Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART

This Great Blue Heron was photographed at Anhinga Trail with the tripod-mounted Canon EF 600mm f/4L IS II USM lens, the Canon 1.4x EF Extender III (Teleconverter), and the Canon EOS-1D X Digital SLR Camera (Body Only). ISO 400. Evaluative metering +1 stop off the blue sky 35 degrees up from the horizon: 1/5000 sec. at f/5.6 Three down, two from the right sensor Surround/AI Servo/Rear Focus AF active at the moment of exposure. Click here if you missed the Rear Focus Tutorial. Click on the image to see a larger, sharper version.

Bokeh

Bokeh can be defined as the aesthetic quality of out-of-focus backgrounds in images created with telephoto lenses. Bokeh can be described as either pleasing or harsh. For me, lenses with poor Bokeh produce images with jangly looking backgrounds. Most on-line searches for the term Bokeh will turn up images with specular highlights in the backgrounds but images without specular highlights can also exhibit either good or bad Bokeh. I find the quality of the background in the image above to be quite pleasing.

BTW, the image above is right out of camera. I converted the image in DPP, saved the TIFF, and created the sharpened JPEG (unsharp mask at 125/.3/0 for 1024 wide or 800 tall) that you see above . No NIK Color Efex Pro. No nothing.

This is an unsharpened 100% crop of the image above. Click on it to see a larger version.

Incredible Sharpness & Fine Feather Detail

The unsharpened JPEG above is a 100% crop of opening image here. It shows the fabulous image quality of 1D X/1.4X III/600 II image files. Not to mention the incredible sharpness off this combination and the superb fine feather detail. While Patrick Sparkman’s dollar bill tests (see here), convinced me to add the 600 II to my arsenal, the proof for me will always be in the pudding, in the actual images created in the field.

Canon Digital Learning Center Everglades Workshop Kudos

I received this e-mail from participant Norris Siert this morning:

Hi, Art…

First and more important, I had a wonderful time with you, Denise, and the crew from Canon this weekend. It was a well-designed program and it was a delight to meet you and be guided by you, particularly as I am taking my very first steps back into photography after a 36-year absence and my initial steps into digital photography. As I said as I left, I am hopeful that I didn’t get in your way or that of the others as I fumbled my way through the experience. I hope the others had one tenth as good and as informative a time as I had.

Congratulations on providing a wonderful learning experience for all of us and particularly for me. I look forward to meeting you and Denise again somewhere and sometime.

Norris

Norris was not at all in anyone’s way. He is a very sweet man, a very happy camper, and, at 6’6″, very tall. 🙂

Note: receiving unsolicited notes like the one above keep denise and me stoked, eager to provide the best possible experience for those who join us at our workshops and seminars.

Weekend Creative Nature Photography Seminar, Tampa, FL: February 23 & 24, 2013: $149

You are invited to join Denise Ippolito and me on the weekend of February 23-24 on the outskirts of Tampa, FL for a great weekend of fun and learning. Learn to improve your photography skills, your skill at designing images in the field, your creative vision, and your image optimization skills. Sunday critiquing session. Click here for additional details and the complete schedule.

Pines West Camera Club EOL Program

I will be presenting “A Bird Photographer’s Story” for the Pines West Camera Club in Pembroke Pines, FL at 7pm on February 12, 2013. The program, sponsored by Canon Explorers of Light, is free and open to the public. Click here for additional details and scroll down for directions.

Typos

On all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or leave a comment regarding any typos, wrong words, misspellings, omissions, or grammatical errors. Just be right. 🙂

Support the BAA Blog. Support the BAA Bulletins: Shop B&H here!

We want and need to keep providing you with the latest free information, photography and Photoshop lessons, and all manner of related information. Show your appreciation by making your purchases immediately after clicking on any of our B&H or Amazon Affiliate links in this blog post. Remember, B&H ain’t just photography!

If you are considering an item for purchase or comparison shopping be sure to place an item in your cart to see the too-low-to show the actual price. In many cases the prices are so low that B&H is forbidden from publicizing them!

B&H Photo - Video - Pro Audio

Check for B&H Used Dept.

Support the BAA Blog. Support the BAA Bulletins: Shop Amazon here!

Consider doing all of your Amazon.com shopping using the search link below. You'll be getting the same low prices and great service that you are accustomed to and at the same time, supporting my efforts in the Bulletins and on the Blog to bring you great images, timely product news and info, and tons of free educational articles on an almost daily (and sometimes almost back-breaking) basis 🙂 Just type your search in the little white box and hit Go.

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 🙂 And you will love them in mega-cold weather....
Gizo GT3532 LS CF Tripod. This one replaces the GT3530LS Tripod and will last you a lifetime. Learn more about this great tripod here.
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.
Double Bubble Level. You will find one in my camera's hot shoe whenever I am not using flash.
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.
BreezeBrowser. I do not see how any digital photographer can exist without this program.
Delkin Flash Cards. I use and depend on Delkin compact Flash Cards and card readers most every day. Learn more about their great 700X and 1000X cards here or about my favorite Delkin card here.

Double-crested Cormorant, gular panting. This image was created at Anhinga Trail on the sunny afternoon of Thursday, February 7th with the hand held Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS II lens, the Canon 2x EF Extender III (Teleconverter), and the Canon EOS-1D X digital SLR . ISO 800. Evaluative metering -1/3 stop: 1/640 sec. at f/10 in Av mode. OK boys and girls, put your thinking caps on: why ISO 800 in bright late after sun? Was it simply a mistake or did I have a good reason? If the latter, what was my thinking. Notice the beautiful rich texture and detail in the bright yellow-orange colors of the gular sac (or pouch). Central sensor AI Servo Expand/Rear Focus AF active at the moment of exposure. I had the central sensor on the side of the bird’s breast on the same plane as the eye. Click here if you missed the Rear Focus Tutorial. Click on the image to see a larger version.

Anhinga Trail is Rocking

I picked up Denise and our friend and private client Geri Georg at the Fort Lauderdale airport on Thursday afternoon and after checking into the Hampton Inn we headed straight to Anhinga Trail in Everglades National Park where I will–with help from Denise, be conducting the Canon Digital Learning Center Destination event beginning Friday night and continuing through late Sunday. The good news is that Anhinga Trail is pretty much packed with tame birds. I will be sharing more images from the DLC shoot here as often as I can over the next few days. But I will be busy.

The bright yellow-orange bills of this species have long been problematic. What is the best way to restore detail to those bright yellow-oranges? With this image I ran a Linear Burn and followed that up with a 50% layer of NIK Color Efex Pro’s Detail Extractor. But I still was not happy. See the animated GIF below and then read on for the simple, long-overlooked, but deadly solution.

Give the animated GIF above a few moments to play. Note the before and after differences. Be sure to click on the optimized image below to see the large version of the optimized file.

The Simple, Long-overlooked, Yet Deadly Effective Solution

I optimized this image at dinner last night, and when I looked at it again on Friday afternoon I thought, “Those yellow-oranges are still too bright with nowhere near enough detail….” Then, a brainstorm. I brought the image back into Photoshop, opened a Hue-Saturation Layer, selected the yellow channel from the drop-down menu, and rather than de-saturating the image I simply moved the Brightness slider to the left to -10. Volia. Now I have a new trick that I will use often for too-bright, seemingly over-saturated colors.

Not that I lightened the area around the eye with a Tim Grey non-destructive Dodge and Burn and cleaned up the schmutz–don’t ask, it a technical term from the Yiddish language–on the bill with the Patch Tool and a series of warped Quick Masks. All as detailed in our Digital Basics File that includes my complete digital workflow, dozens of great Photoshop tips, all of my time-saving Keyboard Shortcuts, and free updates.

MP4 Photoshop Tutorial Videos

See and hear me at work in Photoshop in these great MP4 instructional videos. Cheap! You can see them all and learn more here and learn about our latest offering here.

Southwest Florida IPT $600 Late Registration Discount!

If you would like to join us on the Southwest Florida IPT (see below) please call Jim on Monday at 863-692-0906 to register or shoot me an e-mail to save one of the two availble spots for you. Or contact me via e-mail for a pro-rated quote if you can make only part of this great IPT.

SW FLA IPT. FEB 16-21, 2013. Introductory slide program: 7pm on 2/15. 6-FULL DAYS: $2999. Co-leaders: Denise Ippolito and Robert Amoruso. Limit: 10/Openings 2 due to two late cancellations

Payment in full is due now

This is my bread and butter IPT; learn the basics and the advanced fine points from the best; escape winter’s icy grip and enjoy tons of tame birds! Subjects will include nesting Great Blue Heron and Great Egret, Mottled Duck, Brown and White Pelican at point-blank range, Snowy & Reddish Egret, Tricolored Heron, Yellow-crowned Night Heron, Osprey, wintering shorebirds and plovers, gulls and terns, & Burrowing Owl. All ridiculously tame. Roseate Spoonbill, Black-bellied Whistling Duck, American Oystercatcher, and who knows what are possible.

Click here to learn more about this IPT.

Pines West Camera Club EOL Program

I will be presenting “A Bird Photographer’s Story” for the Pines West Camera Club in Pembroke Pines, FL at 7pm on February 12, 2013. The program, sponsored by Canon Explorers of Light, is free and open to the public. Click here for additional details and scroll down for directions.

Typos

On all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or leave a comment regarding any typos, wrong words, misspellings, omissions, or grammatical errors. Just be right. 🙂

Support the BAA Blog. Support the BAA Bulletins: Shop B&H here!

We want and need to keep providing you with the latest free information, photography and Photoshop lessons, and all manner of related information. Show your appreciation by making your purchases immediately after clicking on any of our B&H or Amazon Affiliate links in this blog post. Remember, B&H ain’t just photography!

If you are considering an item for purchase or comparison shopping be sure to place an item in your cart to see the too-low-to show the actual price. In many cases the prices are so low that B&H is forbidden from publicizing them!

B&H Photo - Video - Pro Audio

Check for B&H Used Dept.

Support the BAA Blog. Support the BAA Bulletins: Shop Amazon here!

Consider doing all of your Amazon.com shopping using the search link below. You'll be getting the same low prices and great service that you are accustomed to and at the same time, supporting my efforts in the Bulletins and on the Blog to bring you great images, timely product news and info, and tons of free educational articles on an almost daily (and sometimes almost back-breaking) basis 🙂 Just type your search in the little white box and hit Go.

Leopard on rock with tongue out.

Invitation One

All serious nature photographers who are Happy Campers are invited to join Todd Gustafson, Denise Ippolito, and me on an African Photographic IPT/Safari to Tanzania this coming August as below.

Africa Photo Safari: August 2013

Serengeti Summer Migration Safari: 12 full and two half-days of photography: $12,999/person double occupancy. Limit: 12/Openings: 9.

