February 26th, 2022 What’s Up?
On Friday morning I met the group in the hotel restaurant just before 8:00am. The forecast was grim: rain with east winds at 21 gusting to 35mph. Looking out the large picture windows did not offer much hope. Except to me. The group met me with a unanimous “We are not going out today for sure!” I said, “Not so fast. There is one large cloud on the eastern horizon and in 45 minutes, the sun is gonna come out.” Everyone scoffed at me. A few minutes later our boat captain called and said, “I am heading down the hill and it looks pretty good. There are no whitecaps in the bay. Crossing will be on the rough side but once we get into China Poot, the photography will be spectacular with wind and sun together.” One of the participants decided to drive back to Anchorage a day early to look for Moose. The three remaining folks agreed to go out. I told the captain that we would be at the dock ready to go by 9:15. When we pulled into the lot and exited the GMC Yukon, one of the participants (who shall remain nameless), pointed to the clouds to the east and said, “It’s coming” (meaning bad weather), and decided to walk back to the hotel.
Crossing Kachemak Bay was a bit nasty, but I have sailed in a lot worse conditions on the same boat. Once in Poot Bay, the wind was so strong that we needed to break out the heavy anchor and use lots of scope. The sun shined and the wind roared right out of the east. It turned out to be one of the best days ever on an eagle boat. How good was it? Between the three of us, we created exactly 24,475 photographs in about 2 1/2 hours. If my math is correct, that averages to more than 55 images/minute for each of the three photographers. I was low hook at 3634 (plus nine flight videos) and BPN-friend Kevin Hice was top gun with 11,320 R5 raw files. He created more than 75 images every minute. The action literally was non-stop. Did I mention that eagles love the wind? Or that all but one of the other eagle boat trips cancelled? Or that we were the only boat out there for more than a solid hour?
Today is Saturday 25 February 2022. The forecast is for cloudy all day with very little wind. Wherever you are and whatever you are doing, I hope that you too have a great day. This blog post took about two hours to prepare and makes 1 day in a row with a new one.
Please remember to use the B&H and Amazon links on this page and to use the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout when purchasing your new gear from Bedfords. And please consider joining a BAA IPT.
The Eagle-Over-the-Mountain Photo Contest
In Thursday’s The Eagle-Over-the-Mountain Photo Contest blog post here, Image #2 was created by Anita North. This very fine image garnered seven votes as best. I created Image #2 as stated emphatically by IPT veteran Sandra Calderbank (though I am not quite sure how she knew …) With nine votes, it has been declared the winner in this friendly competition. I love Anita’s very fine image a ton and would have preferred it over mine but for the areas of dirt on the mountain near the tail (that several folks thought were shadows). Thanks to Anita for allowing me to use her image in the contest, and special thanks to all who voted.
Your questions or comments on the two new RF super telephoto lenses are of course welcome.
SONY FE 70-200mm f2.8 GM OSS Lens
BIRDS AS ART Record Low Price
Price Reduced $150.00 on 26 February 2022
Anthony Ardito is offering a SONY FE 70-200mm f2.8 GM OSS lens in like-new condition for a BAA record-low $1197.00 (was $1,347.00). Included are the original box and everything that came in it along with a RealTree MAX5 LensCoat (a $94 value) and insured ground shipping via major courier to lower-48 US addresses only. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.
Please contact Anthony e-mail.
The versatile 70-200mm f/2.8 lenses have long been big favorites of many nature photographers. They are great for landscapes. I have used this lens with Canon and Nikon and SONY. I used my Canon version to photograph granddaughter Maya’s dance recitals and to create bird-scapes and pre-dawn blast-off blurs at Bosque del Apache NWR in New Mexico. They are fast and sharp and have 1,000 uses. The 70-200 f/2.8 lenses are a specialty lens for bird photographers. Like the bad little child, when they are good, they are really, really good! I’ve used mine mostly for flight photography at point blank range where their performance is unmatched, especially in low light. I’ve killed with these lenses on the gannet boat in the UK, in Homer for eagles, for pre-dawn and blizzard blast-offs at Bosque, and at Merritt Island on single birds from huge feeding sprees right next to the road.
