What’s Up?
With the huge black cloud that appeared seemingly out of nowhere on Saturday morning I took the a9 ii/200-600 on my morning walk on the pier. I tried but failed to create any really good pleasing blurs. I did keep three cormorant blurs and one American flag blur. I enjoyed watching the Buffalo Bills (finally) winning a playoff game (though I like the Colts too). And I was thrilled to see the schizophrenic Los Angeles Rams beat the Seattle Seahawks. I am watching the Washington/Buccaneers game on TIVO as I type on Sunday morning. The WFT is down by eight; would it be too much to ask that pretty boy Tom Brady lose this one?
Today is Sunday 10 January 2021 and it is cold here again. With winds from the north persisting, and the forecast of clear skies, I will again give it a go down by the lake while not expecting to do very well.
This blog past makes twenty-one days in a row with a new blog post. This one took about 2 hours to prepare. Please remember …
Please Remember
With income from IPTs approaching zero, please, if you enjoy and learn from the blog, remember to use one of my two affiliate programs when purchasing new gear. Doing so just might make it possible for me to avoid having to try to get a job as a Walmart greeter and will not cost you a single penny more. And if you use Bedfords and remember to enter the BIRDSASART code at checkout, you will save 3% on every order and enjoy free second-day air shipping. 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 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.
The BAA Used Gear Page
The Used Gear page continues to be very active. The 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 for the past eleven months at the bottom of the page.
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. The recent delay is the result of my recent conversations with Iliah Borg, the brains behind RawDigger. It is very likely that the Shock-your-World section will shock you.
In the new guide, we teach you why the GREEN channel is almost always the first to over-expose. We teach you how to interpret the Max G values. And most recently, we teach you a simple way to evaluate your exposures using an adapted RawDigger histogram. And tons more, of course. I am planning on having the RawDigger guide ready for sale by next Monday. Folks who saved $10.00 by pre-ordering will of course receive a link to the final PDF.
Canon R5/R6 AF e-Guide Info
So far, 70 folks have sent PayPals for their copy of the Canon R5/R6 AF e-Guide. And 28 who used my affiliate links to purchase their R5 have e-mailed for and received their free copy of the guide. If you e-mailed or sent a PayPal and did not receive your guide, please LMK immediately via e-mail.
Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive so far. Three folks wrote stating that they had a better way of setting up AF on their R5s. When I wrote back explaining why they were in error, two of them back-tracked. One stubborn guy is still doing it his way — less efficiently. Be sure to scroll down to read about my plans for a Canon R5/R6 User’s e-Guide. Understand that the info in the BAA Canon R5/R6 Autofocus e-Guide is so important that I opted to publish the AF guide immediately as the R5/R6 User’s Guide will take at least a month to finish.
BAA Canon R5/R6 Autofocus e-Guide
Twenty-one pages. 3,452 words. 28-DPP4 screen captures showing the R5’s vaunted AF system in action. Note: the AF system of the R5 is identical to the AF system of the R6.
You will learn:
1- The two most useful AF Methods for general bird photography and for birds in flight.
2- How to set up your R5/R6 AF Menus.
3- What boxes to check (and un-check) under Limit AF Methods.
4- How to change the AF Method quickly, easily, and efficiently. Note: the default way of doing this is clunky, cumbersome, and inefficient at best. One person replied that this tip alone was worth the price of admission.
5- The only setting that should be used for Initial Servo AF pt for Face Detection + Tracking.
I you are currently using multiple back buttons either for general bird photography or for birds in flight, what you learn in this guide will change your life. For the better.
Here are the first three paragraphs of this e-Guide:
From the moment I learned about the new Canon mirrorless bodies, I read about using two or three back-buttons to focus using different AF methods. The word on the street said that the way to go for birds in flight was to use one button to acquire focus with Zone AF or with Large Zone: Horizontal AF and then switch to another button to activate Face Detection + Tracking AF and then use the shutter button to make an image. My immediate thought was, “This is insanity! There has got to be a better way.” In short, there is a far superior way to set up AF on your R5 or R6.
