The vultures out-smarted me this morning. There were more than 50 sitting on my spot when I drove down with a load of rotten, smelly fish skins and carcasses. Thus, they walked to breakfast. A few did fly in but there was almost no wind at all.
Today is Saturday 11 November. I will be up very early and driving the 90 minutes to Sebastian Inlet in hopes of a spectacular sunrise. The wind direction and sky conditions are looking good. Will the Ospreys be diving? Who knows. Wherever you are a whatever you are doing, I hope that you too have a great day.
Please remember to use the B&H and Amazon links that are found on most blog pages and to use the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout when purchasing your new gear from Bedfords to get 3% back on your credit card and enjoy free second-day air FedEx. Please, also, consider joining a BAA IPT. You will be amazed at how much you will learn!
You can find some great photo accessories (and necessities, like surf booties!) on Amazon by clicking on the Stuff tab on the orange/yellow menu bar above. On a related note, it would be extremely helpful if blog-folks who, like me, spend too much money on Amazon, would get in the habit of clicking on the Amazon logo link on the right side of each blog post when they shop online. As you might expect, doing so will not cost you a single penny, but would be appreciated tremendously by yours truly. And doing so works seamlessly with your Amazon Prime account.
If an item — a Delkin flash card, or a tripod head — for example, that is available from B&H and/or Bedfords, is also available in the BAA Online Store, it would be great, and greatly appreciated, if you would opt to purchase from us. We will match any price. Please remember also to use my B&H affiliate links or to earn 3% cash back at Bedfords by using the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout for your major gear purchases. Doing either often earns you free guides and/or discounts. And always earns my great appreciation.
B&H Simplified
To ensure that I get credit for your B&H purchases, you can always click here. The tracking is invisible but greatly appreciated. And, you can use your PayBoo card. You must use the website to order. B&H will reopen on Fri April 14. Thanking me for the past 4000 educational blog posts could not be any easier and will not cost you one penny. Please shoot me your B&H receipt for major purchases.
Bedfords Simplified
Click here to start your search. Choose standard shipping, and when you get to the payment page, enter BIRDSASART in the discount code box and hit apply. You will be upgraded to free second day air Fed-Ex and receive 3% cash back on your credit card once your stuff ships. Either is greatly appreciated by yours truly.
B&H
Many folks have written recently stating that they purchased a Sony a1 from B&H and would like their free membership in the Sony 1 Info and Updates Group, a $150.00 value. When I check my affiliate account, their orders have not been there. When I let them know that they get credit for B&H purchases only if they use one of the many B&H affiliate links on the blog or begin their searches with this link, they are always disappointed. If in doubt, please contact me via e-mail and request a BH link. I am always glad to help and to guide you to the right gear.
Bedfords Amazing BAA Discount Policy
Folks who have fallen in love with Bedfords can now use the BIRDSASART coupon code at checkout to enjoy a post-purchase, 3% off-statement credit (excluding taxes and shipping charges) on orders paid with a credit card. The 3% credit will be refunded to the card you used for your purchase. Be sure, also, to check the box for free shipping to enjoy free Second Day Air Fed-Ex. This offer does not apply to purchases of Classes, Gift Cards, prior purchases.
Visit the Bedfords website here, shoot Steve Elkins an e-mail, or text him on his cell phone at (479) 381-2592.
Important Note
As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small percentage when you purchase from Amazon after using any of the Amazon links on the blog (including the logo-link on the right side of each blog post page). My affiliate link works fine with Amazon Prime and using it will not cost you a single cent. Huge thanks, BTW 🙂
Gear Questions and Advice
Too many folks attending BAA IPTs and dozens of photographers whom I see in the field and on BPN, are — out of ignorance — using the wrong gear, especially when it comes to tripods and more especially, tripod heads. And the same is true in spades when ordering new camera bodies or lenses. My advice will often save you some serious money and may help you avoid making a seriously bad choice. Please know that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail. If you are desperate, you can try me on my cell at 863-221-2372. Please leave a message and shoot me a text if I do not pick up.
I-Phone 11+ snap
Stand of Blazing Star blossoms — most past peak
A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words. And a Tip
In the New Approach to Blazing Star Blossom Photography blog post here, I described the situation as below but figured that a picture would be worth a thousand words. From the morning of 9 November.
