The Book of Mormon was energy-filled and as superb and as wildly irreverent as advertised. I just love great musicals. Cody Jamison Strand in the role of Elder Cunningham totally stole the show. The Book of Arnold indeed … Sunday was the Metropolitan Museum of Art in the morning and Hamilton at 3pm.
Please …
Please consider leaving a comment and letting us know which of today’s four featured images is your favorites, and why.
The 2020 San Diego 4 1/2-DAY BIRDS AS ART Instructional Photo-Tour (IPT) WED JAN 8, 2020 thru and including the morning session on SUN JAN 12: 4 1/2 days: $2099.(Limit: 8/Openings: 5)
BIRDS AS ART is registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
Money Saving Reminder
If you need a hot photo item that is out of stock at B&H, would enjoy free overnight shipping, and would like a $50 discount on your first purchase over $1000.00, click here to order and enter the coupon code BIRDSASART at checkout. If you are looking to strike a deal on Canon or Nikon gear (including the big telephotos) or on a multiple item order, contact Steve Elkins via e-mail or on his cell at (479) 381-2592 (Eastern time) and be sure to mention your BIRDSASART coupon code and use it for your online order. Steve has been great at getting folks the hot items that are out of stock at B&H. Those include the SONY a7r IV, the SONY 200-600, the SONY 600mm f/4 GM, and the Nikon 500mm PF. Steve is 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.
Click on the image to see a larger, inexplicably sharper version.
My First Attempt at 1200mm Flight (with the a7R IV)
We were on the sandbar at DeSoto and I was working with the a7r IV and the 600 GM. There were some relatively distant pelicans diving in front of the sunset so I added the 2X TC. As I had set the exposure for a bird diving right next to the sun in the brightest part of the sky, this one was somewhat underexposed. A much higher ISO and a somewhat faster shutter speed would have resulted in better image quality. But I was pretty impressed.
Click on the image to see a larger, inexplicably sharper version.
Experimenting at 1200mm
On the evening of November 26th, I decided to experiment with the 2X TC on the 600 GM with the a9 II. I took lots of images of cranes floating down to earth against a clear but colorful sky. I was pretty much stunned by the consistent sharpness; in most of the images the nares were sharply defined and you could see light through them if the angle was right. So the next morning I used the same gear for more traditional flight photography and was again amazed …
Click on the image to see a larger, inexplicably sharper version.
Loving Cloudy-bright for Flight
I just love cloudy-bright days to clear sunny days for flight photography. The former yields superb underwing detail and absolutely no shadows. And most current dSLRs and mirrorless bodies handle noise at ISOs from 800 to 5000 fairly well.
Click on the image to see a larger, inexplicably sharper version.
11:32 am?
Yes, on IPTs when the conditions are perfect we do not worry about scheduled meals. Heck, I never even have a schedule. We photograph when the photography is good and worry about the rest whenever.
Even Ounces Count
The SONY 600 GM is a single ounce lighter than the Canon 600 III (but is better balanced for those who handhold). The. big weight savings are with the camera bodies; the a7R III & IV and the a9 and the a9 II weigh significantly less than Canon and Nikon dSLRs. And there is no need at all for a vertical grip with extra batteries to get to actual 15 fps with the a9 II. And the SONY teleconverters are significantly lighter and significantly smaller than their dSLR equivalents (especially the 2X TC).
Speaking of Batteries
The word on the street has been that SONY camera batteries suck. For me, that has not been the case. In Florida, working in relatively warm temperatures, I have never once had to replace a SONY battery even during 1000-image plus sessions. While at Bosque, working in much colder temps, often in the mid-twenties, I had to change batteries exactly twice in thirteen days. And both of those occasions were at the very end of long shooting sessions.
San Diego offers a wealth of very attractive natural history subjects, including and especially the Pacific race of California Brown Pelican. With annual visits spanning more than four decades, I have lots of photographic experience there … Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.
The 2020 San Diego 4 1/2-DAY BIRDS AS ART Instructional Photo-Tour (IPT) WED JAN 8, 2020 thru and including the morning session on SUN JAN 12: 4 1/2 days: $2099.(Limit: 8/Openings: 5)
Introductory Meet and Greet at 7:00pm on the evening before the IPT begins; WED JAN 7, 2020.
Join me in San Diego to photograph the spectacular breeding plumage Brown Pelicans with their fire-engine red and olive green bill pouches; Brandt’s (nesting with eggs and possibly chicks) and Double-crested Cormorants; breeding plumage Wood and Ring-necked Duck; other duck species possible including Lesser Scaup, Redhead, and Surf Scoter; a variety of gulls including Western, California, and the gorgeous Heermann’s, all in full breeding plumage; shorebirds including Marbled Godwit, Willet, Sanderling and Black-bellied Plover; many others are possible including Least, Western, and Spotted Sandpiper, Whimbrel, Black and Ruddy Turnstone, Semipalmated Plover, and Surfbird; Harbor Seals (depending on the current regulations) and California Sea Lions; and Bird of Paradise flowers. And as you can see by studying the IPT cards, there are some nice bird-scape and landscape opportunities as well. Not to mention a ton of excellent flight photography opportunities and instruction.
Please note: where permitted and on occasion, ducks and gulls may be attracted (or relocated) with offerings of grains or healthy bread.
Learning Exposure, Whether You Like It Or Not
Whether you like it or not, we will be beating the subject of exposure like a dead horse. In every new situation, you will hear my thoughts on the exposure situation along with my thoughts on both Nikon and Canon histograms and the subject of blinkies. Whether you like it or not, you will learn to work in manual mode and to get the right exposure every time as long as a bird gives you ten seconds with the light constant. And you will learn what to do when the light is changing constantly. What you learn about exposure will be one of the great takeaways on every IPT.
Though the pelicans will be the stars of the show on this IPT, there will be many other handsome and captivating subjects in wonderful settings. Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.
It Ain’t Just Pelicans
With gorgeous subjects just sitting there waiting to have their pictures taken, photographing the pelicans on the cliffs is about as easy as nature photography gets. With the winds from the east almost every morning there is usually some excellent flight photography as well. And the pelicans are almost always doing something interesting: preening, scratching, bill pouch cleaning, or squabbling. And then there are those crazy head throws that are thought to be a form of intra-flock communication. You will be guided as to how to make the best of all of those opportunities. And depending on the weather and local conditions and tides, there are a variety of fabulous photo chances available in and around San Diego.