Leaders: Todd Gustafson, Denise Ippolito, and Arthur Morris. Tanzania Summer Migration Safari. Leave the US on August 3. Day 1 of the safari is August 5. We will visit Tarangire for great dry season photography, Seronera Lodge–aka Leopard City!–twice, Central Serengeti for big cats, Northern Serengeti and our mobile tented camp to search for river crossings, and the spectacular wildlife spectacle that is Ngorongoro Crater. Our last morning of photography is August 18. Fly home from Arusha, Tanzania on the evening of August 18.

A deposit of $4,000 is due now. This trip is a go. Happy Campers only please. Guaranteed maximum no more than 12 photographers plus the three great leaders. 3 persons/van. You get a row of seats for yourself and your gear. In addition to rotating in-the-field instruction with each of the co-leaders, artie, Todd, and denise will be available for image sharing and review and informal Photoshop instruction during breaks and after meals. And–with apologies to Miss Manners–even during meals!

Once we cash your check you will be strongly advised to purchase travel insurance. You may wish to consider using Travel Insurance Services. Do understand that most policies must be purchased within two weeks of our cashing your deposit check. The 2nd payment of $4000 is due MAR 30, 2012. The final payment/balance is due MAY 30, 2013. Sign up with a friend or a spouse and apply a $300 per person discount.

The lodging is all first class. Please e-mail to request a PDF with additional details, the complete itinerary, and a description of the unparalleled photographic opportunities that we will enjoy. Please e-mail or call me on my cell at 1-863-221-2372 with any questions. I hope that you can join us.

Wildebeest (Gnu) running, classic 1/15 second pan blur.

Lesser Flamingo taking flight, full downstroke: one of two ideal wing positions.

Cape Buffalo mom’s nose with young. Would you have left the nose?

Wildebeests and zebras waiting to cross. What would have been the way to juice up the sky?

African Firefinch, male at water drip.

Wildebeest, masses crossing.

African Lion, male grimacing after flemen display during which they use an olfactory gland called the Jacobson’s Organ to interpret pheromone messages (scents) left behind by other lions.

Cape Buffalo, face portrait. Would you have framed this any differently?

Mother and young zebra posing. Moments like this last for only a second or two at most. Hesitate for an instant and get nothing. And you’d better have the right exposure because the WHITEs on zebras are much brighter than you could possibly imagine.

Young male African Elephants greeting each other. We stayed with this excellent situation for more than an hour before the group moved off.

African Crocodiles in excess of 18 feet are not rare.

Close-up views of Wildebeests can be particularly revealing.

African Elephant baby interacting with mother. This one is the rule of thirds times two!

Your Favorites?

Please take a moment to leave a comment and let us know which are your favorite images, and why.

SW FLA IPT

Speaking of IPTs, we are, due to two recent cancellations, able to offer a huge late registration discount to the first two lucky photographers to respond. Call me today at 863-692-0906 or call Jim or Jen at the same number asap during the week.

SW FLA IPT. FEB 16-21, 2013. Introductory slide program: 7pm on 2/15. 6-FULL DAYS: $2999. Co-leaders: Denise Ippolito and Robert Amoruso. Limit: 10/Openings 2.

Payment in full is due now

This is my bread and butter IPT; learn the basics and the advanced fine points from the best; escape winter’s icy grip and enjoy tons of tame birds! Subjects will include nesting Great Blue Heron and Great Egret, Mottled Duck, Brown and White Pelican at point-blank range, Snowy & Reddish Egret, Tricolored Heron, Yellow-crowned Night Heron, Osprey, wintering shorebirds and plovers, gulls and terns, & Burrowing Owl. All ridiculously tame. Roseate Spoonbill, Black-bellied Whistling Duck, American Oystercatcher, and who knows what are possible.

Click here to learn more about this IPT.

Pines West Camera Club EOL Program

I will be presenting “A Bird Photographer’s Story” for the Pines West Camera Club in Pembroke Pines, FL at 7pm on February 12, 2013. The program, sponsored by Canon Explorers of Light, is free and open to the public. Click here for additional details and scroll down for directions.

Fort DeSoto Morning In-the-Field Workshop/One Slot Left!

Fort DeSoto In-the-field Workshop: FEB 25. Pre-dawn -10:30am. Strict Limit 16/Openings 1. Includes a great working lunch: $275.

On Monday morning, February 25, Denise Ippolito and I will be co-leading a morning In-the-field Workshop at Fort DeSoto, south of St. Petersburg, FL. We should get to photograph a variety of very tame herons, egrets, gulls, terns, and shorebirds. Spoonbills possible. There will be lots of individual and small group instruction. We will cover exposure and histograms, seeing the situation, creating sharp images, and lots more. Each registrant will have a personalized gear and set-up check. The more questions you ask, the more you will learn.

A great working lunch at the Sea Porch Café on St. Petersburg Beach is included. All are invited to bring a laptop along for image sharing at lunch. After the workshop, all are invited to send us three 1024 wide or 800 tall JPEGs for critiquing. Call 1-863-692-0906 to register or send us a Paypal. Either way, be sure to note that the payment is for the Fort DeSoto In-the-Field Workshop.

Weekend Creative Nature Photography Seminar, Tampa, FL: February 23 & 24, 2013: $149 Limit: 50/Openings: 2

Best to register soon as there are just 4 seats left. The In-the-field Workshop above follows the Weekend Creative Nature Photography Seminar. You are invited to join Denise Ippolito and me on the weekend of February 23-24 on the outskirts of Tampa, FL for a great weekend of fun and learning. Learn to improve your photography skills, your skill at designing images in the field, your creative vision, and your image optimization skills. Sunday critiquing session. Click here for additional details and the complete schedule.

Typos

On all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or leave a comment regarding any typos, wrong words, misspellings, omissions, or grammatical errors. Just be right. 🙂

Support the BAA Blog. Support the BAA Bulletins: Shop B&H here!

We want and need to keep providing you with the latest free information, photography and Photoshop lessons, and all manner of related information. Show your appreciation by making your purchases immediately after clicking on any of our B&H or Amazon Affiliate links in this blog post. Remember, B&H ain’t just photography!

If you are considering an item for purchase or comparison shopping be sure to place an item in your cart to see the too-low-to show the actual price. In many cases the prices are so low that B&H is forbidden from publicizing them!

B&H Photo - Video - Pro Audio

Check for B&H Used Dept.

Support the BAA Blog. Support the BAA Bulletins: Shop Amazon here!

Consider doing all of your Amazon.com shopping using the search link below. You'll be getting the same low prices and great service that you are accustomed to and at the same time, supporting my efforts in the Bulletins and on the Blog to bring you great images, timely product news and info, and tons of free educational articles on an almost daily (and sometimes almost back-breaking) basis 🙂 Just type your search in the little white box and hit Go.

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 🙂 And you will love them in mega-cold weather....
Gizo GT3532 LS CF Tripod. This one replaces the GT3530LS Tripod and will last you a lifetime. Learn more about this great tripod here.
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.
Double Bubble Level. You will find one in my camera's hot shoe whenever I am not using flash.
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.
BreezeBrowser. I do not see how any digital photographer can exist without this program.
Delkin Flash Cards. I use and depend on Delkin compact Flash Cards and card readers most every day. Learn more about their great 700X and 1000X cards here or about my favorite Delkin card here.

This 3-frame in-camera multiple exposure dahlia image was created with the hand held Canon 100mm f/2.8L macro lens (now replaced by the Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L IS macro lens) and the Canon EOS 5D Mark III Digital camera body. In natural light with a reflector. Exposure set to Average. Denise loves her 5D Mark III as much as I love mine. See here for my reasons. Image #1 courtesy of and copyright 2012: Denise Ippolito. Click on the image to see a larger version.

Creative Flower Photography

Most of the time that I see flower images in books and magazines I am left scratching my head. Flowers make great subjects but you need to avoid photographing them in harsh, direct sun, you need to put your thinking cap on when it comes to the direction and quality of the light and the use of diffusers and reflectors, and you need to think creatively. Simply put, Denise Ippolito is a flower photography master. The first four images in this blog post are Denise’s.

Denise often hand holds her 100 macro for flowers as it gives her freedom to move around when looking for cool images and compositions. She is quite skilled at keeping the camera still once she has focused manually and decided on her image design. Even when she winds up using a tripod she usually finds the image that she wants while hand holding to explore.

You Like?

Take a moment to leave a comment and let you know which of the 7 images here are your faves, and why.

This dahlia image was created with the Canon 100mm f/2.8L macro lens (now replaced by the Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L IS macro lens) and the Canon EOS 5D Mark III Digital camera body. Tripod. Manual focus. Moved in tight for a closeup of the petals. Natural light. Processed in Nik Color Efex Pro using one of the Duplex filters. Image #2 courtesy of and copyright 2012: Denise Ippolito. Click on the image to see a larger version.

See Denise’s February 1, 2013 blog post, “Composition Exercise” here.

This 3-frame in-camera multiple exposure dahlia image was created with the Canon 100mm f/2.8L macro lens (now replaced by the Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L IS macro lens) and the Canon EOS 5D Mark III Digital camera body. Tripod. Manual focus. Exposure set to Average. Photographed in natural light on a black cloth. Two stems were removed in Photoshop. Image #3 courtesy of and copyright 2012: Denise Ippolito. Click on the image to see a larger version.

If you liked the first and the third images here you will surely want to get yourself a copy of Denise’s “Creative Multiple Exposures” MP 4 video tutorial. To learn everything that you need to know about your 5D Mark III check out my EOS-5D Mark III User’s Guide here. It includes everything that I know about the great new AF system (including my customs case for photographing birds in flight), recommendations and explanations of all the menu items and custom functions that I use, and how I set up my 5D III for both in-camera multiple exposures and in-camera HDRs. Have a different Canon or Nikon body? We may have a User’s Guide for your camera here.

This dahlia image was created with the Canon 100mm f/2.8L macro lens (now replaced by the Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L IS macro lens) and the Canon EOS 5D Mark III Digital camera body. Tripod. Manual focus. Photoshop zoom blur, with the center revealed via a Layer Mask. Then the Pinch Filter in Photoshop was applied. Image #4 courtesy of and copyright 2012: Denise Ippolito. Click on the image to see a larger version.

Denise is incredibly skilled and creative when it comes to filtering and effects. She is the author of “A Guide to Creative Filters and Effects.” Learn more about this great eGuide here. And if you liked all of Denise’s flower images–heck, it’s hard not to–you’d really enjoy her “Bloomin’ Ideas” eBook.

Flower Photography Seminar/Worshop

Click here and scroll down for details on Denise’s March 22-24, 2013 Flower Photography Seminar/Worshop in Kennett Square, PA near the spectacular Longwood Gardens.

I created this California Poppy image at Morro Bay, CA with the hand held Canon EF 180mm f/3.5L macro lens and the Canon EOS-5D Mark III. ISO 400. Evaluative metering +2/3 stop: 1/1000 sec. at f/3.5 in Av mode. Central sensor/AI Servo Rear Focus AF active and re-composed. Click here if you missed the Rear Focus Tutorial. Image #5 copyright 2012: Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART. Click on the image to see a larger version.