Two New RF Super Telephoto Prime Lenses
Canon recently announced the introduction of two new super telephoto prime lenses for the EOS R mirrorless system. Further advancing lens design and capability, these L-series lenses are intended for the professional user looking for ultimate reach, performance and operability. The RF 800mm f5.6L IS USM lens and RF 1200mm f8L IS USM lens both offer extreme magnification, optical image stabilization (4.5- and 4-stops respectively), two focus presets as well as full AF compatibility with the 1.4x and 2x RF Extenders (teleconverters).
Relatively lightweight and compact, the RF 800mm f/5.6 lens weighs 6.9 pounds and measures only 17″long making it realistic to use atop a monopod or even handheld for short periods of time. The Minimum Focus Distance (MFD) is 8.5 feet. The list price is $16,999.00. Similarly, the RF 1200mm f/8 is relatively lightweight and compact, weighs 7.4 pounds, and measures 21.1″ long making it realistic to use atop a monopod or even handheld for short periods of time. The Minimum Focus Distance is 14.1 feet. The list price is $19,999.00.
My Thoughts
Several friends wrote this week asking me what I thought about the recent Canon announcement. I checked them out. Their small size and relatively light weight are impressive, as are the seemingly remarkable MFDs. At 6.9 pounds, the RF 800 weighs just a bit more than the Canon EF 600mm f/4L IS III USM lens (6.71 pounds). Speaking of 600mm f/4 lenses, the RF 600 III is nothing more than an EF 600 III with an RF adapter stuck onto the back of the lens. It is not a lens that was redesigned for mirrorless. As far as I understand, neither of the two new lenses were specifically engineered for Canon RF mirrorless. The 800 RF uses the lens elements from the Canon EF 400mm f/2.8L IS III USM lens, and the RF 1200mm uses the lens elements from the EF 600mm f/4L IS III. The elements from the RF 2X are at the rear of each of the new lenses. The latter explains the seemingly remarkable MFDs … Thanks to Indranil Sircar for his explanations of several of the fine points above; he gleaned from the Canon Japan website.
Practically speaking, I am thinking that Canon will not sell very many of either of these new lenses. While each lens accepts both RF teleconverters, working at extreme focal lengths such as 1120mm, 1600mm, 1680mm, 2400mm is a huge challenge for most folks. At such huge magnifications, hand holding or working on a monopod does not seem feasible to me. Many folks will have big problems even finding the bird in the viewfinder. Unsharpness caused by gear shake is multiplied by the square of the focal length. Another problem that comes with working at extreme focal lengths is the negative effect of heat shimmer (AKA atmospheric interference). The more air between you and the subject the more problems you will encounter.
Oh, did I forget to mention the price tags?
The 600mm III with an RF Adaptor and the RF 600mm, both in combination with the two TCs, offer much greater versatility than either of the two new RF super telephotos. That said, Canon did a great job of reducing the size and weight of the two new lenses. In the right hands, in the right situations, both lenses will surely prove to be extremely sharp and will be used to create some stellar images.
If you plan on pre-ordering one of the new lenses, please get in touch via e-mail before placing your order as I may be able to help you out.
One final thought here: while Canon has had and will continue to offer the strongest lens line-up in the game, the continuing massive superiority of the SONY Alpha 1 makes choosing the best system for photographing birds in flight an easy one. Why? The a1 offers Zebra technology for stills, gorgeous 51 MP files, and the world’s best AF system. During our great session yesterday morning, the light changed often as light clouds occasionally covered the sun. Kevin Hice complained rightly of the difficulty of getting the right exposure with his R5 while John Carelli and I simply spun the rear dial to change the ISO until we saw Zebras on the eagle’s while heads. Until Nikon or Canon mirrorless bodies offer Zebra technology for stills, the a1 is the no-contest choice when it comes to photographing birds, especially flying birds.
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This image was created on 25 February 2022, the last day of the first Homer/Kachemak Bay Bald Eagle IPT. I used the hand held Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II lens with the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter (at 189mm) and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera.. The exposure was determined via Zebras. ISO 1600. 1/4000 second at f/4 (wide open). Raw Digger showed the exposure to be dead-solid perfect. AWB at 10:57:55am on a sunny morning.
Tracking: Zone AF/C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy a high-res version.
Image #1: Bald Eagles in tandem flight
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Two For the Price of One!
