BIRDS AS ART BULLETIN #279
DECEMBER 15, 2008
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BOSQUE 2008 IPT REPORT
MORE ON BOSQUE INCLUDING SOME POTENTIALLY BAD NEWS
BOSQUE IPT AND OTHER KUDOS
BOSQUE SITE GUIDE UPDATE SENT
BOSQUE 2009 IPT
BAA FAX NUMBER
MORE GREAT HOLIDAY GIFT SUGGESTIONS FROM BAA
SOME EXPOSURE FINE POINTS
LEPP INSTITUTE PROGRAMS
POSSE NEWS
SW FLA POST X-MAS IPT LATE REGISTRATION DISCOUNT OFFERED
IPT UPDATES
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.
BOSQUE 2008 IPT REPORT
I arrived at Bosque on November 19 this year, later than I had since 1994 when I got there in early December just ten days after losing Elaine to breast cancer. This was my 14th consecutive late fall visit. The weather this year on average was the warmest by far with morning temperatures on occasion in the high forties. While we did have a few mornings in the 20s, there was not one teen or single digit morning. Such frigid days had been commonplace over the past decade. (Morning temps were in the single digits for an entire week following Thanksgiving Day in 2007.) I stayed in to unpack that first afternoon and at dinner with friends listened to the usual tales of gloom and doom: “There are no birds in the main impoundment.” The next morning there was a huge blast-off from the main impoundment at the peak of pre-dawn color. I guess that the birds had been waiting for me to show up. That afternoon Chris Dodds took me to a great duck spot in Albuquerque. On my second morning of scouting on Friday the 21, I was blessed with south winds and some great flight photography.
That evening I met the first IPT group at K-Bobs for the introductory slide program. We were greeted the next morning with one of the most spectacular sunrises I have experienced. We followed that up with a very lovely sunset filled with birds. On both weekend days we beat the clear skies/northwest wind syndrome in the mornings by photographing the rehab raptors at the Festival of the Cranes. On that Sunday some of us worked the birds in a large tent with flash. On our third morning we had another incredible sunrise. The Wigeon pond in town was excellent this year, and the crane pools were good most mornings and most afternoons. There were geese in the cornfield just before the Phil Norton blind most days during the first IPT and we experienced some great blast offs on our last day together.
Mike Cornwell and Bill Lloyd (who was with Chris and me on Bonaventure) were multiple IPT veterans. And it was great to see Tom and Rosalie Kreulen who had been to Iceland with me. Vij and non-photographer wife Wendy were eager to learn as were the three ladies, Patty Knight, Ramona Boone, and Sarah Jessup. Rob Pavey and Jon Saperia (who rode with me) rounded out the crew of happy folks. Robert O’Toole provided leadership help, Nikon guidance (especially to Jon who was most appreciative), and a great Photoshop/APTATS session. All in all, the first group had the best of it photographically.
On Thanksgiving morning Robert and I stood in the pouring rain on the Eagle Scout Deck waiting for a blast-off. It was the first actual rain that I had ever experienced at Bosque. Later that morning we got to photograph some cranes with mud/corn stalk booties. Sixteen of us enjoyed Thanksgiving lunch at the Luna Mansion. As it turns out, the restaurant is closing at the end of this year. I thank Penny Greigo for the great meals that the photography groups enjoyed in Los Lunas over the years.
I met the second group on the evening of Friday NOV 28. Scott Bourne of This Week in Photography joined us as co-leader. Multiple IPT veterans in group #2 included Dan O’Leary (with a brand new 800mm f/5.6L IS), Jackie Leader (woman of 1,000 questions <smile>), Brendan Quigley (Broadway head lighting director), Paul Wollam, Mike Goldhammer, and the irrepressible Danny Deen (woof woof!). Dan Streiffert, Kent Downing, Per-gunnar Otsby, and Nicki Gywnn-Jones rounded out an extremely talented group. I knew Nicki from BPN where she is very active on the Eager to Learn Forum. Nicki and Per-gunnar had traveled from the UK to attend the IPT. Kent, who is building a home in New Zealand and moving there with his wife in 2009, was as nice as anyone you will ever meet.