I stood on Toronaja Drive facing NW. The drainage canal is out of sight in the center of the frame. Most of the blossoms were well past peak bloom. That with the exception of the flower in the lower left/center. On the 5th, I worked with the 400mm f/2.8 on a tripod well to the left of my vantage point for the I-Phone shot above.
In similar situations, you can handhold your lens and move around, changing your perspective while looking for a shot. We call this “composing through the viewfinder.” Once you see something that catches your eye, set up the lens on the tripod and fine-tune the image design. Working in shaded situations as I was makes it much easier to find the shot as you are not restricted by sun angle.
Note that the yellow tones in each image below were the result of the sun hitting vegetation in the background. After reading the text that follows each image below, be sure to scroll down to read the wildly varying comments.
Tracking: Expand Spot/AF-C performed to perfection. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version.
Image #1: Blazing Star blossom
The Situation
Just about a block from my house, a stand of Blazing Star blooms every year in November where one of the many run-off canals in the neighborhood meets the road, in this case, Toronto Drive. I have photographed the flowers in previous years with my Canon 180mm macro lens, the Metabones adapter, and an a7R IV or more recently, an a-1. As I never came up with anything interesting, I tried a new approach on Sunday morning by working with the tripod-mounted 400mm f/2.8 lens. The super-fast aperture worked perfect for the shaded conditions — there are fairly dense pine woods on both sides of the road. The trees also acted as a windbreak protecting the flowers from the 15mph breeze down by the lake.
The Same-Old Depth-of-Field Question in a Different Form
Why did the wide open f/2.8 aperture provide more than enough d-o-f to render the entire blossom sharp?
Tracking: Expand Spot/AF-C performed to perfection. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version.
Image #2: Blazing Star blossom (and more)
The Comments
Guido Bee — November 8, 2023 at 9:31pm
As to depth of field, the 20 foot distance helps. A 400mm lens on a full frame at 2.8 will never have much dof, but subject to lens distance is key
Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART — November 10, 2023 at 8:34pm
That is correct, sir. a
John Storjohann; November 8, 2023 at 1:35pm
Good morning, Artie;
I like the first image more (see a) but there are qualities I like about both images:
a) In the second image, as others have mentioned, the green foliage in the lower left is too bright/too well defined and draws my eye to it.
b) To my eye, it looks like you were in a slightly different position for the second image; I like how it moves diagonally through the frame and I like how it intersects the yellow background colors near the top of the frame.
c) It looks like in the second image there was a slight change in light as well; the colors in the background seem brighter, with better contrast.
All the best. John
Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART — November 10, 2023 at 8:37pm
Hi John,
a- That o-o-f foliage is a huge plus for me! Different strokes …
b- Yes. I moved around a lot as there was no sun on the flowers.
c- A different angle with some light on the background.
thanks for commenting, with love,
a
Keith Solberg — November 8, 2023 at 2:34am
Hi Artie,
I prefer the 1st image over the 2nd. I like the angle of the 2nd and the yellow, but the plant in the lower left is too much of a distraction for me. The 1st flower looks like it’s closer to its peak, there are more flowers and the small green leaves near the flowers are not yellowing like on the 2nd. It’s similar to a wildflower up here in the Pacific Northwest and on those plants the flowers die off from the bottom upward. I suspect that your flowers are similar. You can always monitor it if you have the time. I’m not going to wade into the DOF question. I’ll read and learn if what I think is correct or not.
Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART — November 8, 2023 at 6:40am
Thanks, Keith. As for the d-o-f question, reading my replies to others here would shed some light on the situation.
with love, artie
Dane Johnson — November 7, 2023 at 3:11pm
Hi Artie. Both are great images. Image 2 holds the edge for me due to the angle of the stalk, which creates more interest and the balancing of the yellow background in the upper left and the out-of-focus plant and flowers in the lower left. The dof is a combination of aligning the flower stalk parallel to the sensor and the distance from the flower. This lens has a minimum focusing distance of just less than 9ft. The dof at 9 ft. at f/2.8 is 9/32 in. The dof at 12 ft. increases to 1/2 in. This lens can make some incredible close up images from a “not so close” distance.
Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART — November 7, 2023 at 8:55pm
Thanks, Dane!
You wrote, “The dof is a combination of aligning the flower stalk parallel to the sensor and the distance from the flower.”
Of those two, which is the vastly more important factor?
And BTW, the two focus distances were 7.08m for Image #1, and 6.27m for the second photo. Those convert to 22.3 feet and 20.57 feet respectively. In other words, I was a good distance away from relatively large blossoms; each is more than a foot in length. The total d-o-f at 21 feet at f/2.8 is 0.13 feet, or about 1 1/2 inches. As the flowers are no more than an inch in diameter, the d-o-f at a distance is more than enough to cover each blossom.
with love, artie
ps: Yes, a “not so close distance.”
Elinor Osborn — November 7, 2023 at 2:25pm
Why did the wide open f/2.8 aperture provide more than enough d-o-f? the camera was square to the whole stalk.
I like #1 better because pf the softer background colors being mostly horizontal against the vertical stalk, the oof purple showing on the left, and the arc of leaves at the base of the plant. In #2 the diagonal line of the stalk is good. The starburst of leaves and spot of oof purple balance the stem well. Just am not keen on the strong yellow.
Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART — November 7, 2023 at 8:42pm
Thanks for the comments, Elinor. As for the d-o-f question, there is a more important factor involved …
a
Larry Master — November 7, 2023 at 11:17am
Hi Artie – Nice shots of a beautiful flower, Dense Blazing Star (Liatris spicata). I like both images but perhaps the second image more, likely because of the diagonal leading one’s eye up the stalk to the top with a beautiful yellow background. The plants in the lower left I think add compositional balance to the image.
Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART — November 7, 2023 at 8:40pm
Thanks for the species ID Larry. And for your comments.
Do you know which flower is farther advanced in terms of bloom?
with love, a
Kevin Hice — November 7, 2023 at 10:49am.
Good morning Artie. Both fine images for me the best one is the first although I am a sucker for the yellows in the second image. All is sharp at 2.8 because the flower is all on the same plane. I might have gone with the second image but the plant anchored in the lower left is distracting. It pulls my eye away from the main subject as it looks like it is coming out to grab you. Not familiar with the plant it seems like the second image is at full development looking closely at the pistils. I need to do more flowers.
Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART — November 7, 2023 at 8:38pm
Thanks, Kevin. I find flowers a pleasant change and a challenge. As for the d-o-f question, there is a more important factor than the one you mentioned.
with love, a
Dave Goldberg — November 7, 2023 at 8:31am
Hi Artie,
1) I believe image #2 has fuller blossoms at mid length down the bloom
2) Personally, I’d go with image #2 because the blossom is fuller, the angle is more interesting to me, and the plant in the bottom RHS is better placed and less distracting than #1
My guess is that you have better DoF with the 400mm because you were standing positioned further away when you took that shot, so the increased distance more than offset the wide open aperture.
Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART — November 11, 2023 at 2:35pm
Thanks, Dave.
While #2 is my favorite by far, it seems to that the blossom in the first image is fuller and more complete. No need to guess — the biggest factor in play is the distance to the subject; the greater the focus distance, the deeper the d-o-f.
My Answers, Calls, and a final comment
1- Which image features the more complete, more perfect blossom?
For me, it seemed obvious that the blossom in Image #1 was more complete and way more beautiful than the blossom in Image #2.
2- Which image is the stronger, more interesting photograph. Why?
Despite the fact that the first image featured a more beautiful blossom, I felt that Image #2 was far stronger because of the diagonal line of the blossom and because of the additional yellow and purple tones.
My Final Comment
I was glad to see so many different opinions on the two featured images. Funny how the yellow tones in the 2nd image were a negative to some folks and a positive to others. Funny how the defocused blossom in the lower left corner of Image #2 was a negative to some folks and a positive to others.
Remember that judging photographs is 100% subjective — there is no right or wrong. But playing the game will always help you to be in a better position to evaluate your own work.
