BIRDS AS ART BULLETIN

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Canon 600mm f/4L IS lens handheld with the EOS-1D Mark III. ISO 400. Evaluative metering + 2 stops off of white sky: 1/1000 sec. at f/4.5.

The MIII performed admirably even in low light. The Pontoon Boat IPT was plagued with very cloudy mornings… I picked up quite a few good tips about hand-holding the big lenses for flight photography.

Most of the images in this Bulletin were made with my brand new Canon EOS-1D Mark III professional digital camera body. I gave the camera a thorough workout on the recently concluded 3-DAY Pontoon Boat IPT with Jim Neiger and was quite happy with both the performance and the results. (Note: at present, Kissimmee Jimmy is offering only morning sessions on West Lake Toho as water levels at Lake Blue Cypress are so low as to preclude launching the boat. If interested, you can contact Jim on his cell at 407-247-5200 or via e-mail: jimn@cfl.rr.com.)

Canon 600mm f/4L IS lens with 2X II TC and the EOS-1D Mark III. ISO 200. Evaluative metering -1/3 stop: 1/2500 sec. at f/11.

The MIII is surely the best ever digital camera body for those photographing birds in flight or in action, wildlife in action, or sports. It is, however, the most complex digital camera ever released. There are nine menu tabs that cover approximately 40 items (not including 57 Custom Functions in four groups!) Since the camera is quite complex and many of the basic camera operations are very different from previous Canon digital cameras, we will be offering the Mark III User’s Guide (MIII UG) PDF ($20 via e-mail only) early next week. We are accepting pre-orders. The MIII UG will be sent via e-mail no later than Thursday, June 7, 2007.

The UG will include instructions on how to set and use all of the menu items and custom functions that I am currently using, and best of all, your purchase will include at least one (but probably more) free updates (as I learn more about the camera). In addition, the UG will include basic directions for using Digital Photo Professional (DPP), the packaged RAW processor software that comes (on CD) with the MIII. At present, neither BreezeBrowser nor Adobe Camera Raw supports Mark II RAW conversions and it is likely that that will be the case for the next month or two at least. (All of the MIII images in this bulletin were converted using DPP 3.0.)

You can order your copy of the Mark III User’s Guide PDF right now for $20—by e-mail only. As is usual Paypal is quite convenient. 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.

Canon 70-200 f/4L IS lens handheld at 85 mm with the EOS-1D Mark III. ISO 800. Evaluative metering + 1 1/3 stops: 1/200 sec. at f/4.

On this trip we will expect from 12 to 24 bears on the flats right in front of the lodge either clamming or catching salmon. There will be lots of opportunities to photograph Coastal Brown Bear (a large race of grizzly) at fairly close range. The bears of Lake Clark National Park are not hunted and are totally comfortable around humans, just as they are in Katmai National Park. In addition to the bears, we will be concentrating on puffins, especially on Horned Puffin (which is the easier of the two western species to photograph on the islands near SSCrL). All of the puffin outings will require a boat trip and a bit of climbing. There should be lots of great opportunities to photograph the Horned Puffins in flight. We may try for Tufted Puffin as well but they are much tougher to photograph than the Horned Puffins. There are lots of opportunities for scenic and macro photography as Lake Clark is a beautiful, biologically diverse area. There will be optional fishing trips for both halibut and silver salmon. I will be doing quite a bit of fishing. Last year I brought home 50 pounds of salmon. The SSCr guides are expert at preparing your catch for travel and/or shipping. Nobody has to fish if they do not want to, and there will always be a competent photography leader for each of our daily groups.

We will be splitting up into two or three groups on a daily basis. While we will do our very best to ensure that you will be able to do exactly what you want to do each day, there may be an occasion or two when that is not possible. We will be in Alaska, so please be aware that we might encounter some lousy weather. You will need to be in Anchorage on the afternoon of August 7, 2006 to ensure that you will make the float plane on the morning of August 8. I will be paying for your double-occupancy room on the night of August 7^th. You can upgrade to a single room upon payment of a single supplement of approximately $85. (Hotel rooms in Anchorage are extremely expensive in summer.) It would be best if everyone planned to get to Anchorage a day early (on August 6^th) to allow for any travel delays that might cause you to miss the scheduled float plane convoy (9am on August 8^th). Do note that the float plane trips are dependent on decent flying weather. They are delayed at times.

