Wonderful Clients, and Striving for Different (as is usual)

What’s Up?

Today is Wednesday 28 February. We are headed out early in search of some more pink/purple/blue earth shadow shots. We are dressing very warmly as the forecast cold weather has arrived. I hope that you too have fun.

With just two slots left on each Homer 2025 trip, I am hoping to sign up two more folks for both trips asap. Details below.

New folks are urged to click on each image to view the larger, sharper high resolution JPEGs.

The Rewards of Good Leadership

Mike Lavigne of Seattle, WA and long-ago multiple IPT vet Chris Loffredo attended the first 2024 Homer Bald Eagle IPT. I was glad to hear from each of them via e-mail yesterday.

From Mike

Hi Artie,

In December, as a raw newbie, when I reached out to you to mentor me, you asked me to trust you. Go with Sony. I did (after almost missing on it). Then you suggested that I do the Morro Bay IPT and if I really wanted to take a big step forward, follow it up with the Homer ITP two weeks later. Also to try and master Photo Mechanic prior to the Morro Bay ITP.

This morning, the day after I got back home, I’m exhausted for sure. But with a big smile on my face.

Today, 70 days after we first touched base, looking in Photo Mechanic at the files I’ve created, it’s hard to believe I how well I did. You have taught me to get sharp pictures, and get them in the frame. Taught me the basics of doing it in manual mode, exposing to the right, filling the frame, getting at the subject eye level, staying on the sun angle, adjusting exposure for different light conditions and different subject situations. You have made me appreciate the Sony Zebra’ process and how it keeps you aware. You have taught me blurs, and how to photograph sunset and dawn color. I’m not yet consistent, and struggle with making quick adjustments, and not always ‘seeing the picture’. But every time I review my daily files, I recognize progress, and learn where I can do better. I feel that if I keep practicing what you have taught me, I’m on a good path with solid fundamentals. And I plan on further Birds As Art IPT adventures.

The Homer ITP was an amazing life experience in a remarkable place. Each session was filled with exceptional opportunities in a world class setting. Your guidance and support along with the boat captain and crew made it easy to make great pictures. Both on the boat and on land. Loved the songbird day, when the seas were too high to sail. I learned so much I can apply at home creating my own set-up. It was great watching and learning from the other ITP participants who all had decades of serious photography experience. it’s not any accident they choose to be there with you. The vibe in the group was tremendous.

Thankyou for all the guidance and friendship. I leaned on you, and you delivered. I’m amazed at how much energy and life force you bring to the process.

love,

Mike Lavigne

From Chris

Artie,

Homer was an unforgettable experience with so many eagle and flight and portrait opportunities, great people and easy logistics. Weather conditions were changing and often unpredictable, but Artie’s plans B, C, & D all resulted in wonderful photo opportunities. I’ve never created so many images in my life nor have I ever deleted so many good photos because I have so many better ones.

My biggest learning was exposing more to the right than I was used too without blowing out the highlights. I learned to read the eagle’s behaviors, about sun angle and backgrounds. The image processing was the icing on the cake.

Stay warm and thanks again for another great experience.

Chris

My Call

There were too many great images in the last blog post. I especially loved the screaming eagle, the cliff image with falling snow, the Pine Grosbeak with the red berries, and the otter in pink. And the other two were not bad either.

Your Call?

Of Today’s five featured images, which are the two weakest?

The First Ever BIRDS AS ART Lens Guide

Use either my Bedfords or B&H affiliate link to purchase your Sony 300mm f/2.8 GM lens and shoot me your receipt via e-mail and request a copy of the first-ever BAA Lens Guide. It will be published sometime in late March as I have a lot more to learn about this amazing new lens.

This image was created on 25 February 2024 at Kachemak Bay, AK on a Homer Bald Eagle IPT. I used the handheld Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II lens with the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter (at 189mm) and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera.. The exposure was determined via Zebras with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 400: 1/4000 sec. at f/4 (wide-open) in Manual mode. AWB at 4:45:24am on a clear, sunny afternoon. Zone/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #1: Bald Eagle in flight/late day sun.

Blue Sky Bald Eagles

With their gleaming white heads and dark wings and bodies photographing adult Bald Eagles on bright sunny days is a huge challenge. Many folks state that they “it is impossible to control the exposure of their white heads and tails and that they always over-expose them.” The short story is that they have no clue as to how to get the right exposure. It is easy with Sony Zebras and do-able with Nikon, Canon, and others. With those systems, you must make a test exposure, evaluate the histogram,, check for blinkies (those dependent on your camera system and settings), and make any needed changes. Whatever gear you are using, RawDigger study will enable you to fine-tune your results.

