A Real Challenge
Don’t be lazy. Take a moment to leave a comment and let use know which of today’s two spectacular featured images you wish was yours? And do let us know why you made your choice.
What’s Up?
Wednesday morning was Northern Fulmar chicks in the nest. The afternoon was flying and perched puffins. Thursday morning was mostly kittiwakes flying in a fierce wind, with more flying and perched puffins that afternoon. On Wednesday morning, fulmars in flight were superb.
If you would like info on Greg Downing’s 2024 and/or the 2025 Grimsey Island puffin trips, please shoot me an e-mail by clicking here.
Today is Wednesday 26 July 2023. Wherever you are and whatever you are doing, I hope that you too have a great day.
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The Fact$ of Life
The market for editorial sales of natural history images has virtually disappeared. The incomes of the world’s top stock photographers are down by at least 90%. Like me, many depend on income from photo trips, the sale of educational materials, and income from this or that affiliate program.
In 2001, BAA sold the publication rights to images for nearly one-quarter million US dollars. That amount dropped to about $20,000 by 2011, and in 2017, to slightly more than $2,000.00. We’ve stopped counting. IPTs used to fill within days. Now I am happy to go with one or two folks, but I’d much rather have you along. And so it goes. In 2009, I turned to creating educational blog posts, now to the tune of 4052! Yes, 4052 educational blog posts. Please, therefore, remember to use either my B&H or Bedfords affiliate links for your major purposes. It will not cost you one cent to do either.
B&H
Many folks have written recently stating that they purchased a Sony a1 from B&H and would like their free membership in the Sony 1 Info and Updates Group, a $150.00 value. When I check my affiliate account, their orders have not been there. When I let them know that they get credit for B&H purchases only if they use one of the many B&H affiliate links on the blog or begin their searches with this link, they are always disappointed. If in doubt, please contact me via e-mail and request a BH link. I am always glad to help and to guide you to the right gear.
B&H Simplified
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Money Saving Reminder
Many have learned that if you need a hot photo item that is out of stock at B&H and would like to enjoy getting 3% back on your credit card along with free 2nd Day Air Fed-Ex 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 check the box for Free Shipping. That will automatically upgrade to free 2nd Day Air Fed-Ex. Steve has been great at getting folks the hot items that are out of stock at B&H and everywhere else. The waitlists 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 a 1, 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.
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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. And the same is true in spades when ordering new camera bodies or lenses. My advice will often save you some serious money and may help you avoid making a seriously bad choice. 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 25 July 2023 on my Grimsey Island, Iceland visit. Standing at full height at the edge of a cliff on a very windy morning, I used the handheldSony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II lens with the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter (at 280mm) and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera.. The exposure was determined via Zebras. ISO 1000: 1/3200 sec. at f/4 (wide open) in Manual mode. AWB at 10:20:01am on a cloudy morning. Tracking: Zone AF/C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Your browser does not support iFrame./p> |
The Goal is Always the Same: One Great Image per Session
Every time I grab a lens and head into the field, the goal is always the same: I try to create one Family Jewel-type image each session. I’d guess that I succeed about half the time. On Tuesday, I was two for two. I created the kittiwake flight shot in the morning, and the puffin with the cliff background that afternoon.
The kittiwake was quite upset. It flew in and out of its cliff nest repeatedly. It would land and offer to regurgitate partially digested fish to its chick by leaning in close while opening its bill to reveal the red throat that replaces the pecking spot of the larger gulls. The problem was that its chick was dead. Very dead. But the bird, becoming increasingly agitated, refused to give up. Several times it flew screaming back to the nest. By being in the right spot, I had some very good chances.
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This image was also created on 25 July 2023 at Grimsey Island, Iceland. Standing at full height on a small rise, I used the Robus RC-5558-3 Vantage Series 3 Carbon Fiber Tripod topped by the Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro-mounted Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless digital camera. ISO 2500. Exposure was determined via Zebras with ISO on the rear dial: 1/2500 sec. at f/4 (wide open). AWB at 6:17:25pm on cloudy evening. Tracking: Zone/AF-C was active at the moment of exposure and performed perfectly. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy the larger version. Image #2: Atlantic Puffin flying to the nesting cliff with sandeels for chick in burrowYour browser does not support iFrame. Your browser does not support iFrame. |
Pre-focusing
The key to photographing fast-flying, erratic subjects like Atlantic Puffins is to pre-focus at the approximate distance you expect the bird to be. With dSLR bodies I always recommended that folks pre-focus to a distance well greater than the spot you expected the bird in flight to appear. But with mirrorless bodies, you want to be focused to a distance that approximates the spot where the bird will appear. By doing that, you can pick up the bird in flight and track it right in until it fills half the frame and then begin firing. As the action was fast and furious and I needed the reach of the 600, I turned to the Robus RC-5558-3 Vantage Series 3 Carbon Fiber Tripod topped by the Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro. I was quite pleased with ow well I was able to keep the speeding puffins close to the center of the frame.
Typos
As with all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
Artie……#2…when clicked on and enlarged …..super clear..beautiful ..The One….and you are perfectly paired..thank you.
Sweet! Both images.
Stunning images. I’m going against the trend. While the Kittiwake captures a unique perspective and compelling moment with impeccable technique, I find the Puffin delivers pure delight and pleasure on viewing, and is the one I’d want to have taken. Super!
Two smokin’ hot beauties. Had to show Greg you still got it eh! By the way it’s been hot hot hot here in So Cal so lazy is actually a life safer with a glass of cold water and some electrolytes…
Enjoy the rest of your trip return safe and mostly sound.
great images, that kittiwake is fantastic and I would print and frame. cheers.
The Kittiwake is just awesome . Love this action shot !
Artie #1, the picture shows great action, striking pose and wonderful colors.
You can almost hear the full scream as it dives
When I first looked at # 1, I really liked it, never seen that perspective. The puffin also was a great image. For me # 1 followed closely by #2.
Hey Art,
Glad to see and hear that your having a great time, up there..
I love both images, however #1 is so dynamic that it just blows a really superb
Puffin image away IMO. The amazing forward wing extension and calling flight pose
are a tough combo to beat.
Image #1 Black-legged Kittiwake and Image #2 Atlantic Puffin flying are both well made and interesting to see flying both.
Kittiwake picture is superb. An unusual situation captured perfectly.
Outstanding, both of them
When I first saw the Kittiwake, I thought wow, what could beat that! Then I saw the Puffin, what beautiful colours, two great images, I call it a draw!
No 1 for me too the angle adds to the dynamism.
Ditto. #1 is unique and full of drama and on a diagonal for a great composition.
Nothing at all wrong with the puffin shot, but the Kittiwake is on another level for me with that screaming pose.
Hope you and Anita are having a great time – I’m pretty sure you are!
Number 1 for me. Seeing it large on the screen, the full forward wing position is really emphasized. The background sets the scene.
And I really like number 2!
Both are wonderful images but number 1 has that extra bit of drama … fantastic and unique!
Number 1 for me. The pose, the open mouth and the background make for a shot I’ve never seen. Awesome!