We will be staying in one of the two Silver Salmon Creek lodge buildings (that are just a short walk apart). All of the lodge rooms are double occupancy. Some rooms have a private bath, others have a shared bath.

Brown Bear standing, Silver Salmon Creek Lodge, Lake Clark National Park, AK

Canon 500mm f/4 L IS lens with 1.4X II TC and the EOS-1D Mark II. ISO 400. Evaluative metering at zero: 1/640 sec. at f/5.6.

The soft light made it easy to capture the incredible detail in the bear’s fur. Though digital capture offers incredible latitude, doing the same thing on a sunny day would be well nigh impossible. When you see something spectacular, it often pays to simply point and shoot rather than to try to make the image perfect or to adjust the exposure. (For me, that is easier said than done.) If you like wildlife, do consider joining us at Silver Salmon Creek this August.

About 30 seconds after I first looked through a SensorScope, I knew that the ideal situation would be for us to be able to sell the SensorScope alone, rather than as part of a kit. I immediately called the great folks at Delkin, Martin Wood and Alan Parry. They agreed to make that happen and we should be receiving our first shipment of SensorScopes this week.

If you are using a Lens Pen with success as so many thousands are, but are tired of making test images to determine whether or not your sensor is clean, then you cannot live without a SensorScope, and now that it is priced to be sold as a stand-alone item, you can and should order one ASAP. With a SensorScope in hand, it takes an average of about one minute to clean the sensor of my Canon EOS 1D MII, and I have cleaned the sensors of all other Canon cameras (as well as a few Nikon cameras) with equal success. In the past, when I had to make test image after test image, it took me anywhere from five to thirty or more minutes to clean a sensor. And with a SensorScope, you never have to clean your sensor when it is clean to start with, you can often get it perfectly clean, and when you do need to use your Lens Pen, you can clean only the small area with the dust spot. Since you will know exactly where the dust speck is, you can often remove it with a simple, well-placed flick of the Lens Pen…

You can order a SensorScope today for only $89.98 plus $8.00 shipping and handling ($97.98 total) in the US. Florida residents please add 7% sales tax to the cost of the item only: ($104.28 total). Overseas customers please e-mail your complete ship-to address to receive a shipping quote. Paypal is quite convenient. 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.

Canon 70-200 f/4L IS lens with the 1.4X II TC handheld at 250 mm with the EOS-1D Mark III. ISO 800. Evaluative metering + 1 stop: 1/1250 sec. at f/4.

As above, the Mark III with its 1.3X multiplier effect is a light, versatile, effective rig, and when you add in the 1.4X teleconverter, you have a deadly weapon in your hands. On the evening of the third night of the Pontoon Boat IPT, Jin Neiger’s boat was vandalized in his driveway to the tune of about $4,000. As we did not find out till the fourth morning, I had to improvise. We drove to Gatorland in Kissimmee in hopes of catching someone in the parking lot and getting in early. A miracle occurred: we ran into Gatorland president and CEO Mark McHugh in the otherwise desolate parking lot. He graciously allowed us early entry in spite of the fact that we did not have either and annual or a photography pass. At present, conditions at Gatorland are phenomenal: there are dozens of just-fledged tricoloreds walking about on the railings and getting fed near their nests. There are lots of Snowy and Cattle Egret chicks of all ages getting fed and lots of wide open nests. And there are lots of large Great Egret chicks as well. Gatorland (http://www.gatorland.com/) has a spectacular wading bird rookery but unfortunately does not cater to photographers nearly as well as the St. Augustine Alligator Farm. Gatorland does offer a photographer’s season pass that allows 8am entry but you are not permitted to stay past closing at 6pm.

I am proud to announce that Robert O’Toole will be offering a free APTATS (Advanced Photoshop Tips and Techniques Simplified) newsletter on a monthly basis beginning in June 2007. The newsletter will feature Photoshop hints and tip, APTATS FAQ, Photoshop and digital new items, and Photoshop and small group workshop schedules.

