What’s Up?
For the first time since I was about 13 years old, I fit into a pair of 34″-waist slacks on Friday. When I was 16, I weighed 264 lbs. On Friday morning I weighed 171 lbs. It has been a long journey that has consisted simply of eating healthier, i.e., fewer carbs, most of the time over many decades. As always, folks are invited to shoot me an e-mail requesting my Health Basics File. It has inspired a few folks to make changes.
Be sure to click on all three of today’s featured images and to scroll down all the way to peruse the Marbled Godwit Image Questions. Considering those is a great way to improve your bird photography. I will share my thoughts on the images here in two days.
Today is Sunday 3 October 2021. Wherever you are, and whatever you are doing, I hope that you too have a great day. This blog post about two hours to prepare including the time spent on the three image optimizations. I will be starting to pack for the 2nd Fort DeSoto IPT. It’s not too late to join us; click here and scroll down for details.
Remember that you can find some great photo accessories (and necessities, like surf booties!), on Amazon by clicking on the Stuff tab on the orange/yellow menu bar above. On a related note, it would be extremely helpful if blog-folks who, like me, spend too much money on Amazon, would get in the habit of clicking on the Amazon logo link on the right side of each blog post when they shop online. As you might expect, doing so will not cost you a single penny, but would be appreciated tremendously by yours truly. And doing so works seamlessly with your Amazon Prime account.
Please remember that if an item — a Delkin flash card, or a tripod head — for example, that is available from B&H and/or Bedfords, is also available in the BAA Online Store, it would be great, and greatly appreciated, if you would opt to purchase from us. We will match any price. Please remember also to use my B&H affiliate links or to save 3% at Bedfords by using the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout for your major gear purchases. Doing either often earns you free guides and/or discounts. And always earns my great appreciation.
Re-run of Bird Photography Heaven
If by chance you missed the latest YouTube video, there is a lot to learn in Bird Photography Heaven.
Three of the four mornings on the first DeSoto IPT were outstanding. The third morning was just excellent. On the first morning, more than 100 birds were packed into Hidden Lagoon and the day began with some clouds. None-the-less, we had some truly great chances. You can check out the results by playing the YouTube video above. In addition to some of my favorite images, there are photos by multiple IPT veterans Mike DeRosa and Anke Frohlich. It is hard to believe that Anke has been photographing birds for less than 15 months!
Please Remember
With income from IPTs now close to 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, are invited to help out by clicking here to leave a blog thank you gift if they see fit.
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 second-day air 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 (remember those?) 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.
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This image was created on 27 May 2021 at Fort DeSoto. I used the knee-pod technique with the effectively hand held Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens with the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless digital camera. ISO 500. Exposure determined via Zebras with ISO on the rear dial: 1/1600 sec. at f/5.6 (wide open) in Manual mode. AWB at 8:40:07am on a clear morning. Tracking: Flexible Spot/AF-C was active at the moment of exposure and performed perfectly. Click on the image to see a larger version. Image #1: Marbled Godwit — field guide portrait |
The Knee-Pod Technique
When heading out with the hand held 600mm f/4 lens, I will often use the knee-pod technique. I rest the the lower distal part of my left forearm on the upper distal portion of my bent left knee. This allows me to create sharper images than if I had been working with the lens un-supported.
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This image was created on 27 May 2021 at Fort DeSoto. I used Panning Ground Pod-mounted Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens with the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless digital camera. ISO 500. Exposure determined via Zebras with ISO on the rear dial: 1/1600 sec. at f/5.6 (wide open) in Manual mode. AWB at 8:40:54am on a clear morning. Tracking: Flexible Spot/AF-C was active at the moment of exposure and performed perfectly. Click on the image to see a larger version. Image #2: Marbled Godwit |
Panning Ground-Pod Strategy
When heading out with the 600 f/4 and no tripod, I will often put the Panning Ground Pod into one of the large pockets of my photo vest for easy access. When I want to work at ground level, I mount the rig on the clamp of the ground-pod, place the whole shebang on the sand, pull out the rear screen, find the subject in the frame — that takes lots of practice, activate the level, square the rig to the world, de-activate the level, acquire focus, and begin making images.
