What’s Up?
I am proud to announce the release of the San Diego II Picking Your Keepers Instructional Video. Play the video above (created in Photo Mechanic) to view the free teaser. Scroll down for complete details.
The pool was up to 73 degrees on Tuesday afternoon. The technician from Pool Works visited and quickly determined that the problem with the heater/chiller was with a faulty circuit breaker; that was the best possible outcome.
Please e-mail for Homer IPT late registration discount information.
DeSoto Last-second 2-DAY IPT
Afternoon session on TUES FEB 11th through the morning session on Thursday FEB 13, 2010. 2 DAYS (2 half and one full): $1099.00. Limit 3/Openings 2.
On the last morning, there might be an option to do the super-tame American White Pelicans in Lakeland. Working brunch (included) with image review on WED and THURS. The tides are perfect and the long-range weather forecast looks pretty good FWIW 🙂
If you would like to join us, please get in touch immediately either via e-mail or by cell phone: 863-221-2372.
Canon 600mm f/4L IS USM III Lens
IPT veteran Cris Hamilton is offering a Canon EF 600 f/4L IS III USM Lens in mint condition for $11,499.00. The sale includes the original shipping box and everything that came with the lens: the lens hood, the rear cap, the front lens cover, the soft case, the instruction manual, the warranty card, the lens strap, a Realtree LensCoat, 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 Cris via e-mail or by phone at 1-724-746-1954 (Eastern time zone).
The 600 III is the latest Canon version of my favorite weapon of mass destruction for bird photography. With its super balance, light weight, incredible sharpness, and a five-stop Image Stabilization system, the 600 III is a technological marvel. The lens tips the scale at a relatively svelte 6.71 lb — about one ounce heavier than the SONY 600mm f/4GM OSS lens. It is a fraction under two pounds lighter than the 600 II. Thus, it is eminently hand-holdable for many folks. As this lens sells new for $12,999.00, you can save a neat $1500.00 by being the one to grab Cris’s pretty much new lens right now. This lens is super-sharp with either TC, one of the great advantages of Canon over Nikon … artie
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This image was created on January 10, 2020 on the San Diego IPT. I used the Induro GIT 304L/FlexShooter Pro-mounted Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens, the Sony FE 2.0x Teleconverter, and the 61 megapixel monster, the Sony Alpha a7R IV Mirrorless Digital camera body. ISO 800. Exposure determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear dial: 1/1000 sec. at f/8 in Manual mode. AWB at 9:24am on a clear morning. Image #1:Brown Pelican against dramatic BLACK-Ground |
Creating Dramatic BLACK-Grounds
To create dramatic images like this, look for situations where the subject is in full sun with a dark background that is completely shaded. In most places, this is a difficult assignment. At La Jolla, it is easy to do on most sunny mornings if you know what to look for and where to look for them. The lower portions cliffs across the small bay are shaded for about 30 minutes after the sun hits the pelicans that are up top. At times, you may need to be 10-20 degrees off sun angle to make things work. Getting taller (often by getting closer) may be necessary to come up with a pleasing BLACK-Ground.
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San Diego II Picking Your Keepers Instructional Video |
San Diego II Picking Your Keepers Instructional Video
$20 via electronic download. Order your copy from the BAA Online Store by clicking here.
In this one hour, sixteen-minute Capture One screen capture video, sit beside me as I pick my keepers from an almost 800-image folder entitled San Diego II. Learn what makes one image better than other very similar ones. Learn the minutiae of head angle and light angle and the compositional fine points (including the importance of using diagonal lines to your images) that make one image a keeper and others in the series insta-deletes. Learn more about wing positions and flight poses and tons more. In the video, I comment on my image optimization plans for many images and throw in some in-the-field and capture tips as well. With today’s digital camera bodies offering superb autofocus accuracy, fast frame rates, and often ridiculously large image files, learning to edit (pick your keepers) tightly is an important skill to develop.
The editing teaser is done in Photo Mechanic, the main video in Capture One. But it does not matter whether you use one of those programs or Bridge in Photoshop or Lightroom to pick your keepers; it is the principles that are involved in making each keep-or-reject decision that will prove to be invaluable.
During IPTs, editing sessions like the one in the video are extremely popular; everyone always learns a ton — why didn’t I see that? — and folks often clamor for more.
$20 via electronic download. Order your copy from the BAA Online Store by clicking here.
The Homer Bald Eagle IPTs
Please e-mail for Homer IPT late registration discount information.
For the first trip only, I am offering a $500/person discount for those who sign up with a friend or spouse. You can access the complete trip offering here.
IPT #1: FEB 25 through the full day on MAR 1, 2020. Six full days: $4799.00. Limit 5 photographers/Openings: 1.
IPT #2: MAR 3 through the full day on MAR 7, 2020. Five full days: $3999.00. Limit 5 photographers/Openings: 2.
Via e-mail from Multiple IPT veteran Greg Ferguson:
I attended this IPT in 2011 and can only say it was the most intensive bird photography I have ever experienced. My arms were tired and sore from shooting so many action photos. It is highly recommended! I called Jim today and signed up for a reprise. Greg
Via e-mail from Multiple IPT veteran Dick Curtain:
I attended the Homer IPT in the past and can only say it was a great experience. Many eagles, beautiful scenery, great instruction, and many fond memories. Don’t miss it.
IPT Updates
- The Greatest-ever Bald Eagle Experience IPTs:
- IPT #1: FEB 25 through the full day on MAR 1, 2020. Six full days: $4799.00 (Price reduced to $3999.00!). Limit 5 photographers/Openings: 1.
- IPT #2: MAR 3 through the full day on MAR 7, 2020. Five full days: $3999.00. Limit 5 photographers/Openings: 2
- The 2020 Hooptie Deux/Roseate Spoonbill Boat 3 1/2 DAY IPT — MAR 19 thru the morning session 22 MAR 2020: $2599.00. Limit: 5 photographers/Sold out
- The GALAPAGOS Photo Cruise of a Lifetime IPT/The Complete Galapagos Archipelago Photographic Experience. August 17-31, 2021 on the boat. 13 FULL and two half-days of photography: $14,999.00. Limit: 12 photographers/Openings: 6.
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To show your appreciation for my continuing efforts here, we ask, as always, that you get in the habit of using my B&H affiliate links on the right side of the blog or Bedfords, for all of your photo and electronics purchases. Please check the availability of all photographic accessories in the New BIRDS AS ART Online Store, especially the Mongoose M3.6 tripod head, Wimberley lens plates, Delkin flash cards and accessories, and LensCoat stuff.
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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 :).
Subject in the light, background in shade is almost always a winner. I look for it when I can. I love the fade-to-blue in the background also. Really striking with the breeding plumage.
Love the dark background!