There were lots of Ospreys at Sebastian and lots of photographers. Conditions were dead-solid perfect with a 15mph southeast wind and clear skies. But, there were no fish in the inlet, so the Ospreys were not diving. “You should have been here three days ago. The birds were diving and coming out of the water with ribbonfish two to three feet long!”
I was glad to learn that the sale of Jerry Taylor’s Canon EF 600mm f/4L IS USM lens became pending the first day it was listed.
Today is Friday 1 January 2021. Happy New Year.
Circle — Harry Chapin
Suggestion: play the video and read this blog post with the song playing in the background …
Or read the words below while considering your life, those you’ve Known, those you’ve loved, and those you’ve lost.
All my life’s a circle;
Sunrise and sundown;
Moon rolls thru the nighttime;
Till the daybreak comes around.
All my life’s a circle;
But I can’t tell you why;
Season’s spinning round again;
The years keep rollin’ by.
It seems like I’ve been here before;
I can’t remember when;
But I have this funny feeling;
That we’ll all be together again.
No straight lines make up my life;
And all my roads have bends;
There’s no clear-cut beginnings;
And so far no dead-ends.
I found you a thousand times;
I guess you done the same;
But then we lose each other;
It’s like a children’s game;
As I find you here again;
A thought runs through my mind;
Our love is like a circle;
Let’s go ’round one more time.
I found you a thousand times;
I guess you done the same;
But then we lose each other;
It’s like a children’s game
Harold Forster Chapin (December 7, 1942 – July 16, 1981) was an American singer-songwriter and philanthropist best known for his folk rock and pop rock songs. His band did Circle at every concert. The band donated a ridiculously large part of their earnings to various world hunger projects. The most ironic verse above is And so far no dead-ends. Why? Harry died in a car crash on the Long Island Expressway on the way to perform at a free benefit concert at Eisenhower Park in East Meadow, in 1981.
Harry’s most popular song was Cat’s in the Cradle, but his lifelong fans are enamored by his various story songs, most of which received little air play. In the amazingly interesting Wikipedia article linked to above, I learned that Harry attended Brooklyn Technical High School (as I did), and that in 1968 (four years after I graduated Tech), he directed Legendary Champions, a boxing documentary that was nominated for an Academy Award.
Pat and Stokes Fishburne one year ago celebrating their 63rd wedding anniversary
One of the many great things in my life …
One of my many blessings along the road have been meeting some really great folks who have become lifelong friends. Pat and Stokes are just two of many. We met of course, on an IPT, more than twenty years ago. They came on many more – ten in all, many twice. The first to Southwest Florida, was the year before they left on a seven year motorhome odyssey. Their favorite IPT by far was a Galapagos Photo-Cruise. Pat, who will be 83 in March, and Stokes, who will be 85 next month, are two of the nicest, sweetest people you could ever hope to meet. Period.
They still do lots of photography in a newly-built pond
Pat and Stokes (formal) wedding ceremony
A Strikingly Beautiful Image From More Than 60 Years Ago
I think that even if you have never met Stokes and Pat, this image would touch you deeply. So much tradition. So much beauty. They eloped on Dec. 31, 1956, but when Stokes graduated in June 1957, they had a formal wedding at the Citadel Chapel. The Citadel — The Military College of South Carolina, commonly known simply as The Citadel, is a military college in Charleston, South Carolina.
Mazel tov to Pat and Stokes: yesterday was their 64th wedding anniversary. Amazingly, Pat’s warm smile has not changed one bit over the years.
Pat and Stokes at Thanksgiving 2020
Ordinary People; Extraordinary Lives
Stokes wanted to be a pilot in the Air Force, but when he attended ROTC camp the summer before his senior year, they did an in-depth medical exam and discovered that he was profoundly color blind and had severe hearing loss. As you might imagine, that was the end of his military career and his dreams of becoming a pilot. After reading the Wikipedia article on The Citadel (link above), I asked Pat — already knowing the answer — if Stokes had ever gotten any Demerits. She replied, Stokes was on the Regimental Command in his senior year — you don’t get that kind of job if you had any demerits.
After graduating from The Citadel, Stokes got a Ph.D. from Ohio State University where he was involved in running the Rocket Research Lab at Ohio State University. After Stokes got his Ph.D. at Ohio State, he became the Deputy Director of the Lab. Then, he went to work at Bethpage, Long Island with Grumman Aircraft, the manufacturer of the lunar excursion module. When Stokes went into work on the morning after the Apollo 13 problem occurred, NASA called to say they had three hours to help figure out how to bring the astronauts back to earth. Stokes and his partner, Dick Oman, used slide rulers (not computers!) to do the needed calculations.
I did an article for Bird Watcher’s Digest many years ago entitled Hummingbird Hosts about Wally and Marion Patton. The Pattons invited folks into their Arizona backyard to watch the hummers at their feeders. When I interviewed Wally I learned that he ran a lost wax foundry that made parts for gyroscopes used in the lunar excursion modules! Indeed, all of our lives are circles.
