Homer Late Registration Discounts
If you are interested in traveling to Homer, AK with me in FEB/MAR 2023 to photograph Bald Eagles, shoot me an e-mail for late registration discount info. Several folks are in the process of registering so do not tarry. The first IPT is looking sold out as I await the last deposit check.
What’s Up?
On Monday morning, I headed back to the cliffs to continue working on my 1200mm pelican macro techniques. It brightened a bit, and when a rain squall blew in from the east, I keep right on photographing. Though there have been several dire forecasts in my four weeks in San Diego, including several “100% chance of rain all day,” I have not missed a single morning session. All my Sony gear has stood up well to getting wet. Very wet at times. One body needed 30 minutes of the hair dryer in a pillowcase treatment. It has done just fine since.
I headed to Coronado in the afternoon. I checked on the Lesser Scaups and found a small flock. At the beach there was lots of action with the Western and Heermann’s Gull’s and several species of shorebirds. The sunset fizzled. I enjoyed mixed clouds and sun while back across the bridge, it rained in San Diego. The far out of character heavy rains have taken a toll. A section of the sidewalk and fence washed out on Prospect above the low cliffs, and I saw two huge, downed trees on Monday. One was right across the street from my AirBnB in Pacific Beach.
Today is Tuesday 17 January 2023. It rained again last night. It quit early so I will be meeting up with San Diego IPT veteran Bryan Love and try out his Sony a7R V. He owns an a1 and loves the V. He will get to play some more with my 600mm f/4. This blog post took more than 90 minutes to prepare (including the time spent on the three image optimizations) and makes two hundred ninety-four days in a row with a new, educational post. Wherever you are and whatever you are doing, I hope that you too have a great day.
Please remember to use my B&H or Bedford’s affiliate programs for your new gear purchases.
My plan is to continue to post every day until the streak reaches one year and one day and then go back to posting every other day.
Please remember to use the B&H and Amazon links that are found on most blog pages and to use the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout when purchasing your new gear from Bedfords to get 3% back on your credit card and enjoy free second-day air FedEx. Please, also, consider joining a BAA IPT. You will be amazed at how much you will learn!
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.
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Induro GIT 304L Tripod
Out of production for more than two years, BAA just sold its last one. The good news? We have located two more new-in-the-box tripods. They will be available for shipping at the end of January. Best to order yours now to be sure that you get one. We will not run your card until your item ships. The 304L was my go-to tripod for more than a decade. Best to grab order yours right now to avoid being disappointed.
Bedfords Amazing BAA Discount Policy
Folks who have fallen in love with Bedfords can now use the BIRDSASART coupon code at checkout to enjoy a post-purchase, 3% off-statement credit (excluding taxes and shipping charges) on orders paid with a credit card. The 3% credit will be refunded to the card you used for your purchase. Be sure, also, to check the box for free shipping to enjoy free Second Day Air Fed-Ex. This offer does not apply to purchases of Classes, Gift Cards, or to any prior purchases.
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.
Important Note
As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small percentage when you purchase from Amazon after using any of the Amazon links on the blog (including the logo-link on the right side of each blog post page). My affiliate link works fine with Amazon Prime and using it will not cost you a single cent. Huge thanks, BTW 🙂
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 14 January 2023 at Sonny Bono NWR, Salton Sea, CA. While standing at full height, I used the no-longer available (except from BIRDS AS ART) Induro GIT 304L tripod/Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro-mounted Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless digital camera. ISO 1000. Exposure was determined via Zebras with ISO on the rear dial: 1/500 sec. at f/4 (wide open). When evaluated in RawDigger, the raw file exposure was determined to 1/3 stop too dark. AWB at 7:51:55 am on cloudy morning. Manual Focus with Focus Peaking performed perfectly (as did the operator). Be sure to click on the image to enjoy the larger version. Image #1: Green Winged Teal and other ducks in impoundment |
Salton Sea Bird-scapes
I quickly realized that getting close to any birds at Sonny Bono NWR was not gonna happen. Attracted by the soft light and the beautiful earth tones of green, tan, and brown with some soft yellow tones thrown in, I went the long lens bird-scape route. Note that I was comfortable working 1/500 second at the wide-open aperture and that I lowered the ISO as the day got brighter.
