BIRDS AS ART BULLETIN #230
MAY 4, 2007
Visit: www.birdsasart.com
ROBERT AMORUSO’S MERRITT ISLAND/BREVARD COUNTY SITE GUIDE (ON CD ONLY)
MORE SHADLE MAGIC: WOOD STORKS!
NEW YORK CITY SEMINAR
USED 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS LENS FOR SALE
TIM GREY’S DDQ
ABP II & IPT KUDOS
ST. AUGUSTINE IPT LATE REGISTRATION DISCOUNT OFFER AND SELECTED IPT
DATE CORRECTION: ROBERT O'TOOLE'S BAA/IPT ST. AUGUSTINE APTATS (Advanced Photoshop Techniques and Tips Simplified) BAA/IPT WORKSHOPs
USED EQUIPMENT UPDATE
Contact us by phone at 863-692-0906 (Eastern Time Zone) or by e-mail at birdsasart@att.net or birdsasart@verizon.net. The att e-mail address is best from overseas.
We gladly accept credit card orders by phone 8am till 9pm Eastern Time (8 am till 3pm Fridays).
You can use the Paypal links on the web site to order anything. Just type in the item(s) and the amount. If using your own Paypal account, please send to either of the e-mail addresses above.
Photographic theme: Images by Robert Amoruso from the new MI/BC BAA Site Guide plus a few of mine. Sorry, but technical details for Robert’s images are not available.
Sunrise Seashore Blur, Cape Canaveral National Seashore, FL
Image Copyright 2007: Robert Amoruso/Wildscape Images
ROBERT AMORUSO’S MERRITT ISLAND/BREVARD COUNTY (MI/BC) SITE GUIDE (ON CD ONLY)
I am proud to announce that Robert Amoruso’s Merritt Island/Brevard County, Florida BIRDS AS ART Photographic Site Guide is now available. With the main body of the work coming in at more than 170 pages, it is by far the largest and most detailed BAA Site Guide. Unlike all of the previous Site Guides in the series, this one will not be available via e-mail. A CD with the PDFs will be sent to you by US mail.
This lavishly illustrated guide covers Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, Viera Wetlands in Melbourne, Canaveral National Seashore, and Parrish Park and the Blue Heron Water Reclamation Facility, both in Titusville. The Merritt Island NWR section of the guide covers not only the famous Black Point Drive (in great detail I might add), but it covers a host of other areas within the refuge boundaries. These include but are not limited to Biolab Road, Scrub Ridge Trail (for Scrub Jays), Shiloh Marsh Road, L Pond Road, and Pump House Road. And in addition to pointing out the best locations for birds and other wildlife, Robert notes the best spots for scenic photography. Whether you are visiting from anywhere on the planet, are a Florida resident, or a local, you are sure to learn a ton from this guide. As with all BAA Site Guides the MI/BC Site Guide is designed so that when you arrive on your first-ever morning at one of the locations in the guide, you know exactly where to be when and what to expect.
Yikes, I almost forgot: the MI/BC guide includes 18 pages of Robert’s top photo tips. You can learn more about Robert and Wildscapes Images here: wildscapeimages@adelphia.net
You can order your Merritt Island/Brevard County Site Guide (on CD only) today for $50 plus $3 shipping and handling ($53 total) in the US. Florida residents need to add 7% sales tax: $53.50 plus the $3 shipping and handling ($56.50 total). To Canada the cost is $50 plus $6 shipping ($56 total). For overseas customers the cost will be $50 plus $8 shipping and handling ($58 total).
As is usual Paypal is quite convenient. Be sure to include your US Mail ship-to address. You can call us at 863-692-0906 with credit card in hand, or send a check for the correct amount made out to “Arthur Morris” to us as follows: Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART, PO Box 7245, 4041 Granada Drive, Indian Lake Estates, FL 33855.