Michelle Fishburne: Who We Are Now
The Fishburne Family
Pat earned a Ph.D. in sociology from NYU. She was a vice president at Response Analysis in Princeton, NJ for ten years, and planned to retire when she left. But many of her clients needed her, so she formed her own consulting firm — Patricia Fishburne Associates, and continued to do social research. For ten more years, she worked long hours, traveled constantly, and earned a lot of money.
In 1979, Stokes formed SciTec, a cutting-edge Princeton, NJ firm that focused on scientific and technological innovation. After ten years, he sold SciTec to TRW, a former American corporation involved in a variety of businesses including aerospace, automotive, and credit reporting. In 1995, Stokes retired, and the Fishburnes moved to Sanibel, FL. Stokes continued consulting for TRW. In 2002, Pat and Stokes sold their Sanibel home, bought a motorhome, and spent 7 wonderful years touring and photographing in the U.S.
Before I lost my beloved wife Elaine Belsky Morris to breast cancer in 1994, I thought that some folks might get through life without ever having to deal with any great change, without having to deal with any difficult and challenging situations, or without having to deal with any great losses. Obviously I was wrong. I do know that Patricia Fishburne has guided her family through some very tough times. Always with her chin up, and always with a smile.
Pat and Stokes have two daughters and two grandchildren. One of those, an inventor, did a Ted Talk at age 15! Their youngest daughter, Denise Fishburne, has worked at Cisco Systems for more than 24 years. Denise has been making yearly presentations at Cisco Live, both in the U.S. and in Europe. She was named to the Cisco Live Speaker Hall of Fame years ago. Last year she was elevated to “Elite,” a status achieved by only a few people worldwide.
Their oldest daughter, Michelle Fishburne, is a lawyer who has worked in public relations for the past decade. This excerpt is from Pat and Stokes 2020 Christmas letter. It tells you what Michelle has been doing recently.
Our oldest daughter, Michelle, has a much more interesting story, but I will let her tell it: “Sometimes life turns you upside down, dumps you on the floor, and asks ‘so what are you going to do about it?’ That’s what happened to me in 2020. I lost some of my hearing, I lost some of my balance, I lost my job, and I became a single empty nester without a house. That’s what I didn’t have. What I did have, including a positive attitude, has led to one of the happiest periods of my life, traveling throughout the U.S. in my RV and interviewing people about their 2020 experiences.”
The name of Michelle’s project is “Who We Are Now.” Beginning in September she traveled from North Carolina to Wyoming, interviewing a wide variety of people, from mayors and food bank operators to teachers and entertainers. After Christmas, she will take the southern route to California, interviewing people along the way. Click here to learn, in their own words, how people are dealing with their changed lives during COVID.
Topaz
All but one of the images that Pat so kindly shared with me for this blog post where in pretty bad shape. Topaz Gigapixel X4 improved the image quality of three of them immensely, and one was so bad that it also needed some Sharpen AI.
Great Topaz News!
30% Off Sale Right Now!
Folks who use the BAA Topaz link to purchase Sharpen AI, DeNoise AI, or the Utility Bundle (or any other Topaz plugins) will receive an additional 15% discount by entering the ARTHUR15 code at checkout. To get the discount you must use my link and you must enter the discount code. Be sure to start with this link.
Topaz Stuff
As I said just a while back and have said often many times before, I should have listened sooner. If you, like me, are new to the Topaz party, please use this link to purchase. Right now I can wholeheartedly recommend both Topaz Sharpen AI and Topaz DeNoise AI. Though I have not yet worked with JPEGtoRAW AI or Gigapixel AI, I have installed both of these plug-ins and look forward to trying them on some I-Phone 11 images fairly soon. If you are thinking like me, consider the Utility Bundle that includes all four plug-ins mentioned above at a money-saving price.
Again, those who purchase Sharpen AI or DeNoise AI using my link, can e-mail to request a short Getting Started with Topaz e-Guide. I had a bit of trouble getting the two plug-ins installed and having them appear in the Photoshop Filter Menu. In addition, I will explain how to best learn about the two plug-ins by applying them on a Layer (in Photoshop).
Typos
In all blog posts and Bulletins, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
The road-kill cafe provided lots of action on Wednesday morning. I sat in the car nearby until the first vulture flew in and by the time I got in position one of the two circling Bald Eagles struck the opossum carcass and tried to fly away with it. But missed. I worked exclusively with the R5/RF 100-500 rig hand held. In the relatively low light of a cloudy early morning the Canon AF system did not impress. And the color noise in the black feathers of both vultures continues to be problematic. As I wrote when responding to a comment the other day, if my life depended on making a single sharp flight image I’d want a SONY a9 series body in my hands.
That said, the R5 is a very fine mirrorless body. It has an excellent AF system, Face Detection + Tracking is nothing short of remarkable, 45 MP are nothing to sneeze at, and an R5 is much lighter than and much less expensive than th vaunted EOS-1DX Mark III.
Today is Thursday 31 December (goodbye to) 2020. Jim and I are headed to Sebastian Inlet as I type. I will have the SONY 600 GM/1.4X/a9 ii rig on the tripod with the Canon R5/RF 100-500 combo on my shoulder via a Black Rapid Curve Breathe Camera Strap.