The biggest problems with photographing adult Bald Eagles in full sun have to do with dark shadows, uneven lighting, and high contrast. The best way to eliminate the first two problems is to work right on sun angle as I did in Image #1 and, if photographing the bird from below, wait until the bird’s underwings are fully out-stretched and thus evenly lit. The high contrast can be controlled vis careful processing as details in the Digital Basics III Video Series.

Note that though Image #1 is technically perfect and nicely designed, it is basically boring and does not do much for me at all. For the reasons noted above, I am not a fan of full sun for Bald Eagles photography, especially flight photography. I far prefer clouds and overcast. That said, note that with Image #2 I contradict myself. Image #2 was successful due to the fact that I was striving to create something very different. I did the same thing with Images # 3, 4, and 5.

The Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II lens is the perfect complement to the 300 f/2.8 for eagle photography in Kachemak Bay. I use it often both with and without the 1.4 teleconverter.

This image was also created on 25 February 2024 at Kachemak Bay, AK on a Homer Bald Eagle IPT. I used the handheld Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens (Sony E) with the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera). The exposure was determined via Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 500. 1/4000 sec. at f/4 (wide open) in Manual mode. When evaluated in RawDigger, the raw file brightness was determined to be dead-solid perfect (ho hum). AWB at 4:51:41am on a clear, sunny afternoon. Zone: AF-C with Bird Face/Eye detection enabled performed to perfection. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #2: Bald Eagle in flight set against shaded mountainside.

Listen to the Leader I

When I saw many adult eagles flying in front of the shade mountainside, I called out to the group, “Shoot the sunlit eagles against the dark mountainside. Don’t worry about the exposure; it will be the same as when the birds were flying out in the open — new are exposing properly for the sunlit white. heads.” Nobody listened. But when they saw Image #2, they all wanted to head back to Sadie Cove to try for the shot. The proportion of the shaded mountainside and the sunlit snowy slope was serendipitously perfect.

This image was also created on 25 February 2024 at Kachemak Bay, AK on a Homer Bald Eagle IPT. I used the handheld Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens (Sony E) and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera). The exposure was determined via Zebras with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 1000: 1/4000 sec. at f/3.5 (stopped down 2/3 stop) in Manual mode. When evaluated in RawDigger, the raw file brightness was determined to be one stop too dark for a variety of reasons. AWB at 6:17:09pm, three minutes before the official time of sunset. Zone/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #3: Bald Eagle sunset dive silhouette

The Wind Direction was Too Good

With the sun setting in the west and a fair breeze from the east when the color materialized, the big problem was that with the birds flying directly at us, their heads were not visible. I got lucky with Image #3. Augustine Volcano is on the horizon just behind the bird.

This image was created on 26 February 2024 at Kachemak Bay, AK on a Homer Bald Eagle IPT. I used the handheld Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens (Sony E) and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera). The exposure was determined via Zebras with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 10000! 1/2000 sec. at f/2.8 (wide open) in Manual mode. When evaluated in RawDigger, the raw file brightness was determined to be perfect. AWB at 8:51:31 in extremely low light conditions. Tracking: Zone/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #4: Bald Eagles landing on distant spit on a then dark and dismal morning.

What the Heck

It was very early on a dark, dingy morning. When I saw two eagles breaking to land on a distant spit, I raised the ISO till I got some significant Zebras on the water, figured “what the heck,” and fired off about six frames. Only one had two decent wing positions. Surprisingly, I was quite pleased with the image.

Sony a1 folks need to make sure to be using Tracking: Zone when they wish to create bird-scapes featuring small-in-the-frame, well off-centered birds. Non-tracking Zone will not focus on a subject outside of the zone brackets.

Note: Last week I distributed SONY Alpha a1 Set-up and Info Notes e-Mail I (19 February 2024) to all in the group. If you are in the group and did not receive my latest missive, please shoot me an e-mail. Please remember that if you change your e-mail address that you need to let me know 🙂

This image was also created on 26 February 2024 at Kachemak Bay, AK on a Homer Bald Eagle IPT. I used the handheld Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens (Sony E) and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera). The exposure was determined via Zebras with ISO on the Thumb Dial. ISO 1250. 1/3200 sec. at f/2.8 (wide open) in Manual mode. When evaluated in RawDigger, the raw file brightness was determined to be perfect. AWB at 11:59:36 iafter things brightened up quite a bit. Tracking: Zone/AF-C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #5: Bald Eagles braking to land in low light conditions.

Listen to the Leader II

I called the group together and pointed out the ideal spot on the slope where an eagle might land with a somewhat unique background. Most were using a 70-200mm lens so I instructed them to move closer while I moved back with my new 300mm f/2.8. We set the shutter speeds, the apertures, and the ISOs. Then I told the mate exactly where to toss the herring. He did!

All images from Homer or Kachemak Bay, AK

No Homer IPT Price Increase!