Did I mention that there are lots of great birds and natural history subjects in San Diego in winter? Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.
The San Diego Details
This IPT will include five 3 1/2 hour morning photo sessions, four 2 1/2 hour afternoon photo sessions, four lunches, and after-lunch image review and Photoshop sessions. To ensure early starts, breakfasts will be your responsibility. And so that we can get some sleep, dinners will be on your own.
A $599 non-refundable deposit is required to hold your slot for this IPT. You can send a check (made out to “Arthur Morris) to us at BIRDS AS ART, PO Box 7245, Indian Lake Estates, FL, 3385, or call Jim or Jennifer at the office with a credit card at 863-692-0906. Your balance, payable only by check, will be due on 10/11//2018. 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. Please print, complete, and sign the form that is linked to here and shoot it to us along with your deposit check. 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.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance for both big international trips and US-based IPTs is highly recommended as we never know what life has in store for us. I strongly recommend that you purchase quality travel insurance. Travel Insurance Services offers a variety of plans and options. Included with the Elite Option or available as an upgrade to the Basic & Plus Options you can also purchase Cancel for Any Reason Coverage that expands the list of reasons for your canceling to include things such as sudden work or family obligation and even a simple change of mind. My family and I use and depend on the great policies offered by TIS whenever we travel. You can learn more here: Travel Insurance Services. Do note that many plans require that you purchase your travel insurance within 14 days of our cashing your deposit check or running your credit card. Whenever purchasing travel insurance, be sure to read the fine print carefully even when dealing with reputable firms like TSI.
Variety is surely the spice of life in San Diego. Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.
Getting Up Early and Staying Out Late
On all BIRDS AS ART IPTS including and especially the San Diego IPT, we get into the field early to take advantage of unique and often spectacular lighting conditions and we stay out late to maximize the chances of killer light and glorious sunset silhouette situations. We often arrive at the cliffs a full hour before anyone else shows up to check out the landscape and seascape opportunities.
If In Doubt …
If you are in doubt about using the BAA B&H affiliate link correctly, you can always start your search by clicking here. Please note that the tracking is invisible. Web orders only. Please, however, remember to shoot me your receipt via e-mail.
Please Remember to use my Affiliate Links and to Visit the BAA Online Store 🙂
As always, we sell only what I have used, have tested, and can depend on. We will not sell you junk. We know what you need to make creating great images easy and fun. And please remember that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail.
I would, of course, appreciate your using our B&H affiliate links or Bedfords for all of your major gear, video, and electronic purchases. For the photographic stuff mentioned in the paragraph above, and for everything else in the new store, we, meaning BAA, would of course greatly appreciate your business. Here is a huge thank you to the many who have been using our links on a regular basis and those who will be visiting the New BIRDS AS ART Online Store as well.
Facebook
Be sure to like and follow BAA on Facebook by clicking on the logo link upper right.
Typos
In all blog posts and Bulletins, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors. Just be right :).
As I began working on this blog post for the second time, it was 1:07pm on Thursday, December 14, 2019 and I was on the LIRR train to Ronkonkoma. I was thrilled to have made the 12:58 train. I could not wait to have brunch when I got back to Lissy’s house (after a 19-hour fast)!
Arthur Morris shares images from his favorite locations around the globe and teaches you everything you need to know in order to create striking images of flying avian subjects.
Back-tracking a bit, the Photographing Birds in Flight Event Space program on Wednesday went well. The B&H folks were thrilled that we garnered almost 11,000 views in less than 24 hours. You can view it here or by clicking on the Play arrow above. After the program, I headed downtown to my AirBNB, took a short nap, and then headed back uptown to eat. My B&H affiliate account manager kindly took younger daughter Alissa and me to dinner at the amazing Abigael’s on Broadway for some fine Kosher dining. We all had a great time.
At 7pm Lissy and I headed down to Madison Square Garden to see Billy Joel. Again. It was my third time seeing him at MSG. I first saw him (on tour with Elton John) more than 25 years ago at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando. Elaine would die just months after that show. I remember when she said to the doctor, “We’re going to see Billy Joel in concert next week.” He said, “I would advise you not to go. With all those people you might get sick. Elaine replied to this effect, “Screw you. You’ve already told me that I am dying and will be dead within in three months.” We went and had a great time.
On the evening of Wednesday, December 13, 2019, Billy Joel was again outstanding. His voice is still great and the amount of energy in the Garden was over the top as was the love the crowd poured out in return. There were a few too many Christmas songs for me but toward the end of the concert, he really got rolling with big hit after big hit after big hit. His band is amazing and he makes sure that each is spotlighted for their amazing talent several times during each show. My favorite part was when he did “Scenes from an Italian Restaurant” and his autobiographical classic, “Piano Man” back to back. About 99% of those in attendance sang along with the latter song. — every word: They sit at the bar and put bread in my jar and say man what are you doing here? By the end of the show, Lissy and I were — like the other 20,000+ folks in attendance — totally thrilled and exhausted from cheering. And smiling.
Photographing Nature in the Galapagos Archipelago: This slide-illustrated program will feature about two hundred of Artie’s spectacular photographs of birds, pinnipeds and reptiles created on fourteen BIRDS AS ART Photo-Cruises around the Galapagos. You will learn about the best landings and locations, the great variety of photographic subjects, gear choices, getting the right exposure, image design, and post processing.To learn more about Arthur Morris visit his educational blog at www.BIRDSASART-blog.com
I woke on Thursday at about 7am and grabbed a cab to B&H at about 9:30. The Galapagos Event Space program went well; you can see it online here or again, by clicking on the Play arrow above.
ps: lunch was great!
Update
I ran out of steam on Thursday evening and wound up finishing this blog post on Friday morning.
IPT Updates
The 2020 San Diego 4 1/2-DAY BIRDS AS ART Instructional Photo-Tour (IPT) WED JAN 8, 2020 thru and including the morning session on SUN JAN 12: 4 1/2 days: $2099.(Limit: 8/Openings: 5)
BIRDS AS ART is registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
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.