At the critiquing session, I was blown away. Across the board, it was the strongest group of images that I had ever seen from a single group. Per-gunnar shared several images with BBC Wildlife Photograper of the Year Competition potential; the most spectacular of those was of a lioness swimming right at him with a big wake behind her and an evil sneer on her face. (P-g explained that they do not like to swim.)
Although excellent photographic opportunities were far fewer than they had been with the first group, this group was even more eager to learn. They asked lots and lots of questions, soaked up every bit of knowledge that the three of us passed along, and relished every tip and explanation. We had some cloudy mornings without any color and the blast-offs came earlier and earlier as it got warmer and warmer. The crane pools were our salvation; we enjoyed some great action there after we left the main impoundment. The wigeon pond continued to be fabulous; we even visited there one afternoon, something that I had never done before. We barely saw a goose near the tour road after the morning blasts as the geese were feeding on corn that had been knocked down in the far northern areas of the refuge. We did however have some good flight chances with cranes coming into the cornfield. Things got better towards the end of the trip. On days 3 and 4 we made a quick move after the blast-offs and were rewarded with some excellent chances with silhouetted geese and cranes at a seldom-visited pond. Group #2 was rewarded for their sweetness and patience with a lovely sunrise on their last day, day 4, DEC 2. Of the 21 folks on the two IPTs, 20 were sweet as sugar and 20 went home happy. Attracting truly nice folks to IPTs is one of the great blessings in my life.
Snow Geese blast off, Bosque Del Apache NWR, San Antonio, NM
Image
copyright 2008: Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
Canon 100-400mm IS L zoom lens (handheld at 200mm) with the Canon EOS-1D MIII.
ISO 100. Evaluative metering +1/3 stop: 1/25 sec. at f/25.
A 77mm warming circular polarizer (at the darkest setting) helped me to warm up the scene and get down to the slow shutter speed that I wanted and needed. Note the clean lower edge (that would not have been possible in 2007 because of the overgrown coyote willows along the banks of the ditches.
MORE ON BOSQUE INCLUDING SOME POTENTIALLY BAD NEWS
Many folks stopped by in the field and at K-Bob’s to thank me for organizing the Bosque Open Windows Volunteer Project. While folks (including my groups) enjoyed only limited opportunities at the viewing windows we created, several very important things happened as a result of our efforts. #1: The folks at the refuge realized that photographers—as a group--were willing to put their money, and efforts, on the line. Renewed respect is a good thing. #2: Photographers now have a foot in the door at the refuge. All are anxious for an annual volunteer program. There are lots of great possibilities. #3: Biologist John Vradenburg was good to his word and all of the ditches in important viewing areas were cleared of vegetation via slope mower. Thanks again to John and to Recreation Planner Officer Shawn Gillette for their help with this project.
What a Difference a Year Makes.
Above: Alfred Forns on ladder/Bosque del Apache NWR, San Antonio, NM
Image
copyright 2007: Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
Below: Photographers at the same cornfield/Bosque del Apache NWR, San Antonio, NM
Image copyright 2008: Robert O’Toole/Robert O’Toole Photography
Now here is some potentially horrific news. At one of the mandatory briefing sessions that Special Use permit holders attend, it was clearly stated that the next step towards reducing disturbance of wildlife (especially the ducks) at the refuge would be to restrict all refuge visitors to their vehicles (with the possible exception of the viewing decks). If this were to occur, it would be a crushing blow to the eco-tourist friendly and dependent town of Socorro. I for one would never return. Yes, when folks get out of their cars for whatever reason, the ducks will swim slowly away from the tour road. There will always be some disturbance of wildlife along a tour road in a NWR. If however, there is lots of suitable habitat available in the area, then it is my belief that the trade-off of public access for minimal disturbance is a good and viable one. It is my understanding that the refuge staff is currently conducting a blood analysis study on the ducks to determine the amount of disturbance. (One would think that if a duck is captured by whatever means and has its blood drawn that its stress levels would be quite elevated.)