As stressed here often, one of the keys to creating very good or great images is to strive for something different. Over the six days of the first IPT we enjoyed banking, diving, and upside-down eagles. We all captured many dozens of excellent flight images depicting a great variety of poses and wing positions. Until yesterday morning’s amazing session, I had never seen two eagles flying in perfect tandem. I saw the two eagles, raised my lens to the left — to about one o’clock, fired off an eight-frame burst, and exclaimed, “Wow. I got two birds in flight on the same plane!”
I kept four very excellent images with today’s featured image being my favorite by a small margin.
Typos
With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
February 24th, 2022 What’s Up?
Bald Eagle photography for the first three days of the Homer/Kachemak Bay IPT was non-stop spectacular. Day four, Wednesday 23 February was so-so. We had no wind and with the continuing warm weather, the birds were not very hungry. Anita North is leaving a day early (today) to get back to Canada. On March 2nd she is flying to Churchill, Manitoba to photograph Polar Bears for three weeks at Wat’chee Lodge adjacent to Wapusk National Park about 40 miles south of town. The average temperature is about -45° Centigrade (-49 Fahrenheit). Plus the wind chill. We wish her luck.
Please be sure to enlarge each image and then leave a comment letting us know which is the winning entry.
Today is Thursday February 24. The forecast is for rain in the morning with some clearing in mid-morning. The good news is that they have predicted rain almost everyday and we have not seen a single drop yet. Wherever you are and whatever you are doing, I hope that you too have a great day.
This blog post took about an hour to prepare, and makes 1 day in a row with a new one.
Please remember to use the B&H and Amazon links on this page and to use the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout when purchasing your new gear from Bedfords. And please consider joining a BAA IPT.
Please Remember
You can find some great photo accessories (and necessities, like surf booties!) on Amazon by clicking on the Stuff tab on the orange/yellow menu bar above. On a related note, it would be extremely helpful if blog-folks who, like me, spend too much money on Amazon, would get in the habit of clicking on the Amazon logo link on the right side of each blog post when they shop online. As you might expect, doing so will not cost you a single penny, but would be appreciated tremendously by yours truly. And doing so works seamlessly with your Amazon Prime account.
Please remember that if an item — a Delkin flash card, or a tripod head — for example, that is available from B&H and/or Bedfords, is also available in the BAA Online Store, it would be great, and greatly appreciated, if you would opt to purchase from us. We will match any price. Please remember also to use my B&H affiliate links or to earn 3% cash back at Bedfords by using the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout for your major gear purchases. Doing either often earns you free guides and/or discounts. And always earns my great appreciation.
Brand New and As-Good-As-Ever Bedfords BAA Discount Policy
Folks who have fallen in love with Bedfords can now use the BIRDSASART coupon code at checkout to enjoy a post-purchase, 3% off-statement credit (excluding taxes and shipping charges) on orders paid with a credit card. The 3% credit will be refunded to the card you used for your purchase. Be sure, also, to check the box for free shipping to enjoy free Second Day Air Fed-Ex. This offer does not apply to purchases of Classes, Gift Cards, or to any prior purchases.
Money Saving Reminder
Many have learned that if you need a hot photo item that is out of stock at B&H and would like to enjoy getting 3% back on your credit card along with free 2nd Day Air Fed-Ex Air shipping, your best bet is to click here, place an order with Bedfords, and enter the coupon code BIRDSASART at checkout. If an item is out of stock, contact Steve Elkins via e-mail or on his cell phone at (479) 381-2592 (Central time). Be sure to mention the BIRDSASART coupon code and check the box for Free Shipping. That will automatically upgrade to free 2nd Day Air Fed-Ex. Steve has been great at getting folks the hot items that are out of stock at B&H and everywhere else. The waitlists at the big stores can be a year or longer for the hard to get items. Steve will surely get you your gear long before that. For the past year, he has been helping BAA Blog folks get their hands on items like the SONY a 1, the SONY 200-600 G OSS lens, the Canon EOS R5, the Canon RF 100-500mm lens, and the Nikon 500mm PF. Steve is personable, helpful, and eager to please.