Money Saving Reminder
If you need a hot photo item that is out of stock at B&H, would enjoy free overnight shipping, and would like a $50 discount on your first purchase over $1000.00, click here to order and enter the coupon code BIRDSASART at checkout. If you are looking to strike a deal on Canon or Nikon gear (including the big telephotos) or on a multiple item order, contact Steve Elkins via e-mail or on his cell at (479) 381-2592 (Eastern time) and be sure to mention your BIRDSASART coupon code and use it for your online order. Steve has been great at getting folks the hot items that are out of stock at B&H. Those include the SONY a7r IV, the SONY 200-600, the SONY 600mm f/4 GM, and the Nikon 500mm PF. Steve is eager to please.
Selling Your Used Photo Gear Through BIRDS AS ART
Selling your used (or like-new) photo gear through the BAA Blog is a great idea. We charge only a 5% commission. One of the more popular used gear for sale sites charged a minimum of 20%. Plus assorted fees! Yikes. They went out of business. And e-Bay fees are now up to 13%. The minimum item price here is $500 (or less for a $25 fee). If you are interested please scroll down here or shoot us an e-mail with the words Items for Sale Info Request cut and pasted into the Subject line :). Stuff that is priced fairly — I offer pricing advice to those who agree to the terms — usually sells in no time flat. Over the past year, we have sold many dozens of items. Do know that prices on some items like the EOS-1D Mark IV, the EOS-1DX, the old Canon 100-400, the old 500mm, the EOS-7D, and the 7D Mark II and the original 400mm DO lens have been dropping steadily. Most recently the price of used Canon 600mm f/L IS II lenses have been dropping like a rock with the introduction of the 600 III. You can always see the current listings by clicking here or on the Used Photo Gear tab on the orange-yellow menu bar near the top of each blog post page.
The Used Gear page has been hot for the past two months with the continuing price drops on Canon and Nikon gear. And some great buys on SONY stuff too. There are still lots of great buys right now on the Used Gear Page. In addition to the recent sales below, there are many pending sales.
Recent Sales
IPT veteran Joe Randle sold a Canon 500mm f4L IS USM Super Telephoto lens (the “old five”) in near-mint condition for the BAA record-low price of $2499.00 and his Canon EF 24-70 f2.8L II USM lens in near-mint condition for the very low price of $899.00 both in early December 2019.
Jerry Barrack sold a Canon 400mm f/5.6L lens (my old “toy lens”) in very good plus condition with some scuff marks here and there for the BAA crazy record-low price of $549.00 in late November.
Multiple IPT veteran Jake Levin sold his Canon EOS 7D Mark II in excellent plus condition for $648.00 in early December 2019.
BAA friend and multiple IPT veteran Paul Reinstein sold his Canon 600mm f/4L IS III lens in near-mint condition (with extras) for an amazingly low $11,499.00 within an hour of it being listed in early December.
Multiple IPT veteran George Golumbeski sold his Canon 600mm f/4L IS III lens in near-mint condition (with extras) for an amazingly low $11,299.00 within hours of it being listed in early September. (I forgot to note the sale here …)
Blog-regular Anthony Ardito sold a Nikon 200-500mm f/5.6E ED AF-S VR Zoom lens in like-new condition for the very low price of $799.95 (was $899.95) in early December 2019.
Ken Siegel sold a Sony A9 Mirrorless Digital Camera Body in mint condition for $2598.00 (was $2698.00) ten days after it was listed.
Josh Anon (son of noted photographer and Photoshop expert Ellen Anon) sold a SONY a7R IV Mirrorless Digital camera body in like-new condition for only $2998.00.
Joe Randle sold his Canon 400mm f4L IS DO USM Telephoto lens (the original 400 DO) in near-mint condition for $1999.00 and a Canon Extender EF @x teleconverter in near-mint condition for $229.00 on the second day of listing.
Joe Randle sold a used Canon Extender EF 1.4X teleconverter in near-mint condition for $229.00 moments after it was listed in late November 2019.
Ken Siegel sold a Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS II USM lens in near-mint condition for $3299.00 in mid-November soon after listing.
Jerry Barrack sold a Canon EOS 5D Mark IV Digital Camera Body in near-mint condition for $ 1,999.00, a Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM lens in near-mint condition for $5,799.00, a Canon EOS 7D Mark II camera body in near-mint condition for a BAA record-low $648.00 in early November 2019.
BAA friend and multiple IPT veteran Paul Reinstein sold his Canon EOS-1D X Mark II body with a shutter count of 40,759 in near-mint condition for $3,599.00 and his Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L S II USM lens in excellent condition for the BAA record-low price of $1195.00 both in mid-November 2019.
New Listings
Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L Lens
Jim Olive is offering a Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L lens in like-new condition for $649.00. The sale includes a Wimberly P-30 plate, the front & rear lens caps, the tough fabric lens case 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 Jim via e-mail or by phone at 1-305-393-6531 (Eastern time zone).
I put the Canon 400 f/5.6 lens on the map back in the mid-1990s; I affectionately called it my “toy lens.” It is lightweight and super sharp. I created many 100s of saleable images with it including my best early flight shots with Canon AF bodies. And I used it on a tripod to create Blizzard in Blue with Fuji Velvia 50 pushed one stop to ISO 100. artie
Sony Alpha a7r IV Mirrorless Digital Camera Body
Multiple IPT veteran Larry Master is offering a Sony a7r IV Mirrorless Digital camera body in absolutely like-new condition for only $3098.00. In pristine condition, the body has only 3817 shutter actuations. The sale includes the original box and all accessories and insured UPS ground shipping to lower-48 US addresses. Your item will not ship until payment clears unless other arrangements are made.
Please contact Larry via e-mail or by phone at 1-518-645-1545 (Eastern time zone).
You’ve seen the incredible detail in my a7r IV images made with a variety of SONY lenses and both teleconverters. I’ve been using my 7r IV for 80% of my bird photography and my a9 II in pure flight situations. As the 7r IV sells new right now for $3498.00 you can save a cool $400.00 by being the first to grab Larry’s pretty much new SONY mirrorless body. artie
Fabulous SONY Re-run
FE Sony 400mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens
BIRDS AS ART Record Low Price
William Schneider is offering an FE Sony 400mm f/2.8 GM OSS lens in mint condition for the BAA record-low price of $10,697.00. This immaculate lens has seen little use. The sale includes the lens hood, the lens trunk, the front lens cover, the rear lens cap, the lens strap, and insured shipping via Fed Ex Ground. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.
Please contact Bill via e-mail or by phone at 1-(262) 269-8628 (Eastern time zone).
