March 7th, 2023 Sony FE 135mm f/1.8 GM (Grand Master) Lens
Price reduced $200.00 on 7 March 2023
Anthony Ardito is offering a Sony FE 135mm f/1.8 GM lens (USA warranty) in like-new condition for a ridiculously low $1498.00 (was $1,698.00). The sale includes the original product box and everything that came in it including the ALC-F82S 82mm front lens cap, the ALC-R1EM rear lens cap, the ALC-SH156 lens hood, the lens case, all factory accessories and manuals, 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 Anthony via e-mail at e-mail.
Prized for its ability to isolate focus, the FE 135mm f/1.8 GM from Sony is a medium telephoto prime characterized by a bright and sophisticated design. It is perfect for portraiture and also excels at close-range sports shooting and as a unique focal length for landscapes. Its Grand Master design prioritizes both sharpness and bokeh quality and the lens also offers fast autofocus AF capabilities and durable build quality. It is designed to achieve notably high resolution and sharpness through the correction of a wide variety of spherical and chromatic aberrations and its bright f/1.8 maximum aperture benefits working in difficult lighting conditions. Th rounded 11-blade diaphragm contributes to a pleasing bokeh quality when employing selective focus techniques. Sony & B&H
This superb, high-end medium telephoto lens sells new for $2,098.00. It is the dream lens for all serious portrait photographers. If you have been hoping to find a reasonably-priced copy this lens, grab Anthony’s pretty much new one right now and put $400.00 in savings into your pocket. artie
Homer 2024
I have my dates for the two February 2024 Homer/Kachemak Bay Bald Eagle IPTs. If you would be interested in doing both 5-day trips and driving from Anchorage and Homer and back with me (with a big discount), or are interested in the $500 early-registration discount, please get in touch via e-mail.
What’s Up?
A friend sent me a version of yesterday’s featured image in which he replaced with the eagle’s back with grasses. Though it was a fairly good job, there were telltale mismatches of some of the grass stems. That’ is why I want with the rock idea.
Both sessions on Day Four of the third and final 2023 Homer IPT were excellent. Just after sunrise, we enjoyed spectacular views of Iliana Volcano. Then, we had great flight photography opportunities at the spectacular Elephant Rock. Everyone tried to make images of an eagle in the arch. Note that the lower quarter of the arch is below water on high tides. After the bone chilling cold of the first two days of the last IPT, summer returned to Homer, AK. During our afternoon session on Monday, most in the group had removed their parkas and gloves. The third IPT is the first ever to experience five sunny days (despite the forecasts of partly to mostly cloudy skies). Thus, Captain Gabe and I had to come up with some new ideas both for the morning and evening sessions. I am proud to say that we did that in spades.
Today is Tuesday 7 March 2023. The forecast is for sunny all with with light breezes from the east/northeast. As we are already on overtime, and two folks are flying back to Anchorage today, we will be skipping the afternoon session so that everyone can begin packing for their trips home. Bob Eastman, Monte Brown, and I will be driving up on Wednesday to catch our red-eye flights home. This blog post took more than an hour to prepare and makes three hundred forty-two days in a row with a new educational post written just for you. Wherever you are and whatever you are doing, I hope that you too have a great day.
Please, please, pretty please remember to use my B&H or Bedford’s affiliate programs for all your new gear purchases. If you use B&H, please be sure to click on any B&H link in the blog to start your search. Or simply start with this link. There is always the option of e-mailing me for gear advice and for the correct links.
The plan is to continue to post every day until the streak reaches one year and one day and then begin posting every other day.
As above, 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.
Please remember that if an item — a Delkin flash card, or a tripod head — for example, that is available from B&H and/or Bedfords, is also available in the BAA Online Store, it would be great, and greatly appreciated, if you would opt to purchase from us. We will match any price. Please remember also to use my B&H affiliate links or to earn 3% cash back at Bedfords by using the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout for your major gear purchases. Doing either often earns you free guides and/or discounts. And always earns my great appreciation.
Induro GIT 304L Tripod
Price reduced $50.00 on 16 FEB 2023
Out of production for more than two years, BAA sold its last one in December. The good news? We have two more new-in-the-box tripods. They are now available for only $649.00 (were $699.00). The 304L was my go-to tripod for more than a decade. Best to grab order yours right now by clicking here to avoid being disappointed.
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.
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, prior purchases.
Visit the Bedfords website here, shoot Steve Elkins an e-mail, or text him on his cell phone at (479) 381-2592.
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.
|
|
|
This image was created on 6 March 2023 an Instructional Photo-Tour at Kachemak Bay, Homer with the handheld Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II lens (at 200mm) and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera.. The exposure was determined via Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Wheel. ISO 400: 1/4000 sec. at f/4 (stopped down one-stop) in Manual mode. AWB at 9:46:02am on a sunny morning.