Hooded Merganser, male in flight, Merritt Island NWR, Titusville, FL
Image Copyright 2007: Robert Amoruso/Wildscape Images
MORE SHADLE MAGIC: WOOD STORKS!
On Friday last I took another boat trip with James Shadle and IPT veteran John Canning. We visited one of James’s hidden-away jewels, a small lake in Lakeland, FL. We got to photography Wood Stork chicks in the nest just above eye level, White Ibises incubating (chicks coming soon!), and a variety of nesting wading birds. The Wood Storks were my favorite! If you would like to make a boat trip with James you can contact him as follows: by cell phone at 813-363-2854 or via e-mail at James@wildflorida.net.
Wood Stork, small chick with adult in nest, early morning light, Lakeland, FL (with James Shadle)
Image Copyright 2007: Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
Canon 500mm f/4 L IS Lens with the 2XII TC and the EOS-1Ds Mark II. ISO 400.
Evaluative Metering +2/3 stop: 1/800 sec. at f/8.
James’s flats boat is amazingly stable. As long as it is not too windy, I do not hesitate to use the 2X on a big lens when working on a tripod from his boat.
NYC SEMINAR
The Art of Nature Photography; It Ain’t Just Birds!
Weekend How-To Seminar
Queens, New York (near JFK Airport)
August 18-19, 2007
This seminar is for all nature photographers who want to learn how to make better photographs. If you live within a three hour drive and are not planning on attending, you are either an amazingly talented photographer and Photoshop expert or you need to re-think things <smile> On Saturday 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, and on composition and image design, and my tips on getting close to free and wild subjects and creating pleasing blurs will benefit everyone who owns a telephoto lens and 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 on Sunday. As more and more folks are using Digital Capture, I am finding on our IPTs that many good to excellent photographers have no clue as to how to use Photoshop to make their images look better. In fact, many of them make their best images look worse! My workflow is designed to quickly produce master files of high quality. I can and will teach you to do just that at this seminar.
The cost of the weekend seminar is $169. The cost of either single day is $99. Members of qualifying camera clubs are invited to apply a $10 discount. (If you are a member of a camera club or other photography organization please e-mail for details.) Register with a friend or spouse and take $10 off each registration. Register in groups of four or more and take $20 off of each registration. Get a group of ten photographers together and apply a $30 discount to each registration. (Please e-mail for group registration details.) It is highly recommend that folks purchase the buffet luncheon option ($15/day includes tip and tax) as there are no fast food restaurants nearby. Those purchasing the lunch option will receive their lunch coupon when they check in each morning.) The cost of the weekend seminar plus the two lunches is $199.
To register, send a check for the full amount made out to "Arthur Morris" to PO Box 7245, Indian Lake Estates, FL 33855, call with a credit card: 863-692-0906, or send a Paypal (using either any link on our site or your Paypal account) to us at birdsasart@att.net In all cases, we will need your e-mail address, your mailing address, and your daytime and evening phone numbers. Here is our Cancellation Policy: If for any reason you need to withdraw, please notify us ASAP. Once we receive your e-mail, phone call, or written notice of your cancellation the following fees apply: cancel before May 17, 2007 and your fee will be refunded less a $20.00 cancellation fee; cancel by July 17, 2007 and your fee will be refunded less a $50.00 cancellation fee; cancel after July 17, 2007 and there will be no refund.
The doors will open on both days at 8 am and the programs will begin at 9 am sharp. There will be tons of great door prizes. I hope that you will be able to join me for what will be an incredibly educational and fun-filled weekend. (If anyone would like to help us set up or to simply hang out, be there at 7:00am.)
The seminar hotel is the Crowne Plaza JFK Hotel, 151-20 Baisley Blvd., Jamaica, NY 11434. The first 40 attendees who stay at least two nights at the seminar hotel will receive a free Lens Pen Combo Kit—a $20 value--plus our detailed instructions (those sent via e-mail). Room rates anywhere in NYC are extremely high; we have negotiated a fantastic low rate of $139 per night for those who register in a timely fashion. (The lowest internet rate that I could come up with for the Crowne Plaza was $161/night). To secure your room, please call 718-489-1000 with a credit card in hand, state that you wish to make a BIRDS AS ART reservation, and give them the confirmation code: BAA. Please click here for additional details and the tentative schedule: http://www.birdsasart.com/seminars.htm.