Most of the ducks in Image #1 are Green-winged Teal. There were also a few Northern Shovelers and possibly another species or two.
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This image was also created on 14 January 2023 at Sonny Bono NWR, Salton Sea, CA. Again, while standing at full height, I used the no-longer available (except from BIRDS AS ART) Induro GIT 304L tripod/Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro-mounted Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless digital camera. ISO 800. Exposure was determined via Zebras with ISO on the rear dial: 1/500 sec. at f/4 (wide open). When evaluated in RawDigger, the raw file exposure was determined to 1/3 stop too dark. AWB at 9:01:59 am on cloudy morning. Manual Focus with Focus Peaking performed perfectly (as did the operator). Be sure to click on the image to enjoy the larger version. Image #2: Long-billed Dowitcher — feeding flock in impoundment |
The AF Problem with Bird-scapes
When creating bird-scapes it is imperative to focus accurately on the closest bird. Picking one that is doing something somewhat special is always a plus. When creating such images, especially those made at the wide-open aperture, using autofocus presents a problem as you attempt to focus accurately on the closet bird in the flock. It can be difficult to get a single AF point to hold focus on a small-on-the-frame subject.
The simple solution is to move the AF switch to M and focus manually. With Image #1, I adjusted the focus so that the closest teal had the brightest focus peaking edges. In image #2, all of the dowitchers showed the red focus peaking edges as they were (conveniently) on the same plane. And in Image #3, the line of shorebirds at the bottom of the frame lit up with the red edgings when the image was focused properly.
The Lesson
When you need to focus accurately on the closest bird or the front row of birds, manual focus with Focus Peaking will always be best. It will produce the sharpest images and make your life easy.
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This image was also created on 14 January 2023 at Sonny Bono NWR, Salton Sea, CA. Again, while standing at full height, I used the no-longer available (except from BIRDS AS ART) Induro GIT 304L tripod/Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro-mounted Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless digital camera. ISO 800. Exposure was determined via Zebras with ISO on the rear dial: 1/500 sec. at f/4 (wide open). When evaluated in RawDigger, the raw file exposure was determined to 1/3 stop too dark. AWB at 8:29:44am on cloudy-bright morning. Manual Focus with Focus Peaking performed perfectly (as did the operator). Be sure to click on the image to enjoy the larger version. Image #3: Shorebirds feeding in impoundment |
Your Call?
A- I like Image #1 best because …
B- I like Image #2 best because …
C- I like Image #3 best because …
D- I do not like any of today’s images because …
E- …
Typos
With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
Amazing! I like image two best because of the simple line of the dowitchers and them being in line with the stick. I look forward to your next post.
Artie
E- All 3 tell the story of where you were and what you were seeing, as you ponder your next shot to be pleasing and trying something different. Of the 3 i like them all however B- because of the simple line and color as i am drawn to be more focused. in my order B-C-A
On your typo’s i believe you use a little reverse psychology to see if people actually read the blog so you throw in just a little something to see if people catch it 🙂
Jordan small typo – what a rain squall….. s/b when a rain squall…. lol got to love the blog as Artie is a master and always a wonderful teacher…..
Always with love b
Can’t wait to hear your thoughts on the A7RV
I see Sony is coming out with a 300/2.8 next year.
Great news. I was hoping they would come out with a lighter 300mm f/4.5 or something like that.
with love, artie
Hi Artie,
small typo – when I rain squall… s/b what a rain squall….
Thanks, Jordan.
with love, artie
Image 2 for its simplicity and the fact that you can identify the birds without having to zoom in…
I like image two best because of the simple lineup of the dowitchers and them being in line with the stick. My initial reaction was to crop the shot and bring the birds closer. But that would have lost the green in the background, and also possibly cut out the stick. Would have been a bad choice.