Tracking: Zone AF/C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy a high-res version.
Image #1: Adult Bald Eagle flying in front of the natural arch at Elephant Rock, Kachemak Bay, AK
|
Do You Agree With This Premise
When I mentioned to the first Homer group that it would not be unusual for intermediate — and even beginning bird photographers — with the latest, greatest mirrorless bodies (assuming that their cameras were set up properly and that they received just a bit of good instruction), to create an image as good or better than the best image made in the same situation by a professional photographer, everyone scoffed at the idea. One participant asked, “How can that be?’
Do you agree or disagree with the premise above? Why or why not?
|
|
|
This image was created on 6 March 2023 an Instructional Photo-Tour at Kachemak Bay, Homer with the handheld Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II lens (at 70mm) and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera.. The exposure was determined via Zebra technology with ISO on the Thumb Wheel. ISO 400: 1/4000 sec. at f/4 (stopped down one-stop) in Manual mode. AWB at 9::24:33am on a sunny morning.
Tracking: Zone AF/C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy a high-res version.
Image #2: Adult Bald Eagle landing on the base of the natural arch at Elephant Rock, Kachemak Bay, AK
|
Your Call?
Which of today’s two featured images would you rather have in your portfolio? Which do you think is the stronger image. Please leave a comment letting us know why you made your choice. As these are subjective questions, there is no correct answer.
Typos
With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
March 6th, 2023 Homer 2024
I have my dates for the two February 2024 Homer/Kachemak Bay Bald Eagle IPTs. If you would be interested in doing both 5-day trips (with a discount) and driving from Anchorage and Homer and back with me, please get in touch via e-mail.
What’s Up?
Thanks to the those who commented on yesterday’s image. I will respond to each comment as soon as this is posted.
As below, I knew that I would be able to create a dynamic optimized image from the washed out, properly exposed raw file. Keep reading to learn why you need to learn to expose your silhouettes far to the right.
Both sessions on Day Three of the third and last 2023 Homer IPT were epic. On a sunny morning, we worked in a shaded bay and were rewarded with dozens of banking and turning Bald Eagles in flight. The group learned why I prefer low light to full sun for eagle flight photography. Then we worked a frozen waterfall. Everyone, including Captain Gabe, was amazed when a Coyote presented itself on a snowy hillside and posed at length for the group. The afternoon session was mega-successful as the sun shined and the wind switched from NE to west. We had dozens of eagles landing right at us on natural perches. As a result of the wind switch, however, our sunset silhouette efforts were more challenging than they had been on Saturday evening. That said, we had lots of excellent chances with another colorful western sky. The sun sets very close to Iliana volcano.
Of note is the fact that other eagle tour groups almost always head back to the barn for dinner early thus missing the sweetest light and the gorgeous sunsets …
Today is Monday 6 March 2023. With partly cloudy skies all day and light breezes from the east/northeast, we will likely do two sessions, one early and one late. This blog post took more than an hour to prepare and makes three hundred forty-one days in a row with a new educational post written just for you. Wherever you are and whatever you are doing, I hope that you too have a great day.
Please, please, pretty please remember to use my B&H or Bedford’s affiliate programs for all your new gear purchases. If you use B&H, please be sure to click on any B&H link in the blog to start your search. Or simply start with this link. There is always the option of e-mailing me for gear advice and for the correct links.
The plan is to continue to post every day until the streak reaches one year and one day and then begin posting every other day.
As above, 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.
Please remember that if an item — a Delkin flash card, or a tripod head — for example, that is available from B&H and/or Bedfords, is also available in the BAA Online Store, it would be great, and greatly appreciated, if you would opt to purchase from us. We will match any price. Please remember also to use my B&H affiliate links or to earn 3% cash back at Bedfords by using the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout for your major gear purchases. Doing either often earns you free guides and/or discounts. And always earns my great appreciation.
|
|
|
This image was created on 27 February on a Homer/Kachemak Bay Bald Eagle IPT. I used the handheld Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II lens with the Sony FE 2x teleconverter (at 282mm), and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera). The exposure was determined via Zebra technology with Exposure Compensation on the thumb dial. Shutter Priority +2-stops. AUTO ISO set ISO 1600: 1/2500 sec. at f/5.6 (wide open). When evaluated in RawDigger, the raw file exposure was determined to be dead-solid perfect. AWB at 6:05:51pam just before sunset.
Tracking: Zone AF-C with Bird Face/Eye detection enabled performed perfectly. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version.