In August, fall shorebird migration is well underway at the nearby Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. Photography at the East Pond there can be excellent, especially for those who do not mind crawling in the mud and muck. Folks joining us from out of town should strongly consider bringing their gear and doing some photography at J-BAY, one of my favorite places on the planet, and one of my three soul-places. I would advise staying on after the seminar (rather than coming in early) as the juvenile shorebirds, which can be extraordinarily tame, begin arriving in mid-August.
Glossy Ibis, Viera Wetlands, Melbourne, FL
Image Copyright 2007: Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
Canon 400mm f/5.6L lens (handheld) with the EOS-1D Mark II. ISO 400.
Evaluative Metering 1 stop off of grey sky: 1/1250 sec. at f/8.
I have visited Viera only once but made some good images. I hope to get over to Viera and Merritt Island NWR ASAP…
Wood Stork, chick in nest, Lakeland, FL (with James Shadle)
Image Copyright 2007: Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
Canon 500mm f/4 L IS lens with the 2XII TC and the EOS-1Ds Mark II. ISO 400.
Evaluative Metering at zero: 1/1250 sec. at f/11 set manually.
Note the difference in the quality of light in this image (9:45 am) and the one above (7:24am). Note also the difference in the exposure details. With more light when this image was made, I was able to stop down to f/11 for a bit of extra depth-of-field. Note: the blue/green slash just to the right of the bird's left wing was in the original RAW image. Most folks would assume that it was a result of sloppy Photoshop technique...
TIM GREY’S DDQ
If you are not receiving Tim Grey’s Digital Darkroom Questions, you are missing out on some great information (and links to more great information)… Here is Tim’s DDQ from last Wednesday:
Digital Darkroom Questions (DDQ) by Tim Grey May 2, 2007 web site: www.timgrey.com e-mail: tim@timgrey.com
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I've read in several places that when shooting with a digital camera you should "shoot for the highlights". Could you explain what that means?
What this means in terms of your photography is that for optimal image quality with digital capture you should capture with an exposure that is as bright as possible without blowing out highlight detail. That obviously doesn't necessarily translate into the best exposure possible from an aesthetic perspective, but from an image quality perspective it is best. You'll then be able to adjust the image after capture to produce the best aesthetic result, with maximum information in the image.
That "maximum information" is maximum detail and minimum noise. Exposing for the highlights does this because it maximizes the signal captured by the imaging sensor, and also records as much information in the bright end of the luminosity scale as possible, and most of the tonal values available are found at the bright end of the range, based on the way the data is actually recorded.
Naturally, this method only works well if you are comfortable with needing to make adjustments to your images after capture. If you're hoping to get perfect captures right out of the camera that can be sent to clients or others without adjustment, this method only adds work you don't want to worry about. But if image quality (maximum detail and minimum noise) is your primary concern, this approach will help (along with all the other things you should do to ensure optimal quality, such as using a tripod, critical focus, etc.).
There is an excellent article that expands upon the technical issues related to this approach to digital photography written by Michael Reichmann at Luminous Landscape at the following address:
http://www.luminous-landscape.com/tutorials/expose-right.shtml
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Support the DDQ E-mail Service Contributions from readers like you are the only compensation for the time and effort that goes into producing this email service. You can help support this effort by becoming a contributor. Besides helping to ensure this service remains viable, you'll gain access to a searchable archive of all prior questions and have the opportunity to have your own questions considered for inclusion in the DDQ email. Details can be found here: www.timgrey.com/ddq/
Contents of this e-mail are copyright by Tim Grey. All Rights Reserved.