Important Note
As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small percentage when you purchase from Amazon after using any of the Amazon links on the blog (including the logo-link immediately above). My link works with Amazon Prime and using it will not cost you a single cent. Huge thanks, BTW 🙂
Please Remember Also
Please, if you enjoy and learn from the blog, remember to use one of my two affiliate programs when purchasing new gear. Doing so just might make it possible for me to avoid having to try to get a job as a Walmart greeter and will not cost you a single penny more. And if you use Bedfords and remember to enter the BIRDSASART code at checkout, you will (still!) save 3% on every order and enjoy free second-day air shipping. In these crazy times — I lost about fifty thousand dollars in income due to COVID 19 — remembering to use my B&H link or to shop at Bedfords will help me out a ton and be greatly appreciated. Overseas folks who cannot order from the US because of import fees, duties, and taxes, are invited to help out by clicking here to leave a blog thank you gift if they see fit.
Gear Questions and Advice
Too many folks attending BAA IPTs and dozens of photographers whom I see in the field and on BPN, are–out of ignorance–using the wrong gear, especially when it comes to tripods and more especially, tripod heads… Please know that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail. If you are desperate, you can try me on my cell at 863-221-2372. Please leave a message and shoot me a text if I do not pick up.
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This image was created on 20 February 2022, the first day of the Homer/Kachemak Bay Bald Eagle IPT. I used the hand held Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II lens with the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter (at 280mm) and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera.. The exposure was determined via Zebras. ISO 1600. 1/1600 second at f/4 (wide open). AWB at 4:38.23pm on a then-cloudy bright afternoon.
Tracking: Zone AF/C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy a high-res version.
Image #1: Bald Eagle over mountain I
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The Eagle-Over-the-Mountain Shot
From previous experience, I knew where we had to be to try for the eagle-over-the-mountain shot. The afternoon began sunny and then some light clouds took over — perfect for what I wanted. As there were lots of great photo opps, most folks stuck with run-of-the-mill flight shooting. Don’t get me wrong, the can result in some spectacular flight poses including banking and up-side down birds. I paid some attention to the eagle-over-the-mountain shot, but Anita North, who had seen some of my efforts from previous years, tried exclusively to create a good one. When she would show my an image, I would give her a Larry David-like, “Nah …, I don’t think so.” She kept at it for more than an hour. Finally she showed me one and I said, “That looks pretty good.”
One of today’s images is Anita’s, and one is mine.
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This image was created on 20 February 2022, the first day of the Homer/Kachemak Bay Bald Eagle IPT. I used the hand held Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II lens with the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter (at 280mm) and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera.. The exposure was determined via Zebras. ISO 1600. 1/2500 second at f/4 (wide open). AWB at 4:35:37pm on a then-cloudy bright afternoon.
Tracking: Zone AF/C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy a high-res version.
Image #2: Bald Eagle over mountain II
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The Eagle-Over-the-Mountain Photo Contest
Each of us thinks that our image is the strongest. We need your help. Your job for today is to identify the stronger of two images. Please leave a comment letting us know which you feel is the stronger image, and let us know why you made your choice. Ties are allowed.
If you want to make a guess as to which image is mine and which one is Anita’s, go for it. I would be very proud of either image.
Typos
With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
February 22nd, 2022 Your Favorite?
Which of the three very similar flight poses do you like best? All are invited to leave a comment letting us know why they made their choice. Ambitious folks may wish to put them in order with their favorite first and the weakest of the three images last.
What’s Up?
The morning of day two of the first 2022 Homer/Kachemak Bay IPT was a success. With zero wind, it was not as productive as Day 1 had been, but we still enjoyed many great chances. Considering that it was supposed to rain the whole day, we felt blessed with the completely dry morning.
Be sure to click on each image to see the amazing sharpness of the high-res versions.
Today is Tuesday 22 February and the sun is supposed to be shining this morning. Wherever you are, and whatever you are doing, I hope that you too have a great day. This blog post took about 90 minutes to prepare, and makes 100 days in a row with a new one.
Please Remember
Please remember to use the B&H and Amazon links on this page and to use the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout when purchasing your new gear from Bedfords. And please consider joining a BAA IPT.
You can find some great photo accessories (and necessities, like surf booties!) on Amazon by clicking on the Stuff tab on the orange/yellow menu bar above. On a related note, it would be extremely helpful if blog-folks who, like me, spend too much money on Amazon, would get in the habit of clicking on the Amazon logo link on the right side of each blog post when they shop online. As you might expect, doing so will not cost you a single penny, but would be appreciated tremendously by yours truly. And doing so works seamlessly with your Amazon Prime account.