The Photo Mechanic screen capture for the Bald Eagle landing at sunset image
|
From Yesterday’s Blog Post
In yesterday’s blog post, I asked the following:
What is the black shape in the lower right corner?
If this were your image, would you keep it or delete it? Either way, why?
If you would keep it, please leave a comment detailing your plans for the image optimization. Would you create a silhouette, or go for an image that revealed the tones of the eagle? How would you crop it? What would you do about the black shape in the lower right corner?
Yes, the black shape in the LRC is the body of a second eagle.
See below for my image optimization. And more.
|
|
The optimized image: Bald Eagle landing at sunset
|
Transforming an Eagle into a Rock
Creating a dynamic silhouette from a properly exposed (see below) raw file is quite simple. The color is there, all you need to do is bring it out. That is properly and easily done by adjusting the sliders on the Basic tab during the raw conversion in Photoshop. I thought of replacing the eagle in the LRC with grass, but like Eleanor, could not figure out a way to do that. After a very small proportional crop below right and top right, I came up with the idea of using the Clone Stamp Tool to transform the obtrusive eagle into a small boulder. I like the way that the rock balances the dark silhouetted eagle.
Note: like others, I considered a square crop but, again like Eleanor, did not love that idea.
|
|
The RawDigger screen capture for the Bald Eagle landing at sunset image
|
Getting the Right Exposure for Silhouettes
Most folks — often including me — do not add enough light when creating silhouettes against colorful skies. When I created this image, I was 100% sure that it would be a silhouette. Most folks like their images to look good on the rear monitor. The problem with that approach is there their good looking raw files will be much noisier than properly exposed images that look washed out. And those washed out image files will contain far more color information than underexposed image files. Click on the RawDigger screen capture to see the dead-solid perfect exposure. With only 247 OvExp pixels (out of 51 million) the raw file brightness is dead-solid perfect.
Ho Hum, Another Perfect Exposure
What can I say? The combination of Zebras live in the viewfinder (with your camera set up properly) and post-capture study of the raw files in RawDigger makes it pretty much child’s play to come up with perfect exposure after perfect exposure. It would be impossible to overstate how much I have learned by studying RawDigger and how much better my exposures have become since I started with the program almost two years ago. Again, the raw file brightness for today’s featured image is dead-solid perfect with the G channel making it all the way to the 16000 line.
RawDigger — not for the faint of heart …
Nothing has ever helped me learn to create perfect exposures to the degree that RawDigger has. I think that many folks are reluctant to learn that most of their images are underexposed by one or more full stops and that highlight warnings in Photoshop, Lightroom, Capture One, and your in-camera histogram are bogus as they are based on the embedded JPEGs. Only your raw files tell the truth all the time. Heck, I resisted RawDigger for several years … Once you get over that feeling, RawDigger can become your very best exposure friend no matter what system you are using. On the recent IPTs and In-the-Field sessions, we have demonstrated that fact. Convincingly.
The RawDigger Adapted (pink) Histogram
In the RawDigger e-Guide, you will learn exactly how to set up the Adapted “pink” RawDigger Histogram and how to use it to quickly and easily evaluate the exposure or raw file brightness of images from all digital cameras currently in use. RawDigger was especially helpful to me as I have struggled with R5 exposures and learned my new camera body, the Sony Alpha a1.
|
|
RawDigger e-Guide with Two Videos
|
The RawDigger e-Guide with Two Videos
by Arthur Morris with Patrick Sparkman
The RawDigger e-Guide was created only for serious photographers who wish to get the absolute most out of their raw files.
Mr. Sparkman and I began work on the guide in July 2020. At first, we struggled. We asked questions. We learned about Max-G values. We puzzled as to why the Max G values for different cameras were different. IPT veteran Bart Deamer asked lots of questions that we could not answer. We got help from RawDigger creator Iliah Borg. We learned. In December, Patrick came up with an Adapted Histogram that allows us to evaluate the exposures and raw file brightness for all images created with all digital camera bodies from the last two decades. What we learned each time prompted three complete beginning to end re-writes.
The point of the guide is to teach you to truly expose to the mega-Expose-to-the-Right so that you will minimize noise, maximize image quality, best utilize your camera’s dynamic range, and attain the highest possible level of shadow detail in your RAW files in every situation. In addition, your properly exposed RAW files will contain more tonal information and feature the smoothest possible transitions between tones. And your optimized images will feature rich, accurate color.
We teach you why the GREEN channel is almost always the first to over-expose. We save you money by advising you which version of RawDigger you need. We teach you how to interpret the Max G values for your Canon, Nikon, and SONY camera bodies. It is very likely that the Shock-your-World section will shock you. And lastly — thanks to the technical and practical brilliance of Patrick Sparkman — we teach you a simple way to evaluate your exposures and the raw file brightness quickly and easily the Adapted RawDigger histogram.