While Denise prefers the 100 macro for her flowers I am more of a telephoto person so I prefer the 180 macro for its narrower angle of view. To create the poppy image above, I used lessons that Denise taught me: think backlight in bright sun and focus selectively on an edge for impact. I was on the ground using my elbows as a bi-pod to ensure sharpness and accurate focus.

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This bird of paradise image was created on the San Diego IPT in January 2010 with the Canon EF 800mm f/5.6L IS lens and the discontinued EOS-1D Mark IV (replaced for me by the Canon EOS-1D X Digital SLR camera. ISO 400. Evaluative metering +1 1/3 stops: 1/100 sec. at f/7.1 in Av mode. Central sensor/AI Servo Rear Focus AF. Click here if you missed the Rear Focus Tutorial. Image #6 copyright 2012: Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART. Click on the image to see a larger version.

As you can see by the images above and below, I love using really long glass for flowers in the right situation.

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This ornamental water lily image was created at the Naples Botanical Gardens with the Canon EF 800mm f/5.6L IS lens and the discontinued EOS-1D Mark IV (replaced for me by the Canon EOS-1D X Digital SLR camera. ISO 400. Evaluative metering +1 1/3 stops: 1/30 sec. at f/8 in Av mode. Central sensor/AI Servo Rear Focus AF active and re-compose. Click here if you missed the Rear Focus Tutorial. Image #7 copyright 2012: Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART. Click on the image to see a larger version.

A really long focal length lens was needed to create the image above because the nicest lily pad was located in the middle of a large concrete pond. As you can see by viewing and studying all of the images above there is no best lens for flower photography. Do consider joining Denise and me for 5 great days of flower photography on the Swan Island IPT; we will be using all of the above lenses and more. See the details immediately below.

All images courtesy of and copyright 2012: Denise Ippolito. Click for a larger version.

A Creative Adventure/BIRDS AS ART Swan Island Dahlia Farm Instructional Photo-Tour, September 11-15, 2013: 5 FULL DAYS: $1649

Join Denise Ippolito and Arthur Morris at the Swan Island Dahlia Farm in Canby, Oregon (just south of Portland) for a great learning and photography experience. Swan Island features more than 40 acres with over 350 varieties of dahlias in a plethora of colors, shapes and sizes, making it one of the largest growers in the United States.

Daily Photo Schedule

We will enjoy four morning (7:00am till 10:30am) and five afternoon (3:30pm till 6pm) photography sessions. While we will do most of our photography at the Swan Island Dahlia Farm, we will also visit the Portland Rose Garden and/or the Portland Japanese Garden on this IPT. The in-the-field instruction will include seeing the situation, the use of selective focus, creative use of depth of field, histogram and exposure guidance, designing creative images, choosing your background, isolating your subject, lens options, and the use of reflectors and diffusers. Our field sessions will include challenging photography assignments geared to make you think creatively. Both personalized and small group instruction will be provided. All times are tentative and subject to change based on the weather and on local conditions.

Seminar Morning: Friday, September 13: 8:30am till 12:30pm

Denise will begin by presenting her “Bloomin’ Ideas” program, an overview of the in-the-field and post-processing techniques that she has used and developed over the past few years to create her signature look. Artie will follow with a Photoshop session that will be geared towards all levels. He’ll be sharing some of his favorite techniques and tips while working on images from the first two days of the IPT. Denise will conclude the seminar portion of the IPT with a Photoshop demo; she will share her creative workflow using a variety of Photoshop filters and effects. The entire morning is designed to give you a peek into the minds of two very skilled and creative folks.

The group will have lunch together daily. All are invited to bring their laptops for image sharing. We hope that you can join us for an intense five days of learning and some of the best flower photography to be had in North America.

Deposit Info and Cancellation Policies:

A $449 non-refundable deposit is required to hold your slot for this IPT. Your balance is due 4 months before the date of the IPT and is also non-refundable. If the trip fills, we will be glad to apply a credit applicable to a future IPT for the full amount less a $100 processing fee. If we do not receive your check for the balance on or before the due date we will try to fill your spot from the waiting list. If your spot is filled, you will lose your deposit. If not, you can secure your spot by paying your balance.

Please print, complete, and sign the form that is linked to here and shoot it to us along with your deposit check (made out to “Arthur Morris.”) You can also leave your deposit with a credit card by calling the office at 863-692-0906. We will be short-handed in the office until January 21 so please leave a message and we will call you back. If you register by phone, please print, complete and sign the form as noted above and either mail it to us or e-mail the scan.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me via e-mail

Fort DeSoto Morning In-the-Field Workshop

Fort DeSoto In-the-field Workshop: FEB 25. Pre-dawn -10:30am. Strict Limit 16/openings: 1. Includes a great working lunch: $275.

On Monday morning, February 25, Denise Ippolito and I will be co-leading a morning In-the-field Workshop at Fort DeSoto, south of St. Petersburg, FL. We should get to photograph a variety of very tame herons, egrets, gulls, terns, and shorebirds. Spoonbills possible. There will be lots of individual and small group instruction. We will cover exposure and histograms, seeing the situation, creating sharp images, and lots more. Each registrant will have a personalized gear and set-up check. The more questions you ask, the more you will learn.

A great working lunch at the Sea Porch Café on St. Petersburg Beach is included. All are invited to bring a laptop along for image sharing at lunch. After the workshop, all are invited to send us three 1024 wide or 800 tall JPEGs for critiquing. Call 1-863-692-0906 to register or send us a Paypal. Either way, be sure to note that the payment is for the Fort DeSoto In-the-Field Workshop.

Weekend Creative Nature Photography Seminar, Tampa, FL: February 23 & 24, 2013: $149 Limit: 50/Openings: 1

Best to register soon as there are just 4 seats left. The In-the-field Workshop above follows the Weekend Creative Nature Photography Seminar. You are invited to join Denise Ippolito and me on the weekend of February 23-24 on the outskirts of Tampa, FL for a great weekend of fun and learning. Learn to improve your photography skills, your skill at designing images in the field, your creative vision, and your image optimization skills. Sunday critiquing session. Click here for additional details and the complete schedule.

Typos

On all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or leave a comment regarding any typos, wrong words, misspellings, omissions, or grammatical errors. Just be right. 🙂

Support the BAA Blog. Support the BAA Bulletins: Shop B&H here!

We want and need to keep providing you with the latest free information, photography and Photoshop lessons, and all manner of related information. Show your appreciation by making your purchases immediately after clicking on any of our B&H or Amazon Affiliate links in this blog post. Remember, B&H ain’t just photography!

If you are considering an item for purchase or comparison shopping be sure to place an item in your cart to see the too-low-to show the actual price. In many cases the prices are so low that B&H is forbidden from publicizing them!

B&H Photo - Video - Pro Audio

Check for B&H Used Dept.

Support the BAA Blog. Support the BAA Bulletins: Shop Amazon here!

Consider doing all of your Amazon.com shopping using the search link below. You'll be getting the same low prices and great service that you are accustomed to and at the same time, supporting my efforts in the Bulletins and on the Blog to bring you great images, timely product news and info, and tons of free educational articles on an almost daily (and sometimes almost back-breaking) basis :) Just type your search in the little white box and hit Go.

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 :) And you will love them in mega-cold weather....
Gizo GT3532 LS CF Tripod. This one replaces the GT3530LS Tripod and will last you a lifetime. Learn more about this great tripod here.
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.
Double Bubble Level. You will find one in my camera's hot shoe whenever I am not using flash.
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.
BreezeBrowser. I do not see how any digital photographer can exist without this program.
Delkin Flash Cards. I use and depend on Delkin compact Flash Cards and card readers most every day. Learn more about their great 700X and 1000X cards here or about my favorite Delkin card here.

This sub-adult Ring-billed Gull was photographed in flight at Jamesport, NY with the hand held Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS II USM lens with the Canon 1.4x EF Extender III (Teleconverter) and the Canon EOS-1D X Digital SLR camera body. ISO 800. Evaluative metering + 2 1/3 stops off the light grey sky was 1/2500 sec. at f/4 in Manual mode. This worked out to about +1 1/3 stops as framed. Why? Because the gull is well darker overall than the sky. Read and study the info below to solidify your understanding. Central sensor/AI Servo Surround/Rear Focus AF active at the moment of exposure. Click here if you missed the Rear Focus Tutorial. Click on the image to see a larger version. If you own a 1D X be sure to check out the info on our EOS-1D X Autofocus Guide below. Note that after I adjusted the sliders during RAW conversion in DPP the RGB values for the brightest WHITEs (the uppermost tail feathers) were R: 230, G: 232, and B: 235. To learn how and why I now use DPP for all of my Canon images click here. Note: this JPEG represents the full frame original capture. Eye Doctor work as in the MP4 videos of the same name here.

Exposure Confusion and Misconceptions Clarified

While reading most of the comments at Monday’s blog post, “Learning to Think Like a Pro In The Field,” it is very clear that many folks are far more confused about exposure and about working in Manual mode than they should be. Kudos to Charles Scheffold who gave an answer that was both simple and correct: “The background behind the gull (water) was darker than the sky – that’s the reason for the exposure difference as framed.” Elinor Osborn was the only other photographer who gave a reasonable (though wordy) answer to my question, which boiled down to this: “Why did that 2 1/3 stops off the light grey sky work out to 1 2/3 stops as framed?”

It is no coincidence that both Charles and Elinor have attended multiple BIRDS AS ART IPTs (Instructional Photo-Tours)….

I will begin here by suggesting that everyone who is not 100% confident about working in Manual mode click here for the free excerpt adapted from “The Art of Bird Photography II (ABP II: 916 pages on CD only). Read it. Bookmark it. And return often to study it until you understand the principles and are comfortable working in Manual mode.

I will continue by addressing many of the misconceptions gleaned from the comments on Monday’s post.

The Starting Point

In many situations, I use the sky as a starting point for my exposure calculations. Why? I always try to meter off something large and of consistent tonality as a starting point. The sky–I usually meter about 30 degrees up from the horizon–often works quite well. When the sky is not of uniform tonality I will look for a large cloud and work off that. At times I will meter off the sand and at times I will meter off the water. Anything that is large and of consistent tonality will work.

Where to Next?

Once you have chosen a starting point, how do you know how much light to add (or in rare instances, to subtract)? If you are experienced and have studied exposure theory on pages 58-63 (and especially the diagram on page 62) in the original “The Art of Bird Photography” and fully understand the material covered in the Exposure Simplified section of “The Art of Bird Photography II (ABP II: 916 pages on CD only), you will generally have a good idea as to whether you need to add 3 full stops of light or to subtract 1 stop of light or be somewhere in between.