You can join by emailing Robert@RobertOToolePhotography.com and typing APTATS Newsletter in the subject line. Sign up today and stay up to date with the latest APTATS news and updates.

Canon 600mm f/4L IS lens handheld with 1.4X II TC and the EOS-1D Mark III. ISO 1000. Evaluative metering + 2 stops off of white sky: 1/1000 sec. at f/5.6.

With low light and a boat rocking gently in the breeze the option to go to ISO 1000 without concern is a good one to have. The extra shutter speed helped me to create sharp images in difficult conditions.

Best-selling author Tim Grey, nature photography’s Photoshop guru and top gun, is offering a new quarterly publication, Digital Darkroom Quarterly. It will offer the latest greatest info on optimizing your digital images. Its 32 pages will feature clear, constructive articles and full color throughout. It will—of course—be delivered quarterly. The premier Summer 2007 issue will be mailed this July. Featured articles will include “Photoshop CS3 New Features,” “Lightroom Workflow,” and “Lightroom versus Photoshop.”

Canon 70-200 f/4L IS lens with the 1.4X II TC handheld at 141mm with the EOS-1D Mark III. ISO 400. Manual mode/reduced shutter speed two stops from white bird exposure: 1/1000 sec. at f/5.6.

There are about a dozen or more pair of cormorants nesting at Gatorland and lots of good flight photography opportunities. A small Shadow/Highlight adjustment really brings up the detail in MIII images. To learn how to use Shadow/Highlight and to learn the complete BAA digital workflow, get a copy of you Digital Basics File: http://www.birdsasart.com/digitalbasics.htm

I received this letter via e-mail on May 27 from St. Augustine Alligator Farm IPT participant Christine Fisher:

A week ago today I was at the St. Augustine Alligator Farm on my first IPT. What can I say, except "Wow." I am still overwhelmed by the amount of knowledge I gained over those three and a half days. Spending time in the "classroom" and then being able to practice, practice, practice in the field as we did every day was sensational. Putting all of the new knowledge to work right away has made it part of my thought process already. That weekend has changed my thinking and routine for every picture I will take from now on. I'll take fewer pictures for sure, but the ones I do take will be oh so much better.

In the field with you, Robert, Robert, and Fabs, I always had someone to turn to for answers to my questions. The in-the-field instruction as the different situations presented themselves was wonderful. A white bird against a white sky, no problem; the same white bird in the dark green bushes ... no problem. Sun in, sun out… no problem. These were big problems for me in the past. The Photoshop instruction from you and Robert O’Toole was also great - I'll be spending much less time processing photos, and the end results will be so much better.

One last thing, in your BAA Bulletin after the IPT you refer to me as an "excellent photographer" (that means so much coming from you), and attribute my fast learning to "digital", which of course is a big part of it, but I think that two things I did before I even bought my first camera made even more difference; I bought your book "The Art of Bird Photography" (the CD book wasn't out yet), and I bought your "Digital Basics" (http://www.birdsasart.com/digitalbasics.htm.) Without these I would have been lost, and I would have struggled for a long time before making any great images.

So, thank-you, thank-you, thank-you. I loved my first IPT, and look forward to my next.

Enjoy your Mark III. I have decided to get one as soon as I can find one - and then of course I will have to get your instructions on how to use it :)

Until next time, Christine

Canon 70-200 f/4L IS lens with the 1.4X II TC handheld at 280mm with the EOS-1D Mark III. ISO 1600. Evaluative metering at zero: 1/1000 sec. at f/5.6.

Murphy’s Law of Nests states that every bird nest has one stick too many. Here, I was constantly changing my perspective to render the offending branch relatively un-distracting. Hope that you noticed how great the MIII images look at 1600 ISO. Enabling Highlight Tone Priority as I did here yields more detail in the whites in sunny conditions.

On Saturday, June 9, 2007, I will—thanks to the generosity of Canon USA—be presenting a full-day seminar for the IRPC in Fort Pierce, FL. All are welcome: you do not have to be a member of the Vero Beach-based IRCC to attend.