Remember that I got away from any form of back-button or rear focusing many years ago after finally realizing that it is always easier to do one thing (press the shutter button), than it is to do two things (press a back button and then press the shutter button).
The default method of switching AF Methods with the R5/R6 bodies is cumbersome at best. It involves first pressing the grid button (my name) on the upper right back of the camera and then pressing the hard-to-access M-Fn button to toggle through the AF Methods. This method is so bad that it will not be mentioned again in this guide.
The guide is free to all who have ordered an R5 or an R6 using my B&H affiliate link or from Steve Elkins/Bedfords using the BIRDSASART coupon code at checkout. Please send your receipt to me via e-mail. It will take me a few days to a week to verify the B&H purchases. Bedfords folks should expect their free e-Guides fairly quickly.
To purchase your copy of the e-Guide, please send a PayPal for $25.00 to birdsasart@verizon.net and be sure to include the words R5/R6 AF Guide in your PayPal e-mail.
Everyone who gets the guide will receive a free update no later than the first week in January.
Canon R5/R6 User’s e-Guide
I am working on a complete Canon R5/R6 User’s e-Guide. This will require a lot of research, a lot of time, and a lot of effort. I am hoping to have it complete by mid- to late January. As always, folks who use the BAA affiliate links to purchase their Canon gear will receive a substantial discount.
Understand that the info in the BAA Canon R5/R6 Autofocus e-Guide is so important that I opted to publish the AF guide right off the bat to help folks get started with their new camera bodies.
Great Topaz News!
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 start with this link.
Topaz Stuff
As I said just a while back 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).
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131 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.
Folks who have used my B&H affiliate links or purchased their SONY gear are invited to e-mail for discount information.
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 (Central time). Be sure to mention the BIRDSASART coupon code and use it for your online order to save 3% and enjoy free 2nd-day air shipping. 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.
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 a reservoir in Lakewood, CO on the late afternoon of 18 November 2020. I used the Induro GIT 404L/Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro-mounted Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens and the blazingly fast AF King, the Sony Alpha a9 II Mirrorless Digital Camera Body. ISO 800. Exposure determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel: 1/160 sec. at f/5.6 in Manual mode. RawDigger showed a dead solid perfect exposure. AWB at 5:16pm on a cloudy afternoon. Tracking Flexible Spot (S) AF-C was active at the moment of exposure and performed perfectly by tracking the second goose From our left to right) in the front row. Click the image to see a larger version. Image #1: Cackling Goose flotilla |
Flotilla
flotilla. (flōˈtil-lə) noun: a small group of ships or boats.
Recently, I have been watching a ton of great World War II TV on the Smithsonian Channel. Yesterday afternoon I watched Hell Below: Season 1, Episode 1: America Fights Back. (No worries, I was TIVO-ing the NFL game.) It told the story of the USS Wahoo (SS-238), a large, fast, and powerful Gato-class submarine. The Wahoo was assigned to the Pacific theatre. She gained fame as an aggressive and highly successful submarine after Lieutenant Commander Dudley Walker “Mush” Morton became her skipper. Near Wewak, a Japanese supply base on the north coast of New Guinea, the Wahoo torpedoed a Japanese destroyer that was attempting to ram his sub at point blank range with the last weapon in his tubes! Next, near Palau, after an extended series of attacks, he eventually sunk a convoy of three Japanese ships — the last two were sent to the bottom with the last four of his remaining torpedoes.
In 1942 the Wahoo was sunk, and he and his entire crew were killed in an attack by Japanese aircraft in October 1943 while returning home from a patrol in the Sea of Japan.