Final note: Though the second group had fewer opportunities than the first, things improved rapidly after that. Many in group 2 stuck around to enjoy the great flight photography that almost always comes along with south winds and overcast skies. I left the refuge at 6:50 am on Thursday DEC 4 to make my 10:10 am flight to Orlando. As I suspected, that morning turned into one of the best flight photography days ever. As reported by Robert O’Toole and others, the strong south winds left the cranes and geese were hanging in mid-air as they came into the cornfield to land. Many of the geese landed on the road itself. And on the Saturday morning that followed, there was yet another mega sunrise. You gotta love it!
Sandhill Crane and storm cloud, Bosque Del Apache NWR, San Antonio, NM
Image
copyright 2008: Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
Canon 800mm f/5.6L IS lens with the Canon EOS-1D MIII on the Mongoose M3.5 (http://tinyurl.com/68nxhy) atop the Gitzo 3530 LS CF tripod (http://tinyurl.com/65edtk). ISO 640. Evaluative metering +1/3 stop: 1/800 sec. at f/5.6 in Manual mode.
When I saw noted the southerly breeze, dark clouds to the west, and a clear sunrise, I rushed the group to the Ed Krane Pool to take advantage of the situation. As I say often, when at Bosque, pray for anything but blue skies and northwest winds. Just as we try to do on IPTs, the Bosque Site Guide attempts to teach you to think like a pro.
BOSQUE IPT AND OTHER KUDOS
By e-mail from multiple IPT veteran and superb insect photographer Keith Kennedy:
Artie, The image of the juvenile Lesser Flamingo that I created on the Kenya trip with you and Todd was accepted by NANPA for the 2009 Showcase as a 'Judges Choice Award'. Needless to say I was thrilled that it got such nice recognition. It is my favorite image from the trip and I would not have gotten it without your help. You encouraged me to join you in wading out into Lake Nakuru for a better sun angle and flight path for the flamingos--and you were right! As I have mentioned to you before--the experience and knowledge that I have gained from taking your IPT's have dramatically (by several orders of magnitude!) helped to improve my photographic skills. Now each time someone complements me on one of my photographs, I make a mental note to 'thank Artie'. So thank you for being such a terrific teacher and a good friend! All the best, Keith
Via e-mail
from Paul Wollam:
Artie, just a quick note to say thanks for
the marvelous time at the Bosque. As I reflect on this (my third) IPT, I am
surprised to find that I probably learned more on this one than either of the
previous two. I'm spending more time than usual going over my photos from
Bosque, and trying to remember all you taught us. Free of the worries over
basic setup and equipment, I have been able to reflect on why some shots don't
work and others do not. I have been re-reading the book, and now it's time to
re-read ABP II. I know the areas where I need more practice and better
technique. I'll return to the Bosque yet this year, and try to reinforce what
I have learned. Aside from learning a lot, the trip was a blast due to the
great group of people and the "perfect" attitude that you and Robert always
deliver. It is truly a great experience. The only bummer was the first ever
speeding ticket I managed to accumulate on my way home. Hope that you and
yours have a wonderful and relaxing holiday season. I'll look forward to
catching up on one of next years IPTs. Paul.
An e-mail exchange with Dan Streiffert:
AM: Hi Dan, re:
DS: Sorry I did not write sooner, but I have been sick with the flu ever since getting back to Seattle.
AM: Ah, I am lucky. I have only a cold and an absolutely running nose.
DS: I wanted to thank you again for the loan of the Gitzo tripod.
AM: YAW.
DS: That is now the next thing on my list of gear.
AM: We have lots of the Gitzo 3530 LS Carbon Fiber tripods in stock.
DS: I also wanted to thank you for the opportunity to work with you.
AM: YAW and ditto.
