, continue to photograph, eat too much and try to maintain a happy mood. Can’t let the old man.
God plan but go easy on the desserts!
a
I prefer the B&W by far. I find the dead leaves on the trees very distracting. Been to Bosque many times, often when you were there. Glad you decided to start returning.
My choice is to get up early every morning and go to the pond, just around the corner from our house, to photograph birds. Then, at 8:30am I go to the pool for an hour of water aerobics. I am 82 now and hope to follow in my mother and grandmother’s footsteps (92 and 95, respectively, when they died). That “old woman” doesn’t have a chance — I’m not letting her in!
Great, Pat. I would not have thought that you were a day over 62!
love you,
a
My choice on your image from Bosque is image #2 in black and white
Have been to Bosque numerous times and love black and white for certain captures
This is one of those..
Ed Dahlin
Thanks, Ed. I rarely do any B&W.
a