That I accomplished all of that in well less than a minute is quite remarkable … The more familiar you are with handling all of your photography gear, the more successful you will be.
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This image was created on 27 May 2021 at Fort DeSoto. I used Panning Ground Pod-mounted Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens with the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless digital camera. ISO 500. Exposure determined via Zebras with ISO on the rear dial: 1/1600 sec. at f/5.6 (wide open) in Manual mode. AWB at 8:40:54am on a clear morning. Tracking: Flexible Spot/AF-C was active at the moment of exposure and performed perfectly. Click on the image to see a larger version. Image #3: Marbled Godwit |
Your Call: Four Marbled Godwit Image Questions
Do you prefer the all-blue-water background of Image #1 made from a higher perspective, or the two-toned blue and grey background of Images #2 and #3 made from a lower perspective with the Panning Ground Pod?
Of the two behavioral images, #s 2 & 3, which is the stronger image? Why?
Of today’s three featured images, which is your favorite? Why?
Which is the more intimate perspective, the higher knee-pod view in Image #1, or the lower Panning Ground Pod view in Images #2 & #3?
Typos
With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
Image #2 is my favorite. I like the lower perspective, the soft colors in the background and the upward head of the bird. This image and the upward position of the bird’s head and open mouth demonstrate emotion as if the bird is calling to its mate or off spring.
Art: I’m odd man out, but I’m sure that doesn’t surprise you! I much prefer the all blue background in #1 — it really shows off the bird’s beautiful pink/black bill. Of the two behavioral images, I prefer #3 because you can see the bird’s eye better than in #2. I think the most intimate picture is #1 because the bird is really looking at you.
The two toned background is the best in my opinion. The all blue one gets boring. I like #2 because it looks as though the bird is calling more loudly than in #3.
Elinor, Dr. Fish, Adam, and Pugs,
Thanks for your thoughtful responses.
with love, artie
I think you know my answer – LOW. I love getting down low enough to throw the distant sand, dunes, grasses etc into the frame so I prefer images 2 and 3. Between those two I prefer #2 as it’s more kinetic with the head and bill raised more towards the sky.
Do you prefer the all-blue-water background of Image #1 or the two-toned blue and grey background of Images #2 and #3?
I go back and forth and like all of them. The colors in 2/3 are complimentary and create a nice juxtaposition of the bird against the background. In some ways it is more interesting and keeps the viewer in the frame longer as opposed to the more uniform blue.
Of the two behavioral images, #s 2 & 3, which is the stronger image? Why?
In both images the bird is looking towards the viewer though the more acute angle in 2 accentuates the bill more creating more dimensionality and a sense of depth. And while it projects a sense of motion, the angle diminishes the size of the head.
Of today’s three featured images, which is your favorite? Why?
I’m leaning towards 3 though I would probably clone out the blob towards the left side of the frame.
Which is the more intimate perspective?
They are pretty close though I give the nod to the pod in image 3.
Hi, Artie. I prefer the all blue background. I don’t notice a perspective difference other than the background. #2 is my favorite. I love shots of birds with their mouths open, and the wider open the better. Great images all.
Do you prefer the all-blue-water background of Image #1 made from a higher perspective, or the two-toned blue and grey background of Images #2 and #3 made from a lower perspective with the Panning Ground Pod? Hard to say. But I like the pink bill standing out against the blue in #1 better.
Of the two behavioral images, #s 2 & 3, which is the stronger image? #2 Why? There is more action in #2 with head up and eye looking up, with a purpose. And I like seeing the inside of the bill. #3 is more static like the bill is just open, no purpose
Of today’s three featured images, which is your favorite? Again hard to say. #2 Why? I always like behavior. But I do like the pink bill against the blue background in #1. I go back and forth on whether I like the tip of the right foot showing in #1.
Which is the more intimate perspective, the higher knee-pod view in Image #1, or the lower Panning Ground Pod view in Images #2 & #3? #2&3 Although the difference is very slight.