Here’s the rub: even if you have not mastered the materials and the principles referred to above you can still get it right in the field as long as the light is consistent for a few minutes and the subject remains available. Let’s say you meter a light grey sky 30 degrees above the horizon and null the meter so that your aperture and exposure settings yield an exposure that matches the exposure suggested by your camera’s evaluative or matrix metering pattern. The indicator that moves up and down on the analog scale in your viewfinder should fall on the 0 mark. Next, point your lens at the subject and make an image. Take a look at the histogram. If there is not any data in the rightmost histogram box or two, you can try adding one full stop of light to the exposure that you have set. In bird photography this is usually done by choosing a slower shutter speed but it can also be done by choosing a wider aperture or a higher ISO. Now make another image. You will need to keep adding light until you have data at least halfway into the rightmost histogram box. This will give you a workable RAW file with the WHITEs showing RGB values in the 225-235 range. Just what you want.

If you meter off a large area of consistent tonality and make an image with those settings that includes the subject and you find that there are large areas that show flashing highlights, it indicates that you have severely over-exposed the image. The data will be pegged to the wall on the right side of the histogram. In this case, you will need to subtract light by choosing a faster shutter speed, a smaller aperture, or a lower ISO. Keep adjusting your exposure until you have data that protrudes only halfway into the rightmost histogram box.

In both cases, you will be learning as you go.

Understanding “As framed”

In both of the situations above the indicator on the analog scale that you see in the viewfinder will almost always fall on a different value when you are metering off your large, consistently toned area and compensating than it will when you include the subject in the frame. In the original post I wrote that I added 2 1/3 stops of light to the meter reading off the light grey sky and that when I framed the gull image that the indicator showed just 1 2/3 stops of over-exposure. The 2 1/3 stops off the sky was 2/3 of a stop brighter than the gull image “as framed.”

A Further Explanation

If you meter a large area of consistent tonality and set that exposure manually (with or without any compensation) do understand that as you point your lens anywhere else that the indicator on the analog scale will move up and down to indicate the current level or over- or under-exposure. Your goal is to learn to calculate and set the correct exposure for the subject manually so that you do not have to worry about how different backgrounds or even about how a different composition or a pose will affect the metering (as it would if you were in Av or Tv mode).

Why 2 1/3 stops brighter than the sky?

Why did I choose to add 2 1/3 stops to the meter reading off the light grey sky? Because experience taught me that doing so would yield an image of the gull with the WHITE tones in the RAW file coming into Photoshop with RGB values between 225 and 235. On some cloudy days adding only 2 stops to the meter reading off the sky might be perfect. On other days, you might need to go as high as +2 2/3 stops or even more when working in dense fog. You must learn to work in Manual mode with all black and white birds otherwise the meter will be unduly influenced by large changing areas of black and white and your exposures will be all over the place. And most of those places will be places where do you not want to be….

Confused?

If you are confused by anything above, please feel free to leave a comment. If you are confused by everything above and want to learn how to get the right exposure quickly and consistently, do consider purchasing the two-book bundle, ABP and ABPII by clicking here. You can learn more about ABP, ABPII, and Digital Basics by clicking here. Whatever you do, you will actually need to study the materials and then practice in order to reduce the learning curve. Putting the books under your pillow just will not work.

The EOS-1D X Autofocus Guide

The EOS-1D X Autofocus Guide, here-in-after the 1D X AF Guide, is a 60-page eBook with 19 screen captures. It includes everything that I know about the 1D X AF system. Instructions on how to use all AF-related buttons, dials, and wheels and my settings for all AF-related Menu Items. But for iTR AF, the 1D X has the same great autofocus system that was introduced with the 5D Mark III. Only better and on steroids.

Of special interest to bird photographers will be my comments and strategies involving Cases 1-6, the custom-Case that I created and use for most of my bird photography (with detailed instructions for setting it up of course), my strategy for Select AF area selection mode (on AF4, the fourth purple menu), and pretty much anything that has to do with 1D X autofocus….

This eBook is written in my customary easy-to-read, easy-to-understand, easy-to-follow style. Few realize the time and effort that goes into creating a guide of only 7,000 words. Do note, however, that writing how-to requires a huge amount of study, writing, re-writing, and fact checking in order to come up with something that is clear and concise. As is usual, I needed lots of help on this guide and as usual, I got it from my friend Rudy Winston, Canon Advisor, Technical Information. Rudy’s knowledge of the various Canon digital camera bodies is encyclopedic and is exceeded only by his helpfulness and generosity.

To order your copy now, click here, call Jim at 863-692-0906, or send a check for $25 to us at BIRDS AS ART, PO Box 7245, Indian Lake Estates, FL, 33855. If the latter, be sure to let us know what you are paying for and include your typed or clearly written e-mail address.

Southwest Florida IPT $600 Late Registration Discount!

If you would like to join us on the Southwest Florida IPT (see below) please call Jim on Monday at 863-692-0906 to register or shoot me an e-mail to save one of the two spots for you.

SW FLA IPT. FEB 16-21, 2013. Introductory slide program: 7pm on 2/15. 6-FULL DAYS: $2999. Co-leaders: Denise Ippolito and Robert Amoruso. Limit: 10/Openings 2 due to two late cancellations

Payment in full is due now

This is my bread and butter IPT; learn the basics and the advanced fine points from the best; escape winter’s icy grip and enjoy tons of tame birds! Subjects will include nesting Great Blue Heron and Great Egret, Mottled Duck, Brown and White Pelican at point-blank range, Snowy & Reddish Egret, Tricolored Heron, Yellow-crowned Night Heron, Osprey, wintering shorebirds and plovers, gulls and terns, & Burrowing Owl. All ridiculously tame. Roseate Spoonbill, Black-bellied Whistling Duck, American Oystercatcher, and who knows what are possible.

Click here to learn more about this IPT.

Fort DeSoto Morning In-the-Field Workshop

Fort DeSoto In-the-field Workshop: FEB 25. Pre-dawn -10:30am. Limit 16/openings: 5. Includes a great working lunch: $275.

On Monday morning, February 25, Denise Ippolito and I will be co-leading a morning In-the-field Workshop at Fort DeSoto, south of St. Petersburg, FL. We should get to photograph a variety of very tame herons, egrets, gulls, terns, and shorebirds. Spoonbills possible. There will be lots of individual and small group instruction. We will cover exposure and histograms, seeing the situation, creating sharp images, and lots more. Each registrant will have a personalized gear and set-up check. The more questions you ask, the more you will learn.

A great working lunch at the Sea Porch Café on St. Petersburg Beach is included. All are invited to bring a laptop along for image sharing at lunch. After the workshop, all are invited to send us three 1024 wide or 800 tall JPEGs for critiquing. Call 1-863-692-0906 to register or send us a Paypal. Either way, be sure to note that the payment is for the Fort DeSoto In-the-Field Workshop.

Weekend Creative Nature Photography Seminar, Tampa, FL: February 23 & 24, 2013: $149 Limit: 50/Openings: 2

Best to register soon as there are just 2 seats left. The In-the-field Workshop above follows the Weekend Creative Nature Photography Seminar. You are invited to join Denise Ippolito and me on the weekend of February 23-24 on the outskirts of Tampa, FL for a great weekend of fun and learning. Learn to improve your photography skills, your skill at designing images in the field, your creative vision, and your image optimization skills. Sunday critiquing session. Click here for additional details and the complete schedule.

Typos

On all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or leave a comment regarding any typos, wrong words, misspellings, omissions, or grammatical errors. Just be right. 🙂

Support the BAA Blog. Support the BAA Bulletins Shop B&H

We want and need to keep providing you with the latest free information, photography and Photoshop lessons, and all manner of related information. Show your appreciation by making your purchases immediately after clicking on any of our B&H or Amazon Affiliate links in this blog post. Remember, B&H ain’t just photography!

If you are considering an item for purchase or comparison shopping be sure to place an item in your cart to see the too-low-to show the actual price. In many cases the prices are so low that B&H is forbidden from publicizing them!

Shop Amazon

Consider doing all of your Amazon.com shopping using the search link below. You’ll be getting the same low prices and great service that you are accustomed to and at the same time, supporting my efforts in the Bulletins and on the Blog to bring you great images, timely product news and info, and tons of free educational articles on an almost daily (and sometimes almost back-breaking) basis 🙂 Just type your search in the little white box and hit Go.

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 🙂 And you will love them in mega-cold weather….
Gizo GT3532 LS CF Tripod. This one replaces the GT3530LS Tripod and will last you a lifetime. Learn more about this great tripod here.
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.
Double Bubble Level. You will find one in my camera’s hot shoe whenever I am not using flash.
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.
BreezeBrowser. I do not see how any digital photographer can exist without this program.
Delkin Flash Cards. I use and depend on Delkin compact Flash Cards and card readers most every day. Learn more about their great 700X and 1000X cards here or about my favorite Delkin card here.

Fort DeSoto Morning In-the-Field Workshop

Fort DeSoto In-the-field Workshop: FEB 25. Pre-dawn -10:30am. Limit 16/openings: 10. Includes a great working lunch: $275.

On Monday morning, February 25, Denise Ippolito and I will be co-leading a morning In-the-field Workshop at Fort DeSoto, south of St. Petersburg, FL. We should get to photograph a variety of very tame herons, egrets, gulls, terns, and shorebirds. Spoonbills possible. There will be lots of individual and small group instruction. We will cover exposure and histograms, seeing the situation, creating sharp images, and lots more. Each registrant will have a personalized gear and set-up check. The more questions you ask, the more you will learn.

A great working lunch at the Sea Porch Café on St. Petersburg Beach is included. All are invited to bring a laptop along for image sharing at lunch. After the workshop, all are invited to send us three 1024 wide or 800 tall JPEGs for critiquing. Call 1-863-692-0906 to register or send us a Paypal. Either way, be sure to note that the payment is for the Fort DeSoto In-the-Field Workshop.

Weekend Creative Nature Photography Seminar, Tampa, FL: February 23 & 24, 2013: $149 Limit: 50/Openings: 4

Best to register soon as there are just 4 seats left. The In-the-field Workshop above follows the Weekend Creative Nature Photography Seminar. You are invited to join Denise Ippolito and me on the weekend of February 23-24 on the outskirts of Tampa, FL for a great weekend of fun and learning. Learn to improve your photography skills, your skill at designing images in the field, your creative vision, and your image optimization skills. Sunday critiquing session. Click here for additional details and the complete schedule.

Great Black-backed Gull head and shoulders portrait, from the January Barnegat Jetty IPT with the tripod-mounted Canon EF 800mm f/5.6L IS USM Autofocus lens, the Canon 1.4x EF Extender III (teleconverter), and the Canon EOS-1D X digital SLR . ISO 400. Evaluative metering -2/3 stop: 1/2000 sec. at f/8 in Manual mode. This is the first bird that we encountered on the first afternoon of the IPT so we stopped to go over some exposure basics. As the light was so bright I was sort of surprised that I wound up with a rather nice image. Reminder: in bright sun, it is more important than ever to point your shadow at the subject.

