Sunday was one of those days. The morning photography session was not too good. I did not do any work on the R5 Camera User’s Guide. I did not do any work on the RawDigger Guide (though I did get the information that I needed from Patrick to go forward. I did not do my bursts. And I did not do my swim. I was a couch-bum all day. All of the NFL teams I was rooting for lost.
Today — Monday 28 December — is a new day and I am up and at ’em. I will be working long and hard on both guides today.
This blog past makes eleven days in a row with a new blog post.
Yesterday, I sold the last of my remaining Nikon gear to a single buyer: the 70-200mm f/4 VR and the Sigma f/2.8 150mm Macro Lens for Nikon mount.
The BAA Used Gear Page
The Used Gear page continues to be very active. The BAA Used Gear Page is the place to sell your used photographic equipment. We will help you to get your gear sold quickly for 20 to 60% or more than what the big guys are offering … Doubt me? Check out the Recent Sales list for the past year at the bottom of the page.
Price Drops
Sigma 500mm f/4.5 APO EX HSM lens for Nikon mount
Price Reduced $200.00 on 28 DEC 2020!
William Dummitt is offering a Sigma 500mm f/4.5 APO EX HSM lens for Nikon mount in excellent condition for a very low $699.00 (was $899.00). The sale includes the rear lens cap, the original soft case and padding, the vinyl lens cover, and insured ground shipping via UPS to lower-48 US addresses only. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.
Please contact William via e-mail or by phone at 1-314-918-0720 (Eastern time).
I have seen amazingly sharp images made with this lens both on IPTs and on BPN. artie
Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-120mm f/4G ED VR Lens
Price Reduced $99.00 on 28 DEC 2020!
William Dummitt is offering a Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-120mm f/4G ED VR lens in excellent condition for a BAA record-low $399.00 (was $498.00). The sale includes the front and rear lens caps, a Tiffen UV/Haze filter, and insured ground shipping via UPS to lower-48 US addresses only.Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.
Please contact William via e-mail or by phone at 1-314-918-0720 (Eastern time).
I loved my versatile, all purpose, don’t-leave-home-without-it, mid-range 24-120 zoom lens when I used Nikon. I felt it was much sharper than all versions of the Canon 24-105 lenses. And the VR allowed me to create sharp images handheld at silly-low shutter speeds like 1/8 second. This one sells new for $1,096.95 so you can save a very cool $697.95 by purchasing William’s lens. artie
Tracking Flexible Spot (M)/AF-C was active at the moment of exposure and performed to perfection. Click the screen capture to see a larger version.
Crested Caracara displaying
Your Favorite?
Please leave a comment and let us know which of the three poses (and photos) you think is the best. And why. You can identify your favorite as first, second, or third. Let us know also what you did not like about the other two images. I have a clear favorite and will share the optimized image with you here soon (along with my analysis of each image).
The more ambitious among you might wish to rate the images in order by strength, with the strongest image first and the weakest one last. With your reasons of course.
Laguna Seca Ranch
The morning raptor blind on the Laguna Seca Ranch was and is Crested Caracara paradise. We had twenty to fifty caracaras on the set at all time. Owner Gene Gwin and the other guides were creative and helpful, and most importantly for me, quick to respond to suggestions. Laguna Seca is great for the caracaras in the colder months — like now!, and great for songbirds in spring. The morning raptor blind at Santa Clara Ranch is good, and gets better in early spring as far as sun angle is concerned. And it too is great for songbirds in spring. For reasons unknown to me, it is much more difficult to book a visit to Santa Clara than it is to book time at Laguna Seca. Both are great.
Typos
In all blog posts and Bulletins, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
Single day Bursts chart
See my response to Jeff’s comment below for an explanation.
I spent most of Saturday working on the Canon EOS R5 Camera Body User’s Guide. It is hard work that involves lots of research and — with camera and lens in hand, lots of experimenting. I am, however, making good progress as I slog through the relevant menu items.
I had fun down at the lake in the early morning photographing Cattle Egret, Boat-tailed Grackle singing on the newly erected Y-perch, and Black Vulture heads. I learned a lot while creating a series of Sandhill Crane blasting silhouette images. I will share what I learned with you here soon. With the cold mornings the pool continues to be on the chilly side, but compared to the air temps, the pool is balmy. I have been swimming my slow 1/2-mile every day since the pump was replaced. I only shiver when I get out of the pool! I may not swim today — with several cold days in a row, the water was down to 74 degrees this morning …
Today is Sunday 27 December 2020. The forecast is a carbon copy of the two previous days: clear and cold with a north wind. Not great, not terrible, especially if the north wind has a bit of east in it as it did yesterday. I will be headed down to the lake at about 7:30am.
Huge thanks to Gary Meyer and Ian Barker for their generous BAA Blog Thanks gifts.
I have made this point here often: reading the Comments on various blog posts can be tremendously rewarding and educational. The two biggest tips for the R5 AF Guide came from the Comments section. Both Geoff Newhouse and Ryan Sanderson have left incredibly helpful comments and answered additional questions via e-mail. And I have learned a ton from the insightful comments left by blog-regular Adam Rubenstein. In the Excuses for an Unsharp Flight Shot. Topaz Sharpen AI to the Rescue blog post here, he left a comment that mentioned a panel display in Sharpen AI where one can see the results of all three sharpening actions. I took that ball, ran with it, and learned a ton. That is how Topaz DeNoise and Sharpen AI Comparison Views became the main subject of today’s blog post. Reading all the comments is is like mining for gold. You sift through a lot and occasionally come up with a big, fat, valuable nugget.
This blog past makes ten days in a row with a new blog post. This one took more than three hours to prepare. Please remember …
Please Remember
With income from IPTs approaching zero, please, if you enjoy and learn from the blog, remember to use one of my two affiliate programs when purchasing new gear. Doing so just might make it possible for me to avoid having to try to get a job as a Walmart greeter and will not cost you a single penny more. And if you use Bedfords and remember to enter the BIRDSASART code at checkout, you will save 3% on every order and enjoy free second-day air shipping. In these crazy times — I am out at least forty to sixty thousand dollars so far due to COVID 19 (with lots more to come) — remembering to use my B&H link or to shop at Bedfords will help me out a ton and be greatly appreciated. Overseas folks who cannot order from the US because of import fees, duties, and taxes can always help out by clicking here if they see fit.
Wanted to Buy
I have potential buyers for a Canon EF 2X III Teleconverter and a Canon EF 600mm f/4L IS III USM lens. If you have either that you are looking to sell, please get in touch via e-mail.
The BAA Used Gear Page
The Used Gear page continues to be very active. The BAA Used Gear Page is the place to sell your used photographic equipment. We will help you to get your gear sold quickly for 20 to 60% or more than what the big guys are offering … Doubt me? Check out the Recent Sales list for the past eleven months at the bottom of the page.
Canon R5/R6 AF e-Guide Info
So far, 50 folks have sent PayPals for their copy of the Canon R5/R6 AF e-Guide. And 27 who used my affiliate links to purchase their R5 have e-mailed for and received their free copy of the guide. If you e-mailed or sent a PayPal and did not receive your guide, please LMK immediately via e-mail.
Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive so far. Three folks wrote stating that they had a better way of setting up AF on their R5s. When I wrote back explaining why they were in error, two of them back-tracked. One stubborn guy is still doing it his way — less efficiently. Be sure to scroll down to read about my plans for a Canon R5/R6 User’s e-Guide. Understand that the info in the BAA Canon R5/R6 Autofocus e-Guide is so important that I opted to publish the AF guide immediately as the R5/R6 User’s Guide will take at least a month to finish.
BAA Canon R5/R6 Autofocus e-Guide
Twenty-one pages. 3,452 words. 28-DPP4 screen captures showing the R5’s vaunted AF system in action. Note: the AF system of the R5 is identical to the AF system of the R6.
You will learn:
1- The two most useful AF Methods for general bird photography and for birds in flight.
2- How to set up your R5/R6 AF Menus.
3- What boxes to check (and un-check) under Limit AF Methods.
4- How to change the AF Method quickly, easily, and efficiently. Note: the default way of doing this is clunky, cumbersome, and inefficient at best. One person replied that this tip alone was worth the price of admission.
5- The only setting that should be used for Initial Servo AF pt for Face Detection + Tracking.
I you are currently using multiple back buttons either for general bird photography or for birds in flight, what you learn in this guide will change your life. For the better.
Here are the first three paragraphs of this e-Guide:
From the moment I learned about the new Canon mirrorless bodies, I read about using two or three back-buttons to focus using different AF methods. The word on the street said that the way to go for birds in flight was to use one button to acquire focus with Zone AF or with Large Zone: Horizontal AF and then switch to another button to activate Face Detection + Tracking AF and then use the shutter button to make an image. My immediate thought was, “This is insanity! There has got to be a better way.” In short, there is a far superior way to set up AF on your R5 or R6.
Remember that I got away from any form of back-button or rear focusing many years ago after finally realizing that it is always easier to do one thing (press the shutter button), than it is to do two things (press a back button and then press the shutter button).
The default method of switching AF Methods with the R5/R6 bodies is cumbersome at best. It involves first pressing the grid button (my name) on the upper right back of the camera and then pressing the hard-to-access M-Fn button to toggle through the AF Methods. This method is so bad that it will not be mentioned again in this guide.
The guide is free to all who have ordered an R5 or an R6 using my B&H affiliate link or from Steve Elkins/Bedfords using the BIRDSASART coupon code at checkout. Please send your receipt to me via e-mail. It will take me a few days to a week to verify the B&H purchases. Bedfords folks should expect their free e-Guides fairly quickly.
To purchase your copy of the e-Guide, please send a PayPal for $25.00 to birdsasart@verizon.net and be sure to include the words R5/R6 AF Guide in your PayPal e-mail.
Everyone who gets the guide will receive a free update no later than the first week in January.
Canon R5/R6 User’s e-Guide
I am working on a complete Canon R5/R6 User’s e-Guide. This will require a lot of research, a lot of time, and a lot of effort. I am hoping to have it complete by mid- to late January. As always, folks who use the BAA affiliate links to purchase their Canon gear will receive a substantial discount.
Understand that the info in the BAA Canon R5/R6 Autofocus e-Guide is so important that I opted to publish the AF guide right off the bat to help folks get started with their new camera bodies.
Great Topaz News!
Folks who use the BAA Topaz link to purchase Sharpen AI, DeNoise AI, or the Utility Bundle (or any other Topaz plugins) will receive a 15% discount by entering the ARTHUR15 code at checkout. To get the discount you must use my link and you must enter the discount code. Be sure to start with this link.
Topaz Stuff
As I said just a while back and have said often many times before, I should have listened sooner. If you, like me, are new to the Topaz party, please use this link to purchase. Right now I can wholeheartedly recommend both Topaz Sharpen AI and Topaz DeNoise AI. Though I have not yet worked with JPEGtoRAW AI or Gigapixel AI, I have installed both of these plug-ins and look forward to trying them on some I-Phone 11 images fairly soon. If you are thinking like me, consider the Utility Bundle that includes all four plug-ins mentioned above at a money-saving price.
Again, those who purchase Sharpen AI or DeNoise AI using my link, can e-mail to request a short Getting Started with Topaz e-Guide. I had a bit of trouble getting the two plug-ins installed and having them appear in the Photoshop Filter Menu. In addition, I will explain how to best learn about the two plug-ins by applying them on a Layer (in Photoshop).
127 sold to rave reviews.
The SONY e-Guide by Patrick Sparkman and Arthur Morris
The Sony Camera User’s e-Guide (and Videos)
Click here to purchase the guide with one Camera Set-up Video. Be sure to e-mail us by clicking here to specify your camera body so that we can send you a link for the correct video.
Click here to purchase the guide with two Camera Set-up Videos. Be sure to e-mail us by clicking here to specify your two camera bodies so that we can send you links for the correct videos.
You can now save 3% on all of your Bedfords photo gear purchases by entering the BIRDSASART coupon code at checkout. Your discount will be applied to your pre-tax total. In addition, by using the code you will get 2nd day air shipping via Fed Ex.
Grab a Nikon AF-S Teleconverter TC-14E III and save $14.99. Purchase a Canon EOS R5 and your discount will be $116.97. Purchase a Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens and save a remarkable $389.94! Your Bedford’s purchase no longer needs to be greater than $1,000.00 for you to receive a discount. The more you spend, the more you save.
Money Saving Reminder
Many have learned that if you need a hot photo item that is out of stock at B&H and would enjoy free overnight shipping, your best bet is to click here, place an order with Bedfords, and enter the coupon code BIRDSASART at checkout. If an item is out of stock, contact Steve Elkins via e-mail or on his cell phone at (479) 381-2592 (Central time). Be sure to mention the BIRDSASART coupon code and use it for your online order to save 3% and enjoy free 2nd-day air shipping. Steve has been great at getting folks the hot items that are out of stock at B&H and everywhere else. The wait lists at the big stores can be a year or longer for the hard to get items. Steve will surely get you your gear long before that. For the past year, he has been helping BAA Blog folks get their hands on items like the SONY a9 ii, the SONY 200-600 G OSS lens, the Canon EOS R5, the Canon RF 100-500mm lens, and the Nikon 500mm PF. Steve is personable, helpful, and eager to please.
Gear Questions and Advice
Too many folks attending BAA IPTs and dozens of photographers whom I see in the field and on BPN, are–out of ignorance–using the wrong gear especially when it comes to tripods and more especially, tripod heads… Please know that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail. Those questions might deal with systems, camera bodies, accessories, and/or lens choices and decisions.
This image was created on 17 May 2020 at Indian Lake Estates, FL. While seated, I used the handheld Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS lens (at at 400mm) and the 61-mega-pixel monster, the Sony Alpha a7R IV Mirrorless Digital camera body. ISO 800. Exposure determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear dial. 1/500 sec. at f/6.3 in Manual mode. AWB at 9:01am on a cloudy fairly bright morning.
Tracking Flexible Spot (M)/AF-C was active at the moment of exposure.
Image #1: Mother’s Day Sandhill Crane chick at 7 1/2 days old
Mother’s Day Miracle Chicks
One Good Thing About the Pandemic
Coming upon the Mother’s Day miracle chicks on May 10 of this year was indeed a photographic blessing for me. One of the two chicks survived, and can be seen every day down by the lake with its mom and dad. Now in its seventh month, the surviving colt (seen below), is never far from its parents. The forage together, enjoy preening sessions together, and often fly off together, usually to challenge other pairs of calling cranes.
When I magnify this image, I can see myself and one of the parent cranes reflected in the eye.
I do not know if the bird in Image #1 is the chick that survived to colt-hood, or the small colt that perished. Either way, the growth and development of young Sandhill Cranes is something to behold. And I have 🙂
Click on the image to see a larger version.
Topaz DeNoise AI Comparison View of the on the Mother’s Day Sandhill Crane chick at 7 1/2 days old image
Topaz DeNoise AI Comparison View
Huge thanks to blog regular Adam Rubenstein for turning me on to Comparison Views with Topaz DeNoise and Sharpen AI. To activate the Comparison View go to View and check Comparison View from the dropdown menu. Be sure that Auto-update Preview is clicked On. (I think that On is the default). The upper left will show the original, the upper right depicts DeNoise AI, the lower left is AI Clear, and the lower right shows the results with Low Light. To begin, I placed the Navigator box on the darkest green background in the lower right corner of the image. All four views looked pretty good. Then I moved the Navigator box to the darkest part of the image, the bottom of the eye. At 100% and 200% all looked pretty good. But at 400%, DeNoise AI was the clear winner if only by a small margin. It did the best job of handling the color noise; see especially the lower left edge of the pupil. Once you’ve made your choice simply click on that box and hit Apply.
While preparing this blog post I noticed after the fact that when I moved the Color Noise Reduction to the right that Low Light looked a bit better than DeNoise AI (while perhaps softening some fine detail). So there are lots of options, and lots more to discover in DeNoise AI when working with the Comparison Views.
This image was created on 24 December 2020 at Indian Lake Estates, FL. I used the handheld Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM lens (at 500mm) and the highly touted 45MP Canon EOS R5 Mirrorless Digital camera body. ISO 800. Exposure determined using the in-camera histogram and confirmed as perfect by RawDigger: 1/1000 sec. at f/10 (stopped down 1 stop) in Manual mode. AWB at 8:19am on sunny morning.
Face Detection + Tracking/AI Servo AF was active at the moment of exposure and tracked the colt’s eye. Click the image to see a larger version.
Image #2: Mother’s Day Sandhill Crane colt at 7 1/2 months old
The Miracle Continues …
I am not sure if I imprinted on the chicks, but since that first day back in May, the entire family has trusted me completely. The pink cap of the surviving colt (seen in Image #2) has been getting a deeper red with each passing day. The gray feathers just above the base of the bill still distinguish it from its parents, but I imagine that those will be fully molted to red within the next month or two. Time will tell.
Click on the image to see a larger version.
Topaz Sharpen AI Comparison View of the on the Mother’s Day Sandhill Crane chick at 7 1/2 months old image
Topaz Sharpen AI Comparison View
Huge thanks again to blog regular Adam Rubenstein for turning me on to Comparison Views with Topaz DeNoise and Sharpen AI. To activate the Comparison View go to View and check Comparison View from the dropdown menu. Be sure that Auto-update Preview is clicked On. (I think that On is the default). In Sharpen AI, the upper left will show the original, the upper right depicts Sharpen, the lower left is Stabilize, and the lower right shows the results with Focus. Working at 100% it was clear that Stabilize was best by far. Then I clicked on the Stabilize box, reduced the Sharpness to 40, reduced the Noise Suppression to 20, and hit Apply. In most cases, you will opt to reduce the Sharpness settings suggested by Auto.
Look closely at the small, angled, straight line eye highlight on the edge of the pupil in each view. I find it fascinating that Stabilize significantly reduced the length of that highlight by re-aligning the pixels. The angle of that highlight shows the direction that the bird’s head was moving when it lowered it.
An Important Point on Image Stabilization
It is important to realize and remember that no Image Stabilization system — no matter how sophisticated — can eliminate, or even reduce motion blur. Remember also that the faster the shutter speed, the less the effects of motion blur will be.
Typos
In all blog posts and Bulletins, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
With the cold northwest wind on Friday morning, I stayed in and worked on the RawDigger Guide. Needing some help from Patrick Sparkman who was busy enjoying the holiday with his family, I began work on the Canon EOS R5 Camera Body User’s Guide. I got a ton of work done on both guides. I drove down to the lake at 5pm and saw an adult Bald Eagle zooming around in hot pursuit of an Osprey. Both birds were right down sun angle in gorgeous light set against dark blue-black storm clouds. For about two minutes as I frantically turned on the R5/RF 100-500 rig and adjusted the exposure. Just as I was ready, both birds flew off to the southwest. Merry Christmas indeed 🙂
The weather for this morning — Saturday 26 December 2020 — is much the same as yesterday morning — clear and chilly with northwest winds. I peeked out on the deck at 7:10am to see steam rising off the pool. I will be heading down to the lake for a few minutes just to see what’s about. I will be working on both guides today.
This blog post took about three hours to prepare including the time spent on the image processing and research. Please remember …
Please Remember
With income from IPTs approaching zero, please, if you enjoy and learn from the blog, remember to use one of my two affiliate programs when purchasing new gear. Doing so just might make it possible for me to avoid having to try to get a job as a Walmart greeter and will not cost you a single penny more. And if you use Bedfords and remember to enter the BIRDSASART code at checkout, you will save 3% on every order and enjoy free second-day air shipping. In these crazy times — I am out at least forty to sixty thousand dollars so far due to COVID 19 (with lots more to come) — remembering to use my B&H link or to shop at Bedfords will help me out a ton and be greatly appreciated. Overseas folks who cannot order from the US because of import fees, duties, and taxes can always help out by clicking here if they see fit.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YgLzCFn0wg4
The Very Young Jack Cantin’s Golf Swing
If you like golf, young children, human-interest stories, Scott Van Pelt, and/or just being alive, watching this video will likely put a big smile on your face. Jack’s finish and the position of his back foot at age two are quite remarkable.
Wanted to Buy
I have potential buyers for a Canon EF 2X III Teleconverter and a Canon EF 600mm f/4L IS III USM lens. If you have either that you are looking to sell, please get in touch via e-mail.
The BAA Used Gear Page
The Used Gear page continues to be very active. The BAA Used Gear Page is the place to sell your used photographic equipment. We will help you to get your gear sold quickly for 20 to 60% or more than what the big guys are offering … Doubt me? Check out the Recent Sales list for the past eleven months at the bottom of the page.
Canon R5/R6 AF e-Guide Info
So far, 50 folks have sent PayPals for their copy of the Canon R5/R6 AF e-Guide. And 26 who used my affiliate links to purchase their R5 have e-mailed for and received their free copy of the guide. If you e-mailed or sent a PayPal and did not receive your guide, please LMK immediately via e-mail.
Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive so far. Three folks wrote stating that they had a better way of setting up AF on their R5s. When I wrote back explaining why they were in error, two of them back-tracked. One stubborn guy is still doing it his way — less efficiently. Be sure to scroll down to read about my plans for a Canon R5/R6 User’s e-Guide. Understand that the info in the BAA Canon R5/R6 Autofocus e-Guide is so important that I opted to publish the AF guide immediately as the R5/R6 User’s Guide will take at least a month to finish.
BAA Canon R5/R6 Autofocus e-Guide
Twenty-one pages. 3,452 words. 28-DPP4 screen captures showing the R5’s vaunted AF system in action. Note: the AF system of the R5 is identical to the AF system of the R6.
You will learn:
1- The two most useful AF Methods for general bird photography and for birds in flight.
2- How to set up your R5/R6 AF Menus.
3- What boxes to check (and un-check) under Limit AF Methods.
4- How to change the AF Method quickly, easily, and efficiently. Note: the default way of doing this is clunky, cumbersome, and inefficient at best. One person replied that this tip alone was worth the price of admission.
5- The only setting that should be used for Initial Servo AF pt for Face Detection + Tracking.
I you are currently using multiple back buttons either for general bird photography or for birds in flight, what you learn in this guide will change your life. For the better.
Here are the first three paragraphs of this e-Guide:
From the moment I learned about the new Canon mirrorless bodies, I read about using two or three back-buttons to focus using different AF methods. The word on the street said that the way to go for birds in flight was to use one button to acquire focus with Zone AF or with Large Zone: Horizontal AF and then switch to another button to activate Face Detection + Tracking AF and then use the shutter button to make an image. My immediate thought was, “This is insanity! There has got to be a better way.” In short, there is a far superior way to set up AF on your R5 or R6.
Remember that I got away from any form of back-button or rear focusing many years ago after finally realizing that it is always easier to do one thing (press the shutter button), than it is to do two things (press a back button and then press the shutter button).
The default method of switching AF Methods with the R5/R6 bodies is cumbersome at best. It involves first pressing the grid button (my name) on the upper right back of the camera and then pressing the hard-to-access M-Fn button to toggle through the AF Methods. This method is so bad that it will not be mentioned again in this guide.
The guide is free to all who have ordered an R5 or an R6 using my B&H affiliate link or from Steve Elkins/Bedfords using the BIRDSASART coupon code at checkout. Please send your receipt to me via e-mail. It will take me a few days to a week to verify the B&H purchases. Bedfords folks should expect their free e-Guides fairly quickly.
To purchase your copy of the e-Guide, please send a PayPal for $25.00 to birdsasart@verizon.net and be sure to include the words R5/R6 AF Guide in your PayPal e-mail.
Everyone who gets the guide will receive a free update no later than the first week in January.
Canon R5/R6 User’s e-Guide
I am planning on doing a complete Canon R5/R6 User’s e-Guide. This will require a lot of research, a lot of time, and a lot of effort. I am hoping to have it complete by mid- to late January. As always, folks who use the BAA affiliate links to purchase their Canon gear will receive a substantial discount.
Understand that the info in the BAA Canon R5/R6 Autofocus e-Guide is so important that I opted to publish the AF guide ASAP.
Great Topaz News!
Folks who use the BAA Topaz link to purchase Sharpen AI, DeNoise AI, or the Utility Bundle (or any other Topaz plugins) will receive a 15% discount by entering the ARTHUR15 code at checkout. To get the discount you must use my link and you must enter the discount code. Be sure to start with this link.
Topaz Stuff
As I said just a while back and have said often many times before, I should have listened sooner. If you, like me, are new to the Topaz party, please use this link to purchase. Right now I can wholeheartedly recommend both Topaz Sharpen AI and Topaz DeNoise AI. Though I have not yet worked with JPEGtoRAW AI or Gigapixel AI, I have installed both of these plug-ins and look forward to trying them on some I-Phone 11 images fairly soon. If you are thinking like me, consider the Utility Bundle that includes all four plug-ins mentioned above at a money-saving price.
Again, those who purchase Sharpen AI or DeNoise AI using my link, can e-mail to request a short Getting Started with Topaz e-Guide. I had a bit of trouble getting the two plug-ins installed and having them appear in the Photoshop Filter Menu. In addition, I will explain how to best learn about the two plug-ins by applying them on a Layer (in Photoshop).
127 sold to rave reviews.
The SONY e-Guide by Patrick Sparkman and Arthur Morris
The Sony Camera User’s e-Guide (and Videos)
Click here to purchase the guide with one Camera Set-up Video. Be sure to e-mail us by clicking here to specify your camera body so that we can send you a link for the correct video.
Click here to purchase the guide with two Camera Set-up Videos. Be sure to e-mail us by clicking here to specify your two camera bodies so that we can send you links for the correct videos.
You can now save 3% on all of your Bedfords photo gear purchases by entering the BIRDSASART coupon code at checkout. Your discount will be applied to your pre-tax total. In addition, by using the code you will get 2nd day air shipping via Fed Ex.
Grab a Nikon AF-S Teleconverter TC-14E III and save $14.99. Purchase a Canon EOS R5 and your discount will be $116.97. Purchase a Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens and save a remarkable $389.94! Your Bedford’s purchase no longer needs to be greater than $1,000.00 for you to receive a discount. The more you spend, the more you save.
Money Saving Reminder
Many have learned that if you need a hot photo item that is out of stock at B&H and would enjoy free overnight shipping, your best bet is to click here, place an order with Bedfords, and enter the coupon code BIRDSASART at checkout. If an item is out of stock, contact Steve Elkins via e-mail or on his cell phone at (479) 381-2592 (Central time). Be sure to mention the BIRDSASART coupon code and use it for your online order to save 3% and enjoy free 2nd-day air shipping. Steve has been great at getting folks the hot items that are out of stock at B&H and everywhere else. The wait lists at the big stores can be a year or longer for the hard to get items. Steve will surely get you your gear long before that. For the past year, he has been helping BAA Blog folks get their hands on items like the SONY a9 ii, the SONY 200-600 G OSS lens, the Canon EOS R5, the Canon RF 100-500mm lens, and the Nikon 500mm PF. Steve is personable, helpful, and eager to please.
Gear Questions and Advice
Too many folks attending BAA IPTs and dozens of photographers whom I see in the field and on BPN, are–out of ignorance–using the wrong gear especially when it comes to tripods and more especially, tripod heads… Please know that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail. Those questions might deal with systems, camera bodies, accessories, and/or lens choices and decisions.
Click on the screen capture to see a larger version.
#1: Lost Images
The Lost Texas Images
In late April 2006, I spent ten days in South Texas after speaking at a birding festival in the Rio Grande Valley. I kept all of the images on my laptop and backed them up. After the second and third edits I copied the file to two external hard drives. From there I would copy the images to the much larger office computer. After I was 100% sure that the images had been copied to the office machine, I would delete the folders from the external hard drives. A few months later a magazine editor called to purchase one of the images after we has sent him some JPEGs. I gave Jennifer the file number so that we could locate and send the optimized TIFF file (or at worst, the raw file). She did a search of the office computer and said, “Dad. It is not here.” I said, “You are wrong. It is there.”
It was not. I had copied the files to multiple external hard drives, failed to copy them to the office computer (that of course was automatically backed up with a Drobo system, and then deleted the image folders from all of the external hard drives. (Please do not ask me why.) In any case, I lost all of the raw files and all of the optimized master files from that trip. All that I had were about thirty slide show-sized JPEGs. My favorites are included in the screen capture above.
As you can see, I lost some really good stuff. The baby alligators were priceless. I lost my only Mourning Warbler photos, a very nice first-spring male Painted Bunting, some nice Black-throated Green, Tennessee, and Blackpoll Warbler shots, a really good Gull-billed Tern image, and my then only Franklin’s Gull images. Live and learn.