This super-fast lens is amazingly light at 6.4 lbs, the same weight as the Nikon 300mm f/2.8. Patrick made lots of great images at St. Paul in the Pribilof Islands last July with the lens alone and with either the 1.4x and 2x teleconverters. He really enjoys the 8.86 ft close-focusing capability and the beautiful bokeh that the lens produces. Now that he owns the new SONY 600mm f/4GM OSS lens, he cannot justify owning both. As this lens sells new right now for $$12,998.00, you can save a cool $2,301.00 by grabbing his virtually new lens asap. artie
ps: at the time of publication this lens is very hard to get; it is not in stock at B&H or at Bedfords.
Canon EF 300mm f/2.8 IS II USM Lens
Charlie Curry is offering a lightly used Canon EF 300mm f/2.8 IS II USM lens in like-new condition for only $3299.00. The sale includes the lens trunk, the original lens foot, a RRS LCF-52 foot, the soft lens cover, the rear cap, a Canon CPS-logo carry strap, 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. Photos are available upon request.
Please contact Charlie via e-mail or by phone at 1-407-448-7797 (Eastern time zone).
The 300mm f/2.8 autofocus lenses have long been the first choice of the world’s best hawks-in-flight photographers with and without a 1.4X TC. When teamed up with either the 1.4X or 2X TC, they make a great hand-holdable walk-around lens. For folks with a 7D Mark II, the 300 II would make a great workhorse lens for bird photography. Grabbing Charlie’s lens will save you an incredible $2,800.00 as new ones are going for $6099.00 from B&H. I owned and used several versions of the 300 f/2.8 lens for many years until finally replacing my 300 f/2.8 II with the 400 DO II several years ago. That said, the 300 f/2.8 II represents a great value as the 400 DO II sells new for $6,899.00.artie
Canon Extender EF 1.4x III Lens
Charlie Curry is offering a Canon Extender EF 1.4x III (teleconverter) in like-new condition for only $223.00. The sale includes the original box, the soft lens pouch, 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. Photos are available upon request.
Please contact Charlie via e-mail or by phone at 1-407-448-7797 (Eastern time zone)
As regular readers well know, teleconverters are an important part of my photography gear; when I shot Canon I always traveled with back-up TCs. artie
Canon Extender EF 2x III
Charlie Curry is offering Canon Extender EF 2x III (teleconverter) in like-new condition for only $223.00. The sale includes the original box, the soft lens pouch, 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. Photos are available upon request.
Please contact Charlie via e-mail or by phone at 1-407-448-7797 (Eastern time zone)
As regular readers well know, teleconverters are an important part of my photography gear; when I shot Canon I always traveled with back-up TCs. artie
Canon EF Extension Tube Set
Charlie Curry is also offering Canon EF Extension Tubes EF 12 II, EF25 II, & a bonus (off-brand) 20mm tube, all in excellent plus condition and all for only $124.00. The sale includes the original boxes 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. Photos are available upon request.
Please contact Charlie via e-mail or by phone at 1-407-448-7797 (Eastern time zone)
Extension tubes can be used to decrease the minimum focus distance of your macro and your telephoto lenses. When I was using Canon, I used them often. Place them behind a teleconverter on a long lens to enjoy AF or place them in front of the TC and focus manually for even closer focus. artie
Canon Speedlight 600EXII-RT
Charlie Curry is also offering Canon Speedlight 600EXII-RT in new condition with the soft case for $249.00. The box was opened but the flash was never used. The sale includes 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. Photos are available upon request.
Please contact Charlie via e-mail or by phone at 1-407-448-7797 (Eastern time zone).
Complete with built-in radio transmission wireless functionality, the Speedlite 600EX II-RT sits at the top of Canon’s on-camera E-TTL / E-TTL II compatible flash lineup with a powerful guide number of 197′ at ISO 100 and 200mm. B&H
This, Canon’s latest/greatest flash, sells new for $499 after a recent price drop. Still, you can save $250 by grabbing Charlie’s new flash. Flash is essential when photographing warblers and other small landbirds. artie
Canon EF 24mm f/1.4L II USM Lens
Charlie Curry is also offering a Canon EF 24mm f/1.4L II USM lens in like-new condition for only $749.00. This super-fast lens is great for astro-photography. The sale includes the original box, the lens pouch, 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. Photos are available upon request.
Please contact Charlie via e-mail or by phone at 1-407-448-7797 (Eastern time zone).
Blending a favored wide-angle focal length with a bright maximum aperture, the EF 24mm f/1.4L II USM is a Canon L-series lens characterized by its robust physical construction and its sophisticated optical design. Two ultra-low dispersion elements help to control chromatic aberrations and color fringing while a pair of aspherical elements reduce spherical aberrations and distortion for high sharpness and clarity. Individual elements also feature a Sub Wavelength Coating to suppress lens flare and ghosting for improved contrast and color neutrality in a variety of lighting conditions. Besides the optical attributes, this lens is also distinguished by its fast f/1.4 maximum aperture to benefit working in low-light conditions for controlling depth of field. Additionally, this lens sports a ring-type USM for quick and quiet autofocus performance and full-time manual focus override, and an internal floating focus mechanism also helps to maintain consistent image quality throughout the entire focusing range. B&H
This lens sells for $1549 new so you can save a neat $800.00 by acting fast. artie
Wimberley Tripod Head Kit
Charlie Curry is also offering a WH-200 Wimberley Head (the current version) in excellent condition, the Wimberley CK-100 Side-mount conversion clamp, and the F-1 Flash Bracket all for only $399.00. The head alone sells for $595.00. Ideal for the older, heavier super-telephoto lenses. The sale includes 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. Photos are available upon request.
Please contact Charlie via e-mail or by phone at 1-407-448-7797 (Eastern time zone).
Huge Price Drops!
Nikon AF-S Nikkor 500mm f/4D ED-IF Lens
Price dropped $1,000.00 on 12 DEC 2019!
Jamie Baker is offering a Nikon AF-S Nikkor 500mm f/4D ED-IF lens in excellent condition for $1750.00 (was $2750.00). The sale includes the rear lens cap, the lens trunk, the leather front element cover, the lens strap, the original foot, a Really Right Stuff LCF-16 foot, a Real Tree LensCoat, and insured ground shipping via major courier to lower 48 US addresses only. Note, this lens is the version before VR. It is extremely sharp; detailed photos are available upon request. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.
Please contact Jamie Baker e-mail or by phone at (502) 403-9845 (Eastern time).