Typos
With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
Yesterday, curious as always, I ordered the new Sony a-9 III and the new Sony 300mm f/2.8 GM lens from Bedfords. I will be sharing my findings with you here as soon as I get my hands on the new gear. If you pre-order one or both of these items from Bedfords, please use the BIRDSASART discount code at check-out to receive 3% back on your credit card and free, second-day air Fed-Ex. Both of these items will be very hard to get. The waiting lists at Bedfords will be a lot shorter than those at B&H.
Not Too Late
For late registration discount info on the 4th Fall DeSoto IPT, or to explore the possibility of sharing an AirBnB with Alan Goodwin and me — we have an extra bedroom (cheap when shared by three), please get in touch via e-mail ASAP. Scroll to the bottom for details.
Your Call/My Call
I will share my thoughts on the two Blazing Star images and on the many and widely varied and well-thought-out comments in the next blog post. Different strokes for different folks.
Canon EOS 7D Mark II with Extras
Good friend and many multiple IPT veteran Indranil Sircar is offering a Canon EOS 7D Mark II in excellent plus condition with several extras for a very low $449.00. The shutter count is 31001. The sale includes the Canon Battery Grip BG-E16 (a roughly $69.00 value), two Canon batteries, the original box, the cables and software and manuals, the battery charger, the front body cap, Canon Remote Release RS-80N3 (a roughly $50.00 value) and insured ground shipping via UPS to lower-48 US addresses only.
If you are looking to get started with a Canon dSLR, Indranil’s 7DII is perfect for you. Both Patrick Sparkman and I used and loved the 7D Mark II bodies until about ten years ago when we both committed to using full-frame Canon bodies. We both made some truly great images with it. Two of my three 2016 Nature’s Best honored entries were created with the 7D II, one still, and one video. The 7D Mark II remains one of the greatest-ever values in a digital camera body. artie
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV with Extras
Good friend and many multiple IPT veteran Indranil Sircar is offering a Canon EOS 5D Mark IV in excellent plus condition with several extras for a very low $999.00. The sale includes the Canon Battery Grip BG-E20 (a roughly $229.00 value), two Canon batteries, the original box, the cables and software and manuals, the battery charger, the front body cap, and insured ground shipping via UPS to lower-48 US addresses only.
What can I say? The 5D IV was my favorite-ever Canon digital dSLR. I owned and used three of them while my 1DX II and a 1DX III sat on the shelf in my garage. A new 5D Mark IV, with its 30.4MP full-frame CMOS sensor, sells new for $$2,699. If you have been dreaming of a 5D IV, grab Indranil’s 5D IV right now and save an astounding $1,700.00. artie
What’s Up?
Now that I have been home for a while, I’ve been swimming a half-mile every day and recently added a 1.5 mile health/vitamin D walk with my shirt off. On my walk on Tuesday afternoon, I saw my first-ever anywhere Black Vulture taking a bath. It was in the lake and was flopping around in what must have been eight inches or so of water; the bird looked quite ungainly and strangely, It sort of reminded me of the spoonbills bathing in the afternoons at Stick Marsh.
Photography at Indian Lake Estates has been getting better every day. The cranes are pairing up and are beginning to fool around. I had two straight great mornings with the Black Vultures at the smelly-old-fish feeder that I set up on the South Peninsula. The eagle pair has been trying to decide where to nest this year. They have been splitting their time between the beautiful, previously twice successful, easy-to-photograph nest that they used for the last two years and a cluttered, almost completely hidden ugly old Osprey nest in a dead tree a bit farther to the south. I know which one I am rooting for.
Today is Thursday 9 November 2023. My tentative plan is to head down to the lake early, feed the vultures, and then keep an eye on the weather at Sebastian. I will likely go to the coast very early on Friday and possibly stay for Saturday morning. Wherever you are a whatever you are doing, I hope that you too have a great day.
Please remember to use the B&H and Amazon links that are found on most blog pages and to use the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout when purchasing your new gear from Bedfords to get 3% back on your credit card and enjoy free second-day air FedEx. Please, also, consider joining a BAA IPT. You will be amazed at how much you will learn!
You can find some great photo accessories (and necessities, like surf booties!) on Amazon by clicking on the Stuff tab on the orange/yellow menu bar above. On a related note, it would be extremely helpful if blog-folks who, like me, spend too much money on Amazon, would get in the habit of clicking on the Amazon logo link on the right side of each blog post when they shop online. As you might expect, doing so will not cost you a single penny, but would be appreciated tremendously by yours truly. And doing so works seamlessly with your Amazon Prime account.