As I no longer own any Canon super-telephoto lens, I will soon be sharing some amazing flight images created with an R5 and the Canon 600mm f/4L IS III lens. All with an adapter of course, and some with the 1.4X III TC. Those images will be courtesy of BPN friend Brian Sump. I addition, I will be doing a post featuring the images of blog regular Geoff Newhouse who shoots the SONY 600 GM/a9 ii and has recentlyadded the Canon R5/RF 100-500 lens to his kit. I can assure you that the images will blow you away.
This blog post took about 1 1/2 hours to create. Please remember …
Please Remember
With income from IPTs approaching zero, 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 save 3% on every order and enjoy free second-day air shipping. In these crazy times — I am out at least forty to sixty thousand dollars so far due to COVID 19 (with lots more to come) — 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 can always help out by clicking here if they see fit.
The BAA Used Gear Page
The Used Gear page continues to be very active. The BAA Used Gear Page is the place to sell your used photographic equipment. We will help you to get your gear sold quickly for 20 to 60% or more than what the big guys are offering … Doubt me? Check out the Recent Sales list for the past eleven months at the bottom of the page.
Canon EF 600mm f/4L IS II USM Lens
BIRDS AS ART Record Low Price
Jerry Taylor is offering a Canon EF 600mm f/4L IS USM Lens in very good plus condition for $a BAA record-low $5199.00. The sale includes the rear lens cap, the lens trunk, the original tough front lens cover, the lens strap, a LensCoat, andd 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 Jerry via e-mail or by text to 1-406-579-1291.
The 600 II has been the state of the art super-telephoto for birds, nature, wildlife, and sports for many years. When I was using Canon and could get it to my location, it was always my go-to weapon. It is fast and sharp and deadly alone or with either TC. With a new 600 III going for $12,999 and used version IIs hard to find, you’d do well to grab Jerry’s lens now. artie
Canon EOS 5D Mark III
BIRDS AS ART Record Low Price
Roger Dietrich is offering a Canon EOS 5D Mark III in excellent condition for the BAA recored-low price of $499.00. The rear LCD was covered with a screen protector from day one and there is one very small scratch on the body. The camera works perfectly. The sale includes the front body cap, the lens strap, the cable, two manuals, one Canon battery, the original product box, an easyCover Skin, two books (David Busch’s Compact Field Guide for the Canon EOS 5D Mark III & David Busch’s Canon EOS 5D Mark II Guide to Digital SLR Photography), 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 Roger via e-mail or by phone at 605-660-6247 (Central time zone).
I owned and used this superb, full-frame, 22mp digital body for several years. It was always my first choice for scenic, Urbex (urban exploration), and flower photography until I fell in love for a while with the 5DS R (for a lot more money!). Then I switched to the 5D IV body. In addition, I loved my 5D III body for birds with my big lenses and both TCs. I used mine to create many dozens of high-quality images. Then I switched to Nikon. Roger’s body can be yours right now for a ridiculously low price. artie
Canon Battery Grip BG-E16 the Canon 7D Mark II
BIRDS AS ART Record Low Price
Roger Dietrich is offering a Canon Battery Grip BG-E16 the Canon 7D Mark II in like-new condition for a BIRDS AS ART record-low $99.00. The sale includes the battery magazine, the original product box, 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 Roger via e-mail or by phone at 605-660-6247 (Central time zone).
Dedicated to the EOS 7D Mark II DSLR, the BG-E16 Battery Grip from Canon offers both enhanced handling capabilities as well as extended battery life. It accepts two LP-E6 lithium-ion battery packs to increase the camera’s battery life or, alternatively, AA batteries can be used in conjunction with the included BGM-E16 Battery Magazine. Additionally, the grip is also compatible with the optional ACK-E16 AC Adapter Kit for continuous power.
The design of the grip improves shooting in the vertical orientation and also provides an overall more ergonomic structure for holding the 7D Mark II. A second shutter release button, main dial, multi-controller, AF point selection button, AE/FE lock button, AF start button, and multi-function button are all integrated into the grip for improved and versatile handling. B&H
Upgrade your 7D II while saving $100.00. artie
Canon R5/R6 AF e-Guide Info
So far, 56 folks have sent PayPals for their copy of the Canon R5/R6 AF e-Guide. And 27 who used my affiliate links to purchase their R5 have e-mailed for and received their free copy of the guide. If you e-mailed or sent a PayPal and did not receive your guide, please LMK immediately via e-mail.
Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive so far. Three folks wrote stating that they had a better way of setting up AF on their R5s. When I wrote back explaining why they were in error, two of them back-tracked. One stubborn guy is still doing it his way — less efficiently. Be sure to scroll down to read about my plans for a Canon R5/R6 User’s e-Guide. Understand that the info in the BAA Canon R5/R6 Autofocus e-Guide is so important that I opted to publish the AF guide immediately as the R5/R6 User’s Guide will take at least a month to finish.
BAA Canon R5/R6 Autofocus e-Guide
Twenty-one pages. 3,452 words. 28-DPP4 screen captures showing the R5’s vaunted AF system in action. Note: the AF system of the R5 is identical to the AF system of the R6.