The 500 f/4 super-telephoto lenses have long been the world’s most popular for birds, nature, wildlife, and sports for many decades. artie
Canon EOS-1D X Professional Digital Camera Body & Canon 24-105mm Kit with Extras!
Price reduced $504.00 on 13 DEC 2019 BIRDS AS ART Record Low Price by Far!
IPT veteran Dane Johnson is offering a Canon EOS-1D X in like-new condition (with a low shutter count of < 7,100) along with a Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM Lens in mint condition for the crazy low price of only $2,095.00 (was $2,599.00) with extras!. The sale includes the front body cap, a RRS B1DX-L L-plate (a $250 value), an extra LP-E4N battery (a $165 value), the charger, the original product box with user documents and all cables, the front and rear caps, the original box for the lens along with the EW-83H lens hood, and insured ground shipping via major courier to US lower 48 addresses only.
Please contact Dane via e-mail or by phone at 1-559-593-0989.
Several rugged 1D X bodies served as my workhorse cameras for about four years. I made many hundreds of family jewels in all types of weather all around the world. And the Canon 24-105mm was great for B-roll stuff: bird-scapes, quasi-macros, photographers and people, scenics, and just about everything else on the planet. Whenever I would decide to leave it in the car I would not get far before I was wishing that I had taken it along for the ride. Dane’s kit is an incredibly great value for the money. artie
The Packing for Air Travel Video
As I receive several e-mail queries each week about traveling by air with my big lenses, several camera bodies, and accessories so I made a short video before I headed to Long Island to show you exactly how I do it. To view the video, click on the Play button immediately above. If you have any questions after viewing, please leave them in a comment.
Carhartt Men’s Teller Hats
The Carhartt Men’s Teller Hats are the exact hats that I have been using for more than a decade to protect my cameras and lenses while traveling by air or when driving to a destination. I use two hats for each camera and lens and one for teleconverters and extra batteries. (Remember not to pack any lithium batteries in your checked bags …) These hats offer a ton of protection against impact and shock damage and from moisture as well. They allow for packing the various items tightly and as a result, offer even more protection as there is no room for your gear to rattle around.
LensCoat Stuff and 30% Off Sale!
Those who wish to go the more traditional route and use various LensCoat products to protect their gear while traveling will enjoy our 30% off sale for any LensCoat product ordered by phone. Call Jim in the office at 863-692-0906 from Monday 9am through noon Friday. The sale includes all items currently in stock: Canon and Nikon LensCoats, LegCoats, TravelCoats, LensPouches, and more. Click here and then surf to access the various product designations.
San Diego offers a wealth of very attractive natural history subjects, including and especially the Pacific race of California Brown Pelican. With annual visits spanning more than four decades, I have lots of photographic experience there … Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.
The 2020 San Diego 4 1/2-DAY BIRDS AS ART Instructional Photo-Tour (IPT) WED JAN 8, 2020 thru and including the morning session on SUN JAN 12: 4 1/2 days: $2099.(Limit: 8/Openings: 5)
Introductory Meet and Greet at 7:00pm on the evening before the IPT begins; WED JAN 7, 2020.
Join me in San Diego to photograph the spectacular breeding plumage Brown Pelicans with their fire-engine red and olive green bill pouches; Brandt’s (nesting with eggs and possibly chicks) and Double-crested Cormorants; breeding plumage Wood and Ring-necked Duck; other duck species possible including Lesser Scaup, Redhead, and Surf Scoter; a variety of gulls including Western, California, and the gorgeous Heermann’s, all in full breeding plumage; shorebirds including Marbled Godwit, Willet, Sanderling and Black-bellied Plover; many others are possible including Least, Western, and Spotted Sandpiper, Whimbrel, Black and Ruddy Turnstone, Semipalmated Plover, and Surfbird; Harbor Seals (depending on the current regulations) and California Sea Lions; and Bird of Paradise flowers. And as you can see by studying the IPT cards, there are some nice bird-scape and landscape opportunities as well. Not to mention a ton of excellent flight photography opportunities and instruction.
Please note: where permitted and on occasion, ducks and gulls may be attracted (or re-located) with offerings of grains or healthy bread.
Learning Exposure, Whether You Like It Or Not
Whether you like it or not, we will be beating the subject of exposure like a dead horse. In every new situation, you will hear my thoughts on the exposure situation along with my thoughts on both Nikon and Canon histograms and the subject of blinkies. Whether you like it or not, you will learn to work in manual mode and to get the right exposure every time as long as a bird gives you ten seconds with the light constant. And you will learn what to do when the light is changing constantly. What you learn about exposure will be one of the great takeaways on every IPT.
Though the pelicans will be the stars of the show on this IPT, there will be many other handsome and captivating subjects in wonderful settings. Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.
It Ain’t Just Pelicans
With gorgeous subjects just sitting there waiting to have their pictures taken, photographing the pelicans on the cliffs is about as easy as nature photography gets. With the winds from the east almost every morning there is usually some excellent flight photography as well. And the pelicans are almost always doing something interesting: preening, scratching, bill pouch cleaning, or squabbling. And then there are those crazy head throws that are thought to be a form of intra-flock communication. You will be guided as to how to make the best of all of those opportunities. And depending on the weather and local conditions and tides, there are a variety of fabulous photo chances available in and around San Diego.
Did I mention that there are lots of great birds and natural history subjects in San Diego in winter? Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.
The San Diego Details
This IPT will include five 3 1/2 hour morning photo sessions, four 2 1/2 hour afternoon photo sessions, four lunches, and after-lunch image review and Photoshop sessions. To ensure early starts, breakfasts will be your responsibility. And so that we can get some sleep, dinners will be on your own.
A $599 non-refundable deposit is required to hold your slot for this IPT. You can send a check (made out to “Arthur Morris) to us at BIRDS AS ART, PO Box 7245, Indian Lake Estates, FL, 3385, or call Jim or Jennifer at the office with a credit card at 863-692-0906. Your balance, payable only by check, will be due on 10/11//2018. 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. Please print, complete, and sign the form that is linked to here and shoot it to us along with your deposit check. 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.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance for both big international trips and US-based IPTs is highly recommended as we never know what life has in store for us. I strongly recommend that you purchase quality travel insurance. Travel Insurance Services offers a variety of plans and options. Included with the Elite Option or available as an upgrade to the Basic & Plus Options you can also purchase Cancel for Any Reason Coverage that expands the list of reasons for your canceling to include things such as sudden work or family obligation and even a simple change of mind. My family and I use and depend on the great policies offered by TIS whenever we travel. You can learn more here: Travel Insurance Services. Do note that many plans require that you purchase your travel insurance within 14 days of our cashing your deposit check or running your credit card. Whenever purchasing travel insurance, be sure to read the fine print carefully even when dealing with reputable firms like TSI.