Anywho, while reviewing images for the RawDigger e-Guide I came across these two images and wondered if there was a difference between a flotilla and an armada. The image titles here are somewhat of a stretch 🙂
The word “anywho” was coined by my late-Dad, Private First-Class Robert Edward Morris. You can learn more about Bob in the incredibly moving tribute to him here. It was published on Veteran’s Day 2019. I just finished reading it (again) and reading all the comments and I type with tears streaming down my cheeks.
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This image was also and obviously created at a reservoir in Lakewood, CO on the late afternoon of 18 November 2020. Again, I used the Induro GIT 404L/Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro-mounted Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens and the blazingly fast AF King, the Sony Alpha a9 II Mirrorless Digital Camera Body. ISO 800. Exposure determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel: 1/160 sec. at f/5.6 in Manual mode. RawDigger showed a dead solid perfect exposure. AWB at 5:18pm on a cloudy afternoon. Tracking Flexible Spot (S) AF-C was active at the moment of exposure and performed perfectly by tracking a single goose in the extreme lower right corner of the frame. Click the image to see a larger version. Image #2: Cackling Goose armada |
Armada
armada. (ärˈmä-də) noun: a large fleet of warships.
The Situation
We spent the better part of an afternoon with Brian Sump at a reservoir in Lakewood. We did not do very well with the ducks (flying or not), but had a great time photographing the (relatively tame) migrant Cackling Geese. The cacklers are actually not Canada Geese; they are a separate species that is smaller with stubbier bills.
RawDigger
The trick in low light when working overall light-toned scenes is to add a ton of light. “When the light is low, the meter is dumb.” I went for lots of Zebras on the water to ensure mega-exposing to the right. RawDigger showed that I got the exposures right. Image #1 showed 13 OvExp pixels (out of 24.2 million) and zero UnExp pixels. Image #2 was even better with zero OvExp and zero UnExp pixels.
Learning to mega-expose to the right will allow you to minimize noise, maximize image quality, best utilize your camera’s dynamic range, and attain the highest possible level of shadow detail in your RAW files in every situation. In addition, your properly exposed RAW files will contain more tonal information and feature smooth transitions between tones. And your optimized images will feature rich, accurate color.
Multiple Choice Quiz
Which is the stronger image?
a) Image #1. Why?
b) Image #2. Why?
c) I don’t like either one. Why?
d) I like them both equally. Why?
Typos
In all blog posts and Bulletins, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
I like one better as well for the reasons mentioned. Also, I can see that the geese are in water in one where I don’t see any ripples in the second picture.
Hi Artie
I must say Ester they do look like Canada Geese, I like the position #1 and like the lighting, in fact I like the image a lot, it’s a simple image but affective.
Best and love
Ken
I agree with Sid. I like #1 better because of the direction the birds are all pointing. It gives a symmetry and flow to the composition. Something about it almost looks painterly to me. I think that is mostly based on the location and symmetry of the birds.
#1 for me. I like the composition better with larger birds.
I like #1. The smaller flock makes for a more impactful composition. Multiple diagonals of animals lead you into and through the frame.
I’m impressed that you are still doing daily photography despite the weather. I think this is the coldest winter we have ever spent in Florida.
How cold is it? I did not swim on Saturday and I am not swimming today!
with love, a
I like the flotilla better Artie. Good separation between the geese, which I have a hard time getting. Not as distracting as the Armada. Flotilla less subjects draws the eye right to the subjects.I personally like large in the frame. Less Geese more attention to the frame overall. IMO
#1. It provides greater interest and eye focus. The linkage between these images and your incredibly powerful tribute to your dad was even more meaningful.
I too prefer #1. It’s a clearer composition and (at least on my screen) gives a better sense of detail in the water while still providing a good contrast with the geese.
I really like your Canada goose photo (not geese)….and I like #1 much more than #2
They are not Canada Geese 🙂
a
I like #1 a lot more than the second. The fact that all the ducks are pointing down or to the right gives it a flow that #2 lacks, and I also think the arrow shape on the left leads the eye.