Please remember that if an item — a Delkin flash card, or a tripod head — for example, that is available from B&H and/or Bedfords, is also available in the BAA Online Store, it would be great, and greatly appreciated, if you would opt to purchase from us. We will match any price. Please remember also to use my B&H affiliate links or to earn 3% cash back at Bedfords by using the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout for your major gear purchases. Doing either often earns you free guides and/or discounts. And always earns my great appreciation.
Brand New and As-Good-As-Ever Bedfords BAA Discount Policy
Folks who have fallen in love with Bedfords can now use the BIRDSASART coupon code at checkout to enjoy a post-purchase, 3% off-statement credit (excluding taxes and shipping charges) on orders paid with a credit card. The 3% credit will be refunded to the card you used for your purchase. Be sure, also, to check the box for free shipping to enjoy free Second Day Air Fed-Ex. This offer does not apply to purchases of Classes, Gift Cards, or to any prior purchases.
Money Saving Reminder
Many have learned that if you need a hot photo item that is out of stock at B&H and would like to enjoy getting 3% back on your credit card along with free 2nd Day Air Fed-Ex Air shipping, your best bet is to click here, place an order with Bedfords, and enter the coupon code BIRDSASART at checkout. If an item is out of stock, contact Steve Elkins via e-mail or on his cell phone at (479) 381-2592 (Central time). Be sure to mention the BIRDSASART coupon code and check the box for Free Shipping. That will automatically upgrade to free 2nd Day Air Fed-Ex. Steve has been great at getting folks the hot items that are out of stock at B&H and everywhere else. The waitlists at the big stores can be a year or longer for the hard to get items. Steve will surely get you your gear long before that. For the past year, he has been helping BAA Blog folks get their hands on items like the SONY a 1, the SONY 200-600 G OSS lens, the Canon EOS R5, the Canon RF 100-500mm lens, and the Nikon 500mm PF. Steve is personable, helpful, and eager to please.
Important Note
As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small percentage when you purchase from Amazon after using any of the Amazon links on the blog (including the logo-link immediately above). My link works with Amazon Prime and using it will not cost you a single cent. Huge thanks, BTW 🙂
Please Remember Also
Please, if you enjoy and learn from the blog, remember to use one of my two affiliate programs when purchasing new gear. Doing so just might make it possible for me to avoid having to try to get a job as a Walmart greeter and will not cost you a single penny more. And if you use Bedfords and remember to enter the BIRDSASART code at checkout, you will (still!) save 3% on every order and enjoy free second-day air shipping. In these crazy times — I lost about fifty thousand dollars in income due to COVID 19 — remembering to use my B&H link or to shop at Bedfords will help me out a ton and be greatly appreciated. Overseas folks who cannot order from the US because of import fees, duties, and taxes, are invited to help out by clicking here to leave a blog thank you gift if they see fit.
Gear Questions and Advice
Too many folks attending BAA IPTs and dozens of photographers whom I see in the field and on BPN, are–out of ignorance–using the wrong gear, especially when it comes to tripods and more especially, tripod heads… Please know that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail. If you are desperate, you can try me on my cell at 863-221-2372. Please leave a message and shoot me a text if I do not pick up.
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This image was created on 19 February 2022, the scouting day for the Homer/Kachemak Bay Bald Eagle IPT. I used the hand held Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II lens with the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter (at 195mm) and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera.. The exposure was determined via Zebras: ISO 400. 1/4000 second at f/4 (wide open). AWB at 11:02:07am on then sunny morning. a somewhat foggy afternoon.
Tracking: Zone AF/C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy a high-res version.
Image #1: Bald Eagle beginning dive – A
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The Quality of Light at 11:00am
We are so far north that the light is still very sweet at 11:00am in Homer, AK in winter. Why? Because the sun is relatively low in the sky. Sunshine is not all that common here in winter. When you have both the sun and the wind behind you, conditions are perfect. If the wind is in your face, you still have a good chance for the spectacular banking and turning images. The sun is supposed return today, Tuesday 22 February 2022.
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This image was created on 19 February 2022, the scouting day for the Homer/Kachemak Bay Bald Eagle IPT. I used the hand held Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II lens with the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter (at 195mm) and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera.. The exposure was determined via Zebras: ISO 400. 1/4000 second at f/4 (wide open). AWB at 11:02:07am on then sunny morning. a somewhat foggy afternoon.