Variety is surely the spice of life in San Diego. Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.
Getting Up Early and Staying Out Late
On all BIRDS AS ART IPTS including and especially the San Diego IPT, we get into the field early to take advantage of unique and often spectacular lighting conditions and we stay out late to maximize the chances of killer light and glorious sunset silhouette situations. We often arrive at the cliffs a full hour before anyone else shows up to check out the landscape and seascape opportunities.
If In Doubt …
If you are in doubt about using the BAA B&H affiliate link correctly, you can always start your search by clicking here. Please note that the tracking is invisible. Web orders only. Please, however, remember to shoot me your receipt via e-mail.
Please Remember to use my Affiliate Links and to Visit the BAA Online Store 🙂
As always, we sell only what I have used, have tested, and can depend on. We will not sell you junk. We know what you need to make creating great images easy and fun. And please remember that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail.
I would, of course, appreciate your using our B&H affiliate links or Bedfords for all of your major gear, video, and electronic purchases. For the photographic stuff mentioned in the paragraph above, and for everything else in the new store, we, meaning BAA, would of course greatly appreciate your business. Here is a huge thank you to the many who have been using our links on a regular basis and those who will be visiting the New BIRDS AS ART Online Store as well.
Facebook
Be sure to like and follow BAA on Facebook by clicking on the logo link upper right.
Typos
In all blog posts and Bulletins, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors. Just be right :).
It’s 6:38am on Tuesday, December 10, 2019. I am at the gate at MCO headed to Islip. I will be doing an Event Space program at the B&H superstore on Wednesday and Thursday, seeing Billy Joel at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday evening, and seeing Hamilton and the Book of Mormon on the weekend. I fly home on Thursday the 19th.
Thinking of the San Diego IPT? Be sure to check out the San Diego Gallery here. Or browse the galleries by clicking here. Remember: looking at and studying great images is an excellent way to improve your bird and nature photography.
The BAA Used Gear page is the place to sell your big lenses, your high-end camera bodies, and your accessories. BAA friend and multiple IPT veteran Paul Reinstein sold his Canon 600mm f/4L IS III lens in near-mint condition (with extras) for an amazingly low $11,499.00 exactly forty minutes after it was listed yesterday …
B&H Event Space Programs This Week
Folks can view the live stream on the B&H Event Space website here.
Photographing Birds in Flight
Wednesday, December 11, 2019 1:00 PM ET – 3:00 PM ET. Speaker: Arthur Morris. Skill Levels: Basic, Intermediate, Advance. Location: B&H Event Space: Second Floor of B&H NYC SuperStore at 420 9th Avenue, New York NY 10001.
This slide-illustrated lecture will feature more than two hundred of Artie’s spectacular photographs of birds in flight. As he shares images from his favorite locations around the globe, he will teach us everything we need to know in order to create striking images of flying avian subjects. The topics to be covered include: gear (lenses, camera bodies, tripods, and heads), understanding the importance of wind direction and sky conditions, ideal wing positions, shooting strategies, the best AF modes to use for flight photography with Canon, Nikon, and SONY, the importance of using a good stance, post-processing, getting the right exposure, and image design.
To register to attend or to stream live online, click here.
Photographing Nature in the Galapagos Archipelago
Thursday, December 12, 2019 11:00 AM ET – 1:00 PM ET. Speaker: Arthur Morris. Skill Levels: Basic, Intermediate, Advance. Location: B&H Event Space: Second Floor of B&H NYC SuperStore at 420 9th Avenue, New York NY 10001.
This slide-illustrated program will feature more than two hundred of Artie’s spectacular photographs of birds, pinnipeds and reptiles created on fourteen BIRDS AS ART Photo-Cruises around the Galapagos. You will learn about the best landings and locations, the great variety of photographic subjects, gear choices, getting the right exposure, image design, and post processing.
To register to attend or to stream live online, click here.
IPT Updates
The 2020 San Diego 4 1/2-DAY BIRDS AS ART Instructional Photo-Tour (IPT) WED JAN 8, 2020 thru and including the morning session on SUN JAN 12: 4 1/2 days: $2099.(Limit: 8/Openings: 5)
BIRDS AS ART is registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
Money Saving Reminder
If you need a hot photo item that is out of stock at B&H, would enjoy free overnight shipping, and would like a $50 discount on your first purchase over $1000.00, click here to order and enter the coupon code BIRDSASART at checkout. If you are looking to strike a deal on Canon or Nikon gear (including the big telephotos) or on a multiple item order, contact Steve Elkins via e-mail or on his cell at (479) 381-2592 (Eastern time) and be sure to mention your BIRDSASART coupon code and use it for your online order. Steve has been great at getting folks the hot items that are out of stock at B&H. Those include the SONY a7r IV, the SONY 200-600, the SONY 600mm f/4 GM, and the Nikon 500mm PF. Steve is eager to please.
Selling Your Used Photo Gear Through BIRDS AS ART
Selling your used (or like-new) photo gear through the BAA Blog is a great idea. We charge only a 5% commission. One of the more popular used gear for sale sites charged a minimum of 20%. Plus assorted fees! Yikes. They went out of business. And e-Bay fees are now up to 13%. The minimum item price here is $500 (or less for a $25 fee). If you are interested please scroll down here or shoot us an e-mail with the words Items for Sale Info Request cut and pasted into the Subject line :). Stuff that is priced fairly — I offer pricing advice to those who agree to the terms — usually sells in no time flat. Over the past year, we have sold many dozens of items. Do know that prices on some items like the EOS-1D Mark IV, the EOS-1DX, the old Canon 100-400, the old 500mm, the EOS-7D, and the 7D Mark II and the original 400mm DO lens have been dropping steadily. Most recently the price of used Canon 600mm f/L IS II lenses have been dropping like a rock with the introduction of the 600 III. You can always see the current listings by clicking here or on the Used Photo Gear tab on the orange-yellow menu bar near the top of each blog post page.
The Used Gear page has been hot for the past two months with the continuing price drops on Canon and Nikon gear. There are still lots of great buys right now on the Used Gear Page. In addition to the recent sales below, there are many pending sales.