DS: I am still amazed at your enthusiasm! For someone who has been doing this same trip for 14 years, you still have more enthusiasm than any of the rest of us.
AM: <smile>
DS: That probably has a lot to do with your success.
AM: Or visa versa!
DS: I also was very impressed with your PS workflow, which made a lot more sense than anything I have read anywhere else.
AM: Digital Basics has it all.
DS: In all, you have opened our eyes to more possibilities. Thanks for your help.
AM: YAW and thanks again for joining us. I had two really great groups made up of sweet folks. That is almost always par for the course. Later and love and enjoy the holidays. Artie
An e-mail from Vij and Wendy:
Dear Artie, I just wanted to let you know how much I and my non-photographer wife Wendy enjoyed photographing Bosque with you and Robert. I especially want to thank you for making my wife feel like she was part of the group. I do not feel any more that I am new to bird photography. My techniques, especially photographing birds in flight have improved tremendously. Your calling out the appropriate settings to use, in what direction the birds are going to fly and in which direction the best light is going to be helped me to get better photographs. Your initial critique hurt my ego but it helped to modify my techniques and be more aware of the lighting to avoid the bright “whites”. I am still working on it. I am very grateful for it. I learned a lot by just watching you photograph. It was a great privilege for me to work with you. It made me appreciate how dedicated you are to your art and why you are the very best in your field. Thanks again, Vij & Wendy
And just this morning, another wonderful e-mail, this one from Jon Saperia:
Artie, Thanks so much for the great trip. My photography has improved immeasurably. I see from your photographs that like me, some of your favorites were the spectacular sunrises. I also have some shots I am working on from the first sunset on 11/23 which look great as well. I have a long way to go, but thanks to you and Robert, I made a lot of progress. Stay well and best, jon
Snow Geese headed for evening roost, Bosque Del Apache NWR, San Antonio, NM
Image
copyright 2008: Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
Canon 70-200mm f/4 L IS zoom lens (handheld at 85mm) with the Canon EOS-1D
MIII. ISO 800. Evaluative metering +1 1/3 stops: 1/100 sec. at f/4. 45-Point
AAFPS in AI Servo Mode.
With the prospect of a nice sunset on Day 1 of the first IPT, I opted to set up at my old favorite sunset spot on the Farm Loop Road. As the exposure settings show, this image was made in very low light. Those who stuck it out with me till the bitter end had similar opportunities.
BOSQUE SITE GUIDE UPDATE SENT
The updated Bosque Site Guide was sent this past Wednesday. It contains
up-to-date information that will be helpful to those visiting this ye
You’ve spent many thousands (or even tens of thousands) of dollars on equipment and travel. Why spend time stumbling around in the dark when you can be in the right place at the right time on the right wind? For a mere $50 you can photograph Bosque like a pro who has visited for fourteen consecutive years. (Hey, that’s me!)
You can learn more about the Bosque Site Guide here: http://www.birdsasart.com/siteguides.htm#BOSQUE%20SITE%20GUIDE%20NOW%20AVAILABLE!
BOSQUE 2009 IPT
Bosque 2009 IPT:
Non-refundable deposit: $500 per person (Deposits may be paid by check, Paypal, or credit card.) Please note our new cancellation policy: A non-refundable deposit is required to hold a spot for each BAA IPT, Photo-Cruise, or Photo-Safari. Payment in full (payable only by check) is due four months before the start of the IPT and is non-refundable unless the IPT sells out (10 in this case). You will be required to sign a statement to this effect. Travel insurance is of course highly recommended.
Travel Insurance Services offers a variety of plans and options. Included with the Elite Option or available as an upgrade to the Basic & Plus Options, you can also purchase Cancel for Any Reason Coverage, which expands the list of reasons for your canceling to an infinite list, from a sudden work or family obligation to a simple change of mind. My family and I use and depend on the great policies offered by TIS whenever we travel. You can learn more here: Travel Insurance Services
We regret that we must implement this new policy but we have had seven cancellations for the Post X-Mas IPT alone. (The policy above does not apply to any of the trips listed below including all of those in “IPT Updates.”)