EOS-1D X News: It Was All My Fault

Well, Almost All My Fault…

In the “Shooting Blanks: Do As I Say, Not As I Do” blog post here, I wrote, I am still not sure how that happened, but, it happened.” The next day I received an e-mail from Doug Howell suggesting that I might have inadvertently pressed the Card/Image size selection button on the left rear of the back of the camera and then rotated the thumb wheel. I asked that Doug post his e-mail as a comment on the blog but he misunderstood and posted it on BPN in the gear forum. Shortly thereafter I received several e-mails, the first from Jeff Rugg, advising that I check out the January 22, 2013 Canon Rumors post here.

This is the symbol for the Card/Image size selection button. It is located on the left rear of the back of the camera next to the small, lower LCD screen.

An Error in My Thinking…

When I first began working on this blog post I remembered attempting to change the color temperature when we were photographing the sunrise on the morning of Saturday, February 19 and thought that that might have been when my problems started as on the 1D Mark IV you can change the color temperature via a button below the smaller of the two LCDs.

This Black-capped Chickadee image was created with the tripod-mounted Canon EF 800mm f/5.6L IS USM Autofocus lens, the Canon 1.4x EF Extender III (teleconverter), and the Canon EOS-1D X digital SLR . ISO 800. Evaluative metering -1 stop: 1/200 sec. at f/10 in Av mode. Why Av mode here? The light was changing constantly from bright sunny to cloudy and I found it easier to go from -1 stop when it was cloudy to -1 1/3 stops when the sun came out rather than having to make major changes to both aperture and shutter speed whenever the lighting conditions changed….

The Last RAW File

But when I went into my image folder for Thursday January 17, the day that Denise and I went to Elizabeth A. Morton NWR in Noyac, NY, I discovered exactly when the M2 JPEG problem began. The image above is from a RAW file that I created at 10:15:55 am.

This Downy Woodpecker image was created with the tripod-mounted Canon EF 800mm f/5.6L IS USM Autofocus lens, the Canon 1.4x EF Extender III (teleconverter), and the Canon EOS-1D X digital SLR . ISO 800. Evaluative metering -1 1/3 stops: 1/400 sec. at f/10 in Av mode. Though it does not seem so it is likely that the light was a bit stronger when I made this image than when I made the chickadee image above.

The First M2 JPEG

This is the very first M2 JPEG that I created. The image was made at 10:18:37, exactly 2 minutes and 42 seconds after I created the chickadee image. It was then crystal clear that I had correctly re-loaded the correct 1D X camera settings to the body that had been repaired and that I had indeed inadvertently changed the image size myself. Try as I might, I do not remember trying to change the color temperature or doing anything else that might have caused the problem. As I said, “inadvertently….”

The Good News

It looks as if a new firmware for the Canon EOS-1D X, Firmware 1.2.1, will be released to the public online on the evening of the January 29, 2013. All will be able to access it here by clicking on the Drivers and Software tab and following the directions. The new firmware will allow users to disable the Image size selection button.

Typos

On all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or leave a comment regarding any typos, wrong words, misspellings, omissions, or grammatical errors. Just be right. 🙂

Support the BAA Blog. Support the BAA Bulletins

We want and need to keep providing you with the latest free information, photography and Photoshop lessons, and all manner of related information. Show your appreciation by making your purchases immediately after clicking on any of our B&H or Amazon Affiliate links in this blog post. Remember, B&H ain’t just photography!

Shop Amazon

Consider doing all of your Amazon.com shopping using the search link below. You’ll be getting the same low prices and great service that you are accustomed to and at the same time, supporting my efforts in the Bulletins and on the Blog to bring you great images, timely product news and info, and tons of free educational articles on an almost daily (and sometimes almost back-breaking) basis 🙂 Just type your search in the little white box and hit Go.

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 🙂 And you will love them in mega-cold weather….
Gizo GT3532 LS CF Tripod. This one replaces the GT3530LS Tripod and will last you a lifetime. Learn more about this great tripod here.
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.
Double Bubble Level. You will find one in my camera’s hot shoe whenever I am not using flash.
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.
BreezeBrowser. I do not see how any digital photographer can exist without this program.
Delkin Flash Cards. I use and depend on Delkin compact Flash Cards and card readers most every day. Learn more about their great 700X and 1000X cards here or about my favorite Delkin card here.

Long-tailed Duck drake flapping. I created this image created on the January Barnegat Jetty IPT with the tripod-mounted Canon EF 800mm f/5.6L IS USM Autofocus lens, the Canon 1.4x EF Extender III (teleconverter), and the Canon EOS-1D X digital SLR . ISO 800. Evaluative metering -2 stops: 1/1600 sec. at f/10 in Manual mode. Careful readers know that I am usually adding anywhere from 1/3 to 2 1/3 or more stops of light to my exposures. Why-2 full stops for this image?

Shooting Blanks: Do As I Say, Not As I Do

I have mentioned here many times that when you get a camera back from one of the Canon Authorized Factory Repair Centers that they need to take great care and make sure that they restore all of their customized settings, especially with regards to Image type/Size. Why? 99.9% of the time the technicians clear all menu items, all custom functions, and set Image type/Size to JPEGS “S” for small. When I finally got my first 1D X back from the Jamesburg, NJ facility, I actually remembered.

Folks with two professional camera bodies can simply save (copy) the camera settings to a card via the “Save/load cam settings on card” Yellow/Wrench menu item and then load the settings onto the newly returned camera. Folks with only a single professional body need to remember to save the camera settings to a card before they send the camera in for repair and then mark it and store it carefully so that they can proceed as above when they get the camera back.

Folks with pro-sumer cameras like the EOS-5D Mark III, the EOS-7D, or the EOS 40D or 50D bodies need to restore the camera settings manually. Many do this simply by consulting one of our camera User’s Guides.

So when I got the smashed 1D X back, I copied the camera settings from the newer of my two 1D X bodies to a compact flash card, saved them to the repaired body, made sure that the Image type/Size was set to RAW (or at least that is what I remember doing…), and went off on my merry way to the Barnegat Jetty.

Long-tailed Duck pair in flight. On the January Barnegat Jetty IPT with the tripod-mounted Canon EF 800mm f/5.6L IS USM Autofocus lens, the Canon 1.4x EF Extender III (teleconverter), and the Canon EOS-1D X digital SLR . ISO 800. Evaluative metering -2 stops: 1/1600 sec. at f/9 in Manual mode.

For the image above, I failed to follow my own universal flight photography advice, “pan faster.” As a result, this pair of speeding ducks was too far forward in the frame. I moved them back in the frame using APTATS II techniques but that resulted in several groups of repeated patterns. So I tried a great new Denise Ippolito trick and love the result.

Sunrise Herring Gull. Created on the created on the Januar Barnegat Jetty IPT with the tripod-mounted Canon EF 800mm f/5.6L IS USM Autofocus lens and the Canon EOS-1D X digital SLR . ISO 500. Evaluative metering +1/3 stop: 1/1600 sec. at f/5.6 in TV mode.

If you saw the pale original for the image above, most would be surprised that I did not add a lot more light. Does anyone have any ideas why I added only 1/3 stop of light?

Black Scoter hen on rock.This image created on the January Barnegat Jetty IPT with the tripod-mounted Canon EF 800mm f/5.6L IS USM Autofocus lens, the Canon 1.4x EF Extender III (teleconverter), and the Canon EOS-1D X digital SLR . ISO 400. Evaluative metering +1/3 stop: 1/640 sec. at f/8 in Manual mode.

On the way back to the cars after a relatively poor morning–as it notes in Denise Ippolito’s Barnegat Jetty Site Guide, morning sun-angles at the jetty are very tough to deal with, we came upon the Black Scoter hen above. When she hauled out and posed for us for more than 1 1/2 hours, we were all in sea duck heaven. Here I went wide to include lots of attractive habitat, the mussel and seaweed covered rock that served as her perch.

This larger in the frame Black Scoter hen image was created on the January Barnegat Jetty IPT with the tripod-mounted Canon EF 800mm f/5.6L IS USM Autofocus lens, the Canon 2x EF Extender III (Teleconverter), and the Canon EOS-1D X digital SLR . ISO 400. Evaluative metering at zero: 1/320 sec. at f/11 (wide open) in Manual mode.

For the image above, I went to the 2X III TC and focused in Live View via contrast on the sensor. Be sure to have Live Mode AF set. With the big lens on a tripod and the duck stationary on the rock, this was an ideal situation for this technique. Nearly all of the images were razor sharp.

Purple Sandpiper on rock.This image created on the January Barnegat Jetty IPT with the tripod-mounted Canon EF 800mm f/5.6L IS USM Autofocus lens, the Canon 1.4x EF Extender III (teleconverter), and the Canon EOS-1D X digital SLR . ISO 400. Evaluative metering +1/3 stop: 1/640 sec. at f/9 in Manual mode.

Everyone but me was satisfied after the long session with the Black Scoter hen. And cold. I decided to take the alternate route back to the car and came across this lovely bird feeding on a wave-tossed rock right near the lighthouse. I was till cold but very happy.

Harlequin Duck drake swimming. Created on the January Barnegat Jetty IPT with the tripod-mounted Canon EF 800mm f/5.6L IS USM Autofocus lens, the Canon 1.4x EF Extender III (teleconverter), and the Canon EOS-1D X digital SLR . ISO 800. Evaluative metering -2 stops: 1/2500 sec. at f/8 in Manual mode.

Harlequin Ducks were pretty much dirt birds this weekend. On our three afternoons we concentrated on the drake Long-tailed Ducks.

Red-breasted Merganser drake swimming. Created on the January Barnegat Jetty IPT with the tripod-mounted Canon EF 800mm f/5.6L IS USM Autofocus lens, the Canon 1.4x EF Extender III (teleconverter), and the Canon EOS-1D X digital SLR . ISO 800. Evaluative metering -1 2/3 stops: 1/1600 sec. at f/9 in Manual mode. Careful readers know that I am usually adding anywhere from 1/3 to 2 1/3 or more stops of light to my exposures. Why-1 2/3 stops for this image?

28 years of trying to get close to a drake of this species and have medium JPEG capture set. You gotta love it.

Shooting Blanks

We were so tired after our first afternoon, that though I edited all of my images–heck, I kept about 56 of them making for a pretty good afternoon, that I did not convert a single image.

After our Saturday morning session I went to convert an image and it opened right up in Photoshop. What? I went back to BreezeBrowser and discovered that I had been creating M2 JPEGs, one notch above small. I am still not sure how that happened, but, it happened. We are so used to the incredible detail that we get with our 16 and 22mp cameras, that it was shocking to see the image quality of the relatively small JPEGs that I created accidentally. No use, however, crying over spilled milk. Next time that I get my camera back from repair, I will try to remember to triple check everything and avoid making the same mistake…..