Did I really learn my lesson? No. A year later I did the exact same thing with a month’s worth of really good Florida images. The second time, however, was the charm.
This image was created with the tripod/Mongoose M3.6-mounted Canon 500mm f/4L IS lens, the 1.4X TC, and the EOS-1D Mark II N.
Image #2: Adult Franklin’s Gull drinking in flight
Gone But Not Forgotten
Losing the baby gator and warbler images was not my idea of fun, but the missing stuff on breeding plumage Franklin’s Gull still stays with me. They are closely related to Laughing Gull, but are smaller and much slimmer. In breeding plumage, they have the distinctive large, white eye crescents. I love gulls, and breeding plumage Franklin’s Gulls are stunningly beautiful. This species nests by the thousands in the central US and Prairie Province marshes, migrates through the central US and Mexico, and winters along the (west) coasts of Chile and Peru.
I spoke with BPN-friend Dorian Anderson before Anita North and I arrived at South Padre Island as I knew that he had done some photography there. He was quite helpful. When I mentioned that I was hoping to see and photograph Franklin’s Gull and that we would be getting to South Padre on November 10, he thought that most or all of them would already be in South America. I did not give up hope.
On our first foray into the bay behind the Convention Center on the 10th, I spotted a few winter plumage adult Franklin’s, but could not get anywhere near them. That evening on the beach near the jetty at the south end of South Padre, I spotted two large flocks of migrating Franklin’s Gulls far offshore heading due south. First was a flock of about 300 birds, the next one had about 200 of the handsome gulls. But the next morning more had arrived and I had some hope. Each day we were able to get a bit closer, and on the still, gorgeous morning of 13 November, I was able to isolate the single bird you see in Image #3.
Adult winter Franklin’s Gulls feature a distinctive rear half-hood, remnants of the eye crescents, and delightful red bill tips.
Center Zone Continuous/tracking AF was active at the moment of exposure and performed to perfection. Click the image to see a larger version.
Image #4: Adult winter Franklin’s Gull in flight
Trying for Flight. And Succeeding
On the 14th, I noted that the Franklin’s Gulls would often fly from one group to another. Once I saw that pattern, I switched out the 2X for the 1.4X, positioned myself favorably, and tried for some flight shots. I was quite happy with Image #4.
Topaz DeNoise AI
I applied a layer of Topaz DeNoise AI on Auto to images #3 and #4 as soon as I brought the TIFFs into Photoshop. I am planning to try Topaz Gigapixel AI on Image #2 …
Typos
In all blog posts and Bulletins, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
I got a few decent Belted Kingfisher images yesterday morning from the car working at 1200mm with the a7r iv. I got a lot of work done on the RawDigger e-Guide and should have it finished today or tomorrow. That will free me up to work on the Canon R5/R6 User’s Guide full time this coming week.
The new pump for the pool was a bargain at only $789.00. The good news is that with the heater/chiller back in action, the temperature of the pool rose an amazing 8 degrees in less than 24 hours. I got back in the water and did my slow 1/2-mile swim yesterday afternoon.
Today — as you probably know — is Friday 25 December 2020. The forecast for this morning is for clear and cold with 10-15mph north winds. If I do head down to the lake, it will almost surely be a short session as wind against sun makes things very difficult for bird photography. Enjoy the day.
Northern Cardinal on snowy day, Elizabeth A. Morton NWR, Sag Harbor, NY. Click on the card to enjoy a larger version.
Jim, Jennifer, and I wish you a safe, happy, and healthy holiday season. May 2021 be a happy, healthy, productive, satisfying, and fun year for your and yours. We hope that it is filled with love, great friends, and lots of photography. Do your best to have a PMA (positive mental attitude). And remember that happiness is choice.
birds as art: The Avian Photography of Arthur Morris/The Top 100
The companion e-book to the solo exhibit at TheNat, San Diego, California
birds as art: The Avian Photography of Arthur Morris/The Top 100
This inspirational e-book, created on a wing and a prayer in less than two weeks back in 2016 — see the Harebrained Scheme blog post here — includes the 67 spectacular images that hung in the Ordover Gallery at the San Diego Natural History Museum in a career-retrospective solo exhibition. In addition, there are an additional 33 images in the spectacular e-book that barely missed making the show.
This exhibition companion e-book makes it possible for everyone to “visit” TheNAT gallery and, in addition, to enjoy seeing my top one hundred bird photographs under one roof. Each image includes a title, the species name, the location, relevant EXIF data, and an anecdotal caption. Click here to order the CD or here to purchase the download-able version.
Typos
Feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors in this blog post. Thanks with love, artie
I spent a good many hours working on the RawDigger e-Guide yesterday and will do the same today.
It is Thursday 24 December and I will be headed down to the lake in a few to set up a road kill cafe for the vultures (and possibly for a Bald Eagle or two).
Wanted to Buy
I have a potential buyer for a Canon EF 600mm f/4L IS III USM lens. If you have one that you are looking to sell, please get in touch via e-mail.
The BAA Used Gear Page
The Used Gear page continues to be very active. The BAA Used Gear Page is the place to sell your used photographic equipment. We will help you to get your gear sold quickly for 20 to 60% or more than what the big guys are offering … Doubt me? Check out the Recent Sales list for the past eleven months at the bottom of the page.
Canon R5/R6 AF e-Guide Info
So far, 50 folks have sent PayPals for their copy of the Canon R5/R6 AF e-Guide. And 27 who used my affiliate links to purchase their R5 have e-mailed for and received their free copy of the guide. If you e-mailed or sent a PayPal and did not receive your guide, please LMK immediately via e-mail.
Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive so far. Three folks wrote stating that they had a better way of setting up AF on their R5s. When I wrote back explaining why they were in error, two of them back-tracked. One stubborn guy is still doing it his way — less efficiently. Be sure to scroll down to read about my plans for a Canon R5/R6 User’s e-Guide. Understand that the info in the BAA Canon R5/R6 Autofocus e-Guide is so important that I opted to publish the AF guide immediately as the R5/R6 User’s Guide will take at least a month to finish.
BAA Canon R5/R6 Autofocus e-Guide
Twenty-one pages. 3,452 words. 28-DPP4 screen captures showing the R5’s vaunted AF system in action. Note: the AF system of the R5 is identical to the AF system of the R6.
You will learn:
1- The two most useful AF Methods for general bird photography and for birds in flight.
2- How to set up your R5/R6 AF Menus.
3- What boxes to check (and un-check) under Limit AF Methods.
4- How to change the AF Method quickly, easily, and efficiently. Note: the default way of doing this is clunky, cumbersome, and inefficient at best. One person replied that this tip alone was worth the price of admission.
5- The only setting that should be used for Initial Servo AF pt for Face Detection + Tracking.
I you are currently using multiple back buttons either for general bird photography or for birds in flight, what you learn in this guide will change your life. For the better.
Here are the first three paragraphs of this e-Guide:
From the moment I learned about the new Canon mirrorless bodies, I read about using two or three back-buttons to focus using different AF methods. The word on the street said that the way to go for birds in flight was to use one button to acquire focus with Zone AF or with Large Zone: Horizontal AF and then switch to another button to activate Face Detection + Tracking AF and then use the shutter button to make an image. My immediate thought was, “This is insanity! There has got to be a better way.” In short, there is a far superior way to set up AF on your R5 or R6.
Remember that I got away from any form of back-button or rear focusing many years ago after finally realizing that it is always easier to do one thing (press the shutter button), than it is to do two things (press a back button and then press the shutter button).
The default method of switching AF Methods with the R5/R6 bodies is cumbersome at best. It involves first pressing the grid button (my name) on the upper right back of the camera and then pressing the hard-to-access M-Fn button to toggle through the AF Methods. This method is so bad that it will not be mentioned again in this guide.
The guide is free to all who have ordered an R5 or an R6 using my B&H affiliate link or from Steve Elkins/Bedfords using the BIRDSASART coupon code at checkout. Please send your receipt to me via e-mail. It will take me a few days to a week to verify the B&H purchases. Bedfords folks should expect their free e-Guides fairly quickly.
To purchase your copy of the e-Guide, please send a PayPal for $25.00 to birdsasart@verizon.net and be sure to include the words R5/R6 AF Guide in your PayPal e-mail.
Everyone who gets the guide will receive a free update no later than the first week in January.
Canon R5/R6 User’s e-Guide
I am planning on doing a complete Canon R5/R6 User’s e-Guide. This will require a lot of research, a lot of time, and a lot of effort. I am hoping to have it complete by mid- to late January. As always, folks who use the BAA affiliate links to purchase their Canon gear will receive a substantial discount.
Understand that the info in the BAA Canon R5/R6 Autofocus e-Guide is so important that I opted to publish the AF guide ASAP.
Please Remember
With income from IPTs approaching zero, please, if you enjoy and learn from the blog, remember to use one of my two affiliate programs when purchasing new gear. Doing so just might make it possible for me to avoid having to try to get a job as a Walmart greeter and will not cost you a single penny more. And if you use Bedfords and remember to enter the BIRDSASART code at checkout, you will save 3% on every order and enjoy free second-day air shipping. In these crazy times — I am out at least forty to sixty thousand dollars so far due to COVID 19 (with lots more to come) — remembering to use my B&H link or to shop at Bedfords will help me out a ton and be greatly appreciated. Overseas folks who cannot order from the US because of import fees, duties, and taxes can always help out by clicking here if they see fit.
Great Topaz News!
Folks who use the BAA Topaz link to purchase Sharpen AI, DeNoise AI, or the Utility Bundle (or any other Topaz plugins) will receive a 15% discount by entering the ARTHUR15 code at checkout. To get the discount you must use my link and you must enter the discount code. Be sure to start with this link.
Topaz Stuff
As I said just a while back and have said often many times before, I should have listened sooner. If you, like me, are new to the Topaz party, please use this link to purchase. Right now I can wholeheartedly recommend both Topaz Sharpen AI and Topaz DeNoise AI. Though I have not yet worked with JPEGtoRAW AI or Gigapixel AI, I have installed both of these plug-ins and look forward to trying them on some I-Phone 11 images fairly soon. If you are thinking like me, consider the Utility Bundle that includes all four plug-ins mentioned above at a money-saving price.
Again, those who purchase Sharpen AI or DeNoise AI using my link, can e-mail to request a short Getting Started with Topaz e-Guide. I had a bit of trouble getting the two plug-ins installed and having them appear in the Photoshop Filter Menu. In addition, I will explain how to best learn about the two plug-ins by applying them on a Layer (in Photoshop).
New and Better Bedfords Discount Policy!
You can now save 3% on all of your Bedfords photo gear purchases by entering the BIRDSASART coupon code at checkout. Your discount will be applied to your pre-tax total. In addition, by using the code you will get 2nd day air shipping via Fed Ex.
Grab a Nikon AF-S Teleconverter TC-14E III and save $14.99. Purchase a Canon EOS R5 and your discount will be $116.97. Purchase a Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens and save a remarkable $389.94! Your Bedford’s purchase no longer needs to be greater than $1,000.00 for you to receive a discount. The more you spend, the more you save.
Money Saving Reminder
Many have learned that if you need a hot photo item that is out of stock at B&H and would enjoy free overnight shipping, your best bet is to click here, place an order with Bedfords, and enter the coupon code BIRDSASART at checkout. If an item is out of stock, contact Steve Elkins via e-mail or on his cell phone at (479) 381-2592 (Central time). Be sure to mention the BIRDSASART coupon code and use it for your online order to save 3% and enjoy free 2nd-day air shipping. Steve has been great at getting folks the hot items that are out of stock at B&H and everywhere else. The wait lists at the big stores can be a year or longer for the hard to get items. Steve will surely get you your gear long before that. For the past year, he has been helping BAA Blog folks get their hands on items like the SONY a9 ii, the SONY 200-600 G OSS lens, the Canon EOS R5, the Canon RF 100-500mm lens, and the Nikon 500mm PF. Steve is personable, helpful, and eager to please.
Gear Questions and Advice
Too many folks attending BAA IPTs and dozens of photographers whom I see in the field and on BPN, are–out of ignorance–using the wrong gear especially when it comes to tripods and more especially, tripod heads… Please know that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail. Those questions might deal with systems, camera bodies, accessories, and/or lens choices and decisions.
This image was created on 23 December 2020 at Indian Lake Estates, FL. Working from my vehicle, I used the handheld Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM lens (at 500mm) and the highly touted 45MP Canon EOS R5 Mirrorless Digital camera body. ISO 1000. Exposure determined using the in-camera histogram and confirmed as perfect by RawDigger: 1/2000 sec. at f/7.1 (wide open) in Manual mode. AWB at 8:20am on sunny morning.
Large Zone: Horizontal/AI Servo AF was active at the moment of exposure and performed well (see the DPP 4 screen capture below). Click the image to see a larger version.
Image #1: Black Vulture landing with wings swept back
The Situation
aka My Excuses
I had the driver’s side window raised about 4 inches. The SONY 600 GM/2X TC/a7r iv rig was resting firmly on the BLUBB. There was not much room to shoot out of the window handheld with the Canon rig. But when I spotted a Black Vulture angling toward the perch coming right down light angle, I grabbed the Canon 100-500 and did my best to get on the bird. I have already set the exposure for vultures. I fired off about six frames Two of the flight poses were decent; this one was best by far. But, because I had little room to work and I was in quite a hurry, I had not been able to pan smoothly with the subject. While I was thrilled that the Canon AF system acquired focus pretty much instantly, the image simply was not sharp. Jerking the lens will always produce some motion blur even at relatively fast shutters speeds like 1/2000 sec. Topaz AI to the rescue …
Image #1A: The DPP4 screen capture for the Black Vulture landing with wings swept back gear showing the active AF points.
DPP4 Screen Capture
Here, Large Zone: Horizontal AF plastered the side of the bird with AF points. With the bird angling ever so slightly towards me, the bird’s head is pretty much right on the same plane as the swept back wings; I would say that the AF system had performed reasonably well. I have been working hard to learn which is the best R5 AF Method for birds in flight, but I simply have not had many flight opportunities for the past few weeks … I would have expected similar results with SONY Zone or Wide. That said, SONY does not offer users the chance to review AF settings or the active AF points after the fact. As I have said here often, that is quite unfortunate as folks need that info to learn about their AF systems. Kudos to Canon for having the AF info readily available in DPP 4.
Click on the image to see the improved sharpness in the After image on our right.
Image #1B: Topaz Sharpen AI on the Black Vulture landing with wings swept back image
With this image being mega-exposed to the right (thanks to what I have been learning in RawDigger), I opted not to run Topaz DeNoise AI on Auto on the whole image (as I do with almost every photo that I process). Knowing right off the bat that I had not panned smoothly when creating this image, I knew that the problem was with motion blur. And I hoped that the Stabilize setting in Topaz Sharpen AI would do the trick. I was quite surprised when I hit the Auto button and it chose the Focus setting. The image did not look any sharper. When I switched (properly) to Stabilize, the image sharpened up quite nicely. And the Noise Suppression setting of 50 completely eliminated the small pixel noise in the sky. Once again Sharpen AI transformed an insta-delete into a useable, sharp-enough photo.
Is there a bug in Topaz Sharpen AI Version 2.2.2?
As this is the third straight time that Topaz Sharpen AI Version 2.2.2 running on macOS Catalina incorrectly chose Focus rather than Stabilize with an R5 image, I believe that there may very well be a problem with Topaz Sharpen AI Version 2.2.2. If you have encountered a similar problem after recently updating Topaz Sharpen AI, please leave a comment with specifics. I will be trying to get in touch with Topaz later today.
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 :).
After re-fitting the pool’s heater/chiller a few months ago, and installing a new filter system more recently, the only thing left to fail was the pump. I cannot say that anymore. The pool was a balmy 86 degrees last week, but I was at DeSoto when the pump failed and with a mild cold front over the weekend the pool was down eleven degrees by Tuesday. This morning it was down to 73! I opted not to swim yesterday and will not be swimming today. Pool Works is coming first thing in the morning today — Wednesday 23 December 2020.
On Tuesday morning I photographed Turkey Vultures on the pier and Cattle egrets in the North Field, again with the SONY 600 GM at 1200mm with the a7r iv. On the way home I had a pleasant surprise. Keep reading to learn about the unexpected holiday dinner.
This blog post took about two hours to write and assemble. I am hitting Publish at 7:09 am. I will be headed down to the lake to see what I see in a few minutes. It is cold, clear, and dead still right now.
Wanted to Buy
I have a potential buyer for a Canon EF 600mm f/4L IS III USM lens. If you have one that you are looking to sell, please get in touch via e-mail.
The BAA Used Gear Page
The Used Gear page continues to be very active. The BAA Used Gear Page is the place to sell your used photographic equipment. We will help you to get your gear sold quickly for 20 to 60% or more than what the big guys are offering … Doubt me? Check out the Recent Sales list for the past eleven months at the bottom of the page.
New Listing
Canon 200-400 f/4L IS USM Lens with internal 1.4X Extender (with extras)
BAA Record-Low Price by far!
Mansoor Assadi is offering a Canon EF 200-400 f/4L IS USM lens with internal 1.4X Extender in near mint condition for the BAA record-low price of $4699.00. The sale includes the rear lens cap, the lens trunk, the ET-120 (WII) front lens cover, a LensCoat, Really Right Stuff low foot LCF-53 (a $110 value), the original Canon foot, the lens 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.
Please contact Mansoor via e-mail or by phone at 415-559-8027 (Pacific time).
This is the world’s best lens for a trip to Africa. It kills also in the Galapagos and in South Georgia, the Falklands, and Antarctica. I used mine a lot at Bosque and other dusty places where the built-in TC helps to keep your sensor clean. And I loved it in the Palouse for its versatility. More recently, I often found myself wishing that I had taken the 200-400 rather than my 500 II on the last Bear Boat Cubs IPT. Many nature photographers use it as their workhorse telephoto lens as it offers 784mm at f/8 with an external 1.4X TC added. In addition, it is pretty darned good whenever you are working around relatively tame birds. This lens will pair quite well with an R5 or an R6. The lens sells new at B&H right now for $10,999 so you can save a slew of dollars ($6,300 to be exact!) by grabbing Mansoor’s lens right now. artie
Price Drops!
SONY a9 Mirrorless Digital Camera Body
Price Reduced $300 on 22 DEC 2020!
Mansoor Assadi is offering a SONY a9 Mirrorless digital camera body in like-new condition for a BAA record-low $1,997.00 (was $2,297.00). The sale includes an off-brand (Green Extreme) battery grip, only the original battery, the original box, the front body cap, the strap, and insured ground shipping via major courier. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.
Please contact Mansoor via e-mail or by phone at 415-559-8027 (Pacific time).
I was sold on SONY five minutes after trying my SONY a9 on the Brandt’s Cormorants at La Jolla, CA. The AF system is identical to the AF system on the more expensive a9 ii which costs $4,498.00. The a9 ii body is about 1/8 inch thicker than the a9. If you do not have large hands, or if you like the feel of a smaller body, you will love the a9. And if you like the feel of $1,101.00 in your pocket — the a9 sells for $3,398.00 — get in touch with Mansoor ASAP. artie
Sony FE 12-24mm f/4 G Lens & Filter Holder Kit with Landscape Circular Polarizer
Price Reduced $200 on 22 DEC 2020!
Mansoor Assadi is offering a Sony FE 12-24mm f/4 G lens in near-mint condition and the NiSi S5 150mm Filter Holder Kit with Landscape Circular Polarizer for Sony 12-24mm lens in new condition for the very low price of $963.15 (was $1,163.15).The sale includes the original box, the rear lens cap, the front lens cap, the lens hood, 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.
Ultra-wide and versatile, the FE 12-24mm f/4 G Lens from Sony is a flexible zoom lens for full-frame Sony E-mount mirrorless cameras, characterized by its constant f/4 maximum aperture. Benefitting the wide field of view is a sophisticated optical design that incorporates aspherical and low dispersion glass elements to control both spherical and chromatic aberrations for improved sharpness and clarity. A Nano AR Coating has also been applied to individual elements to reduce surface reflections, flare, and ghosting for greater contrast and color fidelity when working in bright, backlit situations.
In addition to the optical attributes, this lens is also distinguished by a Direct Drive SSM autofocus system, which benefits both stills and video application with its quick, quiet, and precise performance. The lens also sports a dust- and moisture-sealed design to support shooting in inclement conditions and a dedicated focus hold button and AF/MF switch. B&H
I loved my Canon ultra-wide-angle 11-24mm lens especially for big skies. This combo sells new at B&H for $2,163.15. Save a very handsome $1,200.00 on the pair. artie
FlexShooter Pro
Price Reduced $50 on 22 DEC 2020!
Multiple IPT veteran and BAA good friend William Schneider is offering a barely used FlexShooter Pro for a very low $499.00 (was $549.00). 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. Payment by Zelle is now available or PayPal +4%.
I fell in love with the FlexShooter Pro moments after I first mounted it on my Induro tripod. It is a ballhead that acts like a gimbal. Not convinced? See the video here.
Canon R5/R6 AF e-Guide Info
So far, 47 folks have sent PayPals for their copy of the Canon R5/R6 AF e-Guide. And 24 who used my affiliate links to purchase their R5 have e-mailed for and received their free copy of the guide. If you e-mailed or sent a PayPal and did not receive your guide, please LMK immediately via e-mail.
Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive so far. Three folks wrote stating that they had a better way of setting up AF on their R5s. When I wrote back explaining why they were in error, two of them back-tracked. One stubborn guy is still doing it his way — less efficiently. Be sure to scroll down to read about my plans for a Canon R5/R6 User’s e-Guide. Understand that the info in the BAA Canon R5/R6 Autofocus e-Guide is so important that I opted to publish the AF guide immediately as the R5/R6 User’s Guide will take at least a month to finish.
BAA Canon R5/R6 Autofocus e-Guide
Twenty-one pages. 3,452 words. 28-DPP4 screen captures showing the R5’s vaunted AF system in action. Note: the AF system of the R5 is identical to the AF system of the R6.
You will learn:
1- The two most useful AF Methods for general bird photography and for birds in flight.
2- How to set up your R5/R6 AF Menus.
3- What boxes to check (and un-check) under Limit AF Methods.
4- How to change the AF Method quickly, easily, and efficiently. Note: the default way of doing this is clunky, cumbersome, and inefficient at best. One person replied that this tip alone was worth the price of admission.
5- The only setting that should be used for Initial Servo AF pt for Face Detection + Tracking.
I you are currently using multiple back buttons either for general bird photography or for birds in flight, what you learn in this guide will change your life. For the better.
Here are the first three paragraphs of this e-Guide:
From the moment I learned about the new Canon mirrorless bodies, I read about using two or three back-buttons to focus using different AF methods. The word on the street said that the way to go for birds in flight was to use one button to acquire focus with Zone AF or with Large Zone: Horizontal AF and then switch to another button to activate Face Detection + Tracking AF and then use the shutter button to make an image. My immediate thought was, “This is insanity! There has got to be a better way.” In short, there is a far superior way to set up AF on your R5 or R6.
Remember that I got away from any form of back-button or rear focusing many years ago after finally realizing that it is always easier to do one thing (press the shutter button), than it is to do two things (press a back button and then press the shutter button).
The default method of switching AF Methods with the R5/R6 bodies is cumbersome at best. It involves first pressing the grid button (my name) on the upper right back of the camera and then pressing the hard-to-access M-Fn button to toggle through the AF Methods. This method is so bad that it will not be mentioned again in this guide.
The guide is free to all who have ordered an R5 or an R6 using my B&H affiliate link or from Steve Elkins/Bedfords using the BIRDSASART coupon code at checkout. Please send your receipt to me via e-mail. It will take me a few days to a week to verify the B&H purchases. Bedfords folks should expect their free e-Guides fairly quickly.
To purchase your copy of the e-Guide, please send a PayPal for $25.00 to birdsasart@verizon.net and be sure to include the words R5/R6 AF Guide in your PayPal e-mail.
Everyone who gets the guide will receive a free update no later than the first week in January.
Canon R5/R6 User’s e-Guide
I am planning on doing a complete Canon R5/R6 User’s e-Guide. This will require a lot of research, a lot of time, and a lot of effort. I am hoping to have it complete by mid- to late January. As always, folks who use the BAA affiliate links to purchase their Canon gear will receive a substantial discount.
Understand that the info in the BAA Canon R5/R6 Autofocus e-Guide is so important that I opted to publish the AF guide ASAP.
Please Remember
With income from IPTs approaching zero, please, if you enjoy and learn from the blog, remember to use one of my two affiliate programs when purchasing new gear. Doing so just might make it possible for me to avoid having to try to get a job as a Walmart greeter and will not cost you a single penny more. And if you use Bedfords and remember to enter the BIRDSASART code at checkout, you will save 3% on every order and enjoy free second-day air shipping. In these crazy times — I am out at least forty to sixty thousand dollars so far due to COVID 19 (with lots more to come) — remembering to use my B&H link or to shop at Bedfords will help me out a ton and be greatly appreciated. Overseas folks who cannot order from the US because of import fees, duties, and taxes can always help out by clicking here if they see fit.
Great Topaz News!
Folks who use the BAA Topaz link to purchase Sharpen AI, DeNoise AI, or the Utility Bundle (or any other Topaz plugins) will receive a 15% discount by entering the ARTHUR15 code at checkout. To get the discount you must use my link and you must enter the discount code. Be sure to start with this link.
Topaz Stuff
As I said just a while back and have said often many times before, I should have listened sooner. If you, like me, are new to the Topaz party, please use this link to purchase. Right now I can wholeheartedly recommend both Topaz Sharpen AI and Topaz DeNoise AI. Though I have not yet worked with JPEGtoRAW AI or Gigapixel AI, I have installed both of these plug-ins and look forward to trying them on some I-Phone 11 images fairly soon. If you are thinking like me, consider the Utility Bundle that includes all four plug-ins mentioned above at a money-saving price.
Again, those who purchase Sharpen AI or DeNoise AI using my link, can e-mail to request a short Getting Started with Topaz e-Guide. I had a bit of trouble getting the two plug-ins installed and having them appear in the Photoshop Filter Menu. In addition, I will explain how to best learn about the two plug-ins by applying them on a Layer (in Photoshop).
127 sold to rave reviews.
The SONY e-Guide by Patrick Sparkman and Arthur Morris
The Sony Camera User’s e-Guide (and Videos)
Click here to purchase the guide with one Camera Set-up Video. Be sure to e-mail us by clicking here to specify your camera body so that we can send you a link for the correct video.
Click here to purchase the guide with two Camera Set-up Videos. Be sure to e-mail us by clicking here to specify your two camera bodies so that we can send you links for the correct videos.
You can now save 3% on all of your Bedfords photo gear purchases by entering the BIRDSASART coupon code at checkout. Your discount will be applied to your pre-tax total. In addition, by using the code you will get 2nd day air shipping via Fed Ex.
Grab a Nikon AF-S Teleconverter TC-14E III and save $14.99. Purchase a Canon EOS R5 and your discount will be $116.97. Purchase a Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens and save a remarkable $389.94! Your Bedford’s purchase no longer needs to be greater than $1,000.00 for you to receive a discount. The more you spend, the more you save.
Money Saving Reminder
Many have learned that if you need a hot photo item that is out of stock at B&H and would enjoy free overnight shipping, your best bet is to click here, place an order with Bedfords, and enter the coupon code BIRDSASART at checkout. If an item is out of stock, contact Steve Elkins via e-mail or on his cell phone at (479) 381-2592 (Central time). Be sure to mention the BIRDSASART coupon code and use it for your online order to save 3% and enjoy free 2nd-day air shipping. Steve has been great at getting folks the hot items that are out of stock at B&H and everywhere else. The wait lists at the big stores can be a year or longer for the hard to get items. Steve will surely get you your gear long before that. For the past year, he has been helping BAA Blog folks get their hands on items like the SONY a9 ii, the SONY 200-600 G OSS lens, the Canon EOS R5, the Canon RF 100-500mm lens, and the Nikon 500mm PF. Steve is personable, helpful, and eager to please.
Gear Questions and Advice
Too many folks attending BAA IPTs and dozens of photographers whom I see in the field and on BPN, are–out of ignorance–using the wrong gear especially when it comes to tripods and more especially, tripod heads… Please know that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail. Those questions might deal with systems, camera bodies, accessories, and/or lens choices and decisions.
