Bugged?
If anything about the subject in today’s featured image bugs you, please leave a comment and let us know what it is.
What’s Up?
On the way home from getting my blood drawn, there was some nice color in the eastern sky so I stopped on SR 60 to make a few sunrise tree silhouettes. Things were slow down by the lake on Wednesday morning despite the seemingly gorgeous weather; a west/southwest wind on a clear morning makes bird photography difficult. I made a very few nice images of the single crane colt family and was working some Mottle Ducks south of the pier when today’s featured subject flew by for a one-good-frame-wonder.
Today is Thursday 9 June 2022. The forecast for ILE this morning is calling for mostly sunny, with a breeze from the SW. Despite the forecast, I will be heading down to the lake early as do every day when I am home. Wherever you are and whatever you are doing, I hope that you too have a great day. This blog post took about an hour to prepare and makes eighty-six days in a row with a new one.
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BIRDS AS ART Image Optimization Service (BAA IOS)
Send a PayPal for $62.00 to birdsasart@verizon.net or call Jim at 863-692-0906 and put $62.00 on your credit card. Pick one of your best images and upload the raw file using a large file sending service like Hightail or DropBox and then send me the link via e-mail. I will download and save your raw file, evaluate the exposure and sharpness, and optimize the image as if it were my own after converting the raw file in Adobe Camera Raw. Best of all, I will make a screen recording of the entire process and send you a link to the video to download, save and study.
Another Induro GIT 304L Price Drop
Amazingly, we have two, brand-new-in-the-box Induro GIT 304L tripods in stock. They are $699.00 each (were $799.00) and the price now includes the insured ground shipping to the lower 48 states. Weekday phone orders only: 863-692-0906.
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Brand-New and As-Good-As-Ever Bedfords BAA Discount Policy
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Money Saving Reminder
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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. If you are desperate, you can try me on my cell at 863-221-2372. Please leave a message and shoot me a text if I do not pick up.
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This image was created on 8 June 2022 down by the lake near my home at Indian Lake Estates, FL. Standing at full height, I used the no-longer available Induro GIT304L Stealth Carbon Fiber Tripod/Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro-mounted-Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens, the Sony FE 2.0x Teleconverter, and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera). The exposure was estimated in less than 2 seconds. ISO 1600. 1/3200 sec. at f/8 (wide open) in Manual mode. When evaluated in RawDigger, the raw file brightness was determined to be less than one-half stop too dark. Not bad for a WAG. AWB at 7:22:33am on sunny morning. Tracking: Zone AF-C with Bird Face/Eye detection enabled performed just fine. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #1: Great Egret — juvenile in flight |
A Ridiculous, Unexpectedly Successful Image …
Talk about a grab shot. I was photographing swimming Mottled Ducks at ISO 1000: 1/500 sec. at f/8. I saw a Great Egret flying from left to right headed for sun angle. I spun the shutter speed dials without counting as I knew I needed a fast shutter speed for flight. From 1/500 sec. to 1 3200 sec is 2 2/3 stops. That means that I increased the shutter speed by eight clicks. But I knew also that I would need a bit more ISO. Again, without counting the clicks, I boosted the ISO from 1000 to 1600. Both were wild a _ _ guesses. It is miraculous that I came close to getting the exposure perfect. But it was more than workable.
With the exposure out of the way (for better or for worse), I framed the bird, acquired focus, and fired off a ten-frame burst. I knew that the bird was too big in the frame, but I went with my new philosophy — shoot first and ask questions later. In the first five images, the wings were cut off. In the last three, the bird had turned left and was flying away from me. Today’s featured image was miraculously perfect. I had the whole bird in the (here un-cropped) frame, the wing position was lovely, the background looked great, and though the active AF point was on the side of the bird about six inches directly behind the bird’s eye, the eye is razor sharp.
The lesson, aptly summed up by National Hockey League Hall of Famer Wayne Gretzky, is this: “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.”
Typos
With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
To tell the truth, it is truly cool that you have two, brand-new-in-the-box Induro GIT 304L tripods in stock because now I am looking for new reliable and functional tripod, but it is not such an easy task to find one that would meet all my needs and all necessary characteristics. It is really important for me to be provided with convenient shipping and I’m glad that the price now includes the insured ground shipping to the lower 48 states because it is a great advantage which encourages you more to make an order. I can say that I am amazed and impressed with the quality of this image because it was made in a professional way. I really like this minimalism in the photo because it gives it a more refined visual component and turns your attention to the details. Of course, it is impossible to make everything in a perfect way, but, from my point of view, your image has a highlight and interesting distinctive features, despite its simplicity.
Hi Artie,
a little late in commenting, but what bugs me is the background in the lower right. there’s a circular bluish spot that pulls my eye toward it. the rest of the background is abstract enough to be pleasing, but something about the one area grabs my attention. otherwise, very nice. I’d keep it.
Hi, Artie. The only thing that bugs me about this otherwise perfect image is the bluish shadow on the curled-up wingtip feathers on the bird’s left wing.
I really enjoy the image. What immediately draws my eye away from the bird overall is the small spot of light hitting the bottom wing tip although putting it in shadow might make it appear cut off a bit.
Great shot !! Only thing I would try is to get a little more detail on the white body. Is that possible? I’ve got to get through your Saving the Whites soon.
I like it. It’s a keeper.
Hi Artie, not bad reflexes for a old man… LOL. I like the image but think you can do better on pulling detail from the white feathers. Guessing what may bug you I would say the darker area in the background at the top. Thank you for sharing.
I think you have done better work before. Part of the bird is one white blob. The border between the body and the right wing is not visible.
I agree that I have done better. It does not, however look as bad on my screen as it does on yours. The point of the post is that with digital you should push the button and at least try.
with love, artie
Not much to complain about here, beautiful image. If I am real picky the only thing I might consider working on is in the middle of the left wing there is one feather darker than all the others. Congrats on quick thinking and execution!
Thanks, Doc. I think that that dark feather is actually a bluish shadow. Congratulations accepted. I was pretty proud of myself on that 🙂
with love, artie