Great Horned Owl, captive rehab bird, Bosque Del Apache NWR, San Antonio, NM
Image
copyright 2008: Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
Canon 400mm f/4 IS DO lens handheld with a 25mm extension tube and the Canon
EOS-1D MIII. ISO 200. Evaluative metering +2/3 stop: 1/300 sec. at f/13.
Fill Flash at -1 stop with Better Beamer.
I was really ticked of carelessly clipping the ear tuft of this most handsome bird. (See the original immediately below.) After expanding the canvas I easily rebuilt the tip of the tuft using several Quick Masks. I tried some new techniques copying the end of the ear tuft and then shaping it using the Scale and Warp commands described in APTATS. Next year’s Bosque IPT will have similar opportunities with the rehab birds.
The image above represents the RAW file for the optimized image above. The image below is a JPEG of the next frame in the sequence. For this one, the flash did not fire because of the fast frame rate of the EOS-1D MII. Note the dark shadow on the eye. I like using lots of fill when working in bright sun to reduce harsh shadows and even out the exposure.
BAA FAX NUMBER
For your convenience we now have a computer fax number. You can fax orders to us any time at 1-877-265-6955. Be sure to include the item(s) that you wish to order, the credit card billing and ship-to address (if they are different), you credit card #, expiration date, and the security code, your phone number, and your e-mail address.
Sandhill Crane, sunrise silhouette, Bosque Del Apache NWR, San Antonio, NM
Image
copyright 2008: Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
Canon 800mm f/5.6L IS lens with the 1.4X II TC and the Canon EOS-1D MIII on the Mongoose M3.5 (http://tinyurl.com/68nxhy) atop the Gitzo 3530 LS CF tripod (http://tinyurl.com/65edtk). ISO 400. Evaluative metering +1/3 stop: 1/800 sec. at f/8.
Though this image looks like a crane pool image created at sunset, it was created at a small pond just before sunrise. Bosque is all about understanding the light and the wind direction and speed.
MORE GREAT HOLIDAY GIFT SUGGESTIONS FROM BAA
In the BAA Notes of December 10, 2008 (http://www.birdsasart.com/ndec10.htm), we offered a list of suggested potential holiday presents for the nature photographer in your life. All of course were and are available from BIRDS AS ART. The phone has been ringing off the hook ever since; your orders are greatly appreciated. We did, however, neglect to include some really great gifts:
For those who love hummingbirds and would like to learn to create their own high speed flash set-up: The Hummingbird Guide – How to Photograph Hummingbirds Using High-Speed Multiple Flash by LINDA ROBBINS with Arthur Morris: http://www.birdsasart.com/hummingbirdguide.htm. Available 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 is $50 plus $8 shipping and handling ($58 total). A check made out to “Arthur Morris” and sent to us at BIRDS AS ART, PO Box 7245, Indian Lake Estates, FL 33855 is fine. As is a Paypal payment. Or, call us at 863-692-0906 with credit card in hand.
For those who want to bring their Photoshop skills to the next level: Robert O’Toole’s Advanced Photoshop Tips and Techniques PDF on CD only: http://www.birdsasart.com/aptats.htm. You can order your APTATS-1 PDF for $23 incl. shipping and handling in the US. Florida residents need to add 7% sales tax: $24.40 incl. shipping and handling. To Canada the cost is $26 incl. shipping. For overseas customers the cost will be $28 incl. shipping and handling. APTATS-1 is shipped in its final form; it will not be updated. APTATS II is coming soon. Paypal is quite convenient. Be sure to include your 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.
For those who like to conceal themselves in the field: the Kwik-Camo Throw-Over Blinds ($20-off Sale/December Only): http://www.birdsasart.com/accs.html#KWIK-CAMO%20THROW-OVER%20BLINDS. Regular price: $127.95. Now on sale for 107.95 including shipping to the USA. Florida residents need to add 7% sales tax to the cost of the item only. For Canada and other overseas locations, please e-mail for shipping charges.