This image was created on 22 DEC 2020 at Indian Lake Estates, FL. Working from my SUV, I used the BLUBB-supported Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens, the Sony FE 2.0x Teleconverter, and the blazingly fast Sony Alpha a9 II Mirrorless Digital camera body) that features incredibly accurate AF. ISO: 800. Exposure determined by Zebras with ISO on the Control Wheel: 1/1600 sec. at f/9 in Manual mode. AWB at 10:05am on a mostly sunny morning.
Tracking Expand Flexible Spot (M) yielded a sharp-on-the-eye image. Be sure to click on the image to see a larger version.
Adult Bald Eagle (and Black Vulture) scavenging road-killed opossum
Early Holiday Dinner for Two
Thinking that my morning photo session was over, I turned right (south) onto Lakewood. A short block ahead on my right, I saw a small pile of vultures and two adult Bald Eagles on some sort of road kill. I saw later that it was an opossum that the birds had dragged into the grass on the right side of the road. I drove very slowly to make a left on Indian Lake Drive so that I could go around the block; not surprisingly, one of the eagles flew off. I had to go around the block so that I would be photographing out of the driver’s side window after (and if!) I got on sun angle. Understand that it is much easier and more efficient to shoot a super-telephoto lens out of the driver’s side window than it is to shoot out of a passenger side window; if someone offers to drive for you while you photograph from the passenger side, it is best to thank them politely and drive yourself. If you doubt me, get in your car and try shooting from both sides. …
Anyhoo, knowing that I had tried many times to get close to a Bald Eagle in my vehicle here at ILE, and had failed every time, I put the big lens on the BLUBB and drove the last 50 yards very, very slowly. When I got within ten yards, I lowered myself down in my seat and hid behind my rig. When I got right on sun angle I peeked around the lens and saw that the eagle was still there. I had opted to work at 1200mm rather than removing the TC and possibly replacing the 2X TC with the 1.4X TC because there were about six Black and two Turkey Vultures competing with the eagle for a bite. Working at 1200mm and trying for something really tight seemed to be the best course and in retrospect, it was. I set the aperture to f/9, the shutter speed to 1/1600 sec., and then spun the rear dial until I saw faint blinkies on the big raptor’s head. (The exposure was confirmed as perfect by RawDigger.)
I made lots of head portraits, but most had a distracting vulture or two in the background. I had seen this one on the back of the camera and thought that it might turn out to be the pick of the litter. It was. With the two similar frames just before this one, I had clipped the eagle’s foot. I even like the head of the Black Vulture peeking in on the right frame-edge. The small yellow shapes below the vulture’s head are the toes of the opossum.
The image was converted in Capture One. I did some extensive clean-up after running Topaz DeNoise on Auto on the whole image. See the clean-up work and the raw file offer below.
The BLUBB
When I know that I will be doing mostly static work at 1200mm with little to no chance of shooting flight or action, I will opt for the BLUBB rather than setting up the tripod in the car. It is somewhat of a pain in the butt to set up the tripod (topped by a FlexShooter) but there is nothing like it when you are trying to do flight or action from your vehicle. On the other hand, setting up a BLUBB takes about five seconds. I place it on the window frame or on the partially-lowered window (depending on how high or low I want to be), and then use a fist to shape a concave seat for the lens.
Image Clean-up While Preserving the Natural History of a Moment …
Most (but not all) folks would agree that the cleaned-up image is far more pleasing visually than the rather sloppy original capture. That despite the fact that I did a great job of isolating and framing the action. The distracting elements in the background would have been less obtrusive had the light been softer; the sun made them downright ugly (and distracting). Note, however, that the BEFORE image shows a Bald Eagle nipping off a small bit of opossum flesh and that the AFTER image shows a Bald Eagle nipping off a small bit of opossum flesh. The only changes were to the distracting background — the natural history of the image has been preserved.
Raw File Offer
Eagle eyed viewers will note that the BEFORE version in the animated GIF above is much flatter and duller than the final optimized version that opened this blog post. After processing an image I will always compare the optimized version to the raw file. When I did that here I realized that I had not done a very good job. So I brought the image back into Photoshop — actually several times, and finally was sort of happy with the boosted color and contrast. But I was not thrilled. If you would like to take a crack at the raw file, please click on this link to shoot me an e-mail. Those that feel that their version is better than mine are invited to shoot it back to me via large file server to samandmayasgrandpa@att.net. Understand that I will be 100% honest in my reply.
The BIRDS AS ART Current Workflow e-Guide (Digital Basics II).
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 BIRDS AS ART Current Workflow e-Guide (Digital Basics II)
The clean-up techniques mentioned above and tons more great Photoshop tips and techniques (with the exception of Capture One RAW Conversions) — along with all of my personalized Keyboard Shortcuts — are covered in detail in the BIRDS AS ART Current Workflow e-Guide (Digital Basics II), an instructional PDF that is sent via e-mail. Learn more and check out the free excerpt in the blog post here. While the new e-Guide reflects my MacBook Pro/Photo Mechanic/DPP 4/Photoshop workflow, folks using a PC and/or BreezeBrowser will also benefit greatly by studying the material on DB II. Note: folks working on a PC and/or those who do not want to miss anything Photoshop may wish to purchase the original Digital Basics along with DB II while saving $15 by clicking here to buy the DB Bundle.
Folks who learn well by following along rather than by reading can check out the complete collection of MP 4 Photoshop Tutorial Videos by clicking here. Note: all of the videos are now priced at an amazingly low $5.00 each.
You can learn how and why I converted all of my Canon digital RAW files in DPP 4 in the DPP 4 RAW Conversion Guide here. More recently, I became proficient at converting my Nikon RAW (NEF) files in Adobe Camera Raw. About two years ago I began converting my Nikon and Sony RAW files in Capture One Pro 12 and continue to do so today.
You can learn advanced Quick Masking and advanced Layer Masking techniques in APTATS I & II. You can save $15 by purchasing the pair. Folks can learn sophisticated sharpening and (NeatImage) Noise Reduction techniques in The Professional Post Processing Guide by Arash Hazeghi and edited by yours truly. Please use this link to purchase NeatImage.
To introduce folks to our MP.4 videos and the basics involved in applying more NeatImage noise reduction to the background and less on the subject, I’d be glad to send you a free copy of the Free Noise Reduction Basics MP.4 Video. Simply click to shoot me an e-mail to get your free copy.
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 is 7:13am on Tuesday 22 December 2020. I spent several hours working on the RawDigger e-Guide yesterday and will do the same today. As soon as I hit publish, I will be heading down to the lake to photograph for a bit. This blog post makes seven straight days with a new blog post. Enjoy.
Great Egret — returning with material for nest
Photo courtesy of and copyright: Lou Newman Photography
Card design by BIRDS AS ART
Happy 90ieth Birthday Lou!
On November 14 past, Lou Newman celebrated his 90ieth birthday. Mazel tov, Lou.
Dr. Lou Newman developed a curiosity about photographic techniques as a teenager that evolved into a lifelong calling. Photography was a significant activity throughout his years as a rancher and veterinarian in Montana, and became of major importance when he left practice to become a veterinary college faculty member and pursue an advanced degree. Photography was important in his roles as professor, pathologist, diagnostician, research scientist, clinician and administrator.
During the 1990s Lou prepared for a photographic “career in retirement” and the change to digital imaging. Large animal medicine/surgery and wildlife studies had always been major interests, and reinforced the progression to wildlife photography. Lou’s passion as a wildlife photographer is photographing birds in flight.
Lou has volunteered as a veterinary pathologist at Mote Marine Laboratory, as a veterinary surgeon at the former Pelican Man Bird Sanctuary and as an Emergency Veterinary Medical Officer overseas. He taught photography and digital imaging classes on cruise ships. Lou’s career has taken him to every state, to 73 countries, and to all seven continents.
Lou is an active member of the North American Nature Photography Association, National Association of Photoshop Professionals, several local photography clubs, the Sarasota Audubon Society, and the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program Citizens Advisory Committee. His work is held in several private collections and is on display at Sarasota Memorial Hospital, Pines of Sarasota, Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation and Plymouth Harbor on Sarasota Bay’s Smith Care Center. He frequently participates in regional art gallery and photographic exhibits.
The above is adapted from the About page on Lou’s Zenfolio website here. Click on the link to see Lou’s work.
artie (on the left in his Pribilofs pants) and Lou Newman at the opening of Lou’s photo exhibit opening in Sarasota, FL in 2016. The two baby Great Egrets in the nest image that you see on the wall in the image above was one of my very favorites from the exhibit.
Photo courtesy of and copyright 2016: Kristen Herhold, Community Editor of the Sarasota Observer
Lou and Me
I’ve known Lou Newman for at least two decades. He has attended a record-by-far 26 BIRDS AS ART Instructional Photo Tours, often with one of his children. He’s been to the Galapagos and to the Southern Ocean with me. At age 90, he still gets out often to photograph. By his own admission, he has had a blessed life. And he is not done yet.
Note: to learn more and see close-up photos of my Pribilofs pants, see the blog post here .
Holiday card by Lou Newman
Lou Newman’s Holiday Wishes
My Christmas Card is a little bit different this year. I want to wish all of you a wonderful Christmas and New Year; however, I also want to express my appreciation and thankfulness for my family, friends, and a full life. I just passed my 90th birthday. I have 9 children, 9 grandchildren, and 7 great grandchildren. And all are well. I retired after 50 years during which I enjoyed over a dozen careers including everything from cowboy/rancher to veterinary pathologist/professor. For the last 20 years I have been a wildlife photographer with opportunities to travel throughout the world. Now I live in what for me is paradise. Even in lockdown mode, I can isolate and distance while spending time photographing wildlife. Myakka River State Park, Oscar Scherer State Park, the Venice Rookery, the Celery Fields, and Lido Beach are all at my doorstep. Each has a unique habitat with migratory and resident bird populations so photographic opportunities abound year around. It is with a joyful heart that a thankful Lou Newman wishes you happiness and a special 2021.
Lou Newman
Typos
Feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors. Just be right :). with love, artie
Today is Monday 21 December 2020. I went down to the lake despite the clear skies with a brisk southwest wind. After creating a very few decent head portraits of some handsome Turkey Vultures from the car with the a7r iv at 1200mm, I headed home to finish this blog post and enjoy brunch.
I will be spending the bulk of my time today working on the RawDigger e-guide. I will be adding Patrick Sparkman’s brilliantly improved method for quickly and accurately using RawDigger no matter the camera system or model. I will likely be doing a second video detailing this new, much easier way of doing things.
I say it often here, There is a ton to be learned by re-visiting a given blog post and reading the comments. That has never been truer than in the last few weeks where I have learned an absolute ton about the R5 and a whole bunch of other stuff as well. I have decided to start a new streak; today’s blog post — that took more than five hours to create including the time spent on the six image optimizations — makes six straight days with a new blog post. I hope that you enjoy the post and learn something.
If you have a moment, please leave a comment and let us know which — if any — of today’s six featured images you think is the strongest, and why you made your choice. See also the question below Image #3. If you think that I should have deleted all of them feel free to say so.
Whether or not you are at all feeling sorry for yourself in these times of COVID, I’d suggest that you view the one minute, 45-second video immediately below. It is quite moving and well done. While watching it I thought a lot about my late-Dad and my late-Mom. You probably will too. Then you might want to visit The Work, learn to do The Work of Byron Katie, and find peace.
A Simple Yet Powerful Practice
As we do The Work of Byron Katie, not only do we remain alert to our stressful thoughts—the ones that cause all the anger, sadness, and frustration in our world—but we question them, and through that questioning the thoughts lose their power over us. Great spiritual texts describe the what—what it means to be free. The Work is the how. It shows you exactly how to identify and question any thought that would keep you from that freedom.
A few words from Katie/Welcome to The Work
I discovered that when I believed my thoughts I suffered, but when I didn’t believe them I didn’t suffer, and that this is true for every human being. Freedom is as simple as that. I found that suffering is optional. I found a joy within me that has never disappeared, not for a single moment. That joy is in everyone, always. And I invite you not to believe me. I invite you to test it for yourself.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2WN4HDjTG0c
Canon R5/R6 AF e-Guide Info
So far, 40 folks have sent PayPals for their copy of the Canon R5/R6 AF e-Guide. And 21 who used my affiliate links to purchase their R5 have e-mailed for and received their free copy of the guide. If you e-mailed or sent a PayPal and did not receive your guide, please LMK immediately via e-mail.
Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive so far. Three folks wrote stating that they had a better way of setting up AF on their R5s. When I wrote back explaining why they were in error, two of them back-tracked. One stubborn guy is still doing it his way — less efficiently. Be sure to scroll down to read about my plans for a Canon R5/R6 User’s e-Guide. Understand that the info in the BAA Canon R5/R6 Autofocus e-Guide is so important that I opted to publish the AF guide immediately as the R5/R6 User’s Guide will take at least a month to finish.
BAA Canon R5/R6 Autofocus e-Guide
Twenty-one pages. 3,452 words. 28-DPP4 screen captures showing the R5’s vaunted AF system in action. Note: the AF system of the R5 is identical to the AF system of the R6.
You will learn:
1- The two most useful AF Methods for general bird photography and for birds in flight.
2- How to set up your R5/R6 AF Menus.
3- What boxes to check (and un-check) under Limit AF Methods.
4- How to change the AF Method quickly, easily, and efficiently. Note: the default way of doing this is clunky, cumbersome, and inefficient at best. One person replied that this tip alone was worth the price of admission.
5- The only setting that should be used for Initial Servo AF pt for Face Detection + Tracking.
I you are currently using multiple back buttons either for general bird photography or for birds in flight, what you learn in this guide will change your life. For the better.
Here are the first three paragraphs of this e-Guide:
From the moment I learned about the new Canon mirrorless bodies, I read about using two or three back-buttons to focus using different AF methods. The word on the street said that the way to go for birds in flight was to use one button to acquire focus with Zone AF or with Large Zone: Horizontal AF and then switch to another button to activate Face Detection + Tracking AF and then use the shutter button to make an image. My immediate thought was, “This is insanity! There has got to be a better way.” In short, there is a far superior way to set up AF on your R5 or R6.
Remember that I got away from any form of back-button or rear focusing many years ago after finally realizing that it is always easier to do one thing (press the shutter button), than it is to do two things (press a back button and then press the shutter button).
The default method of switching AF Methods with the R5/R6 bodies is cumbersome at best. It involves first pressing the grid button (my name) on the upper right back of the camera and then pressing the hard-to-access M-Fn button to toggle through the AF Methods. This method is so bad that it will not be mentioned again in this guide.
The guide is free to all who have ordered an R5 or an R6 using my B&H affiliate link or from Steve Elkins/Bedfords using the BIRDSASART coupon code at checkout. Please send your receipt to me via e-mail. It will take me a few days to a week to verify the B&H purchases. Bedfords folks should expect their free e-Guides fairly quickly.
To purchase your copy of the e-Guide, please send a PayPal for $25.00 to birdsasart@verizon.net and be sure to include the words R5/R6 AF Guide in your PayPal e-mail.
Everyone who gets the guide will receive a free update no later than the first week in January.
Canon R5/R6 User’s e-Guide
I am planning on doing a complete Canon R5/R6 User’s e-Guide. This will require a lot of research, a lot of time, and a lot of effort. I am hoping to have it complete by mid- to late January. As always, folks who use the BAA affiliate links to purchase their Canon gear will receive a substantial discount.
Understand that the info in the BAA Canon R5/R6 Autofocus e-Guide is so important that I opted to publish the AF guide ASAP.
Please Remember
With income from IPTs approaching zero, please, if you enjoy and learn from the blog, remember to use one of my two affiliate programs when purchasing new gear. Doing so just might make it possible for me to avoid having to try to get a job as a Walmart greeter and will not cost you a single penny more. And if you use Bedfords and remember to enter the BIRDSASART code at checkout, you will save 3% on every order and enjoy free second-day air shipping. In these crazy times — I am out at least forty to sixty thousand dollars so far due to COVID 19 (with lots more to come) — remembering to use my B&H link or to shop at Bedfords will help me out a ton and be greatly appreciated. Overseas folks who cannot order from the US because of import fees, duties, and taxes can always help out by clicking here if they see fit.
Great Topaz News!
Folks who use the BAA Topaz link to purchase Sharpen AI, DeNoise AI, or the Utility Bundle (or any other Topaz plugins) will receive a 15% discount by entering the ARTHUR15 code at checkout. To get the discount you must use my link and you must enter the discount code. Be sure to start with this link.
Topaz Stuff
As I said just a while back and have said often many times before, I should have listened sooner. If you, like me, are new to the Topaz party, please use this link to purchase. Right now I can wholeheartedly recommend both Topaz Sharpen AI and Topaz DeNoise AI. Though I have not yet worked with JPEGtoRAW AI or Gigapixel AI, I have installed both of these plug-ins and look forward to trying them on some I-Phone 11 images fairly soon. If you are thinking like me, consider the Utility Bundle that includes all four plug-ins mentioned above at a money-saving price.
Again, those who purchase Sharpen AI or DeNoise AI using my link, can e-mail to request a short Getting Started with Topaz e-Guide. I had a bit of trouble getting the two plug-ins installed and having them appear in the Photoshop Filter Menu. In addition, I will explain how to best learn about the two plug-ins by applying them on a Layer (in Photoshop).
New and Better Bedfords Discount Policy!
You can now save 3% on all of your Bedfords photo gear purchases by entering the BIRDSASART coupon code at checkout. Your discount will be applied to your pre-tax total. In addition, by using the code you will get 2nd day air shipping via Fed Ex.
Grab a Nikon AF-S Teleconverter TC-14E III and save $14.99. Purchase a Canon EOS R5 and your discount will be $116.97. Purchase a Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens and save a remarkable $389.94! Your Bedford’s purchase no longer needs to be greater than $1,000.00 for you to receive a discount. The more you spend, the more you save.
Money Saving Reminder
Many have learned that if you need a hot photo item that is out of stock at B&H and would enjoy free overnight shipping, your best bet is to click here, place an order with Bedfords, and enter the coupon code BIRDSASART at checkout. If an item is out of stock, contact Steve Elkins via e-mail or on his cell phone at (479) 381-2592 (Central time). Be sure to mention the BIRDSASART coupon code and use it for your online order to save 3% and enjoy free 2nd-day air shipping. Steve has been great at getting folks the hot items that are out of stock at B&H and everywhere else. The wait lists at the big stores can be a year or longer for the hard to get items. Steve will surely get you your gear long before that. For the past year, he has been helping BAA Blog folks get their hands on items like the SONY a9 ii, the SONY 200-600 G OSS lens, the Canon EOS R5, the Canon RF 100-500mm lens, and the Nikon 500mm PF. Steve is personable, helpful, and eager to please.
Gear Questions and Advice
Too many folks attending BAA IPTs and dozens of photographers whom I see in the field and on BPN, are–out of ignorance–using the wrong gear especially when it comes to tripods and more especially, tripod heads… Please know that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail. Those questions might deal with systems, camera bodies, accessories, and/or lens choices and decisions.
This image was created on 18 December 2020 about 20 minutes from Fort DeSoto at my tertiary morning backup location. I used the handheld Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM lens (at 500mm) and the highly touted 45MP Canon EOS R5 Mirrorless Digital camera body. ISO 1000. Exposure determined with test exposures using the in-camera histogram and confirmed as perfect by RawDigger: 1/125 sec. at f/9 (stopped down 2/3-stop) in Manual mode. AWB at 8:08am on mostly cloudy morning.
Face detection + Tracking/AI Servo AF was active at the moment of exposure and performed perfectly. Click the image to see a larger version.
Image #1: Immature Brown Pelican head and face portrait
A Cold, Windy, Almost Bird-less Morning
It was a cold, windy, almost bird-less morning. I abandoned DeSoto early hoping to find some pelicans and terns diving for bait at one of my favorite out-of-the-park locations. Not. I did find a single you Brown Pelican sitting on the concrete pier railing. Since it was the only game in town, I stayed with it for about 45 minutes. I tried to be creative and learn more about the Canon loaner gear. This horizontal head and face portrait was the obvious way to start.
Image #1A: Topaz Sharpen AI on the Immature Brown Pelican head and face portrait image
First I ran Topaz DeNoise AI on Auto on the whole image (as I do with most every photo that I process). Though DeNoise provides a nice dose of sharpening, this image still did not look really sharp to me. I brought it into Topaz Sharpen AI and hit Auto. Auto chose Focus but those settings made the image looked over-sharpened, and in addition, it seemed that the pixels were just not lined up properly. So I switched from Focus to Stabilize and reduced the suggested Noise Suppression by 2/3. The result was far better. Note that you can see me and a light pole in the bird’s eye. I removed both in post.
This image was created on 18 December 2020 about 20 minutes from Fort DeSoto at my tertiary morning backup location. I used the handheld Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM lens (at 500mm) and the highly touted 45MP Canon EOS R5 Mirrorless Digital camera body. ISO 1000. Exposure determined with test exposures using the in-camera histogram and confirmed as perfect by RawDigger:: 1/125 sec. at f/9 (stopped down 2/3-stop) in Manual mode. AWB at 8:09am on mostly cloudy morning.
Face detection + Tracking/AI Servo AF was active at the moment of exposure and performed surprisingly well — it selected a series of AF points that fell on the upper left third of the frame. Click the image to see a larger version.
Image #2: Immature Brown Pelican side of breast, folded wing, and bill detail
Working a Subject
When working a ridiculously tame subject, you will want to vary your image designs by using different focal lengths and choosing different perspectives. For Image #2 I simply approached the subject slowly and got within 50 inches without hardly trying. The close focusing ability of the RF 100-500 (MFD = 3.94 feet at 500mm) is a huge plus.
Image #2A: Topaz Sharpen AI on the Immature Brown Pelican side of breast, folded wing, and bill detail image
Not So Sharp …
Several of the images from this series both with and without the TC turned out to be not as sharp as I might have expected. With the slower shutter speeds, the wind blowing the feathers might have contributed to the softness. In addition, working with relatively long focal lengths while being very close to the MFD reduces depth-of-field to practically nothing. Perhaps I should have been on a tripod using smaller apertures.
In any cases, Sharpen AI on Auto worked superbly here as you can see by clicking on the image to enlarge it; the increase in sharpness is remarkable.
This image was created on 18 December 2020 about 20 minutes from Fort DeSoto at my tertiary morning backup location. For this one, I used the handheld Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM lens with the Canon Extender RF 1.4x (at 700mm) and the highly touted 45MP Canon EOS R5 Mirrorless Digital camera body. ISO 800. Exposure determined with test exposures using the in-camera histogram and confirmed as perfect by RawDigger: 1/640 sec. at f/11 (stopped down 1/3-stop) in Manual mode. AWB at 8:21am on then cloudy-bright morning.
1-Point (center)/AI Servo AF was active at the moment of exposure. Click the image to see a larger version.
Image #3: Immature Brown Pelican side of breast feather detail.
Going Abstract
To get in even tighter and create some feather detail abstracts, I added the RF 1.4X TC. What gave this image a warmer look than the other images in today’s blog post? There are clues in the EXIF.
This image was also created on 18 December 2020 about 20 minutes from Fort DeSoto at my tertiary morning backup location. Again, I used the handheld Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM lens with the Canon Extender RF 1.4x (at 700mm) and the highly touted 45MP Canon EOS R5 Mirrorless Digital camera body. ISO 1600. Exposure determined with test exposures using the in-camera histogram and confirmed as perfect by RawDigger: 1/500 sec. at f/11 (stopped down 2/3-stop) in Manual mode. AWB at 8:23am on then cloudy-bright morning.
1-Point (just right of center)/AI Servo AF was active at the moment of exposure. Click the image to see a larger version.
Image #4: Immature Brown Pelican distal end of bill detail.
Bill Clean-up
Apparently, this bird had been playing in the dirt; the distal end of its bill was a mess. I used the Patch Tool and Content-Aware Fill for the clean-up work. Note that I rarely use the Clone Stamp Tool for clean-up work. All that, along with dozens of great Photoshop tips and tons more including all of my personalized Keyboard Shortcuts — are covered in detail in the BIRDS AS ART Current Workflow e-Guide (Digital Basics II), an instructional PDF that is sent via e-mail.
This image was also created on 18 December 2020 about 20 minutes from Fort DeSoto at my tertiary morning backup location. Again, I used the handheld Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM lens with the Canon Extender RF 1.4x (at 508mm) and the highly touted 45MP Canon EOS R5 Mirrorless Digital camera body. ISO 2500. Exposure determined with test exposures using the in-camera histogram and confirmed as perfect by RawDigger: 1/250 sec. at f/13 (stopped down about 1-stop) in Manual mode. AWB at 8:23am on then cloudy morning.
1-Point (below center)/AI Servo AF was active at the moment of exposure. Click the image to see a larger version.
Image #5: Immature Brown Pelican back, folded wing, and bill detail.
A Variation on the Theme
For this one, I got really close, zoomed out, and got as tall as possible to shoot down on the subject. In addition, stopping down about one full stop to f/11 helped a bit.
This image was of course also created on 18 December 2020 about 20 minutes from Fort DeSoto at my tertiary morning backup location. I used the handheld Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM lens (at 151mm) and the highly touted 45MP Canon EOS R5 Mirrorless Digital camera body. ISO 1250. Exposure determined with test exposures using the in-camera histogram and confirmed as perfect by RawDigger: 1/640 sec. at f/7.1 wide open) in Manual mode. AWB at 8:53am on mostly cloudy morning.
Face detection + Tracking/AI Servo AF was active at the moment of exposure and performed perfectly. Click the image to see a larger version.
Image #6: Immature Brown Pelican on railing next to fishing gear
Setting the Scene
When working tight on a subject, many folks (and editors as well — back in the days when it was actually possible to sell images to magazines), enjoy seeing an establishing image, a photo that tells the story in a single image. I loved the addition of the many bright colors, the fluorescent blue of the fishing line, and the red and green of the strap. Note that the bird had been a dozen feet to my left before cozying up to the fishing gear.
Image #6A: The DPP4 screen capture for the Immature Brown Pelican on railing next to fishing gear showing the active AF point.
DPP4 Screen Capture
Even with the small-in-the-frame subject, note the red square right on the bird’s eye. With Face Detection + Tracking AF and relatively static subjects, successful image designs are the attained with lots of practice by careful and careful framing. The in-the-viewfinder histogram which is a necessity because of the lack of Zebras, hinders the latter. In addition, it is easy to be sloppy and mis-frame an image … I will be doing a blog post soon showing lots of those.
Typos
Feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors. Just be right :). with love, artie
On Friday morning, I had a tough time deciding whether to head to Lakeland or return to DeSoto. As things turned out, I should have gone to Lakeland and checked on the Great Blue Heron nest and on the American White Pelicans. That said, I created more than 900 images at DeSoto and had a chance to do lots of Brown Pelican flight photography with the R5/RF 1.4XTC, and the RF 100-500. I learned a lot, so all was not lost 🙂
Patrick Sparkman has done it again. We’ve worked together on the RawDigger e-guide for far too long. But along the way, we have learned a ton, in part with help from Iliah Borg, the brains behind RawDigger and the owner of LibRaw, LLC. On Thursday past, Patrick told me that he had come up with a new way to use RawDigger. A way that simplified the process no matter the camera. A way that is fast and easy to understand. He shared his new method with me in an hour-long Zoom screen-sharing meeting yesterday.
Needless to say, when I add this information the RawDigger e-Guide it will be finished at last. While RawDigger is an important tool for all photographers, it will prove to be very important to folks using the Canon R5 (or R6). You will learn why by reading today’s blog post.
Today is Sunday 20 December 2020. I will be heading down to the lake in a bit. This blog post took about three hours to create. Please use the affiliate links or get in touch with Steve Elkins at Bedfords 🙂
Canon R5/R6 AF e-Guide Info
So far, 40 folks have sent PayPals for their copy of the Canon R5/R6 AF e-Guide. And 21 who used my affiliate links to purchase their R5 have e-mailed for and received their free copy of the guide. If you e-mailed or sent a PayPal and did not receive your guide, please LMK immediately via e-mail.
Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive so far. Three folks wrote stating that they had a better way of setting up AF on their R5s. When I wrote back explaining why they were in error, two of them back-tracked. One stubborn guy is still doing it his way — less efficiently. Be sure to scroll down to read about my plans for a Canon R5/R6 User’s e-Guide. Understand that the info in the BAA Canon R5/R6 Autofocus e-Guide is so important that I opted to publish the AF guide immediately as the R5/R6 User’s Guide will take at least a month to finish.
