Colleen Miniuk: free webinar replay -- No More Rules! Human Perception in Compositions. And some great new Used Gear listings!

What’s Up?

Fall arrived at ILE on the morning of Wednesday 30 September as the months keep rolling by. We drove down to the lake and saw a few cranes and lots of vultures, but it was so windy and chilly that we never got out of the car. My streak was in jeopardy but on our way back to Fort DeSoto we stopped at a gorgeous marshy field packed with several hundred thousand beautiful pink blossoms interspersed with green marsh vegetation. Which brings us to the subject of today’s blog post. Read on to exercise your brain cells, be inspired, and improve your nature photography.

Amazingly, I was able to arrange for the sale of Patty McCulloch’s Canon 600mm f/4L IS II USM lens in excellent plus condition for the BAA record-low price of $5497.00, the sale of her Canon EF Extender 1.4X III in near-mint condition for a very low $229.00, the sale of her Canon EF Extender 2X III in excellent condition for only $228.00, and the sale of her Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L IS USM Macro lens in excellent plus condition for a very low $499.00, all before they were to be listed in this blog post!

If you are looking for a specific used item, shoot me an e-mail, and let me know what you are looking for.

Great Topaz News (Corrected)!

I did not realize that folks who use the BAA Topaz link to purchase Sharpen AI, DeNoise AI, or the Utility Bundle (or any other Topaz plugins) will receive a 15% discount by entering the ARTHUR15 code at checkout. To get the discount you must use my link and you must enter the discount code. Be sure to use this link.

Wanted to Buy

I have someone looking to purchase a used Canon EF 180mm f/3.5L Macro USM lens. If you have one that you would like to sell, please get in touch via e-mail.

Topaz Stuff

As I said on Sunday and have said often many times before, I should have listened sooner. If you, like me, are new to the Topaz party, please use this link to purchase. Right now I can wholeheartedly recommend both Topaz Sharpen AI and Topaz DeNoise AI. Though I have not yet worked with JPEGtoRAW AI or Gigapixel AI, I have installed both of these plug-ins and look forward to trying them on some I-Phone 11 images fairly soon. If you are thinking like me, consider the Utility Bundle that includes all four plug-ins mentioned above at a money-saving price.

Again, those who purchase Sharpen AI or DeNoise AI using my link, can e-mail to request a short Getting Started with Topaz e-Guide. I had a bit of trouble getting the two plug-ins installed and having them appear in the Photoshop Filter Menu. In addition, I will explain how to best learn about the two plug-ins by applying them on a Layer (in Photoshop). I amazed myself yesterday by completing this guide in the car on the way to and from Sebastian. Huge thanks to Anita for doing the driving. Please include a copy of your Topaz order when requesting the guide.

Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro back in stock!

We received a dozen Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pros via DHL. We ordered twenty … Anita North has been using one and said, “With my weak fingers, the Levered-Clamp is a Godsend.

RawDigger e-Guide and Video Advance Copy Available

Save $10 Now

The RawDigger e-Guide and Video is almost finished. It will sell for $51.00. If you are anxious to get started with RawDigger, learn to mega-Expose to the Right, and wind up with the highest quality image files, you can save $10.00 and have a chance to review a pre-publication copy of the guide by sending a PayPal for $41.00 to birdsasart@verizon.net with the words RawDigger e-Guide and Video Pre-publication Copy cut and pasted into the Subject line.

You will of course receive a link for the completed PDF when the guide is finished.

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 and remember to enter the BIRDSASART code at checkout, 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 to 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 is registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office

The BAA Used Gear Page

Right now, the Used Gear page is red hot! It is BAA Used Gear Page is the place to sell your used photographic equipment. We will help you to get your gear sold quickly for 20 to 60% or more than what the big guys are offering … Doubt me? Check out the Recent Sales list at the bottom of the page.

New and Better Bedfords Discount Policy!

You can now save 3% on all of your Bedfords photo gear purchases by entering the BIRDSASART coupon code at checkout. Your discount will be applied to your pre-tax total. In addition, by using the code you will get 2nd day air shipping via Fed Ex.

Grab a Nikon AF-S Teleconverter TC-14E III and save $14.99. Purchase a Canon EOS R5 and your discount will be $116.97. Purchase a Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens and save a remarkable $389.94! Your Bedford’s purchase no longer needs to be greater than $1,000.00 for you to receive a discount. The more you spend, the more you save.

Money Saving Reminder

Many have learned that if you need a hot photo item that is out of stock at B&H and would enjoy free overnight shipping, your best bet is to click here, place an order with Bedfords, and enter the coupon code BIRDSASART at checkout. If an item is out of stock, contact Steve Elkins via e-mail or on his cell phone at (479) 381-2592 (Eastern time). Be sure to mention the 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 and everywhere else. The wait lists at the big stores can be a year or longer for the hard to get items. Steve will surely get you your gear long before that. For the past year, he has been helping BAA Blog folks get their hands on items like the SONY a9 ii, the SONY 200-600 G OSS lens, the Canon EOS R5, the Canon RF 100-500mm lens, and the Nikon 500mm PF. Steve is personable, helpful, and eager to please.

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 3% on all orders. 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.

New Listings/Great Bargains

Canon EOS-1DX Mark II with tons of great extras

BAA Record-low Price!

Patricia McCulloch is offering a Canon EOS-1DX Mark II in excellent plus condition for the BAA record-low price of $2279.00. The sale includes the original box, an L-plate, the strap, one battery, the LC-E19 Battery Charger, an extra Canon LP-E4N Battery Pack, a LensCoat BodyGuard, The Instruction Manual, the Interface Cable, and insured ground shipping via major courier to lower-48 US addresses only. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.