For those who enjoy award winning wildlife photography and good writing, Andy Rouse’s "Concepts of Nature; A Wildlife Photographer's Art." You can order a copy of Concepts of Nature today for $37.95 plus $5 shipping to US addresses, $10 to Canada, and $15 overseas. Florida residents need to add 7% sales tax to the cost of the item only. Checks made out to "Arthur Morris," Paypals, or credit card phone orders (863-692-0906) are all A-OK.
Do you know any photographers who are either downloading from their cameras (save us!) or who spend 30 minutes downloading a 4 gb card? Then one of these super-fast Delkin card readers is perfect for them.
Delkin CardBus 32 Adapter: for older computers with PCMCIA slots.
Delkin eFilm Express Card 34: for computers with 34-pin Express Card Slots
Delkin eFilm Express Card 54: for the newer computers with 54-pin Express Card Slots
Delkin Fire Wire 400/800 UDMA Compact Flash Reader: for computers (mostly Macs) with either Fire Wire 400 or Fire-Wire 800 ports.
Each of the card
readers/adapters above is available from BAA for $59.99 plus $3.00 shipping =
$62.99.
Snow Geese pair, Bosque Del Apache NWR, San Antonio, NM
Image
copyright 2008: Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
Canon 800mmm f/5.6L IS lens with the EOS-1D MIII. ISO 400. Evaluative metering +1 stop: 1/200 sec. at f/10.
Early on at Bosque large groups of geese were spending the afternoons in the southwest corner or the main impoundment near the Paybooth. On a day when they seemed particularly placid I spread the tripod wide and got down in the really soft mud to create some eye-level images. My sneakers and even my underwear wound up wet and muddy.... The additional problem was that the birds were tightly packed together. When these two swam a bit away from the group, I found that I could not fit them both into a single frame. After carefully checking the bubble level in the camera's hot shoe I made a few images of the front bird and a few images of the back bird and later stitched them together in Photoshop.
SOME EXPOSURE FINE POINTS
An e-mail exchange with Jim Levitt:
AM: Hi Jim. Thanks for your e-mail. re:
JL: I read your BAA bulletins regularly. I very much appreciate the exposure information you include - especially the fact that you explain the exposure compensation you dialed in. It's even better when you explain why you dialed in that comp. But there's one piece of the puzzle that is missing. I'm a Canon 40D owner. I don't know how different it is on the 1D series.
AM: On average, you need to be 2/3 to a stop darker with the 40D and the 50D than with the MIII series bodies.
JL: With cameras like the 40D, evaluative metering keys the exposure very much to the focus point in use, which can shift the exposure by a significant amount.
AM: I believe that this is generally not true and that the only time that the choice of AF sensor affects the meter reading is if you have linked spot-metering to either the center or the active AF point via Custom Function. I think that what you are trying to say is that the framing affects the exposure reading when there are large areas of light and/or dark tonalities in an image.
JL: It would be educational to know where you keyed the evaluative metering. For example, in one of the images (gorgeous, by the way) in the December 7 BAA notes, you wrote:
Snow Geese in main impoundment, predawn color with crescent moon, Bosque Del Apache NWR, San Antonio, NM Image copyright 2008: Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART Canon 24-105mm IS L lens (at 32mm) with the Canon EOS-1D MIII (mounted on the Giotto’s tiny ballhead via a Wimberley P-5 camera body plate). ISO 400. Evaluative metering +2/3stop: 1.6 seconds at f/4.
The meter reading would be very different depending upon where in the frame your chosen focus point was when you took your meter reading. Was it on the water? The sky?
AM: I was using back focus (the old custom function 4) as I almost always do when making long exposures with a short lens on the tripod, the exposure was real time as the image was framed. (Real time exposure is the exposure at the moment the shutter button is depressed.
JL: Do you normally work with just the center focus point when shooting landscapes?