Recent Sales
Multiple IPT veteran Jake Levin sold his Canon EOS 7D Mark II in excellent plus condition for $648.00 in early December 2019.
BAA friend and multiple IPT veteran Paul Reinstein sold his Canon 600mm f/4L IS III lens in near-mint condition (with extras) for an amazingly low $11,499.00 within an hour of it being listed in early December.
Multiple IPT veteran George Golumbeski sold his Canon 600mm f/4L IS III lens in near-mint condition (with extras) for an amazingly low $11,299.00 within hours of it being listed in early September. (I forgot to note the sale here …)
Blog-regular Anthony Ardito sold a Nikon 200-500mm f/5.6E ED AF-S VR Zoom lens in like-new condition for the very low price of $799.95 (was $899.95) in early December 2019.
Ken Siegel sold a Sony A9 Mirrorless Digital Camera Body in mint condition for $2598.00 (was $2698.00) ten days after it was listed.
Josh Anon (son of noted photographer and Photoshop expert Ellen Anon) sold a SONY a7R IV Mirrorless Digital camera body in like-new condition for only $2998.00.
Joe Randle sold his Canon 400mm f4L IS DO USM Telephoto lens (the original 400 DO) in near-mint condition for $1999.00 and a Canon Extender EF @x teleconverter in near-mint condition for $229.00 on the second day of listing.
Joe Randle sold a used Canon Extender EF 1.4X teleconverter in near-mint condition for $229.00 moments after it was listed in late November 2019.
Ken Siegel sold a Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS II USM lens in near-mint condition for $3299.00 in mid-November soon after listing.
Jerry Barrack sold a Canon EOS 5D Mark IV Digital Camera Body in near-mint condition for $ 1,999.00, a Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM lens in near-mint condition for $5,799.00, a Canon EOS 7D Mark II camera body in near-mint condition for a BAA record-low $648.00 in early November 2019.
BAA friend and multiple IPT veteran Paul Reinstein sold his Canon EOS-1D X Mark II body with a shutter count of 40,759 in near-mint condition for $3,599.00 and his Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L S II USM lens in excellent condition for the BAA record-low price of $1195.00 both in mid-November 2019.
I sold my SONY a9 in near-mint condition for $2,597.00 on November 11, 2019.
Jerry Barrack sold his Canon Extender EF 1.4X III teleconverter in near-mint condition and his Canon Extender EF 2X III teleconverter also in near-mint condition, both for a very low $224.00 in early November.
Jerry Barrack also sold a Wimberley WH-101 Gimbal Head w/QR C-30 clamp (the original) and a heavy-duty Gitzo 410 tripod for the silly low price of $399.00.
Peter Noyes sold his Sony Alpha A7R III Mirrorless Digital Camera body in like-new condition with a shutter count of less than 1,000 for $1998.00 the first day it was listed in early November.
New Listing
Canon 100-400mm IS L lens (the “old 1-4”)
Owen Peller is offering the original Canon 100-400mm IS L lens (the “old 1-4”) in like-new condition for the very fair price of $599.00. This immaculate lens has seen little use. The sale includes the front and rear lens caps, the original box, the tough fabric carrying case, 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 Owen via e-mail e-mail or by phone at 1-954-882-1480 (Eastern time zone).
The original 1-4 is a sharp, amazingly versatile telephoto zoom lens. When I used Canon, I made hundreds of great images and saleable with this lens (including the front cover of Scott Weidensaul’s “Return to Wild America. And it was Denise Ippolito’s favorite Canon lens. Owen’s lens would make a great starter lens for a beginning bird or nature photographer, especially when paired with a 7D Mark II. artie
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 is a Photo Mechanic Screen Capture of my six favorite wigeon images
SONY a9 II Animal Eye AF-C
I created more than 300 wigeon images in a single afternoon; all but one of them was razor-laser sharp on the eye with incredible fine-feather detail about the face. I kept 23. Above are six of my seven favorites. Image #1 (below) was my 7th fave.
When I sold my a9 and purchased the a9 II, I was thinking that it was a rather dumb move. I had not used the a9 a whole lot, and I was impressed by the AF capabilities for birds in flight. Astounded in fact. And the file size of a9 II images had not been increased as everyone had assumed. But like many others, I like having the latest greatest gear. That said, I was amazed by the a9 II at Bosque. The slightly larger body gave the a9 II a pro-body feel like the a7R IV. I was routinely able to create sharp flight images with the a9II/2X TC/600 GM (at 1200mm!) Are you kidding me?
When photographing with Anita North at the duck pond in Socorro, I mentioned that Upper Zone Animal Eye AF-C was working to perfection; once the system detected the duck’s eye, the tiny box within the Zone stuck to it like glue. Even the wings forward and wings back flapping shots were super-sharp on the eye. Anita was using the original a9 with the 200-600. Even though her camera was set up exactly the same as mine, Animal Eye AF was not performing well at all. The combination of Upper Zone AF and the focal length versatility of the 200-600 allowed me too easily frame the subject as I wanted while including the reflection. The result was many pleasing compositions.
Considering all of the above along with the actual 15 fps frame-rate in AF-C, the SONY a9 II has quickly become my favorite-ever camera body.
This is a Capture One-12 Screen Capture for Image #1 (below): American Wigeon drake swimming
Capture One-12 Screen Capture for Image #1 (below)
Be sure to click on the image to get an idea of the incredible sharpness and fine-feather detail of the a9 II/200-600 combo. I am hoping to do some Herring Gull flight photography with this rig toward the end of my Long Island visit. The red blotches on the duck’s forehead is the Highlight Exposure Warning in C-1. Had I blown it? No, not at all. The few blinkies on the brightest WHITEs were easily recovered during the RAW conversion in Capture One Pro-12 using a combination of the Exposure and Highlight sliders. Notice that there were no dark blue blotches indicating under-exposed shadow tones. In effect, the exposure was perfect.
This image was created on December 3, 2019 on my busman’s holiday after the 2019 Bosque IPT. I used the hand held Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens (at 496mm) with the blazingly fast AF King, the Sony Alpha a9 II Mirrorless Digital camera body. ISO 400. Exposure determined by Zebras: 1/1600 sec. at f/7.1 in Manual mode. AWB at 3:32pm on a clear afternoon.