If an item — a Delkin flash card, or a tripod head — for example, that is available from B&H and/or Bedfords, is also available in the BAA Online Store, it would be great, and greatly appreciated, if you would opt to purchase from us. We will match any price. Please remember also to use my B&H affiliate links or to earn 3% cash back at Bedfords by using the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout for your major gear purchases. Doing either often earns you free guides and/or discounts. And always earns my great appreciation.
Clockwise from the upper left back around to center: Osprey gaining altitude after missed strike; school of mullet under attack from below; Wood Stork with Southern Whiting; Osprey with Menhaden; Wood Stork with small lobster; Royal Tern with large baitfish; Osprey with Menhaden; juvenile Osprey directly overhead “t-shot”; Osprey taking flight with freshly caught Mullet.
Sebastian Inlet In-the-Field Sessions
Join me for 3 hours of morning In-the-Field Instruction at Sebastian Inlet for only $300.00/session. The main target will be Ospreys fishing for a variety of migrating saltwater fish that visit the inlet each fall. Back-up subjects include fishing gulls, terns, and Brown Pelicans, Wood Stork, a variety of herons, egrets, and sometimes shorebirds, sunrise cloud-scapes, and the occasional sea turtle or manatee.
November Dates: 10-11 & 20-25, 2023.
The weather is looking excellent for Friday and Saturday. If you would like to explore the possibility of doing both days (with or without and afternoon session), please get in touch via e-mail ASAP.
You can order your copy from the BAA Online Store here, by sending a PayPal for $40 here, or by calling Jim or Jennifer weekdays at 863-692-0906 with your credit card in hand. Be sure to specify Digital Basics II.
The Digital Basics Backstory
The original Digital Basics PDF sold for $10.00 when it was released about two decades ago. Before it was published, I got a single e-mail complaining that the price was too high. Soon after, the guide had expanded considerably and the price was doubled to $20.00. The premise was that folks were creating very good images with their new digital camera bodies and then ruining them in Photoshop. And the same is still true today in spades with today’s great mirrorless camera bodies.
Amazingly, in 2011, the proceeds from the original DB were used to pay for my $67,000 lap pool in full. You can read the whole story and see the photos here. The original Digital Basics was a real eye-opener as it showed that serious folks were willing to spend good money on relevant information presented in digital form.
After several updates, “The BIRDS AS ART Current Workflow e-Guide (Digital Basics II)” was published in June, 2017. It was priced at $40.00 and there has not been a price increase. Sales of DB II have exceeded $80,000.00. To be honest, I cannot remember ever receiving anything but praise for either the original DB or for DB II.
You can purchase “The BIRDS AS ART Current Workflow e-Guide (Digital Basics II)” here.
Folks who do not want to miss anything and those who need the BreezeBrowser Pro/Downloader Pro information may wish to save $15 by ordering the Digital Basics/Digital Basics II Bundle for only $50.00 here. The bundle contains both the original Digital Basics and DB III. Both PDFs will be sent via e-mail.
The Digital Basics III Video Series YouTube Promo
The Digital Basics and Digital Basics II PDFs have taught more than 8000 nature photographers to process their raw files optimally, to make them look great. In the new DB III Video Series, I will be doing three image optimizations/video. Each will include the three raw conversions. Keep reading to learn more.
The Digital Basics III Video Series
The Digital Basics III Video Series
I realized about a year ago that my digital workflow had changed significantly and was toying with the idea of writing a Digital Basics III. More recently, I have learned and begun working with two great new Photoshop Tools, the Remove Tool and the Luminance Targeted Adjustment Tool. The former is like a smarter Spot Healing Brush Tool on steroids and the latter is a huge step up from the fabulous Color Mixer Tool. During that same time frame, I came up with a new and improved 2-step noise reduction technique. I still use Divide and Conquer, Quick Masks, Layer Masks, an expanded array of personalized keyboard shortcuts, and tons of other stuff from both versions of Digital Basics.
