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Green Jay pair. Image copyright 2011 & courtesy of James Fuller. Created with the tripod-mounted Canon 800mm f/5.6L IS lens and the EOS-1D Mark IV. For a greater appreciation of the image, click on the photo. Then click on the enlarged version to close it. |
James Fuller Part I
In the Galapagos trip report (July 22, 2011) that appeared in BAA Bulletin #378 I wrote:
“James Fuller, a 28-year old from Victoria, Texas who works in the field of oil and gas exploration was on his first IPT. He has, however, been a BIRDS AS ART “student” since he began photographing six years ago having studied ABP, ABP II, and Digital Basics diligently, subscribed to BAA Bulletins, and been an ardent reader of the Blog since its inception. He is yet another of the incredibly skilled young bird, wildlife, and nature photographers who never have exposed a single roll of film. He placed fifth in the Coastal Bend Wildlife Photography Contest two years ago and is competing in this year’s event that will conclude at the end of July (2011). He shared a folder of images that he will be entering and blew everyone away with the quality and artistic design of his work. James’ brother is a helicopter pilot. James has done some pioneering work photographing small groups and even single birds in flight from the helicopter. While it is in the air. Understandably, his favorite lens for this work is the Canon 400mm f/4 IS DO lens. II will share some of his work with you soon.”
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Gadwalls and Ring-necked Ducks. From the helicopter! Image copyright 2011 & courtesy of James Fuller. Created with the handheld Canon 400mm f/4 IS DO lens and the EOS-1D Mark IV. For a greater appreciation of the image, click on the photo. Then click on the enlarged version to close it. |
Well, soon has finally arrived. James recently finished in fourth place overall (one place up from last year) in the Coastal Bend Wildlife Photo Contest. You can visit the contest website and check out all the winning photographers and images here. Congrats to the very talented Rolf Nussbaumer who won yet another big Texas contest. As you are seeing here, James is a skilled photographer and in addition, is a helluva nice young man. In the Galapagos he was one of the many who took special interest in developing a nice friendship with my oldest grandson, Samuel Henry Egensteiner.
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Great Blue Heron laughing. Image copyright 2011 & courtesy of James Fuller. Created with the tripod-mounted Canon 600mm f/4L IS lens, the 1.4X III TC, and the EOS-1D Mark IV. For a greater appreciation of the image, click on the photo. Then click on the enlarged version to close it. |
All of the images here as well as the text that follows immediately are copyright 2011 and courtesy of James Fuller.
Have you ever wanted to spend months photographing wildlife in Texas? If so, this contest may be just what you are looking for! The Coastal Bend Wildlife Photo Contest (CBWPC) is the sporting event of all photo contests. It pays out over $90,000 in prize money and takes place during odd-numbered years in 16 counties across South Texas. Each photographer is paired with a landowner and given several months to create their contest images. The contest is unique because it gives photographers access to private land in Texas. This deal is even sweeter once you realize that more than 90% of the land in Texas is privately owned. CBWPC is a non-profit organization helping to spread awareness of the importance of conservation and wildlife education for the next generation through their Kritters-4-Kids program that is now being taught in Texas schools.
This was the second time that I participated in the contest. Before the first contest, I considered myself a bird photographer. The contest, however, broadened my photographic horizons as it includes more than 50 categories from the smallest insects to the largest landscapes. And pretty much anything in between! If you are serious about creating a great portfolio of Texas images and winning some prize money (all while raising awareness for conservation of private lands), I would highly recommend this contest. For more information click here.
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Least Grebe with chicks. Image copyright 2011 & courtesy of James Fuller. Created with the tripod-mounted Canon 600mm f/4L IS lens, the 1.4X III TC, and the EOS-1D Mark IV. For a greater appreciation of the image, click on the photo. Then click on the enlarged version to close it. |
You can see James Fuller’s complete contest portfolio here.
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Bullfrog in pond. Image copyright 2011 & courtesy of James Fuller. Created with the tripod-mounted Canon 800mm f/5.6L IS lens, the 1.4X III TC, and the EOS-1D Mark IV. For a greater appreciation of the image, click on the photo. Then click on the enlarged version to close it. |
Which Do You Like Best and Why?