You will learn:
1- The two most useful AF Methods for general bird photography and for birds in flight.
2- How to set up your R5/R6 AF Menus.
3- What boxes to check (and un-check) under Limit AF Methods.
4- How to change the AF Method quickly, easily, and efficiently. Note: the default way of doing this is clunky, cumbersome, and inefficient at best. One person replied that this tip alone was worth the price of admission.
5- The only setting that should be used for Initial Servo AF pt for Face Detection + Tracking.
I you are currently using multiple back buttons either for general bird photography or for birds in flight, what you learn in this guide will change your life. For the better.
Here are the first three paragraphs of this e-Guide:
From the moment I learned about the new Canon mirrorless bodies, I read about using two or three back-buttons to focus using different AF methods. The word on the street said that the way to go for birds in flight was to use one button to acquire focus with Zone AF or with Large Zone: Horizontal AF and then switch to another button to activate Face Detection + Tracking AF and then use the shutter button to make an image. My immediate thought was, “This is insanity! There has got to be a better way.” In short, there is a far superior way to set up AF on your R5 or R6.
Remember that I got away from any form of back-button or rear focusing many years ago after finally realizing that it is always easier to do one thing (press the shutter button), than it is to do two things (press a back button and then press the shutter button).
The default method of switching AF Methods with the R5/R6 bodies is cumbersome at best. It involves first pressing the grid button (my name) on the upper right back of the camera and then pressing the hard-to-access M-Fn button to toggle through the AF Methods. This method is so bad that it will not be mentioned again in this guide.
The guide is free to all who have ordered an R5 or an R6 using my B&H affiliate link or from Steve Elkins/Bedfords using the BIRDSASART coupon code at checkout. Please send your receipt to me via e-mail. It will take me a few days to a week to verify the B&H purchases. Bedfords folks should expect their free e-Guides fairly quickly.
To purchase your copy of the e-Guide, please send a PayPal for $25.00 to birdsasart@verizon.net and be sure to include the words R5/R6 AF Guide in your PayPal e-mail.
Everyone who gets the guide will receive a free update no later than the first week in January.
Canon R5/R6 User’s e-Guide
I am working on a complete Canon R5/R6 User’s e-Guide. This will require a lot of research, a lot of time, and a lot of effort. I am hoping to have it complete by mid- to late January. As always, folks who use the BAA affiliate links to purchase their Canon gear will receive a substantial discount.
Understand that the info in the BAA Canon R5/R6 Autofocus e-Guide is so important that I opted to publish the AF guide right off the bat to help folks get started with their new camera bodies.
Great Topaz News!
30% Off Sale Right Now!
Folks who use the BAA Topaz link to purchase Sharpen AI, DeNoise AI, or the Utility Bundle (or any other Topaz plugins) will receive an additional 15% discount by entering the ARTHUR15 code at checkout. To get the discount you must use my link and you must enter the discount code. Be sure to start with this link.
Topaz Stuff
As I said just a while back and have said often many times before, I should have listened sooner. If you, like me, are new to the Topaz party, please use this link to purchase. Right now I can wholeheartedly recommend both Topaz Sharpen AI and Topaz DeNoise AI. Though I have not yet worked with JPEGtoRAW AI or Gigapixel AI, I have installed both of these plug-ins and look forward to trying them on some I-Phone 11 images fairly soon. If you are thinking like me, consider the Utility Bundle that includes all four plug-ins mentioned above at a money-saving price.
Again, those who purchase Sharpen AI or DeNoise AI using my link, can e-mail to request a short Getting Started with Topaz e-Guide. I had a bit of trouble getting the two plug-ins installed and having them appear in the Photoshop Filter Menu. In addition, I will explain how to best learn about the two plug-ins by applying them on a Layer (in Photoshop).
New and Better Bedfords Discount Policy!
You can now save 3% on all of your Bedfords photo gear purchases by entering the BIRDSASART coupon code at checkout. Your discount will be applied to your pre-tax total. In addition, by using the code you will get 2nd day air shipping via Fed Ex.
Grab a Nikon AF-S Teleconverter TC-14E III and save $14.99. Purchase a Canon EOS R5 and your discount will be $116.97. Purchase a Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens and save a remarkable $389.94! Your Bedford’s purchase no longer needs to be greater than $1,000.00 for you to receive a discount. The more you spend, the more you save.
Money Saving Reminder
Many have learned that if you need a hot photo item that is out of stock at B&H and would enjoy free overnight 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 use it for your online order to save 3% and enjoy free 2nd-day air shipping. Steve has been great at getting folks the hot items that are out of stock at B&H and everywhere else. The wait lists 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 a9 ii, 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.
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. Those questions might deal with systems, camera bodies, accessories, and/or lens choices and decisions.
Image #1: Norway Pine Bark/Day 20 image from Chased by the Light
Chased by the Light
Renowned nature photographer, friend, and colleague Jim Brandenburg gave himself a challenge: for ninety days between the autumnal equinox and the winter solstice, he would make only one photograph a day. On film! As his shutter opened and closed on that first day, his 90-day journey began. The exquisite book, Chased by the Light, is the result of that bold and immensely personal project. All ninety images were published in a single issue of National Geographic magazine.