The flower video takes you through a session where artie edits a folder of images in Capture One while checking the exposures and Max-G values in RawDigger. The Adapted Histogram video examines a series of recent images with the pink histograms and covers lots of fine points including and especially how to deal with specular highlights. The directions for setting up the Adapted Histogram are in the text.
If we priced this guide based on how much effort we put into it, it would sell it for $999.00. But as this guide will be purchased only by a limited number of serious photographers, we have priced it at $51.00. You can order yours here in the BAA Online Store.
Typos
With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
March 5th, 2023 Homer 2024
I have my dates for the two February 2024 Homer/Kachemak Bay Bald Eagle IPTs. If you would be interested in doing both 5-day trips (with a discount) and driving from Anchorage and Homer and back with me, please get in touch via e-mail.
What’s Up?
Please remember that the blog is meant to be interactive. Even if you do not opt to leave a comment, run through the question or questions in your head. Doing so will help you improve your photography. Thanks to the those who commented on yesterday’s image. I will respond to each comment as soon as this is posted.
In yesterday’s blog post, my very great preference is for the second version. Thanks to all of those who participated in what turned out to be a very educational conversation. As far as the pelican’s back being “too straight,” I am about 99.9% positive that had I not revealed the elimination of the OOF pelican, nobody would have said a word about that.
The morning was fair to OK as the northeast wind swung around to north by slightly west making flight photography difficult. The afternoon was another story. It was looking as if there would be decent sunset color. We tried one spot, but another boat was there, so we left. We tried a second and then a third spot, but were unable to bring the plan to fruition because of the low tide. We came up with a fourth idea and while we were exploring that one, Captain Gabe asked “What about that beach?” Bingo. We sat on a lovely sheltered beach with the wind behind us and shot eagle silhouettes of birds in flight and birds perched on rugged rocks. The sunset was gorgeous, and the afternoon turned out to be epic. Everyone created many nice images and learned a ton about shooting in Shutter Priority mode with AUTO ISO. I filled a card in less than an hour. We reviewed images at the bar in Land’s End as I and others in the group enjoyed a nice glass of Pinot Noir.
Note: Today’s featured image was not created on Saturday.
Today is Sunday 5 March 2023. The morning is for partly to mostly cloudy skies all day with a faint breeze from the east/northeast. We will try to find some wind for flight photography. This blog post took less than an hour to prepare and makes three hundred forty days in a row with a new educational post written just for you. Wherever you are and whatever you are doing, I hope that you too have a great day.
Please, please, pretty please remember to use my B&H or Bedford’s affiliate programs for all your new gear purchases. If you use B&H, please be sure to click on any B&H link in the blog to start your search. Or simply start with this link. There is always the option of e-mailing me for gear advice and for the correct links.
The plan is to continue to post every day until the streak reaches one year and one day and then begin posting every other day.
As above, 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.
Please remember that if an item — a Delkin flash card, or a tripod head — for example, that is available from B&H and/or Bedfords, is also available in the BAA Online Store, it would be great, and greatly appreciated, if you would opt to purchase from us. We will match any price. Please remember also to use my B&H affiliate links or to earn 3% cash back at Bedfords by using the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout for your major gear purchases. Doing either often earns you free guides and/or discounts. And always earns my great appreciation.
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.
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, prior purchases.
Visit the Bedfords website here, shoot Steve Elkins an e-mail, or text him on his cell phone at (479) 381-2592.
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.
|
|
|
This image was created on 27 February on a Homer/Kachemak Bay Bald Eagle IPT. I used the handheld Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II lens with the Sony FE 2x teleconverter (at 282mm), and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera). The exposure was determined via Zebra technology with Exposure Compensation on the thumb dial. Shutter Priority +2-stops. AUTO ISO set ISO 1600: 1/2500 sec. at f/5.6 (wide open). When evaluated in RawDigger, the raw file exposure was determined to be dead-solid perfect. AWB at 6:05:51pam just before sunset.
Tracking: Zone AF-C with Bird Face/Eye detection enabled performed perfectly. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version.
The Photo Mechanic screen capture for the Bald Eagle landing at sunset image
|
What is It?
What is the black shape in the lower right corner?
Keep or Delete? Why?
If this were your image, would you keep it or delete it? Either way, why?
If you would keep it, please leave a comment detailing your plans for the image optimization. Would you create a silhouette, or go for an image that revealed the tones of the eagle? How would you crop it? What would you do about the black shape in the lower right corner?
Typos
With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
|
|