AM: Usually, and always when using back focus. If I am handholding I may either pick one of the lower sensors (in which case I would get real time exposure as framed), or use central sensor/One-Shot and recompose. In the latter case you need to be aware that exposure is locked in most cases (possibly depending on the CF settings with various cameras) when using central sensor/One-Shot and recompose. (See more in my next comment.)
JL: I have absolutely no idea how the Nikon matrix metering system differs from the Canon in this regard. Perhaps you could explain this in a future bulletin.
AM: I have a clue as to what the Nikon bodies are doing, but do consider the following: While your questions are excellent high level ones dealing with concepts that most folks never even consider, there is one very important point that you have been missing in all of your questions above, one that I have stated clearly in the past: As the metering systems in the latest digital camera bodies vary so greatly, it is always the responsibility of the photographer to meter a given situation, check the histogram, and make sure that there is data in the highlight box, the one to the right. When I am metering wide images with large varied sections of different tonalities, it is the principle that makes things easy whether I am getting real time exposure, using a locked in exposure, or working in Manual mode. Later and love, artie ps: Do see Exposure Simplified in ABP II: (916 pages on CD only: http://www.birdsasart.com/ABPII.htm.)
Sandhill Cranes, adult and young landing, Bosque Del Apache NWR, San Antonio, NM
Image
copyright 2008: Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
Canon 800mm f/5.6L IS lens with the Canon EOS-1D MIII on the Mongoose M3.5 (http://tinyurl.com/68nxhy) atop the Gitzo 3530 LS CF tripod (http://tinyurl.com/65edtk). ISO 400. Evaluative metering +1 1/3 stop off the gray sky: 1/1000 sec. at f/8 in Manual mode.
When the wind shifted momentarily to the south east on group 2’s third morning, we had some good chances with the cranes landing. When the refuge staff cleared the area by the creek of weeds to make room for photographers they left several foot high piles of dirt that made perfect vantage points. By getting as high as possible, we were able to make our images before the birds disappeared behind the road at our eye level.
LEPP INSTITUTE PROGRAMS
The two programs below each offer an amazing opportunity for you to grow as a nature photographer. Do consider registering immediately as there is a good chance that both courses will sell out quickly. Lastly, do considering joining me for both sessions. . To learn about the week-long program, click here: http://www.leppphoto.com/Bird_Photography_Intensive_Workshop.html To learn about the weekend program, click here: http://www.leppphoto.com/Bird_Photography_Workshop_Weekend.html To register for either or both (with a $400 discount) click here: http://www.leppphoto.com/forms/registration2009.html (You cannot register thru BAA.)
Intensive Instruction in Bird Photography/Lidi Master Series/
Note: this is a rare occasion to join me for a formal seminar, in the field instruction, and follow-up image processing. And you will be able to print one or more of your finished images. From soup-to-nuts, this five-day course has it all. (The weekend session is sold out.)
Join
acclaimed bird photographer, educator, and tour leader Arthur Morris for five
days of intensive nature photography instruction in beautiful
Course outline:
In-classroom/Monday: Putting Art in Your Nature Photography: Composition and Image Design, Understanding Digital Exposure via the Histogram, Understanding and Using Natural Light, Tripods, Heads, and Sharpening Tips, Lenses and How to Use Them, Better Beamer and Flash set-up Demonstration, Understanding Flash as Main Light, Flash as Fill, and Manual Flash, Getting Close; Is it Magic?, and Using Shutter Speeds Creatively, What’s the Big Deal with Depth-of-Field?