BAA Canon R5/R6 Autofocus e-Guide
Twenty-one pages. 3,452 words. 28-DPP4 screen captures showing the R5’s vaunted AF system in action. Note: the AF system of the R5 is identical to the AF system of the R6.
You will learn:
1- The two most useful AF Methods for general bird photography and for birds in flight.
2- How to set up your R5/R6 AF Menus.
3- What boxes to check (and un-check) under Limit AF Methods.
4- How to change the AF Method quickly, easily, and efficiently. Note: the default way of doing this is clunky, cumbersome, and inefficient at best. One person replied that this tip alone was worth the price of admission.
5- The only setting that should be used for Initial Servo AF pt for Face Detection + Tracking.
I you are currently using multiple back buttons either for general bird photography or for birds in flight, what you learn in this guide will change your life. For the better.
Here are the first three paragraphs of this e-Guide:
From the moment I learned about the new Canon mirrorless bodies, I read about using two or three back-buttons to focus using different AF methods. The word on the street said that the way to go for birds in flight was to use one button to acquire focus with Zone AF or with Large Zone: Horizontal AF and then switch to another button to activate Face Detection + Tracking AF and then use the shutter button to make an image. My immediate thought was, “This is insanity! There has got to be a better way.” In short, there is a far superior way to set up AF on your R5 or R6.
Remember that I got away from any form of back-button or rear focusing many years ago after finally realizing that it is always easier to do one thing (press the shutter button), than it is to do two things (press a back button and then press the shutter button).
The default method of switching AF Methods with the R5/R6 bodies is cumbersome at best. It involves first pressing the grid button (my name) on the upper right back of the camera and then pressing the hard-to-access M-Fn button to toggle through the AF Methods. This method is so bad that it will not be mentioned again in this guide.
The guide is free to all who have ordered an R5 or an R6 using my B&H affiliate link or from Steve Elkins/Bedfords using the BIRDSASART coupon code at checkout. Please send your receipt to me via e-mail. It will take me a few days to a week to verify the B&H purchases. Bedfords folks should expect their free e-Guides fairly quickly.
To purchase your copy of the e-Guide, please send a PayPal for $25.00 to birdsasart@verizon.net and be sure to include the words R5/R6 AF Guide in your PayPal e-mail.
Everyone who gets the guide will receive a free update no later than the first week in January.
Canon R5/R6 User’s e-Guide
I am planning on doing a complete Canon R5/R6 User’s e-Guide. This will require a lot of research, a lot of time, and a lot of effort. I am hoping to have it complete by mid- to late January. As always, folks who use the BAA affiliate links to purchase their Canon gear will receive a substantial discount.
Understand that the info in the BAA Canon R5/R6 Autofocus e-Guide is so important that I opted to publish the AF guide ASAP.
Please Remember
With income from IPTs approaching zero, please, if you enjoy and learn from the blog, remember to use one of my two affiliate programs when purchasing new gear. Doing so just might make it possible for me to avoid having to try to get a job as a Walmart greeter and will not cost you a single penny more. And if you use Bedfords and remember to enter the BIRDSASART code at checkout, you will save 3% on every order and enjoy free second-day air shipping. In these crazy times — I am out at least forty to sixty thousand dollars so far due to COVID 19 (with lots more to come) — remembering to use my B&H link or to shop at Bedfords will help me out a ton and be greatly appreciated. Overseas folks who cannot order from the US because of import fees, duties, and taxes can always help out by clicking here if they see fit.
Great Topaz News!
Folks who use the BAA Topaz link to purchase Sharpen AI, DeNoise AI, or the Utility Bundle (or any other Topaz plugins) will receive a 15% discount by entering the ARTHUR15 code at checkout. To get the discount you must use my link and you must enter the discount code. Be sure to start with this link.
Topaz Stuff
As I said just a while back and have said often many times before, I should have listened sooner. If you, like me, are new to the Topaz party, please use this link to purchase. Right now I can wholeheartedly recommend both Topaz Sharpen AI and Topaz DeNoise AI. Though I have not yet worked with JPEGtoRAW AI or Gigapixel AI, I have installed both of these plug-ins and look forward to trying them on some I-Phone 11 images fairly soon. If you are thinking like me, consider the Utility Bundle that includes all four plug-ins mentioned above at a money-saving price.
Again, those who purchase Sharpen AI or DeNoise AI using my link, can e-mail to request a short Getting Started with Topaz e-Guide. I had a bit of trouble getting the two plug-ins installed and having them appear in the Photoshop Filter Menu. In addition, I will explain how to best learn about the two plug-ins by applying them on a Layer (in Photoshop).
New and Better Bedfords Discount Policy!
You can now save 3% on all of your Bedfords photo gear purchases by entering the BIRDSASART coupon code at checkout. Your discount will be applied to your pre-tax total. In addition, by using the code you will get 2nd day air shipping via Fed Ex.
Grab a Nikon AF-S Teleconverter TC-14E III and save $14.99. Purchase a Canon EOS R5 and your discount will be $116.97. Purchase a Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens and save a remarkable $389.94! Your Bedford’s purchase no longer needs to be greater than $1,000.00 for you to receive a discount. The more you spend, the more you save.
Money Saving Reminder
Many have learned that if you need a hot photo item that is out of stock at B&H and would enjoy free overnight shipping, your best bet is to click here, place an order with Bedfords, and enter the coupon code BIRDSASART at checkout. If an item is out of stock, contact Steve Elkins via e-mail or on his cell phone at (479) 381-2592 (Central time). Be sure to mention the BIRDSASART coupon code and use it for your online order to save 3% and enjoy free 2nd-day air shipping. Steve has been great at getting folks the hot items that are out of stock at B&H and everywhere else. The wait lists at the big stores can be a year or longer for the hard to get items. Steve will surely get you your gear long before that. For the past year, he has been helping BAA Blog folks get their hands on items like the SONY a9 ii, the SONY 200-600 G OSS lens, the Canon EOS R5, the Canon RF 100-500mm lens, and the Nikon 500mm PF. Steve is personable, helpful, and eager to please.
Gear Questions and Advice
Too many folks attending BAA IPTs and dozens of photographers whom I see in the field and on BPN, are–out of ignorance–using the wrong gear especially when it comes to tripods and more especially, tripod heads… Please know that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail. Those questions might deal with systems, camera bodies, accessories, and/or lens choices and decisions.
This image was created on 4 December 2020 at Indian Lake Estates, FL. I used the handheld Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM lens (at 500mm) and the highly touted 45MP Canon EOS R5 Mirrorless Digital camera body. ISO ???. Exposure determined using the in-camera histogram: 1/1000 sec. at f/7.1 (wide open!) in Manual mode. AWB at 7:53am on cloudy very dark morning.
Face detection + Tracking/AI Servo AF was active at the moment of exposure and performed well.
Click the image to see a larger version.
Image #2: Black Vulture in B&W
Revisiting …
The A Two-part Exercise in Thinking blog post here, included this:
An Exercise in Thinking Part II
Please feel free to share your thoughts on this image. Can you guess the ISO? How would you rate the sharpness of this image? How did I get so close to this bird? Can you detect any Photoshop trickery in Image #2? Any and all comments are welcome.
The Answers
1-The ISO was 6400.
2- To my eye, the image sharpness is superb. I ran DeNoise AI on this image but not Sharpen AI.
3- I was in my SUV. Kudos to old friend Cliff Beittel who pointed out the reflection of my vehicle in the vulture’s eye.
Note: the optimized image file was converted to black and white using the Dynamic Smooth preset in NIK’s Silver EFEX Pro. Kee reading to learn why I had to create a black and white version of this image.
I Generally Do Not Study-Use-Understand the Scientific-Theoretical Mumbo-Jumbo and Charts
I rarely if ever study/use/understand the scientific/theoretical charts and theories relating to photography. Folks often send links to such material. For one, I have never looked at an MTF chart. May great preference is to head into the field with a given camera or lens, create images of birds, and evaluate the results.
But …
In the comments section of the Operator Error, a Great AF System — but …, a large Crop, and not too bad an image. And a variable aperture zoom lens tip! post here, blog regular Adam Rubenstein wrote in part:
Perfect exposure is even more important with the R5 than the Sony as it is less forgiving with shadow recovery for under exposure compared to the a9(ii). See the chart here.
I pushed back a bit when I replied:
Thanks for the links. I am not comfortable with the scientific side of photography, but I think that I understand it. Don’t forget (see lots of threads on BPN) that I am the guy that believes black shadows should be black 🙂
But, because Adam is quite knowledgeable and an all-around good guy, I clicked on the link, studied it for a bit, and came away with an important understanding … The chart that Adam linked me to compares the R5 to the SONY a9 ii.
Click on the image to see a larger version.
Image #2A: color noise in the converted Black Vulture image
The Color Noise
RawDigger showed that the raw file for today’s Black Vulture image was only 1/3 to 1/2 stop under-exposed. After converting the file in Capture One, I was stunned to see the horrific color noise on the bird’s shadowed breast. In Topaz DeNoise AI. I moved the Color Noise Reduction slider to 100. It did not help. Why such horrible color noise?
In part, the noise was a result of the black bird’s breast was in “shadow” even on what was a cloudy-dark day. But there had to be more to it than that …
Click on the image to see better read the fine print.
Photographic Dynamic Range Shadow Improvement versus ISO Setting
By going here, you can create your own chart by picking your camera body from the very extensive list on the right. I did that for most of the cameras I have used over the past seven or so years. The higher the point on the graph for a given camera body at a given ISO, the better that camera will handle shadow detail. I adapted the chart above by restricting it to the normally useable ISOs.
In the 800-6400 ISO range, the Nikon D5 (and the D6 — not shown), show the best performance by far in this area. The Canon EOS R5 (and R6 — not shown) ranks last. I was surprised that the SONY a7r IV was not very much better than the R5 as I have not had similar color noise problems with 7r iv images.
In any case, after studying the charts, I realized that the R5 simply does not handle under-exposed dark tones very well at all. Amazingly, it is at its absolute worst at ISO 318!
It is possible that because SONY offers live-in-the-viewfinder Zebras that enable me to mega-expose to the right every time, I have not encountered any similar problems with a7r IV images. I will readily admit that I have not used ISO 6400 with that body very much if at all.
In doing my R5 testing, I have pushed the camera to places I usually do not visit. Now don’t get me wrong, the R5 is a superb body that offers a great AF system; at this point I firmly believe that folks who have stuck with Canon through the lean years (in terms of AF performance) should be using the R5. They should, however, do their best not to underexpose. Ever. But especially with images of dark birds made in low light at high ISOs 🙂
It was really cold on Thursday morning. And cloudy-dark early. There was one Willet on the sandbar. I left. There were three distant diving pelicans at my favorite back-up location. I left. I was glad that I did not have a client with me. Then it was off to back-up location #2 where there are usually lots of diving terns and pelicans. There was no bait in the water and thus no diving birds. At the end of the structure, I found a single, cold, immature Brown Pelican sitting on the railing. Taking advantage of the great IS systems of the Canon loaner gear (IS on the lens, and IBIS with the camera) and the outstanding close-focusing of the RF 100-500, I spent an hour doing pelican body-parts quasi-macro stuff. Trying to be creative. The good news is that I did not get my feet wet on a very cold for-Florida morning. I was done before 9am and then I headed back to my AirBNB to start work on the BAA Canon R5/R6 User’s e-Guide. I have lots of research to do on that. With wind again sun and clear skies, Thursday afternoon would have been a complete dud but for a single Reddish Egret photographed in very sweet light with the SONY 600 GM, the 1.4X TC, and the a7r IV. After two weeks with the Canon loaner gear it took me a few minutes to get comfortable with the SONY body.
R5s are really hard to get right now; Steve Elkins filled dozens of orders but the bodies from that shipment are all gone. Bedfords, however, is still the best place to get one. Many folks who had been on waiting lists at the big camera stores for many months were able to get an R5 from Steve last week and cancel their long-standing orders with the big guys. And everyone has been thrilled with Bedford’s service, the 3% discount, and the free second-day air shipping.
Canon R5/R6 AF e-Guide Info
So far, 40 folks have sent PayPals for their copy of the Canon R5/R6 AF e-Guide. And 21 who used my affiliate links to purchase their R5 have e-mailed for and received their free copy of the guide. If you e-mailed or sent a PayPal and did not receive your guide, please LMK immediately via e-mail.
Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive so far. Three folks wrote stating that they had a better way of setting up AF on their R5s. When I wrote back explaining why they were in error, two of them back-tracked. One stubborn guy is still doing it his way — less efficiently. Be sure to scroll down to read about my plans for a Canon R5/R6 User’s e-Guide. Understand that the info in the BAA Canon R5/R6 Autofocus e-Guide is so important that I opted to publish the AF guide immediately as the R5/R6 User’s Guide will take at least a month to finish.
BAA Canon R5/R6 Autofocus e-Guide
Twenty-one pages. 3,452 words. 28-DPP4 screen captures showing the R5’s vaunted AF system in action. Note: the AF system of the R5 is identical to the AF system of the R6.
You will learn:
1- The two most useful AF Methods for general bird photography and for birds in flight.
2- How to set up your R5/R6 AF Menus.
3- What boxes to check (and un-check) under Limit AF Methods.
4- How to change the AF Method quickly, easily, and efficiently. Note: the default way of doing this is clunky, cumbersome, and inefficient at best. One person replied that this tip alone was worth the price of admission.
5- The only setting that should be used for Initial Servo AF pt for Face Detection + Tracking.
I you are currently using multiple back buttons either for general bird photography or for birds in flight, what you learn in this guide will change your life. For the better.
Here are the first three paragraphs of this e-Guide:
From the moment I learned about the new Canon mirrorless bodies, I read about using two or three back-buttons to focus using different AF methods. The word on the street said that the way to go for birds in flight was to use one button to acquire focus with Zone AF or with Large Zone: Horizontal AF and then switch to another button to activate Face Detection + Tracking AF and then use the shutter button to make an image. My immediate thought was, “This is insanity! There has got to be a better way.” In short, there is a far superior way to set up AF on your R5 or R6.
Remember that I got away from any form of back-button or rear focusing many years ago after finally realizing that it is always easier to do one thing (press the shutter button), than it is to do two things (press a back button and then press the shutter button).
The default method of switching AF Methods with the R5/R6 bodies is cumbersome at best. It involves first pressing the grid button (my name) on the upper right back of the camera and then pressing the hard-to-access M-Fn button to toggle through the AF Methods. This method is so bad that it will not be mentioned again in this guide.
The guide is free to all who have ordered an R5 or an R6 using my B&H affiliate link or from Steve Elkins/Bedfords using the BIRDSASART coupon code at checkout. Please send your receipt to me via e-mail. It will take me a few days to a week to verify the B&H purchases. Bedfords folks should expect their free e-Guides fairly quickly.
To purchase your copy of the e-Guide, please send a PayPal for $25.00 to birdsasart@verizon.net and be sure to include the words R5/R6 AF Guide in your PayPal e-mail.
Everyone who gets the guide will receive a free update no later than the first week in January.
Canon R5/R6 User’s e-Guide
I am planning on doing a complete Canon R5/R6 User’s e-Guide. This will require a lot of research, a lot of time, and a lot of effort. I am hoping to have it complete by mid- to late January. As always, folks who use the BAA affiliate links to purchase their Canon gear will receive a substantial discount.
Understand that the info in the BAA Canon R5/R6 Autofocus e-Guide is so important that I opted to publish the AF guide ASAP.
Please Remember
With income from IPTs approaching zero, please, if you enjoy and learn from the blog, remember to use one of my two affiliate programs when purchasing new gear. Doing so just might make it possible for me to avoid having to try to get a job as a Walmart greeter and will not cost you a single penny more. And if you use Bedfords and remember to enter the BIRDSASART code at checkout, you will save 3% on every order and enjoy free second-day air shipping. In these crazy times — I am out at least forty to sixty thousand dollars so far due to COVID 19 (with lots more to come) — remembering to use my B&H link or to shop at Bedfords will help me out a ton and be greatly appreciated. Overseas folks who cannot order from the US because of import fees, duties, and taxes can always help out by clicking here if they see fit.
Great Topaz News!
Folks who use the BAA Topaz link to purchase Sharpen AI, DeNoise AI, or the Utility Bundle (or any other Topaz plugins) will receive a 15% discount by entering the ARTHUR15 code at checkout. To get the discount you must use my link and you must enter the discount code. Be sure to start with this link.
Topaz Stuff
As I said just a while back and have said often many times before, I should have listened sooner. If you, like me, are new to the Topaz party, please use this link to purchase. Right now I can wholeheartedly recommend both Topaz Sharpen AI and Topaz DeNoise AI. Though I have not yet worked with JPEGtoRAW AI or Gigapixel AI, I have installed both of these plug-ins and look forward to trying them on some I-Phone 11 images fairly soon. If you are thinking like me, consider the Utility Bundle that includes all four plug-ins mentioned above at a money-saving price.
Again, those who purchase Sharpen AI or DeNoise AI using my link, can e-mail to request a short Getting Started with Topaz e-Guide. I had a bit of trouble getting the two plug-ins installed and having them appear in the Photoshop Filter Menu. In addition, I will explain how to best learn about the two plug-ins by applying them on a Layer (in Photoshop).
New and Better Bedfords Discount Policy!
You can now save 3% on all of your Bedfords photo gear purchases by entering the BIRDSASART coupon code at checkout. Your discount will be applied to your pre-tax total. In addition, by using the code you will get 2nd day air shipping via Fed Ex.
Grab a Nikon AF-S Teleconverter TC-14E III and save $14.99. Purchase a Canon EOS R5 and your discount will be $116.97. Purchase a Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens and save a remarkable $389.94! Your Bedford’s purchase no longer needs to be greater than $1,000.00 for you to receive a discount. The more you spend, the more you save.
Money Saving Reminder
Many have learned that if you need a hot photo item that is out of stock at B&H and would enjoy free overnight shipping, your best bet is to click here, place an order with Bedfords, and enter the coupon code BIRDSASART at checkout. If an item is out of stock, contact Steve Elkins via e-mail or on his cell phone at (479) 381-2592 (Central time). Be sure to mention the BIRDSASART coupon code and use it for your online order o save 3% and enjoy free 2nd-day air shipping. Steve has been great at getting folks the hot items that are out of stock at B&H and everywhere else. The wait lists at the big stores can be a year or longer for the hard to get items. Steve will surely get you your gear long before that. For the past year, he has been helping BAA Blog folks get their hands on items like the SONY a9 ii, the SONY 200-600 G OSS lens, the Canon EOS R5, the Canon RF 100-500mm lens, and the Nikon 500mm PF. Steve is personable, helpful, and eager to please.
Gear Questions and Advice
Too many folks attending BAA IPTs and dozens of photographers whom I see in the field and on BPN, are–out of ignorance–using the wrong gear especially when it comes to tripods and more especially, tripod heads… Please know that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail. Those questions might deal with systems, camera bodies, accessories, and/or lens choices and decisions.
This image was created on 17 December 2020 near Fort DeSoto Park. I used the handheld Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM lens (at 254mm) and the highly touted 45MP Canon EOS R5 Mirrorless Digital camera body. ISO 250. Exposure determined by the histogram, experience, and luck, and confirmed as perfect by RawDigger: 1/8 sec. at f/10 in Manual mode. AWB at 5:25pm on a cloudy-dark afternoon.
Face Detection + Tracking/AI Servo AF was active at the moment of exposure and performed to perfection; the active AF point tracked and nailed the bird’s eye. Click on the image to see a larger version.
Image #1: Great Blue Heron and gently moving wavelets
5-stops of Image Stabilization (IS)
Traditionally, if you want to try to blur slowly moving water, you need to be on a tripod. But I love the light weight of the R5/100-500 RF rig and tremendously enjoy the freedom that comes with handholding. So with this somewhat drab subject, I tried working first at 1/15 sec. and then at 1/8 second. The first few images looked pretty sharp on the back of the camera … Scroll down to check out the sharpness in Images 1C and 1D.
I was seated with this bird using the knee-pod technique. I stayed with the bird for nearly an hour hoping that the sun would appear in the narrow light window just above the horizon and yield a spectacular red sunset. But alas, the dark heat clouds lowered and put an end to my hopes. With Image #1, I do like the effect of the gently moving water created with the very slow shutter speed of 1/8 second.
The rule for handholding (before IS) was to use a fraction of one over the lens length to figure the minimum shutter speed needed to create a sharp image. For this image that would be 1/254 which rounds off nicely to 1/250 sec. Starting at 1/8 second the math looks like this: 1/8, 1/15, 1/30, 1/60, 1/125, 1/250. From 1/8 to 1/250 is five stops. The RF 100-500 is supposed to offer five stop of image stabilization and the additional IS provided by the R5’s IBIS(in-body image stabilization) system surely did not hurt.
I am getting better with R5 exposures; RawDigger showed this one to be slightly less than 1/3 stop under-exposed. Image #1 above depicts the optimized image pretty much as it looked in camera. After converting the image in Capture One the only thing that I did in post was to run Topaz DeNoise AI on the whole image. See below for more on that.
This image was created on 17 December 2020 near Fort DeSoto Park. I used the handheld Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM lens (at 254mm) and the highly touted 45MP Canon EOS R5 Mirrorless Digital camera body. ISO 250. Exposure determined by the histogram, experience, and luck, and confirmed as perfect by RawDigger: 1/8 sec. at f/10 in Manual mode. AWB at 5:25pm on a cloudy-dark afternoon.
Face Detection + Tracking/AI Servo AF was active at the moment of exposure and performed to perfection; the active AF point tracked and nailed the bird’s eye. Click on the image to see a larger version.
Image #1A: Great Blue Heron and gently moving wavelets — juiced-up version
Hoping for a Great Sunset
Since my hopes for a great sunset had been dashed, I decided to create a juiced up version with more color in the water and a bit more contrast.
Please leave a comment and let us know which of the two versions you prefer and why you made your choice.
Image #1C: Capture One screen capture
Capture One Screen Capture (C-1)
I was quite surprised when I put the C-1 loupe on the bird’s eye and found that virtually every horizontal image made at 1/8 second was very sharp on the eye (as long as the bird was not moving). The wind on Thursday evening was from the west. So when the bird turned away from the wind, the crest feathers fluffed up a bit. Working at 1/8 second, I knew that the crest feathers would be slightly blurred. And they were. And their is a slight moving water blur above the raised far-foot. Who would have ever thought that you could consistently create sharp-on-the eye images at 1/8 second with a super-telephoto zoom lens?
When I created some verticals, very few of the images were sharp, possibly because holding the lens still is more difficult with the camera turned on end (without a vertical grip), or possibly because I was working at somewhat longer focal lengths of from 300 to 350mms on average. My suspicion is that the former reason was the main cause as I remember having trouble keeping the lens still when creating the verticals.
Be sure to click on the image to view it larger.
Image #1D: Topaz DeNoise AI on Auto on the Great Blue Heron and gently moving wavelets image at 100%
Topaz DeNoise AI on the Great Blue Heron and gently moving wavelets image
With this image, Topaz DeNoise AI on Auto has taken a pretty much perfect, nearly noise-free image and made it just a little bit cleaner and a good bit sharper. Notice the super-low Reduce Noise value of 1. And enlarge the image to see the additional sharpness. I run DeNoise on virtually every image that I process.
Typos
Feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors. Just be right :). with love, artie
Me, early, as usual. It is Friday 18 December 2020. I will be heading to Fort DeSoto at about 6:15am. The forecast looks great: cloudy followed early by sunny skies with northeast winds from 10-13mph. And a rather chilly 43 degrees … It would probably be a good day not to get my feet wet, but I will 🙂
Remember, as always, that one of the best ways to improve as a nature photographer is to look at as many great images as possible.
Humbled
I am not sure how I got on the mailing list for NPOTY. Ahyhoo, when I got to my AirBNB in Gulfport, I clicked on the link and came to this:
Nature Photographer of the Year is a Nature Photography contest that celebrates the beauty of nature photography. We have some fantastic prizes for you to win including our top prize of € 3.000,- cash for the winner, plus other great cash prizes and cool photo equipment. When you enter our nature photo competition you will also support various nature conservations projects.
Thumbnails of the 2020 winners were laid out below the overall winner. Many of them looked intriguing so I began clicking on them one at a time. For the most part, I was blown away. I read the photographer’s comments and about the photographers for the better part of an hour. I was drained. I was impressed. For a while, I did not even feel like going out to photograph.
There is a fine line between being inspired and feeling as if the best move would be to throw all of your camera gear into the bay. Eventually, I headed down to DeSoto, inspired.
Click on this link to view the winning images. I will list my very favorites below. Feel free to leave a comment detailing your favorites.
My Favorites from the 2020 NPOTY Contest
These are listed in the order of appearance. If I absolutely loved the image the moment I saw it, it made my list. Many of the images that did not make my list are none-the-less amazing and inspirational.
Name of photographer | Image title/AWARD & CATEGORY
Andreas Geh | Brambling Togetherness/WINNER CATEGORY BIRDS
Rick Beldegreen | Lone egret among fall colors of the cypress swamp/HIGHLY COMMENDED CATEGORY BIRDS
Oscar Diez | Storm /HIGHLY COMMENDED CATEGORY BIRDS
Neelutpaul Barua | Heavenly Showers/HIGHLY COMMENDED CATEGORY MAMMALS
Thomas Vijayan |The World Is Going Upside Down/HIGHLY COMMENDED CATEGORY MAMMALS
Sergio Rivero Beneitez | Cocos Island/HIGHLY COMMENDED CATEGORY OTHER ANIMALS
Swapnil Deshpande | The earthern mattress/HIGHLY COMMENDED CATEGORY PLANTS AND FUNGI
Oliver Smart | A World Away/HIGHLY COMMENDED CATEGORY LANDSCAPES
Jie Fischer | Flyover/HIGHLY COMMENDED CATEGORY LANDSCAPES
Miloš Prelević | In The Hiding/WINNER CATEGORY UNDERWATER
Karim Iliya | Striped Hunter/RUNNER-UP CATEGORY UNDERWATER
Paul Goldstein | Big Blue/HIGHLY COMMENDED CATEGORY UNDERWATER
Andrea Pozzi | Trapped/WINNER CATEGORY NATURAL ART
Alessandro Carboni | When the wind blows/RUNNER-UP CATEGORY NATURAL ART
Alessandro Carboni | Sound and Vision/HIGHLY COMMENDED CATEGORY NATURAL ART
Franka Slothouber | Black walnut/RUNNER-UP CATEGORY BLACK & WHITE
Craig Parry | Contact with the Dwarf Minke/RUNNER-UP CATEGORY ANIMAL PORTRAITS
Manuel Enrique González Carmona | Big Small/HIGHLY COMMENDED CATEGORY ANIMAL PORTRAITS
Bart Siebelink | The apocalypse/WINNER CATEGORY ANIMALS OF “DE LAGE LANDEN”
Lili Sztrehárszki | Tiny details/WINNER CATEGORY YOUTH 10-17 YEARS
In addition, I found the following images from the Fred Hazelhoff Portfolio Award winner Alejandro Prieto (Border wall project) to be quite moving: Great Roadrunner and barbed wire, wild jaguar symbolically projected on to a section of the US-Mexico border wall, and photo 8 of ten in the slide show.
I am sorry that I had to list so many but this is one of the finest collections of natural history images that I have ever had the privilege to look at. And it gets worse: I clicked on the website links for many of the honored photographers and was equally blown away. The good news is that the links to the four previous editions of the contest do not work, at least not on my MacBook Pro.
Observations
There are many talented photographers from around the world. Many of the winning and honored men and women were from Europe. The longest lens that I noted that was used to create a winning or honored image was a 100-400. Many of the winning and honored images were made with fish-eye and wide angle lenses. Along with quite a few 70-200s. Very few of the winning and honored photographers used the latest and greatest gear. Many of the winning and honored images were made in bad weather or underwater. Almost all involved wonderful light and incredible creative vision. In seven of the twelve categories, I chose images other than the Category Winner …
And Inspired …
So I headed out at about 4pm and drove into the park. The first spot I visited did not look very promising with a collection of gulls and terns and shorebirds with wind against sun. I drove around chatting with BPN-friend Brian Sump about photography and about BPN. As the big clouds in the west took over, I headed to my one of my favorite sunset spots just outside the park. Things did not look too promising. When I got off the phone with Brian, I got out the Canon loaner gear, took a short walk, and found a cooperative Great Blue Heron. It was dark and windy. The bird pretty much stood in one spot for an hour.