I wound up keeping 105 medium sized JPEGs from Saturday morning…. Enjoy the football games.

Weekend Creative Nature Photography Seminar, Tampa, FL: February 23 & 24, 2013: $149 Limit: 50/Openings: 7

Join Denise Ippolito and me on the weekend of February 23-24 on the outskirts of Tampa, FL for a great weekend of fun and learning. Learn to improve your photography skills, your skill at designing images in the field, your creative vision, and your image optimization skills. Sunday critiquing session. Click here for additional details and the complete schedule.

Best to register soon as the seminar is filling up nicely.

Typos

On all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or leave a comment regarding any typos, wrong words, misspellings, omissions, or grammatical errors. Just be right. 🙂

Support the BAA Blog. Support the BAA Bulletins

We want and need to keep providing you with the latest free information, photography and Photoshop lessons, and all manner of related information. Show your appreciation by making your purchases immediately after clicking on any of our B&H or Amazon Affiliate links in this blog post. Remember, B&H ain’t just photography!

Shop Amazon

Consider doing all of your Amazon.com shopping using the search link below. You’ll be getting the same low prices and great service that you are accustomed to and at the same time, supporting my efforts in the Bulletins and on the Blog to bring you great images, timely product news and info, and tons of free educational articles on an almost daily (and sometimes almost back-breaking) basis 🙂 Just type your search in the little white box and hit Go.

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 🙂 And you will love them in mega-cold weather….
Gizo GT3532 LS CF Tripod. This one replaces the GT3530LS Tripod and will last you a lifetime. Learn more about this great tripod here.
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.
Double Bubble Level. You will find one in my camera’s hot shoe whenever I am not using flash.
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.
BreezeBrowser. I do not see how any digital photographer can exist without this program.
Delkin Flash Cards. I use and depend on Delkin compact Flash Cards and card readers most every day. Learn more about their great 700X and 1000X cards here or about my favorite Delkin card here.

This Brandt’s Cormorant flight shot was created by Patrick Sparkman with the hand held Canon EF 600mm f/4L IS II USM lens, the Canon 2x EF Extender III (Teleconverter), and the Canon EOS-1D X Digital SLR Camera (Body Only) w/FREE Bonus Item – $446.45 Value! [expires soon]!. ISO 1600. Evaluative metering +1/3 stop: 1/4000 sec. at f/8. Central sensor (by necessity) Expand/AI Servo/Rear Focus AF active at the moment of exposure. Click here if you missed the Rear Focus Tutorial. Click on the image to see a larger, sharper version. Image courtesy of and copyright 2013: Patrick Sparkman. Note the image quality of this 1D X image at ISO 1600.

Canon EF 600mm f/4L IS II vs Canon EF 800mm f/5.6L IS

I announced in the blog post here that I would soon be selling my beloved 800mm f/5.6L IS lens. Many were astounded that I would be going from the 800 down to the 600. Melissa Groo commented, “600mm plus full frame? Can’t wait to hear your explanation.”

First we need to consider that on page 6 of “The Art f Bird Photography II” (ABP II: 916 pages on CD only) I wrote, “… it is routine for me to use either the 500 or 600mm IS lenses with the 2X II teleconverter and produce razor-sharp images consistently at shutter speeds of 1/60 sec. and—at times—with shutter speeds even slower than that.” And that was before Series III TCs and before 4-stop Image Stabilization.

Reach

With the above in mind, let’s take a look at the maximum effective focal length of the two lens with a professional digital camera body.

800mm f/5.6 with the 1.4XIII TC (at f/8): 1120mm.
600mm f/4L IS II with the 2XIII TC (at f/8): 1200mm.

By a small margin, the edge when considering reach goes to the 600II. In effect, competent photographers actually have a longer lens when they are using the 600II than when they are using the 800. Note: 1200mm is longer than 1120mm 🙂

Advantage: 600II.

Do realize that when using a 1.6 crop factor camera like the EOS-7D that the edge again goes to the 600II as follows: 840mm (at f/5.6 with the 1.4X III TC) is greater than 800mm (at f/5.6).

This American Kestrel flight shot was created by Arash Harzeghi with the hand held Canon EF 600mm f/4L IS II USM lens, the Canon 1.4x EF Extender III (Teleconverter), and the Canon EOS-1D X Digital SLR Camera (Body Only) w/FREE Bonus Item – $446.45 Value! [expires soon]!. ISO 640. Evaluative metering +1/3 stop: 1/3200 sec. at f/5.6. Central sensor Expand/AI Servo/Shutter Button AF active at the moment of exposure. Click here if you missed the Rear Focus Tutorial. Click on the image to see a larger version. Image courtesy of and copyright 2013: Arash Harzeghi.

Weight

800mm f/5.6: 9.86 lbs or 4.47 kgs.
600mm f/4L IS II: 8.65 lbs or 3.92 kgs.

By a healthy margin, the edge when considering weight goes to the 600II. For the younger and the stronger among us (like Patrick and Arash!), hand holding the 600II for an entire photography session is a reality. At 66, I have trouble hand holding the 500II for an extended time. I could easily hand hold the 600II in a pinch for a few minutes. One thing that I have forgotten to mention is that the weight of the 600II (and the 500 and 400II lenses as well) is concentrated towards the rear of the lens. This makes these lenses seem even lighter than they are.

Advantage: 600II.

lens	weight/lbs	wt./kgs	mfd/feet	mfd/m	magnif	filter	year
Canon EF 600mm f/4.0 L IS II	8.65 lbs	3.92 kg	14.77 ft	4.5 m	0.15x	52mm drop-in	2012
Canon EF 800mm f/5.6 L IS	9.86 lbs	4.47 kg	19.68 ft	6 m	0.12x	52mm drop-in	2008

Canon Telephoto Lens Specs Chart

The info above is excerpted from the comprehensive chart here. All are advised to bookmark the page.

Versatility

800mm f/5.6: with a pro body you have two focal lengths to choose from: 800 and 1120. With a 1.6 crop factor camera you have access to only one focal length: 800mm.
600mm f/4L IS II: with a pro body, you have three focal lengths to choose from: 600mm, 840mm, and 1200mm. With a 1.6 crop factor camera you have access to two focal lengths: 600mm and 840mm.

Add to the above the fact that with either a pro body or a 1.6 crop factor body you can often be too close at places like Gatorland and the St. Augustine Alligator Farm where you simply cannot move away from your subject.

By a huge margin, the edge when considering versatility goes to the 600II.

Advantage: 600II.

This Brandt’s Cormorant head portrait was created by Patrick, Sparkman with the Canon EF 600mm f/4L IS II USM lens, the Canon 2x EF Extender III (Teleconverter), and the Canon EOS-1D X Digital SLR Camera (Body Only) w/FREE Bonus Item – $446.45 Value! [expires soon]!. ISO 800. Evaluative metering +1/3 stop: 1/1000 sec. at f/8. Central sensor (by necessity) Expand/AI Servo/Rear Focus AF active at the moment of exposure. Click here if you missed the Rear Focus Tutorial. Click on the image to see a larger version. Image courtesy of and copyright 2013: Patrick Sparkman.

Close Focus and Magnification

Do note that close focus and magnification are very closely intertwined.

800mm f/5.6: the minimum focusing distance of the 800 is 19.68 feet (or 6 meters) which yields a magnification of only .12X.

600mm f/4L IS II: the minimum focusing distance of the 600II is a very impressive 14.77 feet (or 4.5 meters) which yields a magnification of .15X.

Again by a huge margin, the edge when considering close focus and magnification goes to the 600II. In fact, the 600II blows the 800 out of the water in this category. When working with birds at close range the 600II will enable you to make images with the subject taking up a well larger portion of the frame.

Advantage: 600II.

This unsharpened test image is courtesy of and copyright 2013: Patrick Sparkman. Clicking to enlarge is recommended.

Sharpness

Thanks to Patrick Sparkman for sharing his composite comparative sharpness test above. The results above are unsharpened. Both Patrick and I agreed on our analysis of the results. As expected sharpness at the edge of the frame with all combos is less than in the middle of the frame. Unexpected was that the 600II alone was perceptibly sharper than the 800 alone, that the 600II with the 1.4X TC was sharper than 800 alone, and that the 600II with the 2X III was at least as sharp as the 800 alone. Considering that the 800 is the sharpest long lens that either of us have ever used the sharpness of the 600II with and without TCs is astounding.

By a large margin, the edge when considering sharpness goes to the 600II. Again, the 600II blows the 800 out of the water in this category.

Advantage: 600II.

This sharpened test image is courtesy of and copyright 2013: Patrick Sparkman. Clicking to enlarge is recommended.

Reality Check

At this point some folks might be thinking that the 800mm f/5.6L IS is a real pile of junk. But just a glance at the sharpened test results reveals the that 800 with and without the 1.4X III TC is fully capable of creating sharp images like those you have been seeing on the blog and in Bulletins for the past few years. The 600II is just that much sharper….

Price New

Right now, you can purchase a new Canon EF 600mm f/4L IS II USM lens from B&H for $12,799.00 (in your shopping cart). Please note: the listed price is reduced only after you put the item in your cart.

And you can purchase the Canon EF 800mm f/5.6L IS lens for $13,249.00 (in your shopping cart). Please note: the listed price is reduced only after you put the item in your cart.

Here the lower price of the 600II is easily quantified: $450.

Advantage: 600II.

Price Used

Right now finding a used 600II would be akin to finding a needle in a thousand haystacks. Heck, it is nearly impossible to find a new one to buy. It is very likely that more and more used 800s will come onto the market. Right now they are going for about $11,000 in excellent condition, about $9,500 in good to very good condition.

For folks who would like to move into the true super-telephoto arena while saving several thousands dollars the 800mm f/5.6L IS lens is a more than viable option.

Large Advantage: 800.

This White-tailed Kite take-off image was created by Arash Harzeghi with the hand held Canon EF 600mm f/4L IS II USM lens, the Canon 1.4x EF Extender III (Teleconverter), and the Canon EOS-1D X Digital SLR Camera (Body Only) w/FREE Bonus Item – $446.45 Value! [expires soon]!. ISO 1600. Evaluative metering +1/3 stop as framed: 1/2500 sec. at f/5.6. Central sensor Expand/AI Servo/Shutter Button AF active at the moment of exposure. Click here if you missed the Rear Focus Tutorial. Click on the image to see a larger version. Image courtesy of and copyright 2013: Arash Harzeghi.

Patrick and Arash

Thanks a stack to both Patrick Sparkman and Arash Harzeghi for allowing me to use their great images here. As an aside, I am pretty sure that Arash, with his great concern for extremely sharp fine detail, would rarely if ever use the 2X III TC with his 600II while Patrick often reaches for his 2X. I will be in Patrick’s camp on the 2X.