I will be presenting “BIRDS AS ART On The Road,” taking a look at the new Canon EOS-1D Mark III professional digital camera body, reviewing the complete BIRDS AS ART digital workflow, and taking a look at some advanced Photoshop tips. We will have a variety of books and photographic accessories for sale, including ABP II, APTATS, and the Merritt Island Brevard County Site Guide. If you would like us to bring something for you, please let us know via e-mail no later than the Thursday before the program.

Canon 600mm f/4L IS lens handheld with the EOS-1D Mark III. ISO 640. Evaluative metering -2/3 stop off the lightest green foliage: 1/1600 sec. at f/5.

Using the MIII’s central AF sensor, setting C Fn-3-5:1, and pre-focusing manually I was able to maintain focus even when the Osprey’s dropped below the tree line. Jim Neiger’s tip on bumping the focus in these situations was also a big help. (By bumping the focus he means releasing and the depressing the shutter button when the central sensor falls off of the subject.)

The new Gitzo GT 6X series Carbon Fiber tripods feature removable rubber feet that allowing you to replace worn feet or to fit install spiked feet or snow/sand shoes. Several folks have reported that one or more of the feet have simply fallen off their 3530 SLV tripods. Personal experience has determined that the removable feet are loosened by the vibrations encountered in a moving vehicle. At the very least, photographers need to tighten the feet each time that they head into the field. It is, however, highly recommended that you apply semi-permanent Loctite to the threads. You can purchase Loctite at most local hardware or automotive supply stores.

Canon 70-200 f/4L IS lens with the 1.4X II TC handheld at 129mm with the EOS-1D Mark III. ISO 400. Evaluative metering -1/3 stop: 1/4000 sec. at f/5.6 in Manual mode.

Here, I used AFPS and lucked out with all three sets of eyes pretty much on the same plane.

Gitzo GT3530LSV Carbon Fiber 6x Tripod (on back-order): $649.94 + $15 US shipping

Florida residents need to add 7% sales tax to the cost of the tripod only. Overseas customers please e-mail at birdsasart@att.net for shipping costs (and be sure to include your complete ship-to address).

The popular 3530 LSV (three leg sections/4 lbs), which replaces the CF 1325, has been extremely short supply since its release several months ago. This is the tripod that I use every day with both my 500 and 600 mm f/4L IS lenses. I also use this tripod for macro, and—with the Mongoose 2.3—whenever I need a tripod-mounted intermediate telephoto. We are currently out-of stock and back-ordered, but are expecting our next shipment of 12 soon. It is my understanding that BIRDS AS ART has received more 3530s than any other US supplier including B & H. At present, we only have two or three folks on our wait list so if you need a 3530, the all-purpose CF tripod, it would be best to place your order with us. We will not bill your card until the item ships.

The 3540XLS (four leg sections/4.3 lbs) is for tall folks, 6’ 4” or taller. Todd Gustafson, all 6’ 8” of him, asked me to get him a 3540XLS after hearing good things about it from multiple IPT veteran Bob Wilmschen. I was, however, leery of the rather thin lowest leg sections and suggested that Todd only partially extend the bottom sections. After following my advice, here is what he had to say:

“They finally did it!! They came up with a tripod that I can shoot with in complete comfort. For years I used the heavy Gitzo 410. The height came to just below my chin. It was almost tall enough to shoot flight with but didn't pack down small enough to fit in a regular suitcase. When Gitzo integrated carbon fiber technology into their tripods I switched to the lighter 1548 model thinking I was saving lots of weight. The 1548 folded down to a convenient suitcase size but was still too short. I moved the center column from the 410 tripod to the 1540 so that I could make flight shots in comfort. After shooting a week of jungle birds in Costa Rica I couldn't figure out why my back hurt so much. I realized that the whole tripod set up still wasn't tall enough and that with the center column the 1548 was only one pound lighter than the old 410.

Enter the new line if Gitzo Carbon 6X tripods. My new GT3540XLS model stands an amazing 77" tall! I can stand at full height in comfort and shoot into the jungle canopy or make flight shots with no back pain. The new carbon technology has cut the weight to just over 4 pounds while still providing enough strength to support a 600mm lens, a pro camera body, and a flash setup. The setup and breakdown time on the 1548 model was 45 seconds or more and required 2 hands. With the GT3540XLS I can break down and setup in 10 seconds with one hand due to the new independent leg-locks! Even with the added height it easily fits into a suitcase. And best of all, my images are sharp, even those created at shutter speeds as low as 1/60 second.”