Inspired by the NPOTY images to try and create something different, I began working at ridiculously slow shutter speeds, in part to try and blur the slowly moving water, and in part to test the Image Stabilization system on the RF 100-500 and the IBIS (in-body-image stabilization) system of the R5. I got down as slow as 1/8 second (handheld …) I was quite stunned by the results. I will share my best image from Thursday afternoon here with you tomorrow.
Typos
Feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors. Just be right :). with love, artie
Today is Thursday 17 December 2020. It is cloudy-dark here at 8:18am as I type. This blog post is almost done. When it is finished, I will get into the pool for an early 1/2 mile swim.
I will be heading over to DeSoto at about 11:30am and staying two nights. It is supposed to be cloudy with a NW wind this afternoon so I will be headed out. Friday (sunny) and Saturday (mostly sunny) mornings look great with north/northeast winds in the forecast. Right now I am client-less 🙂 If you’d like to change that, you can e-mail or call or shoot me a text at 1-863-221-2372.
Fort DeSoto In-the-Field Instructional Sessions (Limit two)
As above, the weather is looking excellent (again) for this coming Friday and Saturday, If you would like to join me for one or two morning sessions (and possibly for a Friday afternoon session as well), please contact me via e-mail to learn the low rates or call or shoot me a text at 1-863-221-2372.
The BAA Used Gear Page
The Used Gear page continues to be very active. The BAA Used Gear Page is the place to sell your used photographic equipment. We will help you to get your gear sold quickly for 20 to 60% or more than what the big guys are offering … Doubt me? Check out the Recent Sales list for the past ten months at the bottom of the page.
Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-120mm f/4G ED VR Lens
Lonnie Vance is offering a Nikon AF-S Nikkor 24-120mm f/4 VR lens in like-new condition for a very low $475.00. The sale includes the front and rear lens caps, the original box, the lens hood, 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.
Please contact Lonnie via email e-mail or on his mobile phone at 1-248-953-0695 (Central time zone). Please leave a message or send a text if there is no answer.
I loved my versatile, all purpose, don’t-leave-home-without-it, mid-range 24-120 zoom lens when I used Nikon. I felt it was much sharper than all versions of the Canon 24-105 lenses. And the VR allowed me to create sharp images handheld at silly-low shutter speeds like 1/8 second. This one sells new for $1,096.95 so you can save a very cool $621.95 by purchasing Lonnie’s lens. artie
SONY a7r iii Mirrorless Digital Camera Body(with SONY battery grip!)
Mansoor Assadi is offering a SONY a7r iii Mirrorless digital camera body in excellent condition for a very low $1198.00. The sale includes a Sony VG-C3EM Vertical Grip (a $348.00 value), only the original battery, the original box, the front body cap, the strap, and insured ground shipping via major courier. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.
Please contact Mansoor via e-mail or by phone at 415-559-8027 (Pacific time).
The 7r iii performed superbly as my workhorse camera body on the 2019 Galapagos Photo-Cruise of a Lifetime. The image files are superb and it was not bad at all for flight photography. As this body with the SONY grip sells new for $2,346.00, you can save a handsome $1,148.00 by grabbing Mansoor’s a7r iii (with the SONY grip!) right now. artie
SONY a9 Mirrorless Digital Camera Body
Mansoor Assadi is offering a SONY a9 Mirrorless digital camera body in like-new condition for a BAA record-low $2,297.00. The sale includes an off-brand (Green Extreme) battery grip, only the original battery, the original box, the front body cap, the strap, and insured ground shipping via major courier. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.
Please contact Mansoor via e-mail or by phone at 415-559-8027 (Pacific time).
I was sold on SONY five minutes after trying my SONY a9 on the Brandt’s Cormorants at La Jolla, CA. The AF system is identical to the AF system on the more expensive a9 ii which costs $4,498.00. The a9 ii body is about 1/8 inch thicker than the a9. If you do not have large hands, or if you like the feel of a smaller body, you will love the a9. And if you like the feel of $1,101.00 in your pocket — the a9 sells for $3,398.00 — get in touch with Mansoor ASAP. artie
Canon R5/R6 AF e-Guide Info
So far, 40 folks have sent PayPals for their copy of the Canon R5/R6 AF e-Guide. And 21 who used my affiliate links to purchase their R5 have e-mailed for and received their free copy of the guide. If you e-mailed or sent a PayPal and did not receive your guide, please LMK immediately via e-mail.
Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive so far. Three folks wrote stating that they had a better way of setting up AF on their R5s. When I wrote back explaining why they were in error, two of them back-tracked. One stubborn guy is still doing it his way — less efficiently. Be sure to scroll down to read about my plans for a Canon R5/R6 User’s e-Guide. Understand that the info in the BAA Canon R5/R6 Autofocus e-Guide is so important that I opted to publish the AF guide immediately as the R5/R6 User’s Guide will take at least a month to finish.
BAA Canon R5/R6 Autofocus e-Guide
Twenty-one pages. 3,452 words. 28-DPP4 screen captures showing the R5’s vaunted AF system in action. Note: the AF system of the R5 is identical to the AF system of the R6.
You will learn:
1- The two most useful AF Methods for general bird photography and for birds in flight.
2- How to set up your R5/R6 AF Menus.
3- What boxes to check (and un-check) under Limit AF Methods.
4- How to change the AF Method quickly, easily, and efficiently. Note: the default way of doing this is clunky, cumbersome, and inefficient at best. One person replied that this tip alone was worth the price of admission.
5- The only setting that should be used for Initial Servo AF pt for Face Detection + Tracking.
I you are currently using multiple back buttons either for general bird photography or for birds in flight, what you learn in this guide will change your life. For the better.
Here are the first three paragraphs of this e-Guide:
From the moment I learned about the new Canon mirrorless bodies, I read about using two or three back-buttons to focus using different AF methods. The word on the street said that the way to go for birds in flight was to use one button to acquire focus with Zone AF or with Large Zone: Horizontal AF and then switch to another button to activate Face Detection + Tracking AF and then use the shutter button to make an image. My immediate thought was, “This is insanity! There has got to be a better way.” In short, there is a far superior way to set up AF on your R5 or R6.
Remember that I got away from any form of back-button or rear focusing many years ago after finally realizing that it is always easier to do one thing (press the shutter button), than it is to do two things (press a back button and then press the shutter button).
The default method of switching AF Methods with the R5/R6 bodies is cumbersome at best. It involves first pressing the grid button (my name) on the upper right back of the camera and then pressing the hard-to-access M-Fn button to toggle through the AF Methods. This method is so bad that it will not be mentioned again in this guide.
The guide is free to all who have ordered an R5 or an R6 using my B&H affiliate link or from Steve Elkins/Bedfords using the BIRDSASART coupon code at checkout. Please send your receipt to me via e-mail. It will take me a few days to a week to verify the B&H purchases. Bedfords folks should expect their free e-Guides fairly quickly.
To purchase your copy of the e-Guide, please send a PayPal for $25.00 to birdsasart@verizon.net and be sure to include the words R5/R6 AF Guide in your PayPal e-mail.
Everyone who gets the guide will receive a free update no later than the first week in January.
Canon R5/R6 User’s e-Guide
I am planning on doing a complete Canon R5/R6 User’s e-Guide. This will require a lot of research, a lot of time, and a lot of effort. I am hoping to have it complete by mid- to late January. As always, folks who use the BAA affiliate links to purchase their Canon gear will receive a substantial discount.
Understand that the info in the BAA Canon R5/R6 Autofocus e-Guide is so important that I opted to publish the AF guide ASAP.
Please Remember
With income from IPTs approaching zero, please, if you enjoy and learn from the blog, remember to use one of my two affiliate programs when purchasing new gear. Doing so just might make it possible for me to avoid having to try to get a job as a Walmart greeter and will not cost you a single penny more. And if you use Bedfords and remember to enter the BIRDSASART code at checkout, you will save 3% on every order and enjoy free second-day air shipping. In these crazy times — I am out at least forty to sixty thousand dollars so far due to COVID 19 (with lots more to come) — remembering to use my B&H link or to shop at Bedfords will help me out a ton and be greatly appreciated. Overseas folks who cannot order from the US because of import fees, duties, and taxes can always help out by clicking here if they see fit.
Great Topaz News!
Folks who use the BAA Topaz link to purchase Sharpen AI, DeNoise AI, or the Utility Bundle (or any other Topaz plugins) will receive a 15% discount by entering the ARTHUR15 code at checkout. To get the discount you must use my link and you must enter the discount code. Be sure to start with this link.
Topaz Stuff
As I said just a while back and have said often many times before, I should have listened sooner. If you, like me, are new to the Topaz party, please use this link to purchase. Right now I can wholeheartedly recommend both Topaz Sharpen AI and Topaz DeNoise AI. Though I have not yet worked with JPEGtoRAW AI or Gigapixel AI, I have installed both of these plug-ins and look forward to trying them on some I-Phone 11 images fairly soon. If you are thinking like me, consider the Utility Bundle that includes all four plug-ins mentioned above at a money-saving price.
Again, those who purchase Sharpen AI or DeNoise AI using my link, can e-mail to request a short Getting Started with Topaz e-Guide. I had a bit of trouble getting the two plug-ins installed and having them appear in the Photoshop Filter Menu. In addition, I will explain how to best learn about the two plug-ins by applying them on a Layer (in Photoshop).
New and Better Bedfords Discount Policy!
You can now save 3% on all of your Bedfords photo gear purchases by entering the BIRDSASART coupon code at checkout. Your discount will be applied to your pre-tax total. In addition, by using the code you will get 2nd day air shipping via Fed Ex.
Grab a Nikon AF-S Teleconverter TC-14E III and save $14.99. Purchase a Canon EOS R5 and your discount will be $116.97. Purchase a Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens and save a remarkable $389.94! Your Bedford’s purchase no longer needs to be greater than $1,000.00 for you to receive a discount. The more you spend, the more you save.
Money Saving Reminder
Many have learned that if you need a hot photo item that is out of stock at B&H and would enjoy free overnight shipping, your best bet is to click here, place an order with Bedfords, and enter the coupon code BIRDSASART at checkout. If an item is out of stock, contact Steve Elkins via e-mail or on his cell phone at (479) 381-2592 (Central time). Be sure to mention the BIRDSASART coupon code and use it for your online order o save 3% and enjoy free 2nd-day air shipping. Steve has been great at getting folks the hot items that are out of stock at B&H and everywhere else. The wait lists at the big stores can be a year or longer for the hard to get items. Steve will surely get you your gear long before that. For the past year, he has been helping BAA Blog folks get their hands on items like the SONY a9 ii, the SONY 200-600 G OSS lens, the Canon EOS R5, the Canon RF 100-500mm lens, and the Nikon 500mm PF. Steve is personable, helpful, and eager to please.
Gear Questions and Advice
Too many folks attending BAA IPTs and dozens of photographers whom I see in the field and on BPN, are–out of ignorance–using the wrong gear especially when it comes to tripods and more especially, tripod heads… Please know that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail. Those questions might deal with systems, camera bodies, accessories, and/or lens choices and decisions.
Tracking Flexible Spot (M) AF-C was active at the moment of exposure and performed perfectly. Click on the image to see a larger version.
Image #1: Great Blue Heron juvenile from directly below
Looking Up at Herons and Egrets
Creating fun images like this is usually easy at Fort DeSoto, especially if you know where to find the right situation. Join me on Friday or Saturday and I will teach you the basics as far as perspective, exposure, AF, and aperture are concerned. Remember that I am conversant with all three major camera systems: SONY, Canon, and Nikon. Last week, Joe Usewicz and Carl Page had a ton of fun and learned more than they thought possible in just three hours.
Be sure to click on the image to view it larger.
Image #2A: Topaz DeNoise AI on Auto on the Great Blue Heron adult from below image at 100%
Topaz DeNoise AI on the Great Blue Heron juvenile from directly below image
With this mega-exposed to the right image (thanks to Zebras and RawDigger) ISO 2500, there was not much noise to being with. Click on the screen capture to see what a good job that Topaz DeNoise AI on Auto did with non-destructively sharpening the feathers right above the bird’s eye.
This image was created on 12 December 2020 at Fort DeSoto Park during a morning session with new friend Carl Page. I used the handheld Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM lens (at 400mm) and the highly touted 45MP Canon EOS R5 Mirrorless Digital camera body. ISO 500. Exposure determined by experience and luck and confirmed as perfect by RawDigger: 1/800 sec. at f/10 in Manual mode. AWB at 9:36am on a partly sunny morning.
Face Detection + Tracking/AI Servo AF was active at the moment of exposure and performed to perfection; the active AF point tracked and nailed the bird’s eye. Click on the image to see a larger version.
Image #2: Great Blue Heron adult from below
It Depends on the Wind and the Light
On sunny days, the wind determines whether you will be able to photograph the birds head from below with them looking right down the lens barrel or from the side. On cloudy days you have a lot more freedom when choosing your perspective as there is no need to stay on sun angle when there are no shadows.
Be sure to click on the image to view it larger.
Image #2A: Topaz DeNoise AI on Auto on the Great Blue Heron adult from below image at 100%
Topaz DeNoise AI on the Great Blue Heron adult from below image
With this image, Topaz DeNoise AI on Auto has taken a pretty much perfect, nearly noise-free image and made it just a little bit cleaner and a little bit sharper. I run DeNoise on virtually every image that I process.
Typos
Feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors. Just be right :). with love, artie
I stayed in and worked on the RawDigger e-Guide on Tuesday morning. At 10am, Jim and I drove down to the lake to get wet and muddy. With a roll of stiff wire and a pair of pliers, we repaired The Perch that I had erected with Anita North about two years ago. I thought that it has simply fallen down, but closer inspection revealed that it actually broke in half. We were able to wire the upper part of the perch to the lower part. The best news is that the horizontal part of the perch at the top was shortened perfectly when it fell. After that was done, we erected a second tall perch that I had found last week on a day of perch hunting. Thanks, Jim!
Now I will see how long it takes for the birds to get used to them 🙂
Today is Wednesday 16 December 2020. The forecast is partly cloudy with gentle south/southeast winds so I will be headed down to the lake at about 7:30am. Have a great day, and consider joining me at DeSoto at the end of this week.
I peeked out the back door at 7:13am and saw that it is totally foggy so my trip to the lake will be delayed just a bit.
Fort DeSoto In-the-Field Instructional Sessions
As the weather is looking excellent again for this coming Friday and Saturday, I will almost surely be headed over to Fort DeSoto to photograph early on Friday and Saturday mornings. If you would like to join me for one or two morning sessions (and possibly for a Friday afternoon session as well), please contact me via e-mail to learn the low rates.Limit two.
The BAA Used Gear Page
The Used Gear page continues to be red hot! It is BAA Used Gear Page is the place to sell your used photographic equipment. We will help you to get your gear sold quickly for 20 to 60% or more than what the big guys are offering … Doubt me? Check out the Recent Sales list for the past ten months at the bottom of the page.
Brand New Listings
SONY a7r iii Mirrorless Digital Camera Body(with SONY battery grip!)
Mansoor Assadi is offering a SONY a7r iii Mirrorless digital camera body in excellent condition for a very low $1198.00. The sale includes a Sony VG-C3EM Vertical Grip (a $348.00 value), only the original battery, the original box, the front body cap, the strap, and insured ground shipping via major courier. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.
Please contact Mansoor via e-mail or by phone at 415-559-8027 (Pacific time).
The 7r iii performed superbly as my workhorse camera body on the 2019 Galapagos Photo-Cruise of a Lifetime. The image files are superb and it was not bad at all for flight photography. As this body with the SONY grip sells new for $2,346.00, you can save a handsome $1,148.00 by grabbing Mansoor’s a7r iii (with the SONY grip!) right now. artie
SONY a9 Mirrorless Digital Camera Body
Mansoor Assadi is offering a SONY a9 Mirrorless digital camera body in like-new condition for a BAA record-low $2,297.00. The sale includes an off-brand (Green Extreme) battery grip, only the original battery, the original box, the front body cap, the strap, and insured ground shipping via major courier. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.
Please contact Mansoor via e-mail or by phone at 415-559-8027 (Pacific time).
I was sold on SONY five minutes after trying my SONY a9 on the Brandt’s Cormorants at La Jolla, CA. The AF system is identical to the AF system on the more expensive a9 ii which costs $4,498.00. The a9 ii body is about 1/8 inch thicker than the a9 ii. If you do not have large hands, or if you like the feel of a smaller body, you will love the a9. And if you like the feel of $1,101.00 in your pocket — the a9 sells for $3,398.00 — get in touch with Mansoor ASAP. artie
Canon R5/R6 AF e-Guide Info
So far, thirty-six folks have sent PayPals for their copy of the Canon R5/R6 AF e-Guide. And twenty who used my affiliate links to purchase their R5 e-mailed for their free copy of the guide. If you e-mailed or sent a PayPal and did not receive your guide, please LMK immediately via e-mail.
Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive so far. Three folks wrote stating that they had a better way of setting up AF on their R5s. When I wrote back explaining why they were in error, two of them back-tracked. One stubborn guy is still doing it his way, less efficiently. Be sure to scroll down to read about my plans for a Canon R5/R6 User’s e-Guide. Understand that the info in the BAA Canon R5/R6 Autofocus e-Guide is so important that I opted to publish the AF guide immediately as the R5/R6 User’s Guide will take at least a month to finish.
BAA Canon R5/R6 Autofocus e-Guide
Twenty-one pages. 3,452 words. 28-DPP4 screen captures showing the R5’s vaunted AF system in action. Note: the AF system of the R5 is identical to the AF system of the R6.
You will learn:
1- The two most useful AF Methods for general bird photography and for birds in flight.
2- How to set up your R5/R6 AF Menus.
3- What boxes to check (and un-check) under Limit AF Methods.
4- How to change the AF Method quickly, easily, and efficiently. Note: the default way of doing this is clunky, cumbersome, and inefficient at best. One person replied that this tip alone was worth the price of admission.
5- The only setting that should be used for Initial Servo AF pt for Face Detection + Tracking.
I you are currently using multiple back buttons either for general bird photography or for birds in flight, what you learn in this guide will change your life. For the better.
Here are the first three paragraphs of this e-Guide:
From the moment I learned about the new Canon mirrorless bodies, I read about using two or three back-buttons to focus using different AF methods. The word on the street said that the way to go for birds in flight was to use one button to acquire focus with Zone AF or with Large Zone: Horizontal AF and then switch to another button to activate Face Detection + Tracking AF and then use the shutter button to make an image. My immediate thought was, “This is insanity! There has got to be a better way.” In short, there is a far superior way to set up AF on your R5 or R6.
Remember that I got away from any form of back-button or rear focusing many years ago after finally realizing that it is always easier to do one thing (press the shutter button), than it is to do two things (press a back button and then press the shutter button).
The default method of switching AF Methods with the R5/R6 bodies is cumbersome at best. It involves first pressing the grid button (my name) on the upper right back of the camera and then pressing the hard-to-access M-Fn button to toggle through the AF Methods. This method is so bad that it will not be mentioned again in this guide.
The guide is free to all who have ordered an R5 or an R6 using my B&H affiliate link or from Steve Elkins/Bedfords using the BIRDSASART coupon code at checkout. Please send your receipt to me via e-mail. It will take me a few days to a week to verify the B&H purchases. Bedfords folks should expect their free e-Guides fairly quickly.
To purchase your copy of the e-Guide, please send a PayPal for $25.00 to birdsasart@verizon.net and be sure to include the words R5/R6 AF Guide in your PayPal e-mail.
Everyone who gets the guide will receive a free update no later than the first week in January.
Canon R5/R6 User’s e-Guide
I am planning on doing a complete Canon R5/R6 User’s e-Guide. This will require a lot of research, a lot of time, and a lot of effort. I am hoping to have it complete by mid- to late January. As always, folks who use the BAA affiliate links to purchase their Canon gear will receive a substantial discount.
Understand that the info in the BAA Canon R5/R6 Autofocus e-Guide is so important that I opted to publish the AF guide ASAP.
Please Remember
With income from IPTs approaching zero, please, if you enjoy and learn from the blog, remember to use one of my two affiliate programs when purchasing new gear. Doing so just might make it possible for me to avoid having to try to get a job as a Walmart greeter and will not cost you a single penny more. And if you use Bedfords and remember to enter the BIRDSASART code at checkout, you will save 3% on every order and enjoy free second-day air shipping. In these crazy times — I am out at least forty to sixty thousand dollars so far due to COVID 19 (with lots more to come) — remembering to use my B&H link or to shop at Bedfords will help me out a ton and be greatly appreciated. Overseas folks who cannot order from the US because of import fees, duties, and taxes can always help out by clicking here if they see fit.
Great Topaz News!
Folks who use the BAA Topaz link to purchase Sharpen AI, DeNoise AI, or the Utility Bundle (or any other Topaz plugins) will receive a 15% discount by entering the ARTHUR15 code at checkout. To get the discount you must use my link and you must enter the discount code. Be sure to start with this link.
Topaz Stuff
As I said just a while back and have said often many times before, I should have listened sooner. If you, like me, are new to the Topaz party, please use this link to purchase. Right now I can wholeheartedly recommend both Topaz Sharpen AI and Topaz DeNoise AI. Though I have not yet worked with JPEGtoRAW AI or Gigapixel AI, I have installed both of these plug-ins and look forward to trying them on some I-Phone 11 images fairly soon. If you are thinking like me, consider the Utility Bundle that includes all four plug-ins mentioned above at a money-saving price.
Again, those who purchase Sharpen AI or DeNoise AI using my link, can e-mail to request a short Getting Started with Topaz e-Guide. I had a bit of trouble getting the two plug-ins installed and having them appear in the Photoshop Filter Menu. In addition, I will explain how to best learn about the two plug-ins by applying them on a Layer (in Photoshop).
126 sold to rave reviews.
The SONY e-Guide by Patrick Sparkman and Arthur Morris
The Sony Camera User’s e-Guide (and Videos)
Click here to purchase the guide with one Camera Set-up Video. Be sure to e-mail us by clicking here to specify your camera body so that we can send you a link for the correct video.
Click here to purchase the guide with two Camera Set-up Videos. Be sure to e-mail us by clicking here to specify your two camera bodies so that we can send you links for the correct videos.
You can now save 3% on all of your Bedfords photo gear purchases by entering the BIRDSASART coupon code at checkout. Your discount will be applied to your pre-tax total. In addition, by using the code you will get 2nd day air shipping via Fed Ex.
Grab a Nikon AF-S Teleconverter TC-14E III and save $14.99. Purchase a Canon EOS R5 and your discount will be $116.97. Purchase a Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens and save a remarkable $389.94! Your Bedford’s purchase no longer needs to be greater than $1,000.00 for you to receive a discount. The more you spend, the more you save.
Money Saving Reminder
Many have learned that if you need a hot photo item that is out of stock at B&H and would enjoy free overnight shipping, your best bet is to click here, place an order with Bedfords, and enter the coupon code BIRDSASART at checkout. If an item is out of stock, contact Steve Elkins via e-mail or on his cell phone at (479) 381-2592 (Eastern time). Be sure to mention the 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 and everywhere else. The wait lists at the big stores can be a year or longer for the hard to get items. Steve will surely get you your gear long before that. For the past year, he has been helping BAA Blog folks get their hands on items like the SONY a9 ii, the SONY 200-600 G OSS lens, the Canon EOS R5, the Canon RF 100-500mm lens, and the Nikon 500mm PF. Steve is personable, helpful, and eager to please.
Gear Questions and Advice
Too many folks attending BAA IPTs and dozens of photographers whom I see in the field and on BPN, are–out of ignorance–using the wrong gear especially when it comes to tripods and more especially, tripod heads… Please know that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail. Those questions might deal with systems, camera bodies, accessories, and/or lens choices and decisions.
Tracking Flexible Spot (M) AF-C was active at the moment of exposure and performed to perfection. Click the image to see a larger version.
Image #1: American White Pelican in fresh juvenal plumage
American White Pelican in Fresh Juvenal Plumage
I was thrilled to see several American White Pelican in fresh juvenal plumage in a flock of about forty early-arriving birds in mid-October of this year. Note all the brown and tan feathers on what I believe are the wing coverts. Wanting to create a field–guide-portrait of single bird in what was a brand new plumage for me, I added the 2X TC to the 600 GM and approached carefully. I got lucky as the birds swam from one group to another and was thrilled with several frames; this one was my favorite by a small margin.
Be sure to click on the image to view it larger.
Image #1A: Topaz DeNoise AI on Auto on the American White Pelican in fresh juvenal plumage image at 100%
Topaz DeNoise AI on the American White Pelican in fresh juvenal plumage image
Be sure to click on the image and note how Topaz DeNoise AI on Auto completely eliminated the noise in the blue water background and while sharpening the bird non-destructively.
Understand that the noise in the water was partly due to the fact that water was about one stop under-exposed as we properly exposed for the WHITEs. Remember: WHITEs need one stop less light to be properly exposed than middle tones and about one and two-thirds stops less light than dark tones. Confused? See and study the section on Exposure Theory in the original The Art of Bird Photography.
Tracking Flexible Spot (M) AF-C was active at the moment of exposure and performed surprisingly well. Click the image to see a larger version.
Image #2: American White Pelican adult taking flight
You Know the Drill!
If I have said it here once … When unexpected action happens, push the shutter button. Do not try to make it perfect. I created about a dozen sequences of individual birds taking flight knowing that at 1200mm (much too long a focal length), my chances of not clipping wings or feet or heads were somewhere between slim and none. But push the button I did, and in just one frame, slim came home! You can see how tight the original image capture was and what I did about that in the Animated GIF just below.
Adding Canvas with Choppy Water …
First I tried adding canvas using the Crop Tool/Content-Aware Fill option. That made a total mess of things. Instead, I expanded the canvas and then filled in the skinny triangle on three of the frame edges one skinny triangle at a time!. Though I am sure that the pixel-peepers could find some problematic areas, the optimized image with just a bit more room behind, above, and in front of the subject, is a lot more pleasing to my eye.
The expanding and filling in canvas techniques mentioned above and tons more great Photoshop tips and tricks are covered in detail in the BIRDS AS ART Current Workflow e-Guide (Digital Basics II), an instructional PDF that is sent via e-mail.
Exposure Fine-Point Question
Why did I use 1/3-stop less light to photograph the adult than I did to make the image of the juvenile?
Note: both exposures were confirmed as dead-solid perfect by RawDigger.
RawDigger e-Guide and Video Advance Copy Available
Save $10 Now
The RawDigger e-Guide and Video is almost finished. It will sell for $51.00. If you are anxious to get started with RawDigger, learn to mega-Expose to the Right, and wind up with the highest quality image files, you can save $10.00 and have a chance to review a pre-publication copy of the guide by sending a PayPal for $41.00 to birdsasart@verizon.net with the words RawDigger e-Guide and Video Pre-publication Copy cut and pasted into the Subject line. The recent delay is the result of my recent conversations with Iliah Borg, the brains behind RawDigger. It is likely that the Shock-your-World section will shock you.
You will of course receive a link for the completed PDF when the guide is finished.
Typos
Feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors. Just be right :). with love, artie
I was so into assembling this blog post that I stayed in on an absolutely gorgeous morning. This blog post took about eight hours to prepare (including the time spent on the image optimizations. There is a ton of great stuff below. Note especially the versatility of the Canon RF 100-500, the great things that can be done with Topaz DeNoise and Sharpen AI, the fun I had on both Friday and Saturday, and the incredible variety of (tame!) subjects available at Fort DeSoto Park.
And the craziest thing is that I could post ten more really good images from the same two sessions.
Since the powers that be have effectively closed New Mexico and California to tourism, I will be offering many programs at Fort DeSoto Park just below St. Petersburg, FL. The first of those follows immediately.
Please consider leaving a comment letting us know which of today’s (ten!) featured images you think is the strongest, and why.
Fort DeSoto In-the-Field Instructional Sessions
As the weather is looking excellent again for this coming Friday and Saturday, I will almost surely be headed over to Fort DeSoto to photograph early on Friday and Saturday mornings. If you would like to join me for one or two morning sessions (and possibly for a Friday afternoon session as well), please contact me via e-mail to learn the low rates.
R5 Bodies Available Right Now!
Steve Elkins at Bedfords Camera still has a handful of R5 bodies ready to ship second day air with the 3% discount for using the BIRDSASART code at checkout. Not to mention a free copy of the Canon R5/R6 AF e-Guide. Scroll down to get in touch with Steve.