To see a spectacular larger version of Arash’s White-tailed Kite image, click here. The sharpness and image quality at ISO 1600 border on the unbelievable. That’s why I wrote the DPP (Digital Photo Professional) RAW Conversion Guide with Arash’s help. Consider also Arash’s Professional Guide to Noise Reduction.

Conclusions

And the Winner Is!

As the 600mm f/4L IS II is lighter, sharper, less expensive, more versatile, and, surprise, effectively longer than the 800mm f/5.6 L IS, it is, for folks for whom cost is not an issue, clearly the best choice. As stated above, a used 800 is a viable option for folks with budgetary constraints. I guess that the only folks who will be buying new 800s are those who have their heads stuck in the sand with regards to using the 1.4X III and the 2X III teleconverters.

As for me, I am eagerly awaiting the arrival of my new 600II.

Coming ASAP

Within a week or two I hope to be addressing 500II vs 600II considerations.

BIRDS AS ART/A Creative Adventure Barnegat Jetty II IPT

BIRDS AS ART/Barnegat Jetty IPT II, Barnegat Light, NJ: 2 1/2 DAYS. JAN 18 (1:30pm), 19, and 20, 2012: $999. Limit 8/Openings: 4. Includes 5 photo-sessions, both lunches, introductory slide program, image review, sharing, editing, and Photoshop.

Note: On cloudy days we grab a quick lunch and spend most of the day photographing. If you can’t make the whole thing, you can join what will likely be a small group as follows: Full Day with lunch: $400. Afternoon (1:30-dusk): $250. Call to arrange: 1-863-692-0906. Weekends OK. For more info, click here and scroll down.

Weekend Creative Nature Photography Seminar, Tampa, FL: February 23 & 24, 2013: $149 Limit: 50/Openings: 7

Join Denise Ippolito and me on the weekend of February 23-24 on the outskirts of Tampa, FL for a great weekend of fun and learning. Learn to improve your photography skills, your skill at designing images in the field, your creative vision, and your image optimization skills. Sunday critiquing session. Click here for additional details and the complete schedule.

Best to register soon as the seminar is filling up nicely.

Typos

On all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or leave a comment regarding any typos, wrong words, misspellings, omissions, or grammatical errors. Just be right. 🙂

Support the BAA Blog. Support the BAA Bulletins

We want and need to keep providing you with the latest free information, photography and Photoshop lessons, and all manner of related information. Show your appreciation by making your purchases immediately after clicking on any of our B&H or Amazon Affiliate links in this blog post. Remember, B&H ain’t just photography!

Shop Amazon

Consider doing all of your Amazon.com shopping using the search link below. You’ll be getting the same low prices and great service that you are accustomed to and at the same time, supporting my efforts in the Bulletins and on the Blog to bring you great images, timely product news and info, and tons of free educational articles on an almost daily (and sometimes almost back-breaking) basis 🙂 Just type your search in the little white box and hit Go.

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 🙂 And you will love them in mega-cold weather….
Gizo GT3532 LS CF Tripod. This one replaces the GT3530LS Tripod and will last you a lifetime. Learn more about this great tripod here.
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.
Double Bubble Level. You will find one in my camera’s hot shoe whenever I am not using flash.
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.
BreezeBrowser. I do not see how any digital photographer can exist without this program.
Delkin Flash Cards. I use and depend on Delkin compact Flash Cards and card readers most every day. Learn more about their great 700X and 1000X cards here or about my favorite Delkin card here.

This sunflower image was created on Denise Ippolito’s A Creative Adventure Sunflower Workshop in Newton, NJ this past August with the tripod-mounted Canon 500mm f/4L EF IS II lens, the Canon 1.4x EF tele-extender III, and the Canon EOS 5D Mark III Digital camera body w/FREE Bonus Item – $91.90 Value! [expires soon]! ISO 400. Evaluative metering +2/3 stop: 1/500 sec. at f/6.3 in Av mode. Central Sensor/AI Servo Rear Focus AF and re-compose. Click here if you missed the Rear Focus Tutorial. Click on the image for a larger version.

Depth-of-Field Lesson

First off, I love using long glass with teleconverters for large flowers. Why? They offer very narrow angles of view inherently reducing background clutter and they make it easy to isolate single flowers.

The image above was created at f/6.3. Note that f/5.6 would have been wide open. The image below was created at f/32. The first image features a patented BAA background: a swath of nearly pure out-of-focus color. My two favorites for bird photography are still blue water and distant green vegetation, each lit by early morning light on a clear day. There is only a hint of the yellow from the background blossoms.

In the image below the flowers in the background are an integral part of the image, letting the viewer know that the single blossom was not the only sunflower in the field. When framing images like this and working at small apertures it is important to use your camera’s depth-of-field preview to make sure that you have not brought up any unpleasant background detail and that the overall image design is pleasant. Note that since I chose a tall flower as the subject that the blooms in the background are rendered in relatively soft focus even though I was working at f/32.

Just for the record books: the image above had 3 dust bunnies. The image below had about 90 dust spots. At tiny apertures even microscopic dust spots will show up. A bunch of them near the bottom frame-edge might have been tiny flying bugs….

This image of the same sunflower was also created with the tripod-mounted Canon 500mm f/4L EF IS II lens, the Canon 1.4x EF tele-extender III, and the Canon EOS 5D Mark III Digital camera body w/FREE Bonus Item – $91.90 Value! [expires soon]! ISO 400. Evaluative metering +2/3 stop: 1/20 sec. at f/32 in Av mode. Central Sensor/AI Servo Rear Focus AF and re-compose. Click here if you missed the Rear Focus Tutorial. Click on the image for a larger version.

Which Do You Like Best

Take a moment and let us know which of the images above you like best. And why? Which best fits your personal vision and style?

Catching Up

Can You Bear It?

In the “Can You Bear It” post, my two favorites were Fractalius Glow 100 and The Wave, the former for its elegance, the latter for the neat shape.

A New Perspective

In the “A New Perspective” post, I liked the optimized image best as did pretty much everyone who comments. NIK Color Efex Pro really rocked on that image.

It Ain’t Just Birds: Why I Love My Canon EOS-5D Mark III

In the “It Ain’t Just Birds: Why I Love My Canon EOS-5D Mark III” post, I loved all of the images. Aside from smiling Maya, I guess that my very favorite was the HDR Vivid of the pipes and bricks that was created at the old whaling station on Grytviken, South Georgia. I love the colors and the patterns.

All images courtesy of and copyright 2012: Denise Ippolito. Click for a larger version.

A Creative Adventure/BIRDS AS ART Swan Island Dahlia Farm Instructional Photo-Tour, September 11-15, 2013: 5 FULL DAYS: $1649

Join Denise Ippolito and Arthur Morris at the Swan Island Dahlia Farm in Canby Oregon (just south of Portland) for a great learning and photography experience. Swan Island features more than 40 acres with over 350 varieties of dahlias in a plethora of colors, shapes and sizes, making it one of the largest growers in the United States.

For complete details and schedule, click here and see item 1.

BIRDS AS ART/Barnegat Jetty IPT II

BIRDS AS ART/Barnegat Jetty IPT II, Barnegat Light, NJ: 2 1/2 DAYS. JAN 18 (1:30pm), 19, and 20, 2012: $999. Limit 8/Openings: 3. Includes 5 photo-sessions, both lunches, image review, sharing, and editing (JAN 19) & Photoshop session (JAN 20).

Join Denise Ippolito and Arthur Morris for a 2 1/2 Day Instructional Photo-Tour at the infamous Barnegat Jetty in Barnegat Light, New Jersey. You will learn how to get close to the ducks and shorebirds that frequent this famed winter birding and photography hotspot, how to get the right exposure every time, and how to see, understand, and tackle a variety of photographic situations. We should have some excellent chances with Harlequin Duck and Purple Sandpiper, the two headliner species. With any luck we should get to photograph most of these species: Long-tailed Duck (formerly Oldsquaw), Common Loon, Red-throated Loon, Red-breasted Merganser, Surf Scoter, Black Scoter, Common Eider, Brant, Dunlin, Ruddy Turnstone, Black-bellied Plover, and Sanderling. Great Black-backed, Herring, and Ring-billed Gulls are also likely. Sunning Harbor Seals are possible. With the right winds we may have some good flight photography with the sea ducks.

Having at least a 500mm f/4 lens with a 1.4X teleconverter is recommended. Participants should be in good physical condition with a good sense of balance. $500 non-refundable credit card deposit by phone: 1-863-692-0906. Weekends OK. Note: On cloudy days we grab a quick lunch and spend most of the day photographing. 🙂

Weekend Creative Nature Photography Seminar, Tampa, FL: February 23 & 24, 2013: $149 Limit: 50/Openings: 8

Only 8 seats left! Click here for complete details and schedules. Monday In-the-Field Fort DeSoto Workshop and Door Prize info to be announced soon.

Join Denise Ippolito and me on the weekend of February 23-24 on the outskirts of Tampa, FL for a great weekend of fun and learning. Learn to improve your photography skills, your skill at designing images in the field, your creative vision, and your image optimization skills. Sunday critiquing session. Click here for additional details and the complete schedule.

Support the BAA Blog. Support the BAA Bulletins

We want and need to keep providing you with the latest free information, photography and Photoshop lessons, and all manner of related information. Show your appreciation by making your purchases immediately after clicking on any of our B&H (or Amazon.com) Affiliate links in this blog post. Remember, B&H ain’t just photography!

Shop Amazon

Consider doing all of your Amazon.com shopping using the search link below. You’ll be getting the same low prices and great service that you are accustomed to and at the same time, supporting my efforts in the Bulletins and on the Blog to bring you great images, timely product news and info, and tons of free educational articles on an almost daily (and sometimes almost back-breaking) basis 🙂 Just type your search in the little white box and hit Go.

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 🙂 And you will love them in mega-cold weather….
Gizo GT3532 LS CF Tripod. This one replaces the GT3530LS Tripod and will last you a lifetime. Learn more about this great tripod here.
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.
Double Bubble Level. You will find one in my camera’s hot shoe whenever I am not using flash.
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.
BreezeBrowser. I do not see how any digital photographer can exist without this program.
Delkin Flash Cards. I use and depend on Delkin compact Flash Cards and card readers most every day. Learn more about their great 700X and 1000X cards here or about my favorite Delkin card here.

Give the animated GIF a few moments to play. Note the darkened pupil, the lightened iris, and the more open eye. The Digital Eye Doctor tutorial for this image is included in both the Complete Digital Eye Doctor Tutorial and in Part I.

MP4 Video Tutorial Riot

The Complete Digital Eye Doctor MP4 Video Photoshop Tutorial: $9 (save a buck!)