Despite that fact that the hourly boat fee has been increased by 33%, I have decided not to raise the price of the 2025 Homer IPTs. Note that similar trips with 40% less time on the boat cost $5800!

2025 Homer/Kachemak Bay Bald Eagle IPTs

IPT #1: FRI 14 FEB 2025 through the full day on TUES 18 FEB 2025. Five days/20 hours on the boat: $5500.00. Limit 5 photographers/Openings 2.

IPT #2: WED 19 FEB 2025 through the full day on SUN 23 FEB 2025. Five days/20 hours on the boat: $5500.00. Limit 5 photographers/Openings 2.

Register for both trips to maximize your travel dollars and enjoy a $1000 discount while you are at it. In 2024, three of the five participants did both trips!

This trip features non-stop flight photography as well as many opportunities to create both environmental and point-blank portraits of one of North America’s most sought-after avian subjects: Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus). Other reliable subjects will include Sea Otter, Glaucous-winged and Short-billed (formerly Mew) Gulls.

In addition, we should see Common Murre, Black Guillemot, Pelagic Cormorant, two or three species of loons, and a smattering of ducks including two species of merganser, all three scoters, Common and Barrow’s Goldeneyes, Bufflehead, Harlequin, and Long-tailed Ducks. Close-range photographic chances for these species will require some good luck. Some of these species, especially when in flocks, can, however, often be used effectively when pleasing creating bird-scapes.

If we need to be out early, we will be the first boat out. If the conditions are great, we will stay out. And when there is a chance for sunset silhouettes, we will be in the right spot.

We will be traveling through gorgeous wilderness country; landscape and scenic opportunities abound.

Also featured is a professional leader, often referred to as the world’s most knowledgeable bird photography trip leader and instructor. He is conversant in Canon, Nikon, and Sony. You will learn practical and creative solutions to everyday photographic problems. You will learn to see the shot, to create dynamic images by fine-tuning your compositions, to best utilize your camera’s AF system, and how to analyze the wind, the sky conditions, and the direction and quality of the light. This is one of the very few trips Homer trips available where you will not be simply put on the birds and told to have fun. You will learn to be a better photographer.

All images from Kachemak Bay in 2022!

What You Will Learn

You will learn practical and creative solutions to everyday photographic problems. You will learn to see the shot, to create dynamic images by fine-tuning your compositions, to best utilize your camera’s AF system, and how to analyze the wind, the sky conditions, and the direction and quality of the light. This is one of the very few trips Homer trips available where you will not be simply put on the birds and told to have fun. You will learn to be a better photographer.

You will learn to get the right exposure when it is sunny, when it cloudy-bright, when it is cloudy, when it is cloudy-dark, or when it is foggy. Not to mention getting the right exposure when creating silhouettes. You will learn to make pleasing blurs working in manual mode and to create silhouettes working in Shutter Priority mode. Most importantly, you will learn to pick your best flight photographs from tens of thousands of images.

You will enjoy working with the best and most creative boat captain on his sturdy, photography-spacious, seaworthy, open-deck watercraft.

There will be only five photographers (not the usual six), plus the leader.

Small group Photoshop, Image Review, and Image Critiquing sessions.
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All images from Homer or Kachemak Bay, AK

What’s Included

One four hour or two two-hour boat trips every day (weather permitting), all boat fees and boat-related expenses (excluding tips), ground transportation to and from the dock and back to the hotel each day, in-the-field instruction and guidance, pre-trip gear advice, small group post-processing and image review sessions, and a thank you dinner for all well-behaved participants.

What’s Not Included

Your airfare to and from Homer, AK (via Anchorage), the cost of your room at Land’s End Resort, all personal items, all meals and beverages, and tips for the boat captain and/or the first mate.

Important Note

On great days, the group may wish to photograph for more than four hours. If the total time on the boat exceeds 20 hours for the five-day trips the group will share the additional expense at a rate of $300.00/hour. The leader will pay for the bait.

Some folks may wish to rent their own vehicle to take advantage of local photographic opportunities around Homer. In 2024 those included Moose, Sea Otter, a variety of sea ducks in the harbor, and Great Grey and Short-eared Owl.

Deposit Information

A $3000 non-refundable deposit/trip is required. You may pay your deposit with credit card or by personal check (the latter made out to BIRDS AS ART) and sent via US mail only to Arthur Morris. PO Box 7245. Indian Lake Estates, FL 33855. Your balance, due 90 days before the date of departure, is payable only by check.

In Closing

I have been going to Homer off and on for close to two decades. Every trip has been nothing short of fantastic. Many folks go in mid-March. The earlier you go, the better the chances for snow. The only way to assure that you are on the best of these two trips is to sign up for both of them. If you have any questions, or are good to go for one or both of these great trips, please let me know via e-mail or give me a call on my cell phone at 863-221-2372.

Typos

With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.