Canon R5/R6 AF e-Guide Info
Yesterday, thirteen folks sent PayPals for their copy of the Canon R5/R6 AF e-Guide. And twelve who used my affiliate links to purchase their R5 e-mailed for their free copy of the guide. If you e-mailed or sent a PayPal and did not receive your guide, please LMK immediately via e-mail.
Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive so far. Two folks wrote stating that they had a better way of setting up AF on their R5s. When I wrote back explaining why they were in error, they both back-tracked. Be sure to scroll down to read about my plans for a Canon R5/R6 User’s e-Guide. Understand that the info in the BAA Canon R5/R6 Autofocus e-Guide is so important that I opted to publish the AF guide immediately as the R5/R6 User’s Guide will take at least a month to finish.
BAA Canon R5/R6 Autofocus e-Guide
Twenty-one pages. 3,452 words. 28-DPP4 screen captures showing the R5’s vaunted AF system in action. Note: the AF system of the R5 is identical to the AF system of the R6.
You will learn:
1- The two most useful AF Methods for general bird photography and for birds in flight.
2- How to set up your R5/R6 AF Menus.
3- What boxes to check (and un-check) under Limit AF Methods.
4- How to change the AF Method quickly, easily, and efficiently. Note: the default way of doing this is clunky, cumbersome, and inefficient at best. One person replied that this tip alone was worth the price of admission.
5- The only setting that should be used for Initial Servo AF pt for Face Detection + Tracking.
I you are currently using multiple back buttons either for general bird photography or for birds in flight, what you learn in this guide will change your life. For the better.
Here are the first three paragraphs of this e-Guide:
From the moment I learned about the new Canon mirrorless bodies, I read about using two or three back-buttons to focus using different AF methods. The word on the street said that the way to go for birds in flight was to use one button to acquire focus with Zone AF or with Large Zone: Horizontal AF and then switch to another button to activate Face Detection + Tracking AF and then use the shutter button to make an image. My immediate thought was, “This is insanity! There has got to be a better way.” In short, there is a far superior way to set up AF on your R5 or R6.
Remember that I got away from any form of back-button or rear focusing many years ago after finally realizing that it is always easier to do one thing (press the shutter button), than it is to do two things (press a back button and then press the shutter button).
The default method of switching AF Methods with the R5/R6 bodies is cumbersome at best. It involves first pressing the grid button (my name) on the upper right back of the camera and then pressing the hard-to-access M-Fn button to toggle through the AF Methods. This method is so bad that it will not be mentioned again in this guide.
The guide is free to all who have ordered an R5 or an R6 using my B&H affiliate link or from Steve Elkins/Bedfords using the BIRDSASART coupon code at checkout. Please send your receipt to me via e-mail. It will take me a few days to a week to verify the B&H purchases. Bedfords folks should expect their free e-Guides fairly quickly.
To purchase your copy of the e-Guide, please send a PayPal for $25.00 to birdsasart@verizon.net and be sure to include the words R5/R6 AF Guide in your PayPal e-mail.
Everyone who gets the guide will receive a free update no later than the first week in January.
Canon R5/R6 User’s e-Guide
I am planning on doing a complete Canon R5/R6 User’s e-Guide. This will require a lot of research, a lot of time, and a lot of effort. I am hoping to have it complete by mid- to late January. As always, folks who use the BAA affiliate links to purchase their Canon gear will receive a substantial discount.
Understand that the info in the BAA Canon R5/R6 Autofocus e-Guide is so important that I opted to publish the AF guide ASAP.
Please Remember
With income from IPTs approaching zero, please, if you enjoy and learn from the blog, remember to use one of my two affiliate programs when purchasing new gear. Doing so just might make it possible for me to avoid having to try to get a job as a Walmart greeter and will not cost you a single penny more. And if you use Bedfords and remember to enter the BIRDSASART code at checkout, you will save 3% on every order and enjoy free second-day air shipping. In these crazy times — I am out at least forty to sixty thousand dollars so far due to COVID 19 (with lots more to come) — remembering to use my B&H link or to shop at Bedfords will help me out a ton and be greatly appreciated. Overseas folks who cannot order from the US because of import fees, duties, and taxes can always help out by clicking here if they see fit.
Great Topaz News!
Folks who use the BAA Topaz link to purchase Sharpen AI, DeNoise AI, or the Utility Bundle (or any other Topaz plugins) will receive a 15% discount by entering the ARTHUR15 code at checkout. To get the discount you must use my link and you must enter the discount code. Be sure to start with this link.
Topaz Stuff
As I said just a while back and have said often many times before, I should have listened sooner. If you, like me, are new to the Topaz party, please use this link to purchase. Right now I can wholeheartedly recommend both Topaz Sharpen AI and Topaz DeNoise AI. Though I have not yet worked with JPEGtoRAW AI or Gigapixel AI, I have installed both of these plug-ins and look forward to trying them on some I-Phone 11 images fairly soon. If you are thinking like me, consider the Utility Bundle that includes all four plug-ins mentioned above at a money-saving price.
Again, those who purchase Sharpen AI or DeNoise AI using my link, can e-mail to request a short Getting Started with Topaz e-Guide. I had a bit of trouble getting the two plug-ins installed and having them appear in the Photoshop Filter Menu. In addition, I will explain how to best learn about the two plug-ins by applying them on a Layer (in Photoshop).
New and Better Bedfords Discount Policy!
You can now save 3% on all of your Bedfords photo gear purchases by entering the BIRDSASART coupon code at checkout. Your discount will be applied to your pre-tax total. In addition, by using the code you will get 2nd day air shipping via Fed Ex.
Grab a Nikon AF-S Teleconverter TC-14E III and save $14.99. Purchase a Canon EOS R5 and your discount will be $116.97. Purchase a Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens and save a remarkable $389.94! Your Bedford’s purchase no longer needs to be greater than $1,000.00 for you to receive a discount. The more you spend, the more you save.
Money Saving Reminder
Many have learned that if you need a hot photo item that is out of stock at B&H and would enjoy free overnight shipping, your best bet is to click here, place an order with Bedfords, and enter the coupon code BIRDSASART at checkout. If an item is out of stock, contact Steve Elkins via e-mail or on his cell phone at (479) 381-2592 (Eastern time). Be sure to mention the 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 and everywhere else. The wait lists at the big stores can be a year or longer for the hard to get items. Steve will surely get you your gear long before that. For the past year, he has been helping BAA Blog folks get their hands on items like the SONY a9 ii, the SONY 200-600 G OSS lens, the Canon EOS R5, the Canon RF 100-500mm lens, and the Nikon 500mm PF. Steve is personable, helpful, and eager to please.
This image was created on 11 December 2020 at Fort DeSoto Park during a morning session with old and new friend Joe Usewicz. I used the handheld Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM lens (at 400mm) and the highly touted 45MP Canon EOS R5 Mirrorless Digital camera body. ISO 800. Exposure determined by experience and luck and confirmed as perfect by RawDigger: 1/2000 sec. at f/7.1 (wide open) in Manual mode. AWB at 7:36am on a clear sunny morning.
Face Detection + Tracking/AI Servo AF was active at the moment of exposure and performed well; the active AF point caught the back of the bird’s head just behind and on the same plane as the bird’s eye.
Click on the image to see a larger version.
Image #1: Great Egret in early morning light
The Start of a Great Two Days of Learning for Everyone!
I love this one for the dark cloud reflected in the water. Without Zebras I am still struggling with getting the exposure right with the R5 but I did manage to get this one right as I had time to make a test image or two. Notice that zooming out here enabled me to include the whole reflection.
This image was also created on 11 December 2020 at Fort DeSoto Park during the morning session with old and new friend Joe Usewicz. I used the handheld Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM lens with the Canon Extender RF 1.4x (at 700mm) and the highly touted 45MP Canon EOS R5 Mirrorless Digital camera body. ISO 640. Exposure determined by experience and luck and confirmed as near-perfect by RawDigger: 1/1250 sec. at f/11 (stopped down 1/3 stop) in Manual mode. AWB at 9:52am on a mostly sunny morning.
Face Detection + Tracking/AI Servo AF was active at the moment of exposure and performed perfectly by nailing the eye.
Click on the image to see a larger version.
Image #2: Immature Great Black-backed Gull with mollusk (or mollusks?)
Lots of Great Gulls!
Joe and I took a nice walk down the beach at my favorite morning backup location. At one point we had five gull species right in front of us: Laughing, Ring-billed, Herring, Lesser Black-backed, and Great Black-backed. The latter is not a common bird in Florida and was quite cooperative. Lesser Black-backed began occurring recently in Florida about a decade ago. Twenty years ago it was a mega-rarity. For the last few years I see more lessers than greats.
This image was also created during the morning in-the-field session on 11 December 2020 at Fort DeSoto Park. I used the handheld Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM lens with the Canon Extender RF 1.4x (at 599mm) and the highly touted 45MP Canon EOS R5 Mirrorless Digital camera body. ISO 640. Exposure determined by experience and luck and confirmed as near-perfect by RawDigger: 1/1600 sec. at f/9 (wide open at 599mm) in Manual mode. AWB at 10:19am on a mostly sunny morning. I was working overtime 🙂
Face Detection + Tracking/AI Servo AF was active at the moment of exposure and performed perfectly by nailing the eye.
Click on the image to see a larger version.
Image #3: Immature Reddish Egret head portrait
Immature Reddish Egret
This bird is silly-tame. I located it again on Saturday but it grabbed a fish from a fisherman’s bucket, flew up to the top of a very tall light post and stayed there. Note that immature Reddish Egrets have greenish-yellow lores.
Image #3A: The DPP4 screen capture for the immature Reddish Egret head portrait image showing the active AF point.
DPP4 Screen Capture
Note the red square right on the bird’s eye. With Face Detection + Tracking AF and relatively static subjects, successful image designs are the attained by careful framing along with lots of practice. It is easy to be sloppy and mis-frame an image … I will be doing a blog post soon showing lots of those.
Bill Tip Clean-Up
The butt-ugly bill tip here really bugged me. I used my usual cadre of clean-up tools for the repairs: the Spot Healing Brush, Content Aware Fill, several Quick Masks both transformed and refined by Regular Layer Masks, and rarely, the Clone Stamp Tool. The clean-up techniques mentioned above and tons more great Photoshop tips are detailed in the BIRDS AS ART Current Workflow e-Guide (Digital Basics II), an instructional PDF that is sent via e-mail. You can learn advanced Quick Masking and advanced Layer Masking techniques in APTATS I & II. You can save $15 by purchasing the pair.
This image was created on 12 December 2020 at Fort DeSoto Park during a morning session with new friend Carl Page. I used the handheld Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM lens (at 500mm) and the highly touted 45MP Canon EOS R5 Mirrorless Digital camera body. ISO 5000. Exposure determined by experience and luck and confirmed as perfect by RawDigger: 1/640 sec. at f/7.1 (wide open) in Manual mode. AWB at 7:31am on a very cloudy morning.
Face Detection + Tracking/AI Servo AF was active at the moment of exposure and performed to perfection by nailing the eye.
Click on the image to enjoy a larger version.
Image #4: Immature Piping Plover
The Start of the Second of Great Two Days of Learning for Everyone!
Carl Page was enthusiastic and learn a ton. Here is what he said via text message:
Thank you again Artie. I learned a lot, made a new friend, and had fun.
With the low light conditions, adding the TC would have been fatal. I have been amazed at how easy it is to get close to small birds like this Piping Plover when you are not lugging around a huge lens and a big tripod …
Be sure to click on the image to view it larger.
Image #4A: Topaz DeNoise AI on Auto on the immature Piping Plover image at 100%
Topaz DeNoise AI on the Immature Piping Plover image
ISO 5000? Are you kidding me? By mega-exposing to the right (thanks to RawDigger) there was not much noise in this ISO 5000 image to start with. Topaz DeNoise AI on Auto cleaned it up beautifully while sharpening it non-destructively. As I have been saying here a lot recently, it is a whole new world.
Be sure to click on the image to see the fine feather detail (FFD). Note; with WHITEs in soft light you will never see much FFD.
This image was created on 12 December 2020 at Fort DeSoto Park during a morning session with new friend Carl Page. I used the handheld Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM lens (at 500mm) and the highly touted 45MP Canon EOS R5 Mirrorless Digital camera body. ISO 2000. Exposure determined by experience and luck and confirmed as perfect by RawDigger: 1/160 sec. at f/13 in Manual mode. AWB at 7:45am on a very cloudy morning.
1-point/AI Servo AF was active at the moment of exposure and performed perfectly as expected.
Click on the image to enjoy a larger version.
Image #5: Mussel shell on beach
100-500 RF Close Focusing!
As noted in the big An Honest and Extensive Comparison: the Canon R5/RF 100-500L IS lens/Extender 1.4X versus the SONY a9 ii/200-600 G OSS lens/FE Teleconverter 1.4X blog post here, the RF 100-500 at 500mm focuses down to 3.94 feet or 1.2 meters offering 0.33X maximum magnification.
There was lots of small interesting stuff on the beach that caught my eye. The great MFD of the RF 100-500 allowed me — by standing tall — to stand almost directly above this mussel shell (at 500mm or a bit less with focus breathing). The 0.33X magnification greatly expands the versatility of the Canon 1-5.
Be sure to click on the image to better see the noise reduction on the shell.
Image #5A: Topaz DeNoise AI on Auto on the Mussel shell on beach image at 100%
R5 Problems with Under-exposed Shadows …
Since I had to expose for the brightest white sand, the middle-toned shell is about 1 stop under. Be sure to click on the image to see how Topaz DeNoise AI on Auto cleaned up the noise on the shell very nicely. In an e-mail conversation with blog regular Adam Rubenstein, I learned that noise with under-exposed R5 images can be a serious problem, much more so than with SONY images. I will be sharing what I learned with you in a blog here post soon.
Be sure to click on the image to better see the noise reduction on the shell.
Image #5B: Topaz Sharpen AI on Auto on the Mussel shell on beach image at 100%
Topaz Sharpen AI on the Mussel shell on Beach image
Click on the image to see the amazing non-destructive sharpening of the grains os sand provided by Topaz Sharpen AI at 100%. I figured that I had not done a good job of holding the lens steady so I was not surprised to see that Sharpen AI went with Stability which does a great job with motion blur. Since I had already ran DeNoise AI, I reduced the Noise Suppression slider setting from 45 to 15. In short, I should’ve been on a tripod 🙂
This image was created on 12 December 2020 at Fort DeSoto Park during a morning in-the field session. I used the handheld Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM lens (at 451mm) and the highly touted 45MP Canon EOS R5 Mirrorless Digital camera body. ISO 320. Exposure determined by experience and luck: 1/1000 sec. at f/7.1 (wide open) in Manual mode. AWB at 7:55am on a now partly cloudy morning.
Face Detection + Tracking/AI Servo AF was active at the moment of exposure and performed to perfection by nailing the eye.
Click on the image to enjoy a larger version.
Image #6: Little Blue Heron delayed sunrise silhouette
Little Blue Heron delayed-sunrise silhouette
When I saw the sun peeking through the clouds about 30 minutes after sunrise, I saw the possibility for a nice silhouette. I called Carl but he was too busy having fun elsewhere. Note that the exposed to the right raw file was totally blah as far as the color. Knowing the potential, I brought the image to life during the raw conversion in Capture One with the Advanced Color Editor.
This image was created on 12 December 2020 at Fort DeSoto Park during the morning in-the field session. I used the handheld Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM lens (at 200mm) and the highly touted 45MP Canon EOS R5 Mirrorless Digital camera body. ISO 800. Exposure determined by experience and luck: 1/160 sec. at f/7.1 (wide open) in Manual mode. AWB at 8:00am on a now cloudy morning.
1-point/AI Servo AF was active at the moment of exposure and performed to perfection by nailing the eye.
Click on the image to enjoy a larger version.
Image #7: Horseshoe Crab molted shell
Living and Learning
Here was another interesting non-bird subject. I thought that it was a dead Horseshoe Crab, but was not really sure that. An online search led me to the Virginian-Pilot article here where I learned that the molted shells of these arthropods typically include the legs!
This image was also created on 12 December 2020 at Fort DeSoto Park during the morning in-the field session. I used the handheld Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM lens (at 500mm) and the highly touted 45MP Canon EOS R5 Mirrorless Digital camera body. ISO 5000. Exposure determined by experience and luck: 1/2000 sec. at f/7.1 (wide open) in Manual mode. AWB at 8:08am on a cloudy morning.
Face Detection + Tracking/AI Servo AF was active at the moment of exposure and performed to perfection by tracking and nailing the bird’s eye.
Click on the image to enjoy a larger version.
Image #8: Greater Yellowlegs rush-feeding
Greater Yellowlegs Rush-feeding
Several species of shorebirds — most notably the avocets — exhibit the rush-feeding behavior. Rush-feeding birds run through shallow water with their heads down and their bills held open hoping to capture prey. While we enjoy two species of yellowlegs in North America, only Greater Yellowlegs rush-feeds. Lesser Yellowlegs never do.
Be sure to click on the image to view it larger.
Image #8A: Topaz DeNoise AI on Auto on the Greater Yellowlegs rush-feeding image at 100%
Topaz DeNoise AI on the Greater Yellowlegs Rush-feeding image
This is another ISO 5000/are you kidding me? image. Here, Topaz DeNoise AI on Auto completely eliminated the noise in the water while sharpening the bird non-destructively. Yup. It’s a whole new world.
This image was also created on 12 December 2020 at Fort DeSoto Park during the morning in-the field session. I used the handheld Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM lens (at 428mm) and the highly touted 45MP Canon EOS R5 Mirrorless Digital camera body. ISO 5000. Exposure determined by experience and luck: 1/2000 sec. at f/7.1 (wide open) in Manual mode. AWB at 8:23am on a now partly cloudy morning.
Face Detection + Tracking/AI Servo AF was active at the moment of exposure and performed to perfection.
Click on the image to enjoy a larger version.
Image #9: Carl Page caught in the act
Carl Page Caught in the Act
I learned quickly on Saturday morning that Carl liked to photograph people. Here, I caught him the act. Turnabout, is after all, fair play!
This image was also created on 12 December 2020 at Fort DeSoto Park during the morning in-the field session. I used the handheld Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM lens (at 500mm) and the highly touted 45MP Canon EOS R5 Mirrorless Digital camera body. ISO 1600. Exposure determined by experience and luck: 1/2000 sec. at f/7.1 (wide open) in Manual mode. AWB at 9:32am on a now partly cloudy morning.
Face Detection + Tracking/AI Servo AF was active at the moment of exposure and performed to perfection.
Click on the image to enjoy a larger version.
Image #10: Double-crested Cormorant in flight
An In-the-Field Exposure Lesson
I was set up in Manual exposure mode to photograph white birds in flight at ISO 800, 1/2000 sec. at f/7.1. When I saw the cormorant coming I knew that I needed a lot more light so I spun the big rear wheel four clicks to raise the ISO to 2000. Bingo. Remember that dark-toned birds need more light than light-toned birds.
Image #10A: The DPP4 screen capture for the Double-crested Cormorant in flight showing the active AF point.
DPP4 Screen Capture
Note the red square right on the bird’s face. Though I have not gotten to do a lot of flight photography with the Canon loaner gear yet, I can say with absolute confidence that Face Detection + Tracking AF does not work this perfectly all the time. At least for me.
Compare the optimized image (#10) with the original here, and you will see that I moved the bird nicely down in the frame using the techniques in APTATS I & II. You can save $15 by purchasing the pair.
The DeSoto Site Guide — includes a recent update!
The Fort DeSoto Site Guide
You can get yourself a copy of the Fort DeSoto Site Guide here. Fort DeSoto is about the only bird photography hotspot that I know of that has the potential to offer great opportunities every day of the year. The big attractions here are shorebirds, all the large wading birds (including Roseate Spoonbill at various seasons), and many species of terns, and gulls. In the spring photograph the breeding behaviors of Royal & Sandwich Terns and Laughing Gull. Flight photography can be good when feeding sprees occur just off of the beach. These feature terns and gulls and Brown Pelican. Spring and fall migration can be excellent for all manner of warblers, vireos, gnatcatchers, tanagers, grosbeaks, and orioles in some of the wooded areas. The Skyway Bridge Piers and environs are also covered in this Site Guide. By purchasing the guide you will know exactly where to be on what tide and what wind. Why waste your time searching for the birds when you can just show up and act like a DeSoto veteran?
Typos
Feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors. Just be right :). with love, artie
Saturday morning at DeSoto was totally different from Friday morning. When I left my hotel it was drizzly but quickly turned cloudy, then cloudy bright, then mostly sunny by 10am. Carl Page, who had signed up for the recently canceled San Diego IPT, who was attending a business meeting in Sarasota, joined me for a morning of instruction. He was like a kid in the proverbial candy store. In addition to the birds we had seen on Friday morning we added Red Knot and a pair of tame American Oystercatchers. As Joe Usewicz did on Friday morning, Carl learned a ton about bird photography in just three hours. Carl and I also got along great, and again I had a great time. Safely. With masks when close, social distancing, and wind. And sun 🙂 My SONY 600 stayed in the back of my SUV for the entire weekend as I continued to use and learn more about my Canon loaner rig.
Today is Sunday 13 December 2020. It is foggy at 7:15am but looks clear behind that … I will likely head down to the lake in a few minutes.
Charlie Pride
Country singer Charlie Pride died yesterday at age 86. I am sending love, strength, and energy to his family and friends. Pride was one of three African-American members of the Grand Ole Opry — the others are DeFord Bailey and Darius Rucker. He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2000. While preparing this blog post, I listened to his greatest hits here on You Tube. My favorite is the little-known Streets of Baltimore (at the 34:09 mark). I hope that you got to kiss an angel this morning 🙂
When Pride was 14, his mother purchased his first guitar and he taught himself to play. Though he loved music, one of Pride’s lifelong dreams was to become a professional baseball player. In 1952, he pitched for the Memphis Red Sox of the Negro American League. In 1953, he signed a contract with the Boise Yankees, the Class C farm team of the New York Yankees. During that season, an injury caused him to lose the “mustard” on his fastball, and he was sent to the Yankees’ Class D team in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. Later that season, while in the Negro leagues with the Louisville Clippers, two players – Pride and Jesse Mitchell – were traded to the Birmingham Black Barons for a team bus. “Jesse and I may have the distinction of being the only players in history to be traded for a used motor vehicle,” Pride mused in his 1994 autobiography.
R5 Bodies Available Right Now!
Steve Elkins at Bedfords Camera still has a handful of R5 bodies ready to ship second day air with the 3% discount for using the BIRDSASART code at checkout. Not to mention a free copy of the Canon R5/R6 AF e-Guide. Scroll down to get in touch with Steve.
Canon R5/R6 AF e-Guide Info
Yesterday, thirteen folks sent PayPals for their copy of the Canon R5/R6 AF e-Guide. And twelve who used my affiliate links to purchase their R5 e-mailed for their free copy of the guide. If you e-mailed or sent a PayPal and did not receive your guide, please LMK immediately via e-mail.
Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive so far. Two folks wrote stating that they had a better way of setting up AF on their R5s. When I wrote back explaining why they were in error, they both back-tracked. Be sure to scroll down to read about my plans for a Canon R5/R6 User’s e-Guide. Understand that the info in the BAA Canon R5/R6 Autofocus e-Guide is so important that I opted to publish the AF guide immediately as the R5/R6 User’s Guide will take at least a month to finish.
BAA Canon R5/R6 Autofocus e-Guide
Twenty-one pages. 3,452 words. 28-DPP4 screen captures showing the R5’s vaunted AF system in action. Note: the AF system of the R5 is identical to the AF system of the R6.
You will learn:
1- The two most useful AF Methods for general bird photography and for birds in flight.
2- How to set up your R5/R6 AF Menus.
3- What boxes to check (and un-check) under Limit AF Methods.
4- How to change the AF Method quickly, easily, and efficiently. Note: the default way of doing this is clunky, cumbersome, and inefficient at best. One person replied that this tip alone was worth the price of admission.
5- The only setting that should be used for Initial Servo AF pt for Face Detection + Tracking.
I you are currently using multiple back buttons either for general bird photography or for birds in flight, what you learn in this guide will change your life. For the better.
The guide is free to all who have ordered an R5 or an R6 using my B&H affiliate link or from Steve Elkins/Bedfords using the BIRDSASART coupon code at checkout. Please send your receipt to me via e-mail. It will take me a few days to a week to verify the B&H purchases. Bedfords folks should expect their free e-Guides fairly quickly.
To purchase your copy of the e-Guide, please send a PayPal for $25.00 to birdsasart@verizon.net and be sure to include the words R5/R6 AF Guide in your PayPal e-mail. If you would like to receive your copy before Monday, please shoot me a copy of your PayPal transaction via e-mail.
Everyone who gets the guide will receive a free update no later than the first week in January.
Canon R5/R6 User’s e-Guide
I am planning on doing a complete Canon R5/R6 User’s e-Guide. This will require a lot of research, a lot of time, and a lot of effort. I am hoping to have it complete by mid- to late January. As always, folks who use the BAA affiliate links to purchase their Canon gear will receive a substantial discount.
Understand that the info in the BAA Canon R5/R6 Autofocus e-Guide is so important that I opted to publish the AF guide ASAP.
The BAA Used Gear Page
The Used Gear page continues to be red hot! It is BAA Used Gear Page is the place to sell your used photographic equipment. We will help you to get your gear sold quickly for 20 to 60% or more than what the big guys are offering … Doubt me? Check out the Recent Sales list for the past ten months at the bottom of the page.
Brand New Listing
Nikon AF-S 600mm f/4 G ED VR Super-telephoto Lens (with extras)
John Mosier is offering a Nikon AF-S 600mm f/4 G ED VR lens in excellent plus to near-mint condition (with extras) for a very low $8596.95. The sale includes a LensCoat, the rear lens cap, the hood, the lens trunk, the original tough front lens cover, the lens strap, the original lens foot, the Wimberley Replacement Foot for Nikon 600mm f/4.0 AF-S, the product manual, 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 John via e-mail at john@fastforwardrentals.com or by phone at 1-337-739-0400 (Central time zone).
In all systems, the 600 f/4 lenses are the weapons of mass destruction when it comes to birds and wildlife. I loved my Nikon 600 both alone and with the 1.4X teleconverter. If you use Nikon gear and have been dreaming of moving up to the big leagues, do get in touch with John ASAP to save a very sweet $3,700.00; this lens sells new for $12,296.95. artie
Back in Stock
Three sold yesterday!
We now have fifteen of the hugely popular Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro tripod heads in stock. Click on the preceding link to learn more about this amazing head, the ballhead that thinks it’s a gimbal head and — thanks to the amazing counter-balanced spring mechanism — works great with any rig from the longest, heaviest super-telephoto lens to a camera-body-mounted wide angle. The latter is possible because of the bi-directional clamp; it is no longer necessary to travel with a gimbal head for long lens photography and a ballhead for scenic photography. And after just a moment’s adjustment, the double ball enables you to ensure that every image you take is on the level.
Please Remember
With income from IPTs approaching zero, please, if you enjoy and learn from the blog, remember to use one of my two affiliate programs when purchasing new gear. Doing so just might make it possible for me to avoid having to try to get a job as a Walmart greeter and will not cost you a single penny more. And if you use Bedfords and remember to enter the BIRDSASART code at checkout, you will save 3% on every order and enjoy free second-day air shipping. In these crazy times — I am out at least forty to sixty thousand dollars so far due to COVID 19 (with lots more to come) — remembering to use my B&H link or to shop at Bedfords will help me out a ton and be greatly appreciated. Overseas folks who cannot order from the US because of import fees, duties, and taxes can always help out by clicking here if they see fit.
New and Better Bedfords Discount Policy!
You can now save 3% on all of your Bedfords photo gear purchases by entering the BIRDSASART coupon code at checkout. Your discount will be applied to your pre-tax total. In addition, by using the code you will get 2nd day air shipping via Fed Ex.
Grab a Nikon AF-S Teleconverter TC-14E III and save $14.99. Purchase a Canon EOS R5 and your discount will be $116.97. Purchase a Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens and save a remarkable $389.94! Your Bedford’s purchase no longer needs to be greater than $1,000.00 for you to receive a discount. The more you spend, the more you save.