Thanks to Jim and his daughter Heidi for providing the inspiring JPEG above. To see what Jim is up to now, check out his blog here. If you are interested in getting a signed copy of this or other books by Jim, please contact me via e-mail and I will put you in touch with Heidi.
If you do not own the book, you can learn the backstory of this incredible project in the video above.
This in-camera HDR image was created on 7 December 2020 down by the lake at Indian Lake Estates. I used the Induro GIT 304L tripod/Levered-clamp FlexShooter Pro-mounted Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM lens (at 254mm) and the highly touted 45MP Canon EOS R5 Mirrorless Digital camera body. ISO 400. Exposure determined using the in-camera histogram followed by a histogram/blinkies evaluation and some luck. 1/8 sec. at f/11 in Manual mode. AWB at 9:02am on a cloudy morning.
Manual focus with focus peaking. Click on the image to see a larger version.
Image #2: Pine Bark patterns
Inspiration
As I have said a thousand times, looking at as many good images as you can is a great way to improve your own photography. About a month ago, I re-read Chased by the Light. Jim’s writing is insightful and often mystical. His Norway Pine Bark image, #1 above, is my favorite image in the book. It teaches us that we need to open our eyes and see what is before us.
While scouting around on a cloudy morning near the vulture tree at the south end of the South Field, I found just what I was looking for. Inspired by Jim’s image, I went to work.
A Fine Line?
Is there a fine line between being inspired by the work of others, or just plain copying it? In nature photography, I do not believe that the line is a fine one. The only way to truly copy someone’s work is to have them set up an image and put a card in their camera. Otherwise, every situation is so different the while we can be inspired and influenced by the work of others, it is not — in my opinion — possible to copy someone else’s photograph. What do you think?
Remember that early on, my bird photography was strongly influenced by John Shaw’s flowers and by the work of Tim Fitzharris and Rod Planck.
R5 HDR (and Multiple Exposure) Features
After switching full time to Nikon and then to SONY, I really missed the HDR and Multiple Exposure features of the 5D Mark IV. I spent several hours writing the sections for these two quite complex items for the BA R5/R6 Camera User’s Guide.
Typos
In all blog posts and Bulletins, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
My favorite morning location in Lakeland was terrible. There were about eight American White Pelicans way too far away on large support ring around the soon-to-be-dismantled lighted, ornamental X-mas tree in the middle of the lake. Usually there are several dozen of them sitting on the bulkheads right next to the lake. There were a few ducks around including a hen Canvasback; I did not get any pictures of her. The Great Blue Heron nest failed as it had for the past few years:( Then we headed to the next-best morning Lakeland lake where there was lots of action. The Anhingas there are silly tame and dependable as were the Lesser Scaups and the White Ibises.
I learned a ton more about my R5 and still have to figure out some weird stuff with Auto ISO … Alas, there were no flight photography opportunities.
Today is Wednesday, 30 December 2020. The forecast if for partly cloudy with east and east/southeast winds. I will be headed down to the lake soon to set up the road-kill cafe for the vultures.
This blog past makes thirteen days in a row with a new blog post. This one took about 2 1/2 hours to prepare including the time spent on the image optimizations. Please remember …
Via e-Mail from Joe Usewicz
Hi Artie, I forgot to mention that Topaz products are 30% off right now and if you go thru your link and add Arthur15, you get an additional 15% off. Like I just did! Warm regards, Joe
Please Remember
With income from IPTs approaching zero, 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 save 3% on every order and enjoy free second-day air shipping. In these crazy times — I am out at least forty to sixty thousand dollars so far due to COVID 19 (with lots more to come) — 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 can always help out by clicking here if they see fit.
The BAA Used Gear Page
The Used Gear page continues to be very active. The BAA Used Gear Page is the place to sell your used photographic equipment. We will help you to get your gear sold quickly for 20 to 60% or more than what the big guys are offering … Doubt me? Check out the Recent Sales list for the past eleven months at the bottom of the page.
Canon R5/R6 AF e-Guide Info
So far, 56 folks have sent PayPals for their copy of the Canon R5/R6 AF e-Guide. And 27 who used my affiliate links to purchase their R5 have e-mailed for and received their free copy of the guide. If you e-mailed or sent a PayPal and did not receive your guide, please LMK immediately via e-mail.
Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive so far. Three folks wrote stating that they had a better way of setting up AF on their R5s. When I wrote back explaining why they were in error, two of them back-tracked. One stubborn guy is still doing it his way — less efficiently. Be sure to scroll down to read about my plans for a Canon R5/R6 User’s e-Guide. Understand that the info in the BAA Canon R5/R6 Autofocus e-Guide is so important that I opted to publish the AF guide immediately as the R5/R6 User’s Guide will take at least a month to finish.
BAA Canon R5/R6 Autofocus e-Guide
Twenty-one pages. 3,452 words. 28-DPP4 screen captures showing the R5’s vaunted AF system in action. Note: the AF system of the R5 is identical to the AF system of the R6.
You will learn:
1- The two most useful AF Methods for general bird photography and for birds in flight.