As soon as I realized that I did not want to take on another large writing project, I realized that by creating a series of videos I could much more easily share all the details of my current digital workflow and much more easily incorporate additional new tips, techniques, and tools as I went. And so, The Digital Basics III Video Series was born. Keep reading to learn about Digital Basics III Volume I/#1. As below, you might opt to purchase single videos or to subscribe to Volume I and save $26 by ordering the first five videos in one fell swoop. You can purchase the five videos in Volume I by clicking here.
For folks using the latest version of Photoshop (2024) or Lightroom. Topaz DeNoise AI and Topaz Sharpen AI are a plus.
Digital Basics III Volume I/#1
Digital Basics III Volume I/#1
Nearly an hour in length, DB III/VOL I/#1 has you sitting by my side at my Apple 16″ MacBook Pro (M2 Max, Silver) as I optimize the three images above. You will see that I use and recommend only Photo Mechanic (for both MACs and PCs) for picking my keepers and browsing and that I do my raw conversions using Camera Raw (Version 16.0.0.1677) in Adobe Photoshop 2024 (25.0.0 Release). Note that Camera Raw is identical in Lightroom.
Right off the bat you will learn to customize the panels (sometimes called tabs) and put them in the order you wish to use them. For me, those include Color, Light, Detail, and Color Mixer. Then, for each image, I take you through all the raw conversion sliders including the Color Temperature (White Balance), setting the White and Black points, adjusting the Highlight and Shadow sliders, and rarely, setting the Exposure and Contrast sliders. You will learn to use the new Remove Tool, the new Luminance Targeted Adjustment Tool, and my two-step noise reduction strategy. I use all three of those on virtually every image that I process. The second image, the Short-eared Owl, was created at ISO 12800. You will learn why and how I used Topaz Sharpen AI on various images.
After the master .TIF files are saved, you will learn how I size and sharpen the stunning JPEGs that you see on the blog every day.
You can purchase DB III/Volume I/#1 for $25.00 by clicking here in the BAA Online Store. Or, you can opt to purchase the Volume I series, videos #1 to 5, for the bargain rate of $99.00 for the first five videos (as noted above). The plan is to publish about 1 video/week. If the project is well received, there will be future volumes. I have already picked the images for DB III, Volume I/#2!
All images from SEPT/OCT/NOV at Fort DeSoto.
Click on the image to enjoy a larger, sharper high-resolution version.
Clockwise from upper left to center: Piping Plover flapping after bath, juvenile Laughing Gull with feather, American Oystercatcher with sea urchins, Willet foraging in surf, American White Pelican juvenile swimming, skimmer/tern/shorebird blast-off blur, American White Pelican in flight, Black-bellied Plover stealing lugworm from Marbled Godwit, Roseate Spoonbill staring.
Fall 2023 Fort DeSoto Instructional Photo-Tour #4
3 1/2 Days: Tuesday 14 November through the morning session on Friday 17 November 2023. $1899.00 includes three working lunches. Limit six photographers/Openings: three.
Fall Bird Photography at Fort DeSoto
Fort DeSoto, located just south of St. Petersburg, FL, is a mecca for migrant shorebirds, terns, and gulls in fall. There they join hundreds of egrets, herons, and night-herons that winter on the T-shaped peninsula. With any luck at all, we should get to photograph one of Florida’s most desirable shorebird species: Marbled Godwit. Black-bellied Plover and Willet are easy, American Oystercatcher is pretty much guaranteed. Great Egret, Snowy Egret, Great Blue Heron, Tricolored Heron, and White Ibis are easy as well and we will almost surely come up with a tame Yellow-crowned Night-Heron or two. And there should be some quality Brown Pelican flight photography. In addition, Royal, Sandwich, Forster’s, and Caspian Terns will likely provide us with some good flight opportunities as well. Though not guaranteed, Roseate Spoonbill and Wood Stork might well be expected. And we will be on the lookout for a migrant passerine fallout in the event of a thunderstorm or two.