Money Saving Reminder
Many have learned that if you need a hot photo item that is out of stock at B&H and would enjoy free overnight shipping, your best bet is to click here, place an order with Bedfords, and enter the coupon code BIRDSASART at checkout. If an item is out of stock, contact Steve Elkins via e-mail or on his cell phone at (479) 381-2592 (Eastern time). Be sure to mention the 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 and everywhere else. The wait lists at the big stores can be a year or longer for the hard to get items. Steve will surely get you your gear long before that. For the past year, he has been helping BAA Blog folks get their hands on items like the SONY a9 ii, the SONY 200-600 G OSS lens, the Canon EOS R5, the Canon RF 100-500mm lens, and the Nikon 500mm PF. Steve is personable, helpful, and eager to please.
126 sold to rave reviews.
The SONY e-Guide by Patrick Sparkman and Arthur Morris
The Sony Camera User’s e-Guide (and Videos)
Click here to purchase the guide with one Camera Set-up Video. Be sure to e-mail us by clicking here to specify your camera body so that we can send you a link for the correct video.
Click here to purchase the guide with two Camera Set-up Videos. Be sure to e-mail us by clicking here to specify your two camera bodies so that we can send you links for the correct videos.
Too many folks attending BAA IPTs and dozens of photographers whom I see in the field and on BPN, are–out of ignorance–using the wrong gear especially when it comes to tripods and more especially, tripod heads… Please know that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail. Those questions might deal with systems, camera bodies, accessories, and/or lens choices and decisions.
This image was created on 11 December 2020 at Fort DeSoto Park during a morning session with old and new friend Joe Usewicz. I used the handheld Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM lens (at 500mm) and the highly touted 45MP Canon EOS R5 Mirrorless Digital camera body. ISO 500. Exposure determined by experience and luck and confirmed as perfect by RawDigger: 1/2500 sec. at f/7.1 (wide open) in Manual mode. AWB at 8:42am on sunny morning.
Face Detection + Tracking/AI Servo AF was active at the moment of exposure and performed perfectly.
Click on the image to see a larger version.
Image #1: Photo Mechanic screen capture for the small-in-the-frame immature LBH in flight image
Operator Error and More
I’ve said it here before and often; my birds in flight skills are somewhat lacking. Here, I was not able to match my panning rate with the speed of the bird in flight. The first four frames were clipped and in today’s featured image I barely got the bird into the frame. At first I thought, This one is too small-in-the-frame — delete it. Then I realized that I have zero flight shots of immature Little Blue Heron and that this it was a sharp 45MP R5 file, so I decided to take a crack at it.
Click on the image to see a larger version.
Image #1A: RawDigger screen capture for the small-in-the-frame immature LBH in flight image
RawDigger and Canon Raw Files
When I first started looking at the R5’s CR.3 files in RawDigger I realized that something was off. After several back and forth e-mails with Patrick Sparkman and Iliah Borg — the creator and the brains behind RawDigger, we got it figured out. In the pre-publication version e-mail, there is a brand-new chart that has been updated with the Canon Max G values. I will be working hard on finishing the guide this coming week and it will have lots more info on the Canon files that have a substantially high Black Level value baked into the raw files (as compared to both Nikon and SONY files).
After the ease and convenience of having Zebras live in the viewfinder with SONY, I am struggling a bit with getting perfect exposures with the R5. I have to rely on the less-than-ideal histogram in the viewfinder followed by a review of a time-wasting test image … In addition, having the histogram in the viewfinder can play havoc with your image designs.
Huge Advantage: SONY. But, the R5 has many amazing features and is the best Canon body ever by far (with the possible exception of the far heavier 3.17 pounds), far more expensive ($6499.00) EOS-1DX Mark III. The R5 tips the scales at 1.62 pounds and sells for $3899.00.
Click on the image to see a larger version.
Image #1B: DPP4 screen capture for the small-in-the-frame immature LBH in flight image
A Great AF System. But …
The Canon R5 (and the R6 as well) have admittedly great AF systems and Face Detection + Tracking is — when set up properly — quite amazing, even astonishing. But … A user who has strength, stamina, fast reflexes, excellent hand-eye coordination, and superb fine motor skills, will do far better than most. And folks in that category who practice, practice, and practice, will do even better. Yes, the system is great. Note the large focus square in red. That is an indication of a sort of “in-the-general-area” focusing. Note that the image is sharp on the eye I have no doubt that if I had done a better job of framing and panning with the subject, and had gotten the bird closer to the center of the frame, the system would have tracked with a smaller square box indicating that face detection had worked. And in an ideal world with a user more skilled than I, there would have been a tiny box right on the eye indicating that Eye Tracking had performed perfectly.
This image was created on 11 December 2020 at Fort DeSoto Park during a morning session with old and new friend Joe Usewicz. I used the handheld Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM lens (at 500mm) and the highly touted 45MP Canon EOS R5 Mirrorless Digital camera body. ISO 500. Exposure determined by experience and luck and confirmed as perfect by RawDigger: 1/2500 sec. at f/7.1 (wide open) in Manual mode. AWB at 8:42am on sunny morning.
Face Detection + Tracking/AI Servo AF was active at the moment of exposure and performed perfectly.
Click on the image to see a larger version.
Image #1C: The optimized immature Little Blue Heron in flight image
The Image Optimization
The CR.3 file was quickly and easily converted in the latest version of Capture One. First I moved the bird away from the left frame-edge in small increments using techniques from APTATS I & II. Then I cropped away about 2/3rds of the original pixels (using Original Ratio. I used the Patch Tool and Content-Aware Fill to clean up the remains beach. I did a 65-pixel Gaussian blur on the whole image, added a Hide-all (or Inverse) Layer Mask, painted in the effect only on the sand, and — because the sand looked too smoothed, reduced the opacity to about 60%. Then I ran Topaz DeNoise AI on Auto on the whole image. With the image pretty much finished, I put it through Topaz Gigapixel AI at 2X to double the file size while improving the image quality of the large crop from the 45MP file.
The techniques mentioned above and tons more (with the exception of the Capture One RAW Conversions and the Topaz stuff) — along with all of my personalized Keyboard Shortcuts — are covered in detail in the BIRDS AS ART Current Workflow e-Guide (Digital Basics II), an instructional PDF that is sent via e-mail.
I was quite happy with the master file. Would I say that the image quality is superb? No, but it is more than acceptable for a wide variety of electronic and web usages, for magazine publication, and for making small to medium-sized prints.
A Variable Aperture Zoom Lens Tip!
I use manual exposure mode 95+ percent of the time. Just as you should be doing. As I have begun using the Canon RF 100-500 lens, I remembered something that I learn long ago when using the Canon 100-400 II. Many zoom lenses feature variable apertures — that is, there is a wider aperture at the short and a narrower aperture at the long end. For example, the RF 100-500 opens up to f/4.5 at 100mm, and closes down to f/7.1 at 500mm. If you are photographing birds and working in manual mode, it is important to set the aperture as follows: start by going to a smaller aperture (larger f/number) than f/7.1 (like f/11), and then dialing it down to f/7.1. Now set the correct exposure by adjusting the shutter speed and the ISO. Now, if you zoom to a shorter focal length, the aperture will remain at f/7.1 and you will still have the correct exposure. If, however, you are working at 200mm and you have the aperture set to f/5.0, for example, and then zoom to 500mm, the lens will stop down to f/7.1, the image will be under-exposed by three clicks — one full stop.
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 :).
No hotel or lodging entity in California shall accept or honor out of state reservations for non-essential travel.
I have, therefore, canceled the San Diego IPT and my entire trip to California. It will be the first time in 49 years that I have not visited San Diego in winter. The two folks who had signed up are of course receiving complete refunds. Carl Page, who was the first to sign up, is on his way from CA to Tampa as I type. He will be joining me on Saturday morning at DeSoto. I have room for one more. If you are interested, please call me on my cell at 863-221-2372 or text me if I do not pick up.
What’s Up?
I had a great morning at Fort DeSoto with Joe Usewicz. We met about a zillion years ago in Cape May, New Jersey when I was a keynote speaker at a Fall Round-Up. We enjoyed a feeding spree with Snowy and Great Egrets, adult and immature Little Blue Herons, two dark morph Reddish Egrets, a single Great Blue Heron, and a squadron of Red-breasted Mergansers. At another spot we had five gull species at once: the expected laughing and ring-billeds, some young herrings, a beautiful young lesser-black backed (formerly rare, now uncommon), and a first winter Great Black-backed Gull (fairly rare in central Florida). Bird-wise, we finished up with a very tame juvenile Reddish Egret.
Then we spent an hour in the parking lots talking about the old days in Cape May: CMBO, David Sibley (and wife Joan Walsh), Richard Crossley, Julian Hough, Pete Dunne, Tony Leukering, Jerry Liquori, Frank Nicoletti, Jack Conner (author of Season at the Point), Kevin and Dale Carlson, William S. Clark, Brian K. Wheeler, Paul Lehman, Shawneen Finnegan’s Cape May/Route 47 Yellow-nosed Albatross, and Paul Kerlinger to name a few.
BAA Canon R5/R6 Autofocus e-Guide
Twenty-one pages. 3,452 words. 28-DPP4 screen captures showing the R5’s vaunted AF system in action. Note: the AF system of the R5 is identical to the AF system of the R6.
You will learn:
1- The two most useful AF Methods for general bird photography and for birds in flight.
2- How to set up your R5/R6 AF Menus.
3- What boxes to check under Limit AF Methods.
4- How to change the the AF Method quickly, easily, and efficiently. Note: the default way of doing this is clunky, cumbersome, and inefficient at best.
5- The only setting that should be used for Initial Servo AF pt for Face Detection + Tracking.
I you are currently using multiple back buttons either for general bird photography or for birds in flight, what you learn in this guide will change your life. For the better.
Here are the first three paragraphs of this e-Guide:
From the moment I learned about the new Canon mirrorless bodies, I read about using two or three back-buttons to focus using different AF methods. The word on the street said that the way to go for birds in flight was to use one button to acquire focus with Zone AF or with Large Zone: Horizontal AF and then switch to another button to activate Face Detection + Tracking AF and then use the shutter button to make an image. My immediate thought was, “This is insanity! There has got to be a better way.” In short, there is a far superior way to set up AF on your R5 or R6.
Remember that I got away from any form of back-button or rear focusing many years ago after finally realizing that it is always easier to do one thing (press the shutter button), than it is to do two things (press a back button and then press the shutter button).
The default method of switching AF Methods with the R5/R6 bodies is cumbersome at best. It involves first pressing the grid button (my name) on the upper right back of the camera and then pressing the hard-to-access M-Fn button to toggle through the AF Methods. This method is so bad that it will not be mentioned again in this guide.
The guide is free to all who have ordered an R5 or an R6 using my B&H affiliate link or from Steve Elkins/Bedfords using the BIRDSASART coupon code at checkout. Please send your receipt to me via e-mail. It will take me a few days to a week to verify the B&H purchases. Bedfords folks should expect their free e-Guides fairly quickly.
To purchase your copy of the e-Guide, please send a PayPal for $25.00 to birdsasart@verizon.net and be sure to include the words R5/R6 AF Guide in your PayPal e-mail. If you would like to receive your copy before Monday, please shoot me a copy of your PayPal transaction via e-mail.
Everyone who gets the guide will receive a free update no later than the first week in January.
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 :).
Today is Wednesday, 9 December 2020. I was up early again. As usual. It is even colder than yesterday, but with less wind; I have not decided whether or not I will head down to the lake this morning. I have lots of work to do. But I do love photography …
I have been swimming my slow half-mile every day and did get in the pool yesterday afternoon; it was quite cold when I got out. I did make it down to the lake 30 minutes before sunset and had a nice session with the very dependable Mother’s Day crane family. The surviving colt — recognized by a gray patch on the front of its almost fully red crown — is doing quite well. At seven months, it is a big as its mother and bigger than its father!
Steve Elkins at Bedfords came through with R5 bodies and RF 100-500 lenses for quite a few folks early this week. Those included many blog folks like old friend Steve Freno (and his beloved adopted daughters) and blog-regular Roger Dietrich. Both ordered additional lenses and accessories as well. All that while other are languishing on long waiting lists with the big camera dealers … Save your e-mail receipts for a free copy of the BAA Canon R5/R6 AF Guide (coming soon) and to earn a discount on the BAA R5 Camera User’s Guide …
Fort DeSoto In-the-Field Instructional Sessions
I will be headed over to Fort DeSoto to photograph early on Friday and Saturday mornings. The weather is looking very good. If you would like to join me for one or two morning sessions (and possibly for a Friday afternoon session as well), please contact me via e-mail to learn the low rates.
Most Importantly
As always, if what you read or learn here inspires or convinces you to purchase an R5 or 6, and/or the RF 100-500 lens, and/or the RF Extender 1.4X, please use my B&H affiliate links or get in touch with Steve Elkins at Bedford to save 3% on your new gear and get it a lot quicker …
RawDigger e-Guide and Video Advance Copy Available
Save $10 Now
The RawDigger e-Guide and Video is almost finished. It will sell for $51.00. If you are anxious to get started with RawDigger, learn to mega-Expose to the Right, and wind up with the highest quality image files, you can save $10.00 and have a chance to review a pre-publication copy of the guide by sending a PayPal for $41.00 to birdsasart@verizon.net with the words RawDigger e-Guide and Video Pre-publication Copy cut and pasted into the Subject line. The recent delay is the result of my recent conversations with Iliah Borg, the brains behind RawDigger. It is likely that the Shock-your-World section will shock you.
You will of course receive a link for the completed PDF when the guide is finished.
The BAA Canon R5/R6 AF Guide
I will be working on and completing a short Canon R5/R6 AF e-mail Guide today. If you used my B&H affiliate link or got your camera from Steve Elkins at Bedford, the guide will be free. If not, the cost will be $20.00. Details on obtaining a copy of the guide will be published tomorrow.
The BAA Used Gear Page
The Used Gear page continues to be red hot! It is BAA Used Gear Page is the place to sell your used photographic equipment. We will help you to get your gear sold quickly for 20 to 60% or more than what the big guys are offering … Doubt me? Check out the Recent Sales list for the past ten months at the bottom of the page.
New Listing
Canon EOS-1DX Mark II Professional Digital Camera Body (with extras!)
BAA Record-low Price!
Sold first day of listing!
Bryan Berkowitz is offering a Canon EOS-1DX Mark II in excellent condition (with extras) for a BAA record-low $2099.00. The sale includes the front cap, the manual, the battery charger, the original LP-E19 battery and an extra, two straps, a Sony Cfast 2.0 64GB memory card, the Sandisk Cfast 2.0 USB card reader, a Transcend 64GB memory card, and insured ground shipping via major courier to all 50 US addresses only. The camera body received a clean bill of health from Canon Professional Services in November 2020. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.
The EOS-1DX Mark II is a Canon flagship professional camera body. I made many fine images with mine. It is rugged and fast and featured Canon’s best AF system (before the release of the 1DX III — $6499.00). The 1DX II is still in production and sells new for $4,499.00 so you can save a very cool $2400.00 on this great deal from Bryan. artie
Price Drops
Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 16-35mm f/4G ED VR Lens
Price Reduced $100.00 on 9 DEC 2020
Karen McCormick is offering a Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 16-35mm f/4G ED VR lens in excellent plus condition for the very low price of $550.00 (was $650.00). The sale includes the front and rear lens caps 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.
The relatively lightweight and inexpensive 16-35mm wide angle zooms are great for serious landscape shooters on a budget. The heavier faster Nikon AF-S Zoom-NIKKOR 17-35mm f/2.8D IF-ED lens sells for a shopping $1951.95. Who needs the speed when you are on a tripod? The 16-35 f/4 Nikkor sells new for $1096.95 so you can save a pretty penny by grabbing Karen’s lens. artie
Karen McCormick is offering a Nikon AF-S VR Zoom-NIKKOR 70-200mm f/2.8G IF-ED lens in excellent plus condition for the very low price of $750.00 (was $850.00). The sale includes the front and rear lens caps 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.
The 70-200mm f/2.8 lenses in all systems are huge favorites with nature and wildlife photographers. They are fast, very sharp, and extremely versatile. All pair well with a 1.4X teleconverter. They are great for bird-scapes, wildlife, large mammals, scenics, sports, low light situations, and lots more. artie
Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary Lens and TC-1401 1.4x Teleconverter Kit for Nikon F
Price Reduced $100.00 on 9 DEC 2020
Karen McCormick is offering a Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary Lens and TC-1401 1.4x Teleconverter Kit for Nikon F in excellent plus condition for a remarkably low ($400.00 (was $500.00). The sale includes the front and rear lens caps 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.
Offering an impressively versatile range with a portable form factor, the Nikon F-mount 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM from Sigma is a Contemporary-series telephoto zoom characterized by its sophisticated optics and flexible handling. One FLD element and three SLD elements are used to reduce color fringing and chromatic aberrations throughout the zoom range and a Super Multi-Coating also helps to suppress flare and ghosting for improved contrast and color accuracy when working in strong lighting conditions.
Balancing the optical design, this lens also features a Hyper Sonic Motor, which provides especially fast and quiet autofocus performance as well as full-time manual focus override. An Optical Stabilizer also works to minimize the appearance of camera shake for sharper handheld shooting. Additionally, a removable, rotating tripod collar is included to suit working on a tripod or monopod. B&H
I have seen many excellent sharp images created by folks on IPTs and on BPN. As this kit sells new for $1,289.00 Karen’s offering is a great bargain for a beginning bird photographer using Nikon gear. artie
Back in Stock
Three sold yesterday!
We now have fifteen of the hugely popular Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro tripod heads in stock. Click on the preceding link to learn more about this amazing head, the ballhead that thinks it’s a gimbal head and — thanks to the amazing counter-balanced spring mechanism — works great with any rig from the longest, heaviest super-telephoto lens to a camera-body-mounted wide angle. The latter is possible because of the bi-directional clamp; it is no longer necessary to travel with a gimbal head for long lens photography and a ballhead for scenic photography. And after just a moment’s adjustment, the double ball enables you to ensure that every image you take is on the level.
Please Remember
With income from IPTs approaching zero, please, if you enjoy and learn from the blog, remember to use one of my two affiliate programs when purchasing new gear. Doing so just might make it possible for me to avoid having to try to get a job as a Walmart greeter and will not cost you a single penny more. And if you use Bedfords and remember to enter the BIRDSASART code at checkout, you will save 3% on every order and enjoy free second-day air shipping. In these crazy times — I am out at least forty to sixty thousand dollars so far due to COVID 19 (with lots more to come) — remembering to use my B&H link or to shop at Bedfords will help me out a ton and be greatly appreciated. Overseas folks who cannot order from the US because of import fees, duties, and taxes can always help out by clicking here if they see fit.
New and Better Bedfords Discount Policy!
You can now save 3% on all of your Bedfords photo gear purchases by entering the BIRDSASART coupon code at checkout. Your discount will be applied to your pre-tax total. In addition, by using the code you will get 2nd day air shipping via Fed Ex.
Grab a Nikon AF-S Teleconverter TC-14E III and save $14.99. Purchase a Canon EOS R5 and your discount will be $116.97. Purchase a Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens and save a remarkable $389.94! Your Bedford’s purchase no longer needs to be greater than $1,000.00 for you to receive a discount. The more you spend, the more you save.
Money Saving Reminder
Many have learned that if you need a hot photo item that is out of stock at B&H and would enjoy free overnight shipping, your best bet is to click here, place an order with Bedfords, and enter the coupon code BIRDSASART at checkout. If an item is out of stock, contact Steve Elkins via e-mail or on his cell phone at (479) 381-2592 (Eastern time). Be sure to mention the 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 and everywhere else. The wait lists at the big stores can be a year or longer for the hard to get items. Steve will surely get you your gear long before that. For the past year, he has been helping BAA Blog folks get their hands on items like the SONY a9 ii, the SONY 200-600 G OSS lens, the Canon EOS R5, the Canon RF 100-500mm lens, and the Nikon 500mm PF. Steve is personable, helpful, and eager to please.
125 sold to rave reviews.
The SONY e-Guide by Patrick Sparkman and Arthur Morris
The Sony Camera User’s e-Guide (and Videos)
Click here to purchase the guide with one Camera Set-up Video. Be sure to e-mail us by clicking here to specify your camera body so that we can send you a link for the correct video.
Click here to purchase the guide with two Camera Set-up Videos. Be sure to e-mail us by clicking here to specify your two camera bodies so that we can send you links for the correct videos.
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.
Upper Center Zone AF-C was active at the moment of exposure and worked perfectly. Click on the image to see a larger version.
Image #1: First-winter Willet foraging in the surf
Willets: a Dime a Dozen
Willet (Catoptrophorus semipalmatus) is a large, common shorebird that is related to birds in the yellowlegs Tringa tribe. The semipalmata refers to the fact that this species has partial webbed toes. Willet can be found along coastal shorelines almost anywhere in North America and are fairly common inland as well throughout the US and the prairie provinces of Canada.
Note: Recent genetic evidence suggests that Willet falls within the genus Tringa. The American Ornithological Union has recognized willets as Tringa semipalmata rather than Catoptrophorus semipalmatus.
There are two races of Willet, a western race and an eastern race. Willets nest throughout their range and move south in the winter. If you take a walk on a coastal beach it is likely that you will encounter a Willet, even on crowded beaches. They are quite common on the beaches and sandbars at Fort DeSoto, it very rare to encounter them in flocks. There, they are quite tame and easily approached as they forage in the shallows. At times, they swim.
Though they are almost always available subjects, making a really good image of a Willet is a challenge (unless you get them flapping after a bath or in flight when you can see their prominent white wing stripes). My best advice for creating a good Willet image is to get low. With today’s featured image I am pretty sure that I was sitting on the beach. The problem with that strategy is that you have to get up and down often when following the bird. But the results are worth it.
A Wave Can Make or Break an Image
You have heard it here dozens of times before: when you are photographing along the edge of the surf be aware of the position of the breaking waves. Even small waves can have a large impact on the success of an image. Watch them as they break and roll through your frame. If your image has a wave breaking and it intersects your subject’s head or body, it will generally ruin the photo. A wave just above (and/or below) the bird can frame the subject nicely. And a wave breaking right at the feet of the subject (as in Image #1) can be quite lovely.
So, when you are photographing a bird along the edge of the surf be aware of the position of the waves.
Image #1A: RawDigger screen capture for first-winter Willet foraging in the surf
RawDigger Screen Capture
First, note the 11,000 over-exposed (OvExp) pixels in the Green channel. The over-exposed pixels are noted by the rosy red OvExp warning on the brightest strip of the surf. In the RawDigger (RD) e-Guide, you will learn how and why such an over-exposure can be saved easily without any loss of detail. You will learn to use the RD histogram when evaluating exposures. And you will learn to evaluate the Max G values as a way to learn to mega-expose all of your images to the right so that you will minimize noise, maximize image quality, best utilize the dynamic range of your camera’sensor, and attain the highest possible level of shadow detail in your RAW files in every situation. In addition, your properly exposed RAW files will contain more tonal information and feature smooth transitions between tones. And your optimized images will feature rich, accurate color.
Why So Long?
Many folks have been learning to use RawDigger from their pre-publication copies for months. They, and many others might be asking, Why is it taking so long for artie to finish the RawDigger e-Guide?
I was almost finished several months ago when IPT veteran Bart Deamer asked some questions that I could not answer. So Patrick and I got in touch with Iliah Borg, the creator of RawDigger. That opened many cans of worms and after extensive e-mail conversations with Iliah we got a handle on things. This new understanding required a virtual re-write of the guide.
I was pretty much done about six weeks ago when along came the Canon R5. Examining the R5’s CR.3 raw files in RD opened up a new can of worms and triggered more e-mails conversations with Iliah Borg. With his and Patrick’s help, I now have an even deeper understanding of RawDigger. Now I just need to get back to the guide and do the required work.
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 :).
Today is Tuesday 8 December 2020. It dawned clear and chilly with a NW wind, so I opted to stay in and create a short v-Log video for y’all instead of heading down to the lake with wind against sun conditions.
I had a ton of fun with my loaner Canon gear yesterday. Inn dreary conditions, I put the lens on a tripod for the first time to create some in-camera Art Vivid HDRs and some in-camera Multiple Exposures. Neither of those is available with SONY. I will be sharing my favorite image HDR Art Vivid image with you here soon.
It looks as if I will be headed over to Fort DeSoto to photograph early on Friday and Saturday mornings. If you would like to join me for one or two morning sessions (and possibly an afternoon session as well), please contact me via e-mail to learn the low rates.
Steve Elkins at Bedfords came through with R5 bodies and RF 100-500 lenses for quite a few folks yesterday. Those included many blog folks like old friend Steve Freno (and his beloved adopted daughters) and blog-regular Roger Dietrich. Both ordered additional lenses and accessories as well. All that while folks are languishing on long waiting lists with the big camera dealers … Save your e-mail receipts to earn a discount on the BAA R5 Camera User’s Guide …
Most Importantly
As always, if what you read or learn here inspires or convinces you to purchase an R5 or 6, and/or the RF 100-500 lens, and/or the RF Extender 1.4X, please use my B&H affiliate links or get in touch with Steve Elkins at Bedford to save 3% on your new gear and get it a lot quicker …
Great R5/RF 100-500 News from Bedfords
I spoke to Steve Elkins at Bedford Camera on Thursday and was excited to learn that he will be getting his biggest-yet shipment of Canon R5 bodies and RF 100-500 lenses early next week. You can save 3% on your order by entering the BIRDSASART coupon code at checkout. Your discount will be applied to your pre-tax (if any is due) total. In addition, by using the code you will get free 2nd day air shipping via Fed Ex.
If you buy the Canon rig that I am testing you will save a very handsome $212.91. Using any of my affiliate links is the best way to thank me for the work that I do here on the blog.
Back in Stock
We now have eighteen of the hugely popular Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro tripod heads in stock. Click on the preceding link to learn more about this amazing head, the ballhead that thinks it’s a gimbal head and — thanks to the amazing counter-balanced spring mechanism — works great with any rig from the longest, heaviest super-telephoto lens to a camera-body-mounted wide angle. The latter is possible because of the bi-directional clamp; it is no longer necessary to travel with a gimbal head for long lens photography and a ballhead for scenic photography. And after just a moment’s adjustment, the double ball enables you to ensure that every image you take is on the level.
Please Remember
With income from IPTs approaching zero, please, if you enjoy and learn from the blog, remember to use one of my two affiliate programs when purchasing new gear. Doing so just might make it possible for me to avoid having to try to get a job as a Walmart greeter and will not cost you a single penny more. And if you use Bedfords and remember to enter the BIRDSASART code at checkout, you will save 3% on every order and enjoy free second-day air shipping. In these crazy times — I am out at least forty to sixty thousand dollars so far due to COVID 19 (with lots more to come) — remembering to use my B&H link or to shop at Bedfords will help me out a ton and be greatly appreciated. Overseas folks who cannot order from the US because of import fees, duties, and taxes can always help out by clicking here if they see fit.
Topaz Still on Sale!
Right now Topaz is offering price reductions on the Utility Bundle and the Creator Bundle. The former normally sells for $359.96. It is on sale now for $249.95. Click here, scroll all the way down to the sale, and enter the ARTHUR15 code at checkout to save an additional 15%! The Creator Bundle usually sells for #279.97 and is now on sale for $149.99. Using the ARTHUR15 code at checkout brings the price down to $127.49!
The BAA Used Gear Page
The Used Gear page continues to be red hot! It is BAA Used Gear Page is the place to sell your used photographic equipment. We will help you to get your gear sold quickly for 20 to 60% or more than what the big guys are offering … Doubt me? Check out the Recent Sales list for the past ten months at the bottom of the page.
BIRDS AS ART is registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
Great Topaz News!
Folks who use the BAA Topaz link to purchase Sharpen AI, DeNoise AI, or the Utility Bundle (or any other Topaz plugins) will receive a 15% discount by entering the ARTHUR15 code at checkout. To get the discount you must use my link and you must enter the discount code. Be sure to start with this link.
Topaz Stuff
As I said just a while back and have said often many times before, I should have listened sooner. If you, like me, are new to the Topaz party, please use this link to purchase. Right now I can wholeheartedly recommend both Topaz Sharpen AI and Topaz DeNoise AI. Though I have not yet worked with JPEGtoRAW AI or Gigapixel AI, I have installed both of these plug-ins and look forward to trying them on some I-Phone 11 images fairly soon. If you are thinking like me, consider the Utility Bundle that includes all four plug-ins mentioned above at a money-saving price.