Northern Pintail, male in flight, Merritt Island NWR, Titusville, FL
Image Copyright 2007: Robert Amoruso/Wildscape Images
ABP II & IPT KUDOS
Via e-mail from Ken Sheide:
Dear Artie, I recently ordered and received your “The Art of Bird Photography II” CD and must tell you that it is terrible! It is terrible because it is so engaging that it has kept me up at night reading when I should instead be sleeping in preparation for work in the morning! Seriously, it is an enthralling and educational read with many phenomenal photographs. Well done and thank you for putting it together! Best, Ken
By e-mail from Karen Wilbert:
Dear Art, I have been meaning to contact you and have just now slowed down enough to do so. My husband, Tom Wilbert, participated in the SW FLA IPT in Feb., 2007. I gave him the trip as a Christmas present. He came back so enthused about bird photography and said that he had learned a tremendous amount from you and your co-leaders. I had always thought that Tommy's pictures were beautiful, but after attending the IPT he has added another dimension and depth to his photographs. It has been such a joy seeing his new focus and perspective with regards to photography. I credit you and the co-leaders and the entire IPT for his renewed enthusiasm and determination to re-create the beauty of nature in his photographs. He is looking forward to attending additional IPTs and is currently thinking about one of the Bosque tours. Thanks again for the time, energy, and knowledge you provided my husband.....it has been the impetus he needed to immerse himself in becoming a more skilled and creative photographer. Thanks again! Karen Wilbert
Via e-mail from Monte Brown:
Hi Art, Thanks again for the wonderful DeSoto IPT, I learned a tremendous amount and my images showed great improvement over the 3 days of photo shooting. Your willingness to share the details of your knowledge is rare and it makes your IPTs unique; I quickly realized I need to purchase another 500f/4 IS!
I will be joining you for Bosque #2. Best, Monte
Least Bittern, Viera Wetlands, Melbourne, FL
Image Copyright 2007: Robert Amoruso/Wildscape Images
ST. AUGUSTINE IPT LATE REGISTRATION DISCOUNT OFFER AND SELECTED IPT UPDATES
We are offering a Late Registration Discount on the St. Augustine Alligator Farm IPT. Please call for details: 863-692-0906.
St Augustine Alligator Farm IPT MAY 17-20, 2007. 3 1/2 DAY IPT: $1099 (Limit: 12; openings: 2) Introductory Slide Program from 2-4pm on the afternoon of Thursday, May 17. This IPT includes 7 photography sessions and four slide programs, with at least two devoted totally to Photoshop. Amazing heron and egret rookery. Nesting Great, Snowy, and Cattle Egrets and Tricolored Herons, all with chicks.
The third Bosque IPT has been sold our for some time and #1 and #2 are filling quite nicely.
Bosque #1: "The Fall Color IPT" NOV 13-15, 2007. Slide Program on the evening of NOV 12. 3-DAY: $999. (Limit 14; openings: 8). Co-leader: Robert O'Toole. This IPT should feature a better chance for a day or two of the rare south winds that drastically improve flight photography and will definitely feature the brightest fall-color cottonwoods.
Bosque #2: "The Pre-Thanksgiving IPT" NOV 18-20, 2007. Slide Program on the evening of NOV 17. 3-DAY: $999. (Limit 14; openings: 9). Co-leader: Robert O'Toole & Alfred Forns. This IPT will feature increasing numbers of geese and cranes with lots of great opportunities. In 2007, I will again be hosting a Thanksgiving Day luncheon at Las Lunas Mansion, a fine restaurant in an historic building. You will need to reserve a spot and pay in advance. Details TBA; strictly limited to 50 folks.