Please contact Patty via e-mail.

The 1DX Mark II is Canon’s rugged, blazingly fast professional digital camera body. It features an amazing AF system and high quality image files with great dynamic range. When he used Canon, it was the choice of Arash Hazeghi, one of the world’s premier birds in flight photographers. This body is still in production and currently sells new for $4,499.00. Save a very sweet $1800.00 by grabbing Patty’s today. artie

Rokinon 24mm f/1.4 ED AS UMC Wide-Angle Lens for Canon

Patty McCulloch is offering a Rokinon 24mm f/1.4 ED AS UMC Wide-Angle Lens for Canon in excellent plus condition for a very low $424.00. The sale includes the original box, the lens pouch the front and rear lens caps, and insured ground shipping to lower-48 US addresses only. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.

Please contact Patty via e-mail.

This fast Wide-Angle 24mm lens works well with both APS-C & full-frame camera bodies. It yields an 84° view when used with a full-frame 35mm camera, or 57.6° when used with an APS-C camera. It is excellent for landscapes, cramped interiors, street photography and general photography of all kinds. Four low-dispersion (ED) glass elements and two aspheric elements produce sharply defined images with a minimum of flare and ghosting. The lens focuses as close as 9.84″ from the lens allowing for great creativity in the righthand. All focus and exposure functions are manual; there is no AF or auto exposure. artie & B&H

Grab Bag #1

Patty McCulloch is offering an eclectic grab bag of the items below for the incredibly low price of $299.00. The total value of this package new is just under $800.00.

Canon Angle Finder C. The Angle Finder C lets you adjust the viewing angle while also providing a 1.25x to 2.5x switchable magnification. Provided with built-in variable diopter correction, supplied with Finder Adapters Ec-C, Ed-C to fit any EOS camera. Sells new for $199.00.

Canon Extension Tube EF 25 II. Extension tubes allow you to focus closer than the lenses Minimum Focusing Distance. This updated version II is fully compatible with Canon Digital EF-S lenses, as well as standard photo EF and TS-E lenses. This sells new for $139.95.

MacroPlus Extcm Auto Focus Metal Macro Extension Set for Canon EOS EF EF-S SLR Cameras. Was $29.99.

Singh-Ray 77mm LB Warming Circular Polarizer Filter. Great for your 24-105mm and 100-400mm lenses, and great for rainbows and stormy skies. Sells new for $210.00.

Sekonic L-308S Flashmate Digital Incident, Reflected & Flash Light Meter. Exceptionally portable and versatile in its design, the L-308S Flashmate Light Meter from Sekonic is a versatile meter that blends both photo and video-oriented functions into a single unit. A newer version of this sells for $219.00.

Grab Bag #1 includes all of the items above and insured ground shipping via major courier to lower-48 US addresses only. Your grab bag will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made. Please contact Patty via e-mail.

Grab Bag #2

Patty McCulloch is offering an eclectic grab bag of the items below for the incredibly low price of $499.00. The total value of this package new is roughly $1400.00!

Think Tank Airport Security V2.0 Roller Bag in excellent condition. This is my main rolling bag. My V2.0 has been around the world with me many times. The virtually identical V3.0 sells new for $419.75.

Vanguard Up-Rise II 48 Photo Backpack in excellent plus condition. Formerly sold for $199.00. Click here to see the item.

NatureScapes Skimmer GroundPod II in excellent condition. Gets your big lens right down where the low perspectives are. This sells new for $99.95 here.

Hoodman HoodLoupe Outdoor LCD Viewfinder for 3.2″ Screens. For outdoor viewing of your rear LCD even in bright conditions. This sells new for $89.99.

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM Lens. This item, the classic “standard” lens, sells new here for $125.00.

Benro TAD38CB3 Series 3 Adventure Carbon Fiber Tripod with B3 Ball Head in excellent condition. This item, no longer in production, is still available new for $440.00. Click here for info.

Grab Bag #2 includes all of the items above and insured ground shipping via major courier to lower-48 US addresses only. Your grab bag will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made. Please contact Patty via e-mail.

Colleen Miniuk

Colleen Miniuk

I promised a few weeks ago to share the work of some really good new and different photographers with you here. In addition, I am constantly advising folks to look at as much good photography as they can. Toward that end, I urge you to check out some of Colleen Miniuk’s galleries on her website here. As a peek at her galleries will reveal, Colleen a generalist who is a really good landscape photographer. Be sure to check out her eight Natural World galleries; the images in Abstracts are superb. View, learn, and be inspired.

The Color Wheel is from Stay at Home Artist. Text and design by Colleen Miniuk.

No More Rules! Human Perception in Compositions

I received an e-mail last week with a link to a free webinar sponsored by Singh-Ray and conducted by a fine photographer named Colleen Miniuk. I watched it and enjoyed it and am pleased to share the link to the replay with you here. When I watched the webinar I thought that it did not very much apply to bird photography, but when I thought about it some more, I realized that it was very much about bird photography. I especially enjoyed her comments on color and of course, her comments on image design.

Colleen uses lots of Singh-Ray filters. If you are inspired to purchase a filter or two after watching the webinar, please remember to use the ARTIE10 code at checkout to save ten percent. My favorites are the 77mm circular polarizer and the 77 and 95mm ND filters. Visit the Singh-Ray webs here.

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 :).