The GT5540LS (four leg sections/6.5 lbs) replaces the CF 1548, but is lighter, stiffer, and stronger. We recommend this model for folks with 400mm f/2.8 or 600 mm lf/4 lenses that do not feature IS or VR technology, and for those who—in their efforts to create the sharpest possible images—demand the most rigid long lens CF tripod available.

Canon 500mm f/4L IS lens handheld with the EOS-1D Mark III. ISO 800. Evaluative metering + 2 stops of white sky: 1/2500 sec. at f/4.

After hand-holding the 600 the 500 seemed light as a feather… As I removed this bird’s mate from the right half of the frame, you may class this one as a photographic illustration if you like. I love the form and shape of the subject’s wings.

The third Bosque IPT has been sold our for some time and #1 and #2 are filling quite nicely. Acclaimed UK photographer Andy Rouse (who has had multiple images honored in the BBC Wildlife Photographer of the Year Competitions) will be joining me as a guest co-leader on the last day of Bosque #1 and for all of Bosque #2.

Bosque #1: "The Fall Color IPT" NOV 13-15, 2007. Slide Program on the evening of NOV 12. 3-DAY: $999. (Limit 14; openings: 7). Co-leader: Robert O'Toole. Guest leader (DAY 3 only): Andy Rouse. 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: 5). Co-leader: Robert O'Toole & Alfred Forns. Guest leader: Andy Rouse. 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.

Canon 70-200 f/2.8L IS lens with handheld at 100mm with the EOS 1Ds MII. ISO 400. Evaluative metering + 1 1/3 stop: 1/1600 sec. at f/2.8.

Even though I recently purchased the 70-200mm f/4 L IS zoom lens, I will be keeping the 70-200 mm f/2.8 L IS lens for low light situations. In addition, I will be keeping my EOS-Mark II 1Ds to use when a I need a full frame camera. And the 17 mp 1Ds files still look mighty fine to me.

The hotly-awaited Canon Mark III has started to ship. For those BAA Subscribers who already have their orders placed with me, I will do my best to fill them as quickly as possible.

For those subscribers who have yet to place an order for a Mark III, and would like to be placed on the waiting list, please contact me.

Ask about the Birds as Art subscribers price on the Canon 5D with the 24-105 lens.

Hunt’s is a full line Canon authorized dealer. Call for prices on all Canon lenses. Hunt’s only carries USA warranty, and stocks all Canon lenses including the 70-200 F 4 IS, 100-400, 4.5 5.6 IS, 70-200, 2.8 L IS, 400 DO IS, 500 F4 L IS, and 600 F 4 L IS.

Canon is currently running some instant rebates. Contact me for further details.

Hunt’s is a full line authorized Nikon dealer. Hunt’s only carries USA warranty. Call for pricing on the following –

I will offer a 15% discount on Hunt’s already low price of all Expo Disc white balance filters for all Birds as Art subscribers along with free shipping.

Gepe Safe Card Cases Extreme - Available in colors – ice blue, neon green, rosso red, and yellow. (Free shipping for Birds as Art subscribers) $ 14.99

Ask about special pricing for Birds as Art subscribers on Lowepro Bags including the Nature Trekker AW, Photo Trekker AW, Super Trekker AW, Sling Shot 100, 200, 300 AW, and Lens Trekker 600 AW. Hunt’s is a full line Lowepro dealer.

Ask about pricing on the Epson Scanners including the V700, V750-M PRO, and 4990 Photo.

Ask about special pricing on Epson P3000 40 Gig and P5000 80 Gig Storage Devices. I am offering great savings.

Canon 15mm fish eye lens handheld with the EOS 1Ds MII. ISO 400. Evaluative metering at zero: 1/1600 sec. at f/7.1.

I am still practicing with the fish eye lens… As with most handheld landscape images, I used One-Shot AF. Here I focused on the base of the tree, made a test exposure, saw that much of the sky was over-exposed, subtracted some light, and was good to go.

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