On this IPT, all will learn the basics and fine points of digital exposure. Nikon and Canon folks will learn to get the right exposure every time after making a single test exposure, and SONY folks will learn to use Zebras so that they can be sure of making excellent exposures before pressing the shutter button. Everyone will learn how to approach free and wild birds without disturbing them, to understand and predict bird behavior, to identify many species of shorebirds, to spot the good situations, to choose the best perspective, to see and understand the light, and to design pleasing images by mastering your camera’s AF system. Most importantly, you will surely learn to evaluate wind and sky conditions and understand how they affect bird photography. And you will learn how and why to work in Manual mode (even if you’re scared of it). The best news is that you will be able to take everything you learn home with you so that you will be a better photographer wherever and whenever you photograph.
Clockwise from upper left to center: Long-billed Curlew, juvenile Tricolored Heron, Marbled Godwits, Great Blue Heron, juvenile Pectoral Sandpiper, Wood Stork, smiling Sea Scallop, Ruddy Turnstone scavenging needlefish, Great Blue Heron sunset silhouette at my secret spot, and southbound migrant tern flock blur.
The Details
There will be a Photoshop/image review session during or after lunch (included) each full day. That will be followed by Instructor Nap Time.
These IPTs will run with only a single registrant (though that is not guaranteed). The best airport is Tampa (TPA). Once you register, you will receive an e-mail with Gulfport AirBnB/VRBO information. If you register soon and would like to share an AirBnB with me, shoot me an e-mail. Other possibilities including taking a cab to and from the airport to our AirBnB and riding with me for $50/day. This saves you both gas and the cost of a rental car.
A $600 deposit is due when you sign up and is payable by credit card. Balances must be paid by check one month before the trip. Your deposit is non-refundable unless the IPT sells out with six folks, so please check your plans carefully before committing. You can register by calling Jim during weekday business hours at 863-692-0906 with a credit card in hand, or by sending a check as follows: make the check out to: BIRDS AS ART and send it via US mail here: BIRDS AS ART, PO BOX 7245, Indian Lake Estates, FL 33855. You will receive a confirmation e-mail with detailed instructions, clothing, and gear advice. Please shoot me an e-mail if you plan to register or if you have any questions on lodging.
Up Early, Stay Out Late!
Obviously, folks attending an IPT will be out in the field early and stay late to take advantage of the sweetest light and sunrise and sunset colors (when possible). The good news is that the days are relatively short in early fall. I really love it when I am leaving the beach on a sunny morning after a great session just as a carful or two of well-rested photographers are arriving. On cloudy days, we may — at the leader’s discretion, stay out in the morning for a long session and skip the afternoon session. To ensure early starts, breakfasts will be your responsibility. And so that we can get some sleep, dinners will sometimes be on your own as well.
Typos
With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
Yesterday I created the first three-image optimization BAA Digital Basics III Video. It will be in the store and offered for sale here on Thursday. Speaking of Thursday, the forecast for the end of this week has changed a bit. The wind and sky conditions are looking good for Thursday morning and even better for Friday morning. See the next item if you would like to join me for a morning or two and learn the ropes at this great fall location.
Today is Tuesday 7 November 2023. I have not yet decided if I will head down to the lake for a bit as the forecast is for a gentle NE wind. At this time of year, with the sun rising in the east/southeast, a northeast wind is OK early on but gets worse each minute as the sun makes its way to the south. Wherever you are a whatever you are doing, I hope that you too have a great day.
Please remember to use the B&H and Amazon links that are found on most blog pages and to use the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout when purchasing your new gear from Bedfords to get 3% back on your credit card and enjoy free second-day air FedEx. Please, also, consider joining a BAA IPT. You will be amazed at how much you will learn!
You can find some great photo accessories (and necessities, like surf booties!) on Amazon by clicking on the Stuff tab on the orange/yellow menu bar above. On a related note, it would be extremely helpful if blog-folks who, like me, spend too much money on Amazon, would get in the habit of clicking on the Amazon logo link on the right side of each blog post when they shop online. As you might expect, doing so will not cost you a single penny, but would be appreciated tremendously by yours truly. And doing so works seamlessly with your Amazon Prime account.
If an item — a Delkin flash card, or a tripod head — for example, that is available from B&H and/or Bedfords, is also available in the BAA Online Store, it would be great, and greatly appreciated, if you would opt to purchase from us. We will match any price. Please remember also to use my B&H affiliate links or to earn 3% cash back at Bedfords by using the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout for your major gear purchases. Doing either often earns you free guides and/or discounts. And always earns my great appreciation.