2- How to set up your R5/R6 AF Menus.
3- What boxes to check (and un-check) under Limit AF Methods.
4- How to change the AF Method quickly, easily, and efficiently. Note: the default way of doing this is clunky, cumbersome, and inefficient at best. One person replied that this tip alone was worth the price of admission.
5- The only setting that should be used for Initial Servo AF pt for Face Detection + Tracking.
I you are currently using multiple back buttons either for general bird photography or for birds in flight, what you learn in this guide will change your life. For the better.
Here are the first three paragraphs of this e-Guide:
From the moment I learned about the new Canon mirrorless bodies, I read about using two or three back-buttons to focus using different AF methods. The word on the street said that the way to go for birds in flight was to use one button to acquire focus with Zone AF or with Large Zone: Horizontal AF and then switch to another button to activate Face Detection + Tracking AF and then use the shutter button to make an image. My immediate thought was, “This is insanity! There has got to be a better way.” In short, there is a far superior way to set up AF on your R5 or R6.
Remember that I got away from any form of back-button or rear focusing many years ago after finally realizing that it is always easier to do one thing (press the shutter button), than it is to do two things (press a back button and then press the shutter button).
The default method of switching AF Methods with the R5/R6 bodies is cumbersome at best. It involves first pressing the grid button (my name) on the upper right back of the camera and then pressing the hard-to-access M-Fn button to toggle through the AF Methods. This method is so bad that it will not be mentioned again in this guide.
The guide is free to all who have ordered an R5 or an R6 using my B&H affiliate link or from Steve Elkins/Bedfords using the BIRDSASART coupon code at checkout. Please send your receipt to me via e-mail. It will take me a few days to a week to verify the B&H purchases. Bedfords folks should expect their free e-Guides fairly quickly.
To purchase your copy of the e-Guide, please send a PayPal for $25.00 to birdsasart@verizon.net and be sure to include the words R5/R6 AF Guide in your PayPal e-mail.
Everyone who gets the guide will receive a free update no later than the first week in January.
Canon R5/R6 User’s e-Guide
I am working on a complete Canon R5/R6 User’s e-Guide. This will require a lot of research, a lot of time, and a lot of effort. I am hoping to have it complete by mid- to late January. As always, folks who use the BAA affiliate links to purchase their Canon gear will receive a substantial discount.
Understand that the info in the BAA Canon R5/R6 Autofocus e-Guide is so important that I opted to publish the AF guide right off the bat to help folks get started with their new camera bodies.
Great Topaz News!
30% Off Sale Right Now!
Folks who use the BAA Topaz link to purchase Sharpen AI, DeNoise AI, or the Utility Bundle (or any other Topaz plugins) will receive an additional 15% discount by entering the ARTHUR15 code at checkout. To get the discount you must use my link and you must enter the discount code. Be sure to start with this link.
Topaz Stuff
As I said just a while back and have said often many times before, I should have listened sooner. If you, like me, are new to the Topaz party, please use this link to purchase. Right now I can wholeheartedly recommend both Topaz Sharpen AI and Topaz DeNoise AI. Though I have not yet worked with JPEGtoRAW AI or Gigapixel AI, I have installed both of these plug-ins and look forward to trying them on some I-Phone 11 images fairly soon. If you are thinking like me, consider the Utility Bundle that includes all four plug-ins mentioned above at a money-saving price.
Again, those who purchase Sharpen AI or DeNoise AI using my link, can e-mail to request a short Getting Started with Topaz e-Guide. I had a bit of trouble getting the two plug-ins installed and having them appear in the Photoshop Filter Menu. In addition, I will explain how to best learn about the two plug-ins by applying them on a Layer (in Photoshop).
128 sold to rave reviews.
The SONY e-Guide by Patrick Sparkman and Arthur Morris
The Sony Camera User’s e-Guide (and Videos)
Click here to purchase the guide with one Camera Set-up Video. Be sure to e-mail us by clicking here to specify your camera body so that we can send you a link for the correct video.
Click here to purchase the guide with two Camera Set-up Videos. Be sure to e-mail us by clicking here to specify your two camera bodies so that we can send you links for the correct videos.
You can now save 3% on all of your Bedfords photo gear purchases by entering the BIRDSASART coupon code at checkout. Your discount will be applied to your pre-tax total. In addition, by using the code you will get 2nd day air shipping via Fed Ex.
Grab a Nikon AF-S Teleconverter TC-14E III and save $14.99. Purchase a Canon EOS R5 and your discount will be $116.97. Purchase a Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens and save a remarkable $389.94! Your Bedford’s purchase no longer needs to be greater than $1,000.00 for you to receive a discount. The more you spend, the more you save.
Money Saving Reminder
Many have learned that if you need a hot photo item that is out of stock at B&H and would enjoy free overnight 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 use it for your online order to save 3% and enjoy free 2nd-day air shipping. Steve has been great at getting folks the hot items that are out of stock at B&H and everywhere else. The wait lists 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 a9 ii, 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.
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. Those questions might deal with systems, camera bodies, accessories, and/or lens choices and decisions.