Bosque #3: "The Post-Thanksgiving IPT" NOV 24-26, 2007. Slide Program on the evening of NOV 23. 3-DAY: $999. (Limit 14: Sold Out) Assistant leaders: Robert O'Toole, Robert Amoruso, and Alfred Forns. This IPT is scheduled on dates that I consider peak for Bosque. (There may be a Full Moon Add-on NOV 23; details TBA. If you register for this one, hold off on buying your plane ticket if you might be interested in the add-on.) In 2007, I will again be hosting a Thanksgiving Day luncheon at Las Lunas Mansion, a fine restaurant in an historic building. You will need to reserve a spot and pay in advance. Details TBA; strictly limited to 50 folks.
SW FLA Post X-mas IPT: DEC 27-29, 2007). Slide program on the evening Wednesday, DEC 26, 2006. 3-DAY: $1029. (Limit 12) Co-leaders: Alfred Forns, & Robert O'Toole. Sanibel Island, Venice Rookery, Cape Coral, and possibly Little Estero Lagoon (depending on the tides). Herons, egrets, gulls, terns, skimmers, shorebirds, both pelicans, Osprey, Burrowing Owl, and lots more. Roseate Spoonbill and Wood Stork possible.
Wood Stork, adult in flight, early morning light, Lakeland, FL (with James Shadle)
Image Copyright 2007: Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
Canon 400mm f/5.6L lens handheld with the EOS-1Ds Mark II. ISO 400.
Evaluative Metering +2/3 stop off the sky: 1/1600 sec. at f/8 set manually.
Though it is not an IS lens, the 400 f/5.6 is still a great lightweight flight lens. Seeing the green sheen in the primaries is a result of the early morning light. Most nature photographers sleep too late! And most folks believe that a sharp image of a bird in flight always makes a good image. Nothing could be farther from the truth; in this image the light angle, the quality of the light, the bird angling slightly toward me, and the perfect position of both the wings and the feet make this one a good flight image...
DATE CORRECTION: ROBERT O'TOOLE'S BAA/IPT ST. AUGUSTINE APTATS (Advanced Photoshop Techniques and Tips Simplified) BAA/IPT WORKSHOPS
In Bulletin 229, I inadvertently typed in the wrong months for Robert’s S. Augustine offerings. Here is the correct info:
St. Augustine Alligator Farm BAA IPT APTATS workshops (limit: 4). May 15 and May 20, 2007. $399 per session/$349 per session if two or more registrants. 10AM-5PM. Six hours of instruction, one hour lunch break (laptop with Photoshop required).
These workshops are scheduled so that IPT participants can attend the IPTs without conflict (either before of after the IPTs as above). Non-IPT participants are welcome.
APTATS workshops are designed for the digital photographer with an emphasis on simplicity and will be conducted in a relaxed and personalized atmosphere. Robert will demonstrate the step by step procedures for each task and explain the theory as well. Participants will progress at their own pace with the demonstration images that he provides. The small group size will allow for personalized instruction for everyone. Ambitious folks can enjoy an early morning of great photography in the field and then bring their images to life in the Workshops.
Note: Robert’s Quick Mask techniques are simply amazing, and more amazing is the fact the he developed them completely on his own. I find myself using Quick Masks for a variety of tasks on three of every four images that I optimize. Many of his Quick Mask techniques will be covered in his APTATS #1 PDF coming soon. Sorry: we are not accepting pre-orders. I am about half way through the second and final edit.
Common Snipe, Merritt Island NWR, Titusville, FL
Image Copyright 2007: Robert Amoruso/Wildscape Images
USED EQUIPMENT UPDATE
Both my Canon 400mm f/5.6 L and my EOS-1D MII N sold within hours. I price my used stuff to sell quickly knowing that I could get a few bucks more on e-Bay but I would rather get the stuff in the hands of folks who will appreciate it put it to good use.
Snowy Egret trio blur, Merritt Island NWR, Titusville, FL
Image Copyright 2007: Robert Amoruso/Wildscape Images
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 BAA sponsor as it Delkin Devices. Back issues of all BAA Bulletins can be found in the Bulletin Archives which may be accessed from the home page at www.birdsasart.com