Tuesday thru Friday In-classroom: Downloading, Editing, and Optimizing your images in Lightroom 2.0 and Photoshop, Shared and Group Image Editing, Converting Your RAW Files and Recovering Detail in Over-Exposed RAW Files, Workflow Basics: Dust Spotting, Cropping, and making Shadow Highlight, Levels, Hue-Saturation, Curves, and Selective Color Adjustments, Advanced Photoshop Techniques: Expanding Canvas, 1,000 Uses for Quick Masks, Average Blur Color Balancing, Leveling the Horizon, Creating Actions, Batching, Making Selections, Why Refine Edge is Superior to Feathering, Making Adjustments to Selected Areas, Dealing with Bright Pixels, , Clone Stamp Tips and Tricks, Using the Patch Tool--It is Magic. Using the "Divide and Conquer" and "Protect and Defend" Techniques to Clean Up Distracting Background Elements, Digital Eye Doctor Techniques, Dealing with Reds and Yellows, Using PhotoMerge to create Panoramic Images, Levels Adjustment Trick for Silhouettes, and lots more. Guided Optimization of New Images.
Wednesday
thru Friday: Making test prints on Canon printers and creating at least 1
professional size print (perhaps more depending on time). Thru Friday
afternoon at
In-the field: Seeing and Using the Light, Tripod Handling, Tips, and Techniques, Getting Close including Various Stalking Techniques, Getting the Right Exposure, Understanding In-the-Field Strategies, Evaluating a Situation, Learning to See; What Does a Pro Look for?, and AQA (all questions answered!)
Schedule/Monday (all times approximate): 9-noon/Slide Programs, Demos, and
Discussion. Noon-1pm: lunch.
Schedule/Tuesday-Friday (all times approximate): Dawn till mid-morning
(weather permitting): In-the Field Instruction and Photography/Morro Bay.
Practically Private Bird Photography Weekend/Lidi Master Series/
Sandhill Crane with mud booty on road, landing, Bosque Del Apache NWR, San Antonio, NM
Image
copyright 2008: Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
Canon 800mm f/5.6L IS lens with the Canon EOS-1D MIII on the Mongoose M3.5 atop the Gitzo 3530 LS CF tripod. ISO 800. Evaluative metering +1 stop: 1/400 sec. at f/5.6.
This image was made on very wet and soggy Thanksgiving morning when there was just not very much going on. By keeping your eyes open and thinking out of the box it is possible to made soup from mud.
Alfred and Fabs EVERGLADES AVIANSCAPES WORKSHOPS
Everglades National Park, Jan 16-18, 2009
Everglades National Park, Feb 20-22, 2009
North Everglades, March 13-15, 2009 (Wakodahatchee, Green Cay and Long Key)
All workshops are 3 days, orientation and slide show the night before. Price per person is $999, which covers all instruction. Lodging, transportation and meals are not covered. Maximum 10 participants per workshop. We will have six “in the field” sessions (weather permitting) and three classroom sessions. In the unlikely event of bad weather, classroom sessions will replace the field sessions. We will focus on developing your vision and personal style. Creativity will be encouraged. There will be Lightroom and CS3 tutorials as well as artistic use of PS filters and blending modes. The use of some popular PS plug-ins will also be covered. There will be a critique session to evaluate your work on the last classroom session.
Come join us in the land of magic and take fresh ideas, motivation and great images with you.
For more information, e-mail Fabs at fabs@avianscapes.com or call (305) 710-7748. To learn more about Al and Fabs visit: www.avianscapes.com
SW FLA POST X-MAS IPT LATE REGISTRATION DISCOUNT OFFERED
SW FLA POST X-MAS IPT:
As I am teaching less and less a spot on any IPT will be hard to secure in the future….
Snow Goose, white adult landing, early morning light, Bosque Del Apache NWR, San Antonio, NM
Image
copyright 2008: Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
Canon 800mm f/5.6L IS lens with the Canon EOS-1D MIII on the Mongoose M3.5 atop the Gitzo 3530 LS CF tripod. ISO 800. Evaluative metering +1 1/3 stop off the sky: 1/1000 sec. at f/7.1.
The two best Snow Goose flight photography mornings were the 21st, the day that I met the first group (Chris Dodds termed it “epic”) and the day that I headed for the airport. South winds are rare at Bosque.
IPT UPDATES
POST-NANPA 2 ½ DAY BOSQUE IPT.
Be
Rates for the 2009
trips have increased due to increased fuel costs. Be
Best and love and great picture-