This image was created on 29 December 2020 at my favorite Lakeland location. I used the handheld Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM lens (at 454mm) and the highly touted 45MP Canon EOS R5 Mirrorless Digital camera body. ISO 1600. Exposure determined using the in-camera histogram followed by a histogram/blinkies evaluation and luck. The raw file brightness was confirmed as perfect by RawDigger: 1/500 sec. at f/8 in Manual mode. AWB at 8:09am in the shade on clear morning.
Face detection + Tracking/AI Servo AF was active at the moment of exposure and performed quite well, tracking and catching most of the eye. Click the image to see a larger version.
Image #1: American Coot in early morning reflections
Backgrounds …
In bird photography, the backgrounds are often more important to the artistic success of an image than the bird itself. Have you heard the expression, Ugly as a coot? The swirly, soft yellow water in this image is the over-riding reason for its success.
This is a slight crop. I ran Topaz DeNoise AI on Auto and Topaz Sharpen AI on Stabilize.
This image was created on 29 December 2020 at my Lakeland morning back-up location. I used the handheld Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM lens with the Canon Extender RF 1.4x (at 560mm) and the highly touted 45MP Canon EOS R5 Mirrorless Digital camera body. ISO 640. Exposure determined by experience and luck and confirmed as perfect by RawDigger: 1/640 sec. at f/13 (stopped down one stop) in Manual mode. AWB at 8:39am on sunny morning.
Face detection + Tracking/AI Servo AF was active at the moment of exposure and performed to perfection nailing the bird’s eye.
Click the image to see a larger version.
Image #2: Immature Anhinga head and neck portrait
The Effects of f/13 on the Background
So why was I at f/13 in the first place? Working at 700mm, I was doing tight head shots of this bird — in those situations, an additional stop of depth-of-field is a plus. When I zoomed out, I effectively increased that depth-of-field. That brought up the wide striations in the background. Usually I want the backgrounds as smooth as possible. I really like the look of this one with the more defined strips of color background.
This one is full frame. Looking at the comparison view in Topaz DeNoise AI, I went with Low Light by a small margin.
This image was created on 29 December 2020 at my Lakeland morning back-up location. I used the handheld Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM lens with the Canon Extender RF 1.4x (at 700mm) and the highly touted 45MP Canon EOS R5 Mirrorless Digital camera body. ISO 800. Exposure determined by experience, histogram evaluation, and luck, and confirmed as perfect by RawDigger: 1/500 sec. at f/14 (stopped down 1 1/3 stops) in Manual mode. AWB at 9:00am on sunny morning.
Large Zone: Horizontal (up two clicks)/AI Servo AF was active at the moment of exposure and performed to perfection by painting the bird’s face and bill with active AF points
Click the image to see a larger version.
Image #3: Common Moorhen adult over the shoulder head portrait
Head Angle
With over-the-shoulder portraits, my great preference is for the bird’s head to be perfectly parallel to the imaging sensor. This moorhen (formerly gallinule) has its head turned about two degrees toward me, just a bit too much. But I love the great detail on the face. I might have stopped down another stop to sharpen up the feathers on the back, but that would likely not have helped much as I was so close. With many of today’s featured images, the fabulous close focusing abilities of the RF 100-500 were a big plus.
Notice here that at f/14 the background is much softer and less defined than in Image #2. Why? I was much closer to the bird; depth-of-field decreases as the distance to the subject decreases.
The REDs on the bill were simply too bright but rather than desaturating them, I used the Selective Color trick that is detailed in the BIRDS AS ART Current Workflow e-Guide (Digital Basics II). This tip is great for cardinals and other red birds in sweet light — it completely eliminates the enamel look of too-bright REDs.
Image #3A: Common Moorhen adult over the shoulder head portrait
The Comparison View
This is one is slight crop. Looking at the comparison view in Topaz DeNoise AI, I went with AI Clear by a very small margin. Learn how to set up the comparison view in the blog post here.
This image was also created on 29 December 2020 at my Lakeland morning back-up location. Again I used the handheld Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM lens with the Canon Extender RF 1.4x (this one at 661mm) and the highly touted 45MP Canon EOS R5 Mirrorless Digital camera body. ISO 800. Exposure determined by experience, histogram evaluation, and luck and confirmed as perfect by RawDigger: 1/1250 sec. at f/11 (stopped down 1/3-stop) in Manual mode. AWB at 9:10am on sunny morning.
Face detection + Tracking/AI Servo AF was active at the moment of exposure and performed to perfection nailing the bird’s eye.
Click the image to see a larger version.
Image #4: Lesser Scaup drake swimming
An Explanation of my R5 Exposure Problems and Concerns
If a single bird is just sitting there, I have no problem getting a perfect exposure with the R5 after making a test image or two. RawDigger has taught me that I barely want a single blinkie with the new Canon body. But in bird photography, the subjects rarely sit still. With the scaups, the drakes need 1/3-stop less light than the hens because the bright silver on the flanks of the adult males is brighter than the white ovals on either side of the bill on the hens (and on the first-year males as well). In addition, you might get to shoot a more evenly toned duck species that does not have any bright highlights. I do my best to keep up with the changing tonalities, but getting the exposure perfect often involves luck. On Tuesday morning, RawDigger showed that about 90% of my images were over-exposed with non-recoverable highlights … A very big part of the problem is that it is pretty much impossible to properly evaluate the live-in-the-viewfinder histogram with moving subjects … In addition, small bright highlights are not seen well on the histogram.