Clockwise from the upper left back around to center: Osprey gaining altitude after missed strike; school of mullet under attack from below; Wood Stork with Southern Whiting; Osprey with Menhaden; Wood Stork with small lobster; Royal Tern with large baitfish; Osprey with Menhaden; juvenile Osprey directly overhead “t-shot”; Osprey taking flight with freshly caught Mullet.
Sebastian Inlet In-the-Field Sessions
Join me for 3 hours of morning In-the-Field Instruction at Sebastian Inlet for only $300.00/session. The main target will be Ospreys fishing for a variety of migrating saltwater fish that visit the inlet each fall. Back-up subjects include fishing gulls, terns, and Brown Pelicans, Wood Stork, a variety of herons and egrets, sunrise cloud-scapes, and the occasional sea turtle or manatee.
November Dates: 9-11 & 20-25, 2023.
Please get in touch via e-mail to book one or more sessions.
B&H Simplified
To ensure that I get credit for your B&H purchases, you can always click here. The tracking is invisible but greatly appreciated. And, you can use your PayBoo card. You must use the website to order. B&H will reopen on Fri April 14. Thanking me for the past 4000 educational blog posts could not be any easier and will not cost you one penny. Please shoot me your B&H receipt for major purchases.
Bedfords Simplified
Click here to start your search. Choose standard shipping, and when you get to the payment page, enter BIRDSASART in the discount code box and hit apply. You will be upgraded to free second day air Fed-Ex and receive 3% cash back on your credit card once your stuff ships. Either is greatly appreciated by yours truly.
B&H
Many folks have written recently stating that they purchased a Sony a1 from B&H and would like their free membership in the Sony 1 Info and Updates Group, a $150.00 value. When I check my affiliate account, their orders have not been there. When I let them know that they get credit for B&H purchases only if they use one of the many B&H affiliate links on the blog or begin their searches with this link, they are always disappointed. If in doubt, please contact me via e-mail and request a BH link. I am always glad to help and to guide you to the right gear.
Bedfords Amazing BAA Discount Policy
Folks who have fallen in love with Bedfords can now use the BIRDSASART coupon code at checkout to enjoy a post-purchase, 3% off-statement credit (excluding taxes and shipping charges) on orders paid with a credit card. The 3% credit will be refunded to the card you used for your purchase. Be sure, also, to check the box for free shipping to enjoy free Second Day Air Fed-Ex. This offer does not apply to purchases of Classes, Gift Cards, prior purchases.
Visit the Bedfords website here, shoot Steve Elkins an e-mail, or text him on his cell phone at (479) 381-2592.
Important Note
As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small percentage when you purchase from Amazon after using any of the Amazon links on the blog (including the logo-link on the right side of each blog post page). My affiliate link works fine with Amazon Prime and using it will not cost you a single cent. Huge thanks, BTW 🙂
Gear Questions and Advice
Too many folks attending BAA IPTs and dozens of photographers whom I see in the field and on BPN, are — out of ignorance — using the wrong gear, especially when it comes to tripods and more especially, tripod heads. And the same is true in spades when ordering new camera bodies or lenses. My advice will often save you some serious money and may help you avoid making a seriously bad choice. Please know that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail. If you are desperate, you can try me on my cell at 863-221-2372. Please leave a message and shoot me a text if I do not pick up.
Tracking: Expand Spot/AF-C performed to perfection. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version.
Image #1: Blazing Star blossom
The Situation
Just about a block from my house, a stand of Blazing Star blooms every year in November where one of the many run-off canals in the neighborhood meets the road, in this case, Toronto Drive. I have photographed the flowers in previous years with my Canon 180mm macro lens, the Metabones adapter, and an a7R IV or more recently, an a-1. As I never came up with anything interesting, I tried a new approach on Sunday morning by working with the tripod-mounted 400mm f/2.8 lens. The super-fast aperture worked perfect for the shaded conditions — there are fairly dense pine woods on both sides of the road. The trees also acted as a windbreak protecting the flowers from the 15mph breeze down by the lake.
The Same-Old Depth-of-Field Question in a Different Form
Why did the wide open f/2.8 aperture provide more than enough d-o-f to render the entire blossom sharp?