Again, those who purchase Sharpen AI or DeNoise AI using my link, can e-mail to request a short Getting Started with Topaz e-Guide. I had a bit of trouble getting the two plug-ins installed and having them appear in the Photoshop Filter Menu. In addition, I will explain how to best learn about the two plug-ins by applying them on a Layer (in Photoshop). I amazed myself yesterday by completing this guide in the car on the way to and from Sebastian. Huge thanks to Anita for doing the driving. Please include a copy of your Topaz order when requesting the guide.
New and Better Bedfords Discount Policy!
You can now save 3% on all of your Bedfords photo gear purchases by entering the BIRDSASART coupon code at checkout. Your discount will be applied to your pre-tax total. In addition, by using the code you will get 2nd day air shipping via Fed Ex.
Grab a Nikon AF-S Teleconverter TC-14E III and save $14.99. Purchase a Canon EOS R5 and your discount will be $116.97. Purchase a Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens and save a remarkable $389.94! Your Bedford’s purchase no longer needs to be greater than $1,000.00 for you to receive a discount. The more you spend, the more you save.
Money Saving Reminder
Many have learned that if you need a hot photo item that is out of stock at B&H and would enjoy free overnight shipping, your best bet is to click here, place an order with Bedfords, and enter the coupon code BIRDSASART at checkout. If an item is out of stock, contact Steve Elkins via e-mail or on his cell phone at (479) 381-2592 (Eastern time). Be sure to mention the 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 and everywhere else. The wait lists at the big stores can be a year or longer for the hard to get items. Steve will surely get you your gear long before that. For the past year, he has been helping BAA Blog folks get their hands on items like the SONY a9 ii, the SONY 200-600 G OSS lens, the Canon EOS R5, the Canon RF 100-500mm lens, and the Nikon 500mm PF. Steve is personable, helpful, and eager to please.
Gear Questions and Advice
Too many folks attending BAA IPTs and dozens of photographers whom I see in the field and on BPN, are–out of ignorance–using the wrong gear especially when it comes to tripods and more especially, tripod heads… Please know that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail. Those questions might deal with systems, camera bodies, accessories, and/or lens choices and decisions.
Please feel free to share your thoughts on this image. Can you guess the ISO? What direction was the slight breeze from? Do you see anything funky in the processing? Any and all comments are welcome.
There were lots of excellent and incisive comments. The ISO for this one was 800. I was set up for flight so ISO 400 on this clear morning would not have yielded enough shutter speed. The sun was in the east southeast and right behind me pointed at the pelican. The bird, facing into the breeze, was angled somewhat toward me. The wind, therefore, was from the south or southeast. Note that had there been any western component to the wind, the bird would have been angled away from me. With a northwest wind, the bird would have been turned 180 degrees, facing and flapping into the wind (as they always do).
As for the processing — most thought that the image was straight out of camera; watch the short video and then keep reading.
American White Pelican flapping v-Log Video
I worked hard to isolate this single American White Pelican at South Padre Island, TX. Once I did, the bird rewarded me by flapping in place. Join me on my MacBook Pro as I discuss the pluses and minuses of each of the keepers in the series. In addition, we take a look at the Advanced Color Wheel in Capture One.
Image #1B: an unsharpened large crop of the face of American White Pelican flapping in place
Where Was the AF Point?
In the Two Part Exercise in Thinking blog post here, IPT veteran Joel Eade left this comment (in part):
#1- I would say the wind is from the south or southwest and ISO no more than 800. I see no photoshop tricks, but you are a master at that game. I do think the AF grabbed the near wing rather than the head/eye.
Joel nailed the ISO and was close on the wind direction. But as noted above, if there had been any west in the wind, the bird would have been angled away from me. Based on his comment, though, I decided to check on the AF point and the sharpness of the bird’s eye in the posted image (Image #1 above).
I remember that when in the field, I was sure that SONY nailed the focus. So, I brought the image into RawDigger and learned — using a somewhat convoluted method — that the active AF was on the top of the base of the bill about one-fourth of the way down — at a point right near the frame edge in Image #1B. As I was quite far from this large bird, the depth-of-field was more than enough to cover the bird’s eye. I concluded that the eye was not razor sharp because of motion blur. I selected the face and eye using a Quick Mask, put the selection on its own layer, and brought the layer in Topaz Sharpen AI.
Image #1C: the face and eye layer in Topaz Sharpen AI at 100%
Topaz Sharpen AI on the Face and Eye Layer
First note that Topaz Sharpen AI on Auto went with Stabilize indicating that motion blur was the problem rather than accurate focus. Click on the screen capture to see the increased sharpness in the after image on our right. Note also the super-soft edges that come with using Quick Masks.
Learn everything that there is to know about creating, refining, and transforming Quick Masks in APTATS I & II. You can save $15 by purchasing the pair.
Image #1D: another tight crop of the face and eye showing the benefits of some Eye Doctor Work
Eye Doctor Work
The last piece to the apparent sharpness puzzle was to darken the pupil and lighten the iris just a bit. Compare the eye in Image #1D with the eye in Images 1B and 1C. You can learn Digital Eye Doctor techniques and tons more great Photoshop tips along with all of my personalized Keyboard Shortcuts in the BIRDS AS ART Current Workflow e-Guide (Digital Basics II), an instructional PDF that is sent via e-mail.
And Finally!
As I mentioned in the video, though this was the best frame in the sequence, I wished that the near-wing had been fully up. I immediately thought of a trick that I had seen for the first time in Alan Murphy’s PhotoShop Trickery for Bird Photographers video. This video is full of neat Photoshop techniques. Amazing, most of them were brand new to me the first time that I watched it. To learn Alan’s technique for helping a bird to spread it wings more fully, purchase the video below using the link provided.
Removing background noise and distractions
How to do a graduated background blur
Creative ways to use the liquify tool
How to create eye contact on an image
How to create a natural catchlight
How to remove red eye
How to fix a bad eye
How to repair clipped wings
Fixing messed up feathers
How to deal with high contrast
How to remove leg bands
How to stitch heads
How to balance warm ambient light with cool light from flash
How to change high-key backgrounds
This Hi Definition MP4 video can be either downloaded to your dropbox, computer, tablet, mobile device, or be streamed.
How to look for, find and choose the right perch.
What perches do not work and why.
How to match the perch for a particular species.
How to present a perch to the scene
How to trim a perch to look fantastic
How to support the perch
How many perches do you set up
Working with mounds, stumps and elevated perches
How to choose a good background
How to deal with background challenges
How to break up a flat background so it’s mottled
How to find and use gradient backgrounds
How far should the background be from the perch
Should you wear camo
Working from a blind
How to set up your lens and tripod for blind work
The correct tightness of your lens support
Is concealment important
Plus, many tips for being a better bird photographer
This Hi Definition MP4 video can be either downloaded to your dropbox, computer, tablet, mobile device, or can be streamed.
How to prepare your backyard for photography
How to work with backyard feeders
What feeders work best for bird photography
How to get birds from your feeders onto perches
How to set up a water drip
How to work with berry perches
How to make and use home made suet
How to bring in woodpeckers
What food works best for what species
How to set up perches around feeders
Photo blinds for the backyard
The video can be downloaded to your Mac or PC, streamed to your favorite device, or saved to your Dropbox Account.
How to do ambient light Hummingbird photography
How to setup for multi-flash Hummingbird photography
How to photograph songbirds in flight using a tiny feeder
How to setup and use a PhotoTrap trigger system
How to make and use a decoy owl for photographing Raptors in flight
What gear and settings work best
Blind construction and camo for flight photography
Flight photography techniques that will help you succeed
The video can be downloaded to your Mac or PC, streamed to your favorite device, or saved to your Dropbox Account.
Total run time: 1 hour: More than 1.5 hours.
Typos
Feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors. Just be right :). with love, artie
There were lots of incisive comments on the Two-part Exercise in Thinking blog post here. Old friend and BAA student, the very skilled and oft-published bird photographer, Cliff Beitel, spotted my SUV in the eye of the B&W vulture image! Note: with the sun coming up in the southeast and the bird angling somewhat toward me there would never be western component to the wind … I will be going back over the two images in that post this week. Promise.
I enjoyed another great session with my loaner Canon gear this morning; I have been implementing various suggestions left in the comments on the two R5/RF 100-500 posts. There are some very smart folks out there; I thank them all for their help. If you own an R5, I cannot urge you enough to carefully go over the Comments (and my responses) in the last few blog posts. Or, you can wait for the BAA Canon EOS-R5 User’s Guide. Folks who purchase an R5 or and R6 and/or any RF lenses using my B&H links or Bedfords should save their e-mail receipts as they will be entitled to a discount.
Be sure to read all the way down to learn about Jim Brandenburg. You owe it to yourself. If COVID has got you feeling down, be sure to explore some of the links on the Brandenburg Gallery Facebook page here.
Today is Monday 7 December 2020. It is just past 7:30am. It is dark and drizzly here at ILE. I will be heading out to do some photography as soon as I get dressed. Thanks, Jim!
Most Importantly
As always, if what you read or learn here inspires or convinces you to purchase an R5 or 6, and/or the RF 100-500 lens, and/or the RF Extender 1.4X, please use my B&H affiliate links or get in touch with Steve Elkins at Bedford to save 3% on your new gear and get it a lot quicker …
Great R5/RF 100-500 News from Bedfords
I spoke to Steve Elkins at Bedford Camera on Thursday and was excited to learn that he will be getting his biggest-yet shipment of Canon R5 bodies and RF 100-500 lenses early next week. You can save 3% on your order by entering the BIRDSASART coupon code at checkout. Your discount will be applied to your pre-tax (if any is due) total. In addition, by using the code you will get free 2nd day air shipping via Fed Ex.
If you buy the Canon rig that I am testing you will save a very handsome $212.91. Using any of my affiliate links is the best way to thank me for the work that I do here on the blog.
Back in Stock
We now have eighteen of the hugely popular Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro tripod heads in stock. Click on the preceding link to learn more about this amazing head, the ballhead that thinks it’s a gimbal head and — thanks to the amazing counter-balanced spring mechanism — works great with any rig from the longest, heaviest super-telephoto lens to a camera-body-mounted wide angle. The latter is possible because of the bi-directional clamp; it is no longer necessary to travel with a gimbal head for long lens photography and a ballhead for scenic photography. And after just a moment’s adjustment, the double ball enables you to ensure that every image you take is on the level.
Please Remember
With income from IPTs approaching zero, please, if you enjoy and learn from the blog, remember to use one of my two affiliate programs when purchasing new gear. Doing so just might make it possible for me to avoid having to try to get a job as a Walmart greeter and will not cost you a single penny more. And if you use Bedfords and remember to enter the BIRDSASART code at checkout, you will save 3% on every order and enjoy free second-day air shipping. In these crazy times — I am out at least forty to sixty thousand dollars so far due to COVID 19 (with lots more to come) — remembering to use my B&H link or to shop at Bedfords will help me out a ton and be greatly appreciated. Overseas folks who cannot order from the US because of import fees, duties, and taxes can always help out by clicking here if they see fit.
Topaz Still on Sale!
Right now Topaz is offering price reductions on the Utility Bundle and the Creator Bundle. The former normally sells for $359.96. It is on sale now for $249.95. Click here, scroll all the way down to the sale, and enter the ARTHUR15 code at checkout to save an additional 15%! The Creator Bundle usually sells for #279.97 and is now on sale for $149.99. Using the ARTHUR15 code at checkout brings the price down to $127.49!
The BAA Used Gear Page
The Used Gear page continues to be red hot! It is BAA Used Gear Page is the place to sell your used photographic equipment. We will help you to get your gear sold quickly for 20 to 60% or more than what the big guys are offering … Doubt me? Check out the Recent Sales list for the past ten months at the bottom of the page.
BIRDS AS ART is registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
Great Topaz News!
Folks who use the BAA Topaz link to purchase Sharpen AI, DeNoise AI, or the Utility Bundle (or any other Topaz plugins) will receive a 15% discount by entering the ARTHUR15 code at checkout. To get the discount you must use my link and you must enter the discount code. Be sure to start with this link.
Topaz Stuff
As I said just a while back and have said often many times before, I should have listened sooner. If you, like me, are new to the Topaz party, please use this link to purchase. Right now I can wholeheartedly recommend both Topaz Sharpen AI and Topaz DeNoise AI. Though I have not yet worked with JPEGtoRAW AI or Gigapixel AI, I have installed both of these plug-ins and look forward to trying them on some I-Phone 11 images fairly soon. If you are thinking like me, consider the Utility Bundle that includes all four plug-ins mentioned above at a money-saving price.
Again, those who purchase Sharpen AI or DeNoise AI using my link, can e-mail to request a short Getting Started with Topaz e-Guide. I had a bit of trouble getting the two plug-ins installed and having them appear in the Photoshop Filter Menu. In addition, I will explain how to best learn about the two plug-ins by applying them on a Layer (in Photoshop). I amazed myself yesterday by completing this guide in the car on the way to and from Sebastian. Huge thanks to Anita for doing the driving. Please include a copy of your Topaz order when requesting the guide.
New and Better Bedfords Discount Policy!
You can now save 3% on all of your Bedfords photo gear purchases by entering the BIRDSASART coupon code at checkout. Your discount will be applied to your pre-tax total. In addition, by using the code you will get 2nd day air shipping via Fed Ex.
Grab a Nikon AF-S Teleconverter TC-14E III and save $14.99. Purchase a Canon EOS R5 and your discount will be $116.97. Purchase a Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens and save a remarkable $389.94! Your Bedford’s purchase no longer needs to be greater than $1,000.00 for you to receive a discount. The more you spend, the more you save.
Money Saving Reminder
Many have learned that if you need a hot photo item that is out of stock at B&H and would enjoy free overnight shipping, your best bet is to click here, place an order with Bedfords, and enter the coupon code BIRDSASART at checkout. If an item is out of stock, contact Steve Elkins via e-mail or on his cell phone at (479) 381-2592 (Eastern time). Be sure to mention the 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 and everywhere else. The wait lists at the big stores can be a year or longer for the hard to get items. Steve will surely get you your gear long before that. For the past year, he has been helping BAA Blog folks get their hands on items like the SONY a9 ii, the SONY 200-600 G OSS lens, the Canon EOS R5, the Canon RF 100-500mm lens, and the Nikon 500mm PF. Steve is personable, helpful, and eager to please.
Gear Questions and Advice
Too many folks attending BAA IPTs and dozens of photographers whom I see in the field and on BPN, are–out of ignorance–using the wrong gear especially when it comes to tripods and more especially, tripod heads… Please know that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail. Those questions might deal with systems, camera bodies, accessories, and/or lens choices and decisions.
This image was created on 15 February 2011 on a Hooptie Deux trip to Alafia Banks in Tampa Bay with Captain James Shadle. I used the
tripod/Mongoose-mounted Canon EF 800mm f/5.6L IS USM lens with the 1.4X II TC (now replaced for EF lenses by the Canon Extender EF 1.4X III and the long-defunct EOS-1D Mark IV. ISO 400. Evaluative metering at about +1/3 stop: 1/800 sec. at f/11. AWB at 8:29am on a sunny morning.
Tracking Expand Flexible Spot/AF-C was active at the moment of exposure and performed to perfection.
Click the image to see a larger version.
Image #1: Roseate Spoonbill in mega-breeding plumage preening
Gorgeous!
This is the most gorgeous breeding plumage Roseate Spoonbill I have ever seen. Anywhere. The birds that breed in Texas are, on average, more colorful on the breast than the Florida birds but I have not been there. Yet. I hope to get there early this spring.
The Canon 800mm f/5.6L IS lens was one of my all-time favorite telephoto lenses.
My favorite AirBNB super-host ordered two prints to decorate my favorite Gulfport AirBNB. This one will be printed on canvas at 24X 24″. The 1D IV was a 16.1 MO 1.3X crop factor body. As this is a fairly large crop, I decided to run the image file through Topaz Gigapixel AI on Auto at 2X before re-sizing it. See below for the amazing results …
Be sure to click on the image to better see the amazing improvement.
Topaz Gigapixel AI on Auto at 2X on the Roseate Spoonbill in mega-breeding plumage preening
Topaz Gigapixel AI on the Roseate Spoonbill in mega-breeding plumage image
With this one I was stunned by the results. I am not sure how Gigapixel AI performs its magic; the image is rendered at twice the file size, and amazingly sharper and cleaner. Note the improved sharpness of the eye and the incredible detail at the base of the upper mandible in the after version on the right. Artificial intelligence indeed. This one will make a stunning canvas print.
This image was created on 9 September 2006 near Fort DeSoto. I used the tripod/Mongoose-mounted Canon EF 600mm f/4L IS USM lens and the long, long-defunct EOS-1D Mark II N. ISO 400. Evaluative metering at about +1/3 stop: 1/1000 sec. at f/6.3. AWB right at sunset with some light clouds on the western horizon.
Click the image to see a larger version.
Image #2: Great Blue Heron sunset silhouette
Too Long Ago …
I would have sworn that this image was made with a handheld lens, probably the original 100-400. But the EXIF showed that it was made with the first 600 f/4 L IS lens. That one was so heavy that I could not have handheld it even for a few seconds. Ah, the times they are a changing … I do remember being so nervously excited as everything came together that I screwed up the juxtaposition of the subject and the sun. The sun in this image needed to be re-positioned to our right to improve the compositional balance.
Again, be sure to click on the image to better see the amazing improvement.
Image #2B: Topaz Sharpen AI on Auto on the Great Blue Heron sunset silhouette at 100%
Topaz Sharpen AI on the Great Blue Heron sunset silhouette image
For this EOS-1D Mark II N (8.2MP) file, I first put it through Topaz Gigapixel AI at 2X. The image was improved, but did not look very sharp. So next I applied Topaz Sharpen AI on Auto. Much better. After being re-sized to 30 X 20″, I uploaded the file to the printer’s website.
The cover image was re-mastered with Topaz DeNoise AI and Topaz Sharpen AI.
Though published more than a decade ago, the oft-overlooked The Art of Bird Photography II, remains an incredible resource for all bird and nature photographers.
ABP II is the continuation of the How-To classic, “The Art of Bird Photography; The Complete Guide to Professional Field Techniques.” One chapter covers all aspects of Digital Photography and includes a section on understanding histograms. It also includes Artie’s (then-current) digital workflow along with tons of great Photoshop tips. Other chapters include “Equipment; What’s New?,” “Advanced Composition and Image Design,” “It Ain’t Just Birds,” “Exposure and Flash Simplified,” and “Advanced Sharpness Techniques & Creating Pleasing Blurs.” The “Practicalities” chapter includes a detailed section on setting up your backyard for bird photography as well as sections on photographing on safari and on the tundra. Each image in the book includes the all technical data and is accompanied by the legendary educational captions that made Artie’s free on-line Bulletins, and now the BAA Blog, so popular. Most chapters include one or more galleries designed to illustrate and reinforce the principles covered in the text. There are two copies of the book on the CD. Open the “Spreads” version to best enjoy the beauty of the images and the layout and design. Open the “Single Pages” version for easy reading.
Note: You can port this CD to an iPad – please e-mail us for instructions
Note: This CD is also available as a digital download – you can see it here.
The front cover of the CD is an image from the same series as Image #2, the Great Blue Heron sunset silhouette. To learn how the foggy GBH image on the back cover was created from a very foggy image, see the blog post I Haven’t the Foggiest blog post from 2013 here. The back cover of ABP II features a wonderful quote from friend and fellow professional Jim Brandenburg, 40 or so words that I will always cherish:
Arthur Morris’s bird photographs have a truly unparalleled elegance. As artist, he shares a rare gift of intimacy in his work, then as teacher, powerfully describes the steps of this most delicate ballet with his shy and elusive feathered partner.
Learn lots more about ABP II and our other educational offerings here.
Jim Brandenburg
Incredibly, I know that there are more than a few folks who have never heard of Jim Brandenburg. Jim (born November 23, 1945) is an environmentalist, nature photographer, filmmaker, and philanthropist based near Ely, Minnesota. His career includes 10 years as a newspaper photojournalist, more than 30 years as a contract photographer for National Geographic, and commissions from such groups as the United States Postal Service and the BBC. Jim Brandenburg is a Fellow of the International League of Conservation Photographers.
Jim is incredibly creative. He is inspirational. He is spiritual. He is philosophical and to me, often seems mystical. He is thoughtful — he seems to consider each word and thought before he verbalizes it. I met him several times many years ago and he was quite kind to me. Most recently, I re-read his monumental Chased by the Light and was re-inspired. If you do not know the story of the epic work, I urge you to check out the video. Watch the video at the preceding link and learn the story of the time when Jim embarrassed a wolf …
I spent well more than an hour this morning “catching up” with Jim. I learned a ton by visiting the Brandenburg Gallery Facebook page here. I learned that Jim, six months older than I am, has not been resting on his laurels. See 93 Days of Spring here. I learned of the completion of Jim’s winter project here.
Typos
Feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors. Just be right :). with love, artie
I woke early today — Saturday 5 December 2020 — and checked the weather forecast for Indian Lake Estates: cloudy with NW winds. So I worked in bed till almost 8am helping out BPN-friend Paul Burdett with a White-faced Heron image. You can see this interesting post here.. I got out of bed and pulled back the blinds to see a bright sun, clear skies, and zero wind … I dressed quickly, drove down to the lake with only the Canon gear in the car, and enjoyed lots of good chances on the usual subjects: the Mother’s Day crane family and a slew of Black Vultures.
The more that I work with the Canon gear the more I learn, the more fun I have, and the more impressed I become. Several folks who have left comments on the last two blog posts have been amazingly helpful. If you own or are considering getting an R5 (or an R6), it would behoove you to go back and read the great exchange of ideas in the Comments sections.
Most Importantly
As always, if what you read or learn here inspires or convinces you to purchase an R5 or 6, and/or the RF 100-500 lens, and/or the RF Extender 1.4X, please use my B&H affiliate links or get in touch with Steve Elkins at Bedford to save 3% on your new gear and get it a lot quicker …
Great R5/RF 100-500 News from Bedfords
I spoke to Steve Elkins at Bedford Camera on Thursday and was excited to learn that he will be getting his biggest-yet shipment of Canon R5 bodies and RF 100-500 lenses early next week. You can save 3% on your order by entering the BIRDSASART coupon code at checkout. Your discount will be applied to your pre-tax (if any is due) total. In addition, by using the code you will get free 2nd day air shipping via Fed Ex.
If you buy the Canon rig that I am testing you will save a very handsome $212.91. As most of you know and too many of you forget, using either of my affiliate partners is the best way to thank me for the work that I do here on the blog.
Back in Stock
We now have eighteen of the hugely popular Levered-Clamp FlexShooter Pro tripod heads in stock. Click on the preceding link to learn more about this amazing head, the ballhead that thinks it’s a gimbal head and — thanks to the amazing counter-balanced spring mechanism — works great with any rig from the longest, heaviest super-telephoto lens to a camera-body-mounted wide angle. The latter is possible because of the bi-directional clamp; it is no longer necessary to travel with a gimbal head for long lens photography and a ballhead for scenic photography. And after just a moment’s adjustment, the double ball enables you to ensure that every image you take is on the level.
Please Remember
With income from IPTs approaching zero, please, if you enjoy and learn from the blog, remember to use one of my two affiliate programs when purchasing new gear. Doing so just might make it possible for me to avoid having to try to get a job as a Walmart greeter and will not cost you a single penny more. And if you use Bedfords and remember to enter the BIRDSASART code at checkout, you will save 3% on every order and enjoy free second-day air shipping. In these crazy times — I am out at least forty to sixty thousand dollars so far due to COVID 19 (with lots more to come) — remembering to use my B&H link or to shop at Bedfords will help me out a ton and be greatly appreciated. Overseas folks who cannot order from the US because of import fees, duties, and taxes can always help out by clicking here if they see fit.
Topaz Still on Sale!
Right now Topaz is offering price reductions on the Utility Bundle and the Creator Bundle. The former normally sells for $359.96. It is on sale now for $249.95. Click here, scroll all the way down to the sale, and enter the ARTHUR15 code at checkout to save an additional 15%! The Creator Bundle usually sells for $279.97 and is now on sale for $149.99. Using the ARTHUR15 code at checkout brings the price down to $127.49!
The BAA Used Gear Page
The Used Gear page continues to be red hot! It is BAA Used Gear Page is the place to sell your used photographic equipment. We will help you to get your gear sold quickly for 20 to 60% or more than what the big guys are offering … Doubt me? Check out the Recent Sales list for the past ten months at the bottom of the page.
BIRDS AS ART is registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
Great Topaz News!
Folks who use the BAA Topaz link to purchase Sharpen AI, DeNoise AI, or the Utility Bundle (or any other Topaz plugins) will receive a 15% discount by entering the ARTHUR15 code at checkout. To get the discount you must use my link and you must enter the discount code. Be sure to start with this link.
Topaz Stuff
As I said just a while back and have said often many times before, I should have listened sooner. If you, like me, are new to the Topaz party, please use this link to purchase. Right now I can wholeheartedly recommend both Topaz Sharpen AI and Topaz DeNoise AI. Though I have not yet worked with JPEGtoRAW AI or Gigapixel AI, I have installed both of these plug-ins and look forward to trying them on some I-Phone 11 images fairly soon. If you are thinking like me, consider the Utility Bundle that includes all four plug-ins mentioned above at a money-saving price.
Again, those who purchase Sharpen AI or DeNoise AI using my link, can e-mail to request a short Getting Started with Topaz e-Guide. I had a bit of trouble getting the two plug-ins installed and having them appear in the Photoshop Filter Menu. In addition, I will explain how to best learn about the two plug-ins by applying them on a Layer (in Photoshop). I amazed myself yesterday by completing this guide in the car on the way to and from Sebastian. Huge thanks to Anita for doing the driving. Please include a copy of your Topaz order when requesting the guide.
New and Better Bedfords Discount Policy!
You can now save 3% on all of your Bedfords photo gear purchases by entering the BIRDSASART coupon code at checkout. Your discount will be applied to your pre-tax total. In addition, by using the code you will get 2nd day air shipping via Fed Ex.
Grab a Nikon AF-S Teleconverter TC-14E III and save $14.99. Purchase a Canon EOS R5 and your discount will be $116.97. Purchase a Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens and save a remarkable $389.94! Your Bedford’s purchase no longer needs to be greater than $1,000.00 for you to receive a discount. The more you spend, the more you save.
Money Saving Reminder
Many have learned that if you need a hot photo item that is out of stock at B&H and would enjoy free overnight shipping, your best bet is to click here, place an order with Bedfords, and enter the coupon code BIRDSASART at checkout. If an item is out of stock, contact Steve Elkins via e-mail or on his cell phone at (479) 381-2592 (Eastern time). Be sure to mention the 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 and everywhere else. The wait lists at the big stores can be a year or longer for the hard to get items. Steve will surely get you your gear long before that. For the past year, he has been helping BAA Blog folks get their hands on items like the SONY a9 ii, the SONY 200-600 G OSS lens, the Canon EOS R5, the Canon RF 100-500mm lens, and the Nikon 500mm PF. Steve is personable, helpful, and eager to please.
Gear Questions and Advice
Too many folks attending BAA IPTs and dozens of photographers whom I see in the field and on BPN, are–out of ignorance–using the wrong gear especially when it comes to tripods and more especially, tripod heads… Please know that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail. Those questions might deal with systems, camera bodies, accessories, and/or lens choices and decisions.
Tracking Expand Flexible Spot/AF-C was active at the moment of exposure and performed to perfection.
Click the image to see a larger version.
Image #1: American White Pelican flapping in place
An Exercise in Thinking Part I
Please feel free to share your thoughts on this image. Can you guess the ISO? What direction was the slight breeze from? Do you see anything funky in the processing? Any and all comments are welcome.
This image was created on 4 December 2020 at Indian Lake Estates, FL. I used the handheld Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM lens (at 500mm) and the highly touted 45MP Canon EOS R5 Mirrorless Digital camera body. ISO ???. Exposure determined using the in-camera histogram: 1/1000 sec. at f/7.1 (wide open!) in Manual mode. AWB at 7:53am on cloudy very dark morning.
Face detection + Tracking/AI Servo AF was active at the moment of exposure and performed well.
Click the image to see a larger version.
Image #2: Black Vulture in B&W
An Exercise in Thinking Part II
Please feel free to share your thoughts on this image. Can you guess the ISO? How would you rate the sharpness of this image? How did I get so close to this bird? Can you detect any Photoshop trickery in Image #2? Any and all comments are welcome.
Typos
Feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors. Just be right :). with love, artie