With SONY, folks using Patrick Sparkman’s Zebras strategy with their camera set up correctly with ISO on the rear wheel, getting the right exposure is much, much simpler. Simply adjust the ISO until you see some Zebras on the highlights, and you are assured of having a perfect exposure time after time. With practice, you can do this even when tracking a bird in flight. So with the ducks of varying tonalities, you simply adjust the ISO with the rear wheel till you see some blinks; shutter speed and aperture are set manually and do not change. This method is fast, simple, and accurate.
Monstrously Huge Advantage: SONY
This is one is full frame. Looking at the comparison view in Topaz DeNoise AI, I again opted for Low Light albeit by a small margin.
Image #4A: DPP4 Screen Capture for Lesser Scaup drake swimming
DPP4 Screen Capture
Be sure to enlarge the image to view the small red square squarely on the bird’s eye. Face Detection + Tracking/AI Servo AF with the R5 is indeed quite remarkable. In the R5/R6 AF Guide, you will learn exactly how to set up your camera properly so that you can take advantage of this amazing technology. When I first started testing the Canon gear, I made one mistake that seriously limited my success when using Face Detection + Tracking …
Even though some of the new AF technology is superb, successful image designs are attained only after lots of practice to help develop your framing skills. It is very easy to be sloppy and mis-frame an image; I will be doing a blog post soon showing lots of examples of just that, all created by yours truly.
This image was also created on 29 December 2020 at my Lakeland morning back-up location. Again I used the handheld Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM lens with the Canon Extender RF 1.4x (this one at 700mm) and the highly touted 45MP Canon EOS R5 Mirrorless Digital camera body. ISO 640. Exposure determined by experience, histogram evaluation, and luck and confirmed as perfect by RawDigger: 1/1000 sec. at f/13 (stopped down one full stop) in Manual mode. AWB at 9:14am on sunny morning.
Face detection + Tracking/AI Servo AF was active at the moment of exposure and performed to perfection nailing the bird’s eye.
Click the image to see a larger version.
Image #5: White Ibis winter adult face portrait
Point-Blank Depth-of-Field
Here I am so close to this tame subject that even with the aperture stopped down one full stop the background is rendered totally smooth and detail-less. With this image I love the blue iris and the incredible feather detail.
This is one is a very small crop. Looking at the comparison view in Topaz DeNoise AI, I went with AI Clear by a hair.
The BAA Middle of Florida Photographic Site Guide
You can purchase your copy here in the BAA Online Store.
The BAA Middle of Florida Photographic Site Guide
126 pages, 87 photographs by Joe Przybyla and Arthur Morris.
The PDF for this e-Guide is an electronic download sent via e-mail.
I had thought about doing a guide to some of the great but little-known photo hotspots around central Florida for about a decade, but those plans never came to fruition. I met Joe online in the Avian Forum at BirdPhotographer’s.Net about two years ago. Joe’s photography has improved tremendously over the past few years; he credits the BAA blog, my books and PDFs, and his participation on BPN. The one thing that I learned right from the get-go about Joe is that he is a hard and tenacious worker, always striving to improve his skills and to grow his knowledge base. As he knew of more than a few good spots in central Florida, I broached the idea of us doing a photographic site guide that covered many of the little-known photographic hotspots from Brandon to Lakeland to Joe Overstreet Road to Indian Lake Estates (my Florida home for the past 20 years or so). After more than many, many dozens of hours of effort, The BIRDS AS ART Middle of Florida Photographic Site Guide is now a reality. Thanks to Joe’s wife Dottie for her review of our writing. We all learned once again that writing is a process, a back and forth process. All thanks to the white pelicans of Lakeland. Here are the locations that are detailed in this e-Guide:
Indian Lake Estates: Sandhills Cranes with chicks and colts, lots of vultures, and Ospreys up the kazoo!
Gatorland, Kissimmee: Learn to make great images of wading birds in a cluttered rookery.
The Brandon Rookery: Great for nesting Wood Storks, Great Egrets, and more.
Circle Bar B Reserve, Lakeland: Here you will find a great variety of avian subjects in a great variety of habitats.
Lake Morton, Lakeland: There are lots of silly tame birds here including and especially American White Pelican during the colder months.
Lake Mirror, Lakeland: Tame Anhingas, Limpkins, and a zillion White Ibises at times.
West Lake Parker, Lakeland: Here you will have a chance for two difficult birds, Snail Kite, and Purple Gallinule.
Joe Overstreet Road, Kenansville: Crested Caracara, meadowlarks, Loggerhead Shrike, and much more on the fenceposts and barbed wire.
Each location includes a map, a detailed description of the best spots, best season, light and time of day instructions, the expected species, and an educational and inspirational gallery that is designed to open your eyes as to the possibilities.
You can purchase a copy here in the BAA Online Store.
Typos
In all blog posts and Bulletins, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