It is fairly obvious that James knows how to use his gear quite well and has an excellent understanding of light, background, and image design. Take a moment to let us know which of the six images you like best. And why.
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Rabbit with Pixel Bender Oil Paint filter. Image copyright 2011 & courtesy of James Fuller. Created with the tripod-mounted Canon 800mm f/5.6L IS lens, the 1.4X III TC, and the EOS-1D Mark IV. For a greater appreciation of the image, click on the photo. Then click on the enlarged version to close it. |
Earn Free Contest Entries and Support both the Bulletins and the Blog by making all your B & H purchases here.
More and more folks are earning multiple contest entries with their B & H purchases. See here for details on that. Eleven great categories, 34 winning and honored images, and prize pools valued in excess of $20,000. Click here to visit the competition home page.
Shopper’s Guide
Below is a list of the gear that James used to create the images in today’s blog post. Thanks a stack to all who have used the Shopper’s Guide links to purchase their gear as a thank you for all the free information that we bring you on the Blog and in the Bulletins. Before you purchase anything be sure to check out the advice in our Shopper’s Guide.
Canon 600mm f/4L IS lens. The 600 f/4L IS was my first EF super-telephoto lens; I used it with great success with both the 1.4X and the 2X teleconverters for nearly a decade. I can’t wait to get my hands on the much lighter 600 f/4L IS II; when the new version is released there will be lots of the older 600 f/4 L IS lenses for sale used.
Canon 400mm f/4 IS DO lens. This fantastic, relatively light 400mm f/4 lens that can be hand held is ideal for birds in flight and when photographing from all types of water craft.
Canon 800mm f/5.L IS lens. Right now this is my all time favorite super-telephoto lens.
Canon 1.4X III Teleconverter. Designed to work best with the new Series II super-telephoto lenses.
Canon EOS-1D Mark IV professional digital camera body. My two Mark IVs are my workhorse digital camera bodies.
And from the BAA On-line Store:
LensCoats. I have a LensCoat on each of my big lenses to protect them from nicks and thus increase their re-sales value. All my big lens LensCoat stuff is in Hardwood Snow pattern.
LegCoat Tripod Leg Covers. I have four tripods active and each has a Hardwood Snow LegCoat on it to help prevent further damage to my tender shoulders 🙂
Gitzo GT3530LS Tripod. This one will last you a lifetime.
Mongoose M3.6 Tripod Head. Right now this is the best tripod head around for use with lenses that weigh less than 9 pounds. For heavier lenses, check out the Wimberley V2 head.
CR-80 Replacement Foot for Canon 800. When using the 800 on a Mongoose as I do, replacing the lens foot with this accessory lets the lens sit like a dog whether pointed up or down and prevents wind-blown spinning of your lens on breezy days by centering the lens directly over the tripod.
Double Bubble Level. You will find one in my camera’s hot shoe whenever I am not using flash.
Be sure to check out our camera body User’s Guides here.
The Lens Align Mark II. I use the Lens Align Mark II pretty much religiously to micro-adjust all of my gear an average of once a month and always before a major trip. Enjoy our free comprehensive tutorial here.
Canon EOS-1D Mark IV User’s Guide. Learn to use your Mark IV the way that I use mine. Also available for the 7D and the Mark III here.
Great job James, I would love to be in that contest. My favorite is the heli shot, nice comp.
At first, I passed by the Green Jays because the colors seem almost too perfect. But I came back to it because it is perfectly lit, perfectly composed, and the background is simply amazing. The Least Grebe family is an endearing portrait which I like very much. Young grebes on a parent’s back is a surefire recipe for human interest. And again the pastel background is stunning.
I like all the images but the Green Jays are my favorite. BTW I use the same lens (400 mm FR Do Is) that he used and I too like it very much.
Great Blue Heron laughing because almost has a perfect line of symmetry. Eyes are great. It is very amusing. The angle of the shot is rare. Others in this grouping are not as rare.
I couldn’t pick just one. He is a very talented photographer. Much better than many other professionals. And I don’t give praise lightly!