When we view photographs of birds or of wildlife, the first thing that we do is make eye contact. If the eye of the creature is sharp, then the entire image will look sharp. Trust me, not every image that I create is razor sharp on the eye. But every image that I post is razor sharp on the eye. Why? Because I do at least some Digital Eye Doctor work on the eyes of the birds in more than 90% of the images that I create. This work often includes darkening the pupil, lightening the iris, and sharpening the eye (or the entire face). More advanced techniques include dealing with nictitating membranes (the translucent third eyelids that so often ruin our best images), eliminating flash eye (including purple eye and steel eye), and dealing with over-saturated eye-skin colors like the red one on a drake Wood Duck.

In “The Complete Digital Eye Doctor MP4 Video Photoshop Tutorial” you will see me working in Photoshop while you hear my voice guiding you along the way step by step; all of the techniques mentioned above are included. You can purchase this eye opening (no pun intended) 1 hour, 3 minute video for only $9.00. To order yours through the BAA store, click here. Or call Jim or Jen weekdays between 9am and 5pm (3pm on Fridays) at 863-692-0906 with your credit card in hand. We will be short-handed in the office until January 21 so please leave a message and we will call you back. Easier is to send us a Paypal for $9.00 to birdsasart@verizon.net with the words “Complete Digital Eye Doctor MP4 Video” cut and pasted into the Subject line of your e-mail. Sorry, no checks are accepted for the MP4 videos.

You will receive download instructions via YouSendIt. Be sure to check your spam folder if you do not receive it. Once you download it and save it to your computer then simply click and play after adjusting the volume. You can hit pause, rewind, and play as needed so that you can completely master the covered techniques.

Give the animated GIF a few moments to play. Note that in the before image the nictitating membrane covers the forward part of the iris and part of the pupil and that in the after image the eye has been repaired and looks completely natural. The Digital Eye Doctor tutorial for this image is included in both the Complete Digital Eye Doctor Tutorial and in Part II.

Digital Eye Doctor MP4 Video Photoshop Tutorials Parts I & II: $5 each

Digital Eye Doctor MP4 Video Photoshop Tutorials Part I contains the basics Digital Eye Doctor techniques: $5.

Digital Eye Doctor MP4 Video Photoshop Tutorial Part II details the more advanced Digital Eye Doctor techniques: $5.

In each, you will see me working in Photoshop while you hear my voice guiding you along the way step by step. You can purchase Part I (25 1/2 minutes) by clicking here. You can purchase Part II (38 minutes) by clicking here. Or you can call Jim or Jen weekdays between 9am and 5pm (3pm on Fridays) at 863-692-0906 with your credit card in hand. Be sure to let them know Part I or Part II. We will be short-handed in the office until January 21 so please leave a message and we will call you back. If you opt to send us a Paypal for $5.00 be sure to note Digital Eye Doctor Part I or Digital Eye Doctor Part II and send your PayPal to us via birdsasart@verizon.net. You will receive download instructions via YouSendIt. Be sure to check your spam folder if you do not receive it. Once you download it and save it to your computer then simply click and play after adjusting the volume. You can hit pause, rewind, and play as needed so that you can completely master the covered techniques.

Note: Part I and Part II make up the Complete Version so it is better to buy “The Complete Digital Eye Doctor MP4 Video Photoshop Tutorial” than to buy Part I and Part II separately.

Dahlia field in-camera multiple exposure. When Denise shared this spectacular image at the Staten Island Seminar folks were oohing and aahing and one lady fell off her chair! Image courtesy of and copyright Denise Ippolito/A Creative Adventure. Denise and I will be announcing a Dahlia Instructional Photo-Tour that we will be co-leading south of Portland Oregon next fall. Stay tuned for details or e-mail to have your name placed on the interested list.

Multiple Exposure MP4 Video Tutorial by Denise Ippolito: $4.00

There is a lot more to creating pleasing multiple exposures in camera than pushing the shutter button 2, 3, 5, or 7 times. Denise’s Multiple Exposure video is designed to show you the many different looks that can be achieved in-camera by using the Multiple Exposure feature that is present in some digital camera bodies today and how you can create them. The relatively new Canon 5D EOS-5D Mark III has a great in-camera Multiple Exposure feature with lots of options. Many folks that use Nikon gear have had this feature for years but have never explored the possibilities; they need to consult their camera body manual. In this 19-minute video tutorial she shares with you several of the techniques that she uses to create different looks with her in-camera multiple exposures. The image above is just one great example.

In the “Multiple Exposure MP4 Video Tutorial” Denise teaches you step by step how to create a variety of looks with your in-camera multiple exposures. As always, her creativity will amaze you. You can purchase the educational eGuide for only $4.00. To order yours through the BAA store, click here. Or call Jim or Jen weekdays between 9am and 5pm (3pm on Fridays) at 863-692-0906 with your credit card in hand. We will be short-handed in the office until January 21 so please leave a message and we will call you back. Easier is to send us a Paypal for $4.00 to birdsasart@verizon.net with the words “Multiple Exposure Video” cut and pasted into the subject line. Sorry, no checks accepted for the MP4 videos.

You will receive download instructions via YouSendIt. Be sure to check your spam folder if you do not receive it. Once you download it and save it to your computer then simply click and play after adjusting the volume. You can hit pause, rewind, and play as needed so that you can completely master the various techniques.

This optimized image of a group of adult King Penguins about to enter the ocean was created on an early morning (6:04am) landing at St. Andrews Bay with the hand held Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM Telephoto Zoom Lens (at 70mm) and the Canon EOS 5D Mark III Digital camera body. ISO 400. Evaluative metering at zero: 1/800 sec. at f/11 in Av mode. Lowest Central sensor/AI Servo/Rear Focus AI Servo Suround AF active at the moment of exposure. Click here if you missed the Rear Focus Tutorial. Be sure to click on the image to see a larger version.

King Penguin Image Clean-up MP4 Photoshop Tutorial Video

The King Penguin Image Clean-up MP4 Photoshop Tutorial Video is available right now for the ridiculously low price of $3.00. For more into on this video and to see the original image (before the extensive clean-up), please click here. To order yours through the BAA store, click here. Or call Jim or Jen weekdays between 9am and 5pm (3pm on Fridays) at 863-692-0906 with your credit card in hand. We will be short-handed in the office until January 21 so please leave a message and we will call you back. Easier is to send us a Paypal for $3.00 to birdsasart@verizon.net with the words “King Penguin Image Clean-up Video” cut and pasted into the subject line. Sorry, no checks are accepted for the MP4 videos.

This is the final optimized image. This drake Long-tailed Duck image was photographed on the recently concluded Barnegat Jetty IPT with the tripod-mounted Canon EF 800mm f/5.6L IS USM Autofocus lens, the Canon 1.4x EF Extender III (teleconverter), and the Canon EOS-1D X digital SLR . ISO 800. Evaluative metering +1/3 stop: 1/1000 sec. at f/9 in Manual mode. Central sensor (by necessity)/AI Servo Expand/Rear Focus AF active at the moment of exposure. The AF sensor was on the water below the side of the bird’s breast where the black meets the white; don’t ask me why the eye is sharp…. Click here if you missed the Rear Focus Tutorial. Click on the image to see a larger version. In the original image, the bird was very close to the top frame edge. The “Add Canvas/Expand Contract MP4 Photoshop Tutorial Video” shows exactly how I improved the composition. See details on this video immediately below.

Add Canvas/Expand Contract MP4 Photoshop Tutorial Video: $2

The “Add Canvas/Expand Contract MP4 Photoshop Tutorial Video” (aka the Long-tailed Duck Video)–9 1/2 minutes, is available for free here but it cannot be downloaded. Several folks requested that we make this great improve composition video available for download; we do that here. If you would like to have this tutorial on your computer you can order a copy through the BAA store herebirdsasart@verizon.net with the words “Add Canvas/Expand Contract MP4 Video” cut and pasted into the subject line. Sorry, no checks are accepted for the MP4 videos.

BIRDS AS ART/A Creative Adventure Barnegat Jetty II IPT

We had so much fun at the jetty in the wild weather in December–see the following blog posts here, here, here, and here, that I am flying back to New Jersey for more. Since there were lots of Harlequins, Long-tailed Ducks, and Purple Sandpipers we decided to put together another small group. Do consider joining us. As for me, I can’t wait to get back.

BIRDS AS ART/Barnegat Jetty IPT II, Barnegat Light, NJ: 2 1/2 DAYS. JAN 18 (1:30pm), 19, and 20, 2012: $999. Limit 8/Openings: 4. Includes 5 photo-sessions, both lunches, introductory slide program, image review, sharing, editing, and Photoshop.

Note: On cloudy days we grab a quick lunch and spend most of the day photographing. 🙂

Join Denise Ippolito and Arthur Morris for a 2 1/2 Day Instructional Photo-Tour at the infamous Barnegat Jetty in Barnegat Light, New Jersey. You will learn how to get close to the ducks and shorebirds that frequent this famed winter birding and photography hotspot, how to get the right exposure every time, and how to see, understand, and tackle a variety of photographic situations. We should have some excellent chances with Harlequin Duck and Purple Sandpiper, the two headliner species. With any luck we should get to photograph most of these species: Long-tailed Duck (formerly Oldsquaw), Common Loon, Red-throated Loon, Red-breasted Merganser, Surf Scoter, Black Scoter, Common Eider, Brant, Dunlin, Ruddy Turnstone, Black-bellied Plover, and Sanderling. Great Black-backed, Herring, and Ring-billed Gulls are also likely. Sunning Harbor Seals are possible. With the right winds we may have some good flight photography with the sea ducks.

Having at least a 500mm f/4 lens with a 1.4X teleconverter is recommended. Participants should be in good physical condition with a good sense of balance. $500 non-refundable credit card deposit by phone: 1-863-692-0906. Weekends OK.

Can’t Make the Whole Thing?

If you can’t make the whole thing, you can join what will likely be a small group as follows: Full Day with lunch: $400. Afternoon (1:30-dusk): $250. Call to arrange: 1-863-692-0906. Weekends OK.

Weekend Creative Nature Photography Seminar, Tampa, FL: February 23 & 24, 2013: $149 Limit: 50/Openings: 12

Join Denise Ippolito and me on the weekend of February 23-24 on the outskirts of Tampa, FL for a great weekend of fun and learning. Learn to improve your photography skills, your skill at designing images in the field, your creative vision, and your image optimization skills. Sunday critiquing session. Click here for additional details and the complete schedule.

Best to register soon as the seminar is filling up nicely.

Typos

On all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or leave a comment regarding any typos, wrong words, misspellings, or grammatical errors. Just be right. 🙂

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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 🙂 And you will love them in mega-cold weather….
Gizo GT3532 LS CF Tripod. This one replaces the GT3530LS Tripod and will last you a lifetime. Learn more about this great tripod here.
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.
Double Bubble Level. You will find one in my camera’s hot shoe whenever I am not using flash.
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.
BreezeBrowser. I do not see how any digital photographer can exist without this program.
Delkin Flash Cards. I use and depend on Delkin compact Flash Cards and card readers most every day. Learn more about their great 700X and 1000X cards here or about my favorite Delkin card here.