Tracking: Zone AF/C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy a high-res version.
Image #2: Bald Eagle beginning dive – B
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The Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 II/1.4x TC/a1 Combination
As stated yesterday, the The Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 II/1.4x TC/a1 combination has been my most valuable, most-used rig on this trip. When I used Canon dslRs, I would pray for one sharp flight image out of ten. When I used Nikon, things were a bit better; I’d get about five sharp out of ten. With Sony, when I get one flight shot in a series that is not sharp, I am stunned. With the Sony A1, I am so confident in the AF system that I rarely enlarge an image while picking my keepers. Why? It is pretty much a waste of time as everything is razor-sharp on the bird’s eye. Imagine how wonderful that that feels.
Sony Alpha 1 AF
What can I say about a1 autofocus? With today’s featured image, it nailed accurate focus on the eye in a super-difficult situation — a too large in the frame bird flying right at you.
SONY Alpha a1 Set-up and Info Group
The SONY Alpha a1 Set-up and Info Group is going great guns as more and more folks chime in with thoughtful questions and experience-based answers. As the a1 is becoming more readily available, more and more folks are getting their hands on this amazing body. The group is now up to an astounding 110 lucky and blessed folks. Early on, we discussed the myriad AF options. I gave my opinion as to the best one for flight and general bird photography. The best news is that all who wish, can request an e-mail that includes a .DAT file with my a1 settings on it, and explicit directions on how to load my settings onto your a1; talk about convenience! I am now offering a .DAT file compatible with firmware update 1.20. I finally finished the consolidated Sony a1 CAMSETA2 INFO & GUIDE and distributed it yesterday. New a1 folks will now receive three e-mails instead of the previous 28! It is a lot easier on me and is an incredible resource for folks new to the a1.
All who purchased their Alpha a1 bodies via a BAA affiliate link will receive a free subscription to the Sony Alpha a1 Set-Up and Info Updates group after shooting me their receipts via e-mail. (Note: it may take me several days to confirm B&H orders.) This same service may be purchased by anyone with an a1 body via a $150.00 PayPal sent to birdsasart@verizon.net indicating payment for Alpha a1 Info & Updates. Alternatively, folks can call Jim weekdays at 1-863-692-0906 to pay via credit card. New members will receive composite e-mails that summarize all previous discussions.
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This image was created on 19 February 2022, the scouting day for the Homer/Kachemak Bay Bald Eagle IPT. I used the hand held Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II lens with the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter (at 195mm) and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera.. The exposure was determined via Zebras: ISO 400. 1/4000 second at f/4 (wide open). AWB at 11:02:07am on then sunny morning. a somewhat foggy afternoon.
Tracking: Zone AF/C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy a high-res version.
Image #3: Bald Eagle beginning dive -C
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Saving the Whites
Click on each image to view the high-res version. I “saved the whites” on two of today’s featured images. If you can tell which one did not have the detail in the whites restored, please leave a comment letting us know which one is lacking detail in the whites.
The Saving the Whites (and lots more!) Video
One of my biggest challenges when optimizing images involves restoring detail to the WHITEs and highlights of properly exposed images. There are four things that I do to accomplish the latter. All are covered in detail in this 21+ minute video, along with a dirty trick to try if the first four do not work perfectly. Sit with me at my laptop as I teach you how to save the WHITEs. I begin with the raw conversions of two different raw files, today’s featured Snowy Owl image, and Joe Usewicz’s spoonbill image that was featured in the Extraordinary Over-Exposed (?) Spoonbill/Saving the WHITEs Optimization blog post here.
In addition to learning how to save the WHITEs (in both images), you will learn how to expand canvas using the amazingly convenient Content-Aware Crop Tool, to set the White Balance (color temperature), to set the WHITE and BLACK points, see Digital Eye Doctor and RawDigger in action, learn to make a Color Range Selection, and lots more.
To purchase your copy of the Saving the Whites Video (and lots more!) video, you can send a PayPal for $37.00 to us at birdsasart@verizon.net, call Jim in the office at 863-692-0906 with your credit card in hand, or visit the item in the BAA Online store by clicking here.
Typos
With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
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