Upper Zone Animal Eye AF-C worked to perfection; once the system detected the duck’s eye the tiny box within the Zone stuck to it like glue.
Image #1: American Wigeon drake swimming
Wigeon Drake Perfection
With a handsome drake as the subject, the bird right on sun angle, a perfect head-angle showing the green sheen of the eye patch, and the nice blue water, I was quite happy with this image. ISOO 400: 1/6000 second atf/7.1 was the perfect exposure for the ducks with their white forehead and wing patches.
When I went from a drake to a hen, I opened up the exposure by going two clicks lighter on the shutter speed. For this image, I erred as I only went from 1/1600 sec. to 1/1250 sec. With the complete absence of white on this female wigeon, I should have opened up three clicks to 1/800 sec. IAC, I increased the exposure in Capture One Pro-12 with no ill effects.
San Diego offers a wealth of very attractive natural history subjects, including and especially the Pacific race of California Brown Pelican. With annual visits spanning more than four decades, I have lots of photographic experience there … Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.
The 2020 San Diego 4 1/2-DAY BIRDS AS ART Instructional Photo-Tour (IPT) WED JAN 8, 2020 thru and including the morning session on SUN JAN 12: 4 1/2 days: $2099.(Limit: 8/Openings: 5)
Introductory Meet and Greet at 7:00pm on the evening before the IPT begins; WED JAN 7, 2020.
Join me in San Diego to photograph the spectacular breeding plumage Brown Pelicans with their fire-engine red and olive green bill pouches; Brandt’s (nesting with eggs and possibly chicks) and Double-crested Cormorants; breeding plumage Wood and Ring-necked Duck; other duck species possible including Lesser Scaup, Redhead, and Surf Scoter; a variety of gulls including Western, California, and the gorgeous Heermann’s, all in full breeding plumage; shorebirds including Marbled Godwit, Willet, Sanderling and Black-bellied Plover; many others are possible including Least, Western, and Spotted Sandpiper, Whimbrel, Black and Ruddy Turnstone, Semipalmated Plover, and Surfbird; Harbor Seals (depending on the current regulations) and California Sea Lions; and Bird of Paradise flowers. And as you can see by studying the IPT cards, there are some nice bird-scape and landscape opportunities as well. Not to mention a ton of excellent flight photography opportunities and instruction.
Please note: where permitted and on occasion, ducks and gulls may be attracted (or re-located) with offerings of grains or healthy bread.
Learning Exposure, Whether You Like It Or Not
Whether you like it or not, we will be beating the subject of exposure like a dead horse. In every new situation, you will hear my thoughts on the exposure situation along with my thoughts on both Nikon and Canon histograms and the subject of blinkies. Whether you like it or not, you will learn to work in manual mode and to get the right exposure every time as long as a bird gives you ten seconds with the light constant. And you will learn what to do when the light is changing constantly. What you learn about exposure will be one of the great takeaways on every IPT.
Though the pelicans will be the stars of the show on this IPT, there will be many other handsome and captivating subjects in wonderful settings. Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.
It Ain’t Just Pelicans
With gorgeous subjects just sitting there waiting to have their pictures taken, photographing the pelicans on the cliffs is about as easy as nature photography gets. With the winds from the east almost every morning there is usually some excellent flight photography as well. And the pelicans are almost always doing something interesting: preening, scratching, bill pouch cleaning, or squabbling. And then there are those crazy head throws that are thought to be a form of intra-flock communication. You will be guided as to how to make the best of all of those opportunities. And depending on the weather and local conditions and tides, there are a variety of fabulous photo chances available in and around San Diego.
Did I mention that there are lots of great birds and natural history subjects in San Diego in winter? Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.
The San Diego Details
This IPT will include five 3 1/2 hour morning photo sessions, four 2 1/2 hour afternoon photo sessions, four lunches, and after-lunch image review and Photoshop sessions. To ensure early starts, breakfasts will be your responsibility. And so that we can get some sleep, dinners will be on your own.
A $599 non-refundable deposit is required to hold your slot for this IPT. You can send a check (made out to “Arthur Morris) to us at BIRDS AS ART, PO Box 7245, Indian Lake Estates, FL, 3385, or call Jim or Jennifer at the office with a credit card at 863-692-0906. Your balance, payable only by check, will be due on 10/11//2018. 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. Please print, complete, and sign the form that is linked to here and shoot it to us along with your deposit check. 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.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance for both big international trips and US-based IPTs is highly recommended as we never know what life has in store for us. I strongly recommend that you purchase quality travel insurance. Travel Insurance Services offers a variety of plans and options. Included with the Elite Option or available as an upgrade to the Basic & Plus Options you can also purchase Cancel for Any Reason Coverage that expands the list of reasons for your canceling to include things such as sudden work or family obligation and even a simple change of mind. My family and I use and depend on the great policies offered by TIS whenever we travel. You can learn more here: Travel Insurance Services. Do note that many plans require that you purchase your travel insurance within 14 days of our cashing your deposit check or running your credit card. Whenever purchasing travel insurance, be sure to read the fine print carefully even when dealing with reputable firms like TSI.
Variety is surely the spice of life in San Diego. Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version.
Getting Up Early and Staying Out Late
On all BIRDS AS ART IPTS including and especially the San Diego IPT, we get into the field early to take advantage of unique and often spectacular lighting conditions and we stay out late to maximize the chances of killer light and glorious sunset silhouette situations. We often arrive at the cliffs a full hour before anyone else shows up to check out the landscape and seascape opportunities.
If In Doubt …
If you are in doubt about using the BAA B&H affiliate link correctly, you can always start your search by clicking here. Please note that the tracking is invisible. Web orders only. Please, however, remember to shoot me your receipt via e-mail.
Please Remember to use my Affiliate Links and to Visit the BAA Online Store 🙂
As always, we sell only what I have used, have tested, and can depend on. We will not sell you junk. We know what you need to make creating great images easy and fun. And please remember that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail.
I would, of course, appreciate your using our B&H affiliate links or Bedfords for all of your major gear, video, and electronic purchases. For the photographic stuff mentioned in the paragraph above, and for everything else in the new store, we, meaning BAA, would of course greatly appreciate your business. Here is a huge thank you to the many who have been using our links on a regular basis and those who will be visiting the New BIRDS AS ART Online Store as well.
Facebook
Be sure to like and follow BAA on Facebook by clicking on the logo link upper right.
Typos
In all blog posts and Bulletins, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors. Just be right :).
