I have been teaching folks for 15 years that white against blue with the sun out = evaluative metering -1/3 stop. And that has not changed with digital. Note: some digital cameras like the Canon EOS 10D and the 20D and the Nikon D70 usually require -2/3 stops in these white against middle situations.
Image Critique Quiz #1: What could have made this image even better? Please E-mail for the quiz answers.
ON THE ROAD AGAIN AGAIN!
I am on the road again today, this time co-leading a Photo Safari to Kenya with Todd Gustafson. I will be back in the office briefly in early September before getting on another plane, this time to Alaska to spend two+ weeks photographing brown bears and catching some salmon and halibut. It's tough work but someone's gotta do it <smile>! I will effectively be out of touch until late September. Jim and Jennifer will be here to help you with mail order and IPT registrations, etc. If you have some fresh, new questions for me, please hold onto them until after September 25th. Thanks. I hope to meet many more of you in Dallas.
AI Servo AF with the central sensor only worked perfectly. I set CF-17-3 so that the active focusing area is extended by two sensors in all directions.
Image Critique Quiz #2: What could have made this image even better? Please E-mail for the quiz answers.
Here, I used One Shot AF (central sensor only), focused on the bird, and recomposed. The subject was actually in light shade, thus the +1/3 exposure compensation.
Image Critique Quiz #3: Why should I have moved one big step to my right before making this image?
MORE SEMINAR KUDOS
It pays to keep the 28-135 IS lens in a vest pocket all times...
Image Critique Quiz #4: Could I have improved this image?
This seminar is for all nature photographers who want to learn how to make better images. I will describe the methods and techniques that I have developed and used since 1983. My comments on equipment (including and especially digital equipment), autofocus, light, composition and image design, and sharpness and my tips on getting close to wild subjects and photographing action and behavior will benefit everyone with a telephoto lens who wishes to dramatically improve the quality of their images. Since going all-digital in November 2002, I have--in short order--become a digital photography and Photoshop expert. My approach to optimizing images is to create a master file of excellent quality in the shortest possible time. I will share our workflow and numerous Digital and Photoshop tips during the Sunday sessions.
Weekend package (2 days): $159. Either Saturday or Sunday: $109. To register send a check for the full amount made out to "Arthur Morris" to PO Box 7245, Indian Lake Estates, FL 33855. We accept credit cards by phone: 863-692-0906. In either case, we need your e-mail address, your mailing address, and your daytime and evening phone numbers. Here is the Cancellation Policy for these events: Photo Road Show is relying on your attendance, so if for any reason you need to withdraw, please notify Arthur Morris as soon as possible. Once we receive written notice of your cancellation the following fees apply: cancel 31+ days prior to the start of the workshop and your fee will be refunded less a $50.00 cancellation fee; cancel less 30 days prior to the date of the workshop and there will be no refund.
Please e-mail us at birdsasart@verizon.net to request the SAT/SUN schedules.
This bird was foraging in the shade so I had set +1 1/3 stops after checking the histogram. I would have gone to +1/3 stop had I realized that he had stepped out of the shade. Working in Raw mode saved the day as I converted the image .4 stops darker and eliminated a few flashing highlights.
Image Critique Quiz #5: What could I have done to improve this image? Please E-mail for the quiz answers.
When creating images similar to this, having the subject perfectly parallel to the imaging sensor or the film plane is usually best.
Image Critique Quiz #6: How could I have improved this image? Please E-mail for the quiz answers.
ELLEN'S CS2 TIP
Ellen Anon's first book, Photoshop for Nature Photographers; A Workshop in a Book, which she co-authored with Tim Grey, is now available at www.Amazon.com.
Here is her latest tip:
One of the major conveniences added to CS2 is the Image Processor. You can access it through Bridge or Photoshop. It enables you to save groups of images in specific sizes, file formats, and even color spaces in one dialog box. In addition you can have Image Processor run an action on the images as well as add a copyright to each one. The new files are placed in a separate folder within the original folder or anywhere else that you specify. In the past if you wanted to batch convert a group of photos for web use or projection you had to do it individually or write an action to resize the images. The Image Processor does it all for you via an intuitive, easy- to-use dialogue box.
To access the Image Processor in Bridge first select all the images you wish to process and go to Tools/Photoshop/Image Processor. A dialog box will appear. If you have chosen Raw files you can opt to have the processor open the first one for you in Adobe Camera Raw and set the exposure, shadows, brightness, etc. The Image Processor will use these settings to convert all the raw files and then resize them as youve specified in whatever format. Note that if you simply want to batch convert raw files, do not use the Image Processor. Instead select the files you wish to convert in Bridge and then double click on one of them to batch convert in Adobe Camera Raw. If you are resizing non-raw files, then simply select them in Bridge.
Next choose a folder to save the files to. The Image Processor will automatically place them in their own folder but you can opt to keep this folder within the original folder or elsewhere. Next place a check mark by the file types and sizes you wish to create. You dont have to separate the horizontals and verticals - instead fill in the maximum heights for the horizontal and vertical dimensions. It will resize them appropriately as long as you check the Resize to Fit box. For JPEGS you can opt to convert them to sRGB as well and specify the quality. Its a good idea to add your copyright info to your files by simply typing it in. If you wish to run another action such as a sharpening action select it in the dropdown menu by Run Action. You can also access the Image Processor from within Photoshop by going to File/Scripts/Image Processor. It will ask which files you wish to process and then you proceed as described above. It is quick and it is easy! If you have any questions, or would like to find out about getting a signed copy of the book, you can e-mail me at anonpsych@aol.com.
I love using flash to light the backlit/shaded sides of avian subjects.
Image Critique Quiz #7: What could have made this image even better? Please E-mail for the quiz answers.
Note that I needed to set the lowest ISO to achieve a slow enough shutter speed. When attempting to create pleasingly blurred images of stuff blowing in the wind, be sure to make many exposures as each image will look decidedly different. This was my favorite of a long series of about 12 images.
Image Critique Quiz #8: What could I have done to make this image even better? Please E-mail for the quiz answers.
Photographing running shorebirds with a big lens and a 2X TC framing is difficult at best. Here, I needed to add a bit of canvas to the top.
Image Critique Quiz #9: How could I have made this image better? Please E-mail for the quiz answers.
Best, and love and great picture-making to all,
Artie
Note: Arthur Morris has been a Canon contract photographer since 1994 and continues in that role today. Hunt's Photo of Boston, MA is a BIRDS AS ART sponsor, as is Delkin Devices. Do feel free to forward this Bulletin to one or more photographer-friends. Those wishing to subscribe click here: mailto:http://birdsasart.us1.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=94ad23bd96f48a1de2ca612b3&id=bdb4a511a0?subject=subscribe To unsubscribe, click here: mailto:birdsasart@verizon.net?subject=unsubscribe. Back issues of all BAA Bulletins and relevant BAA Notes are archived on the web site at: http://www.birdsasart.com/bn.html