BULLETIN 356 JANUARY 18, 2011

BIRDS AS ART BULLETIN #356
JANUARY 18, 2011

Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART, PO Box 7245 4041 Granada Drive, Indian Lake Estates, FL 33855. Telephone: 863-692-0906. Computer fax: 877- 265-6955

Visit: www.BIRDSASART.com

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BirdPhotographers.Net: Inspirational, Educational, & Fun. Honest critiques done gently: It Ain't Just Birds!

The BIRDS AS ART Blog: Great info with a personal touch, great images, great lessons, and our legendary BAA educational captions.

FEATURES:

TOO LAZY FOR TOO LONG

THE BLOG IS THE BOMB!

THE MICHIGAN SITE GUIDE

SOUTH GEORGIA/FALKLANDS EXPEDITION UPDATE

THE LENS ALIGN MARK II UPDATE

HUNT'S SPECIALS

SHOPPER'S GUIDE

IPT UPDATES

PLEASE: If you are responding to a Bulletin via e-mail please take the time to delete all irrelevant text and images. Thanks.

Clouds above the Gulf of Mexico, FL at dawn

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS II lens (handheld at 70mm) with the EOS-1D MIV. ISO 800. Evaluative metering at zero: 1/125 sec. at f/3.2.

Photographing from a window seat on a commercial flight can be fun and productive. See more below.

TOO LAZY FOR TOO LONG...

Years ago you would never find me on a flight without a window seat and an intermediate telephoto lens on my lap. Flying a lot as I do, I have missed some spectacular opportunities recently simply by not being prepared.... When I flew to San Diego (via DFW) early on the morning of Saturday, January 15, 2011, I quit being lazy and grabbed my favorite new lens and a Mark IV from my Think Tank bag. Then I created the image above and the image below. It's great fun and you never know what will turn up.

Here are some tips: work in Tv mode so that you can set a minimum shutter speed. Then set the exposure compensation that you need. Auto ISO or ISO Safety Shift will ensure that everything works out properly. Select a focusing sensor below the central sensor to take full advantage of the available depth of field. Hold the lens as close to the window as possible without having the lens touch the window. Fashion a crude working tent from a blanket or a shirt to cut down or eliminate glare. (Yeah, the guy next to you will think that you are nuts but who cares?) The very best way to eliminate glare is to purchase and travel with a flexible rubber lens hood that screws onto the front of your lens; you press the front of the hood against the window but can still aim the lens as needed.

When you select your seats try to imagine the lighting conditions so that you wind up on the proper side of the aircraft. And remember not to choose a seat right over the wing Smile emoticon

Black and White Clouds above the Gulf of Mexico, FL

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS II lens (handheld at 70mm) with the EOS-1D MIV. ISO 4000. Evaluative metering +1 2/3 stops: 1/125 sec. at f/3.2.

I converted this image to B&W in Photoshop and then brought it into NIK's Silver EFEX Pro to juice it up. To save 15% on all NIK purchases click here and enter BAA as the code.

THE BLOG IS THE BOMB!

I have been spending a huge chunk of my time making the blog special. Recent efforts of interest include:

Working Right on Sun Angle (which includes a free excerpt from The Art of Bird Photography II--916 pages on CD only).

45-Point AF for Flight on the Hooptie Deux discusses when and why I use 45-Point AF for flight photography with my Mark IV.

Do Birds Understand Death? Two Tales: One New, One Old generated 28 interesting comments. Folks were quite passionate when it came to stating their positions. And to think that I thought that I was asking a rhetorical question....

My Thoughts on "Bright Ideas: You be the Photo Editor" featured great images and lots of tips on photographing in bright sunlight. It elicited a variety of unexpected comments including by Glen Fox one that led to my writing the blog post below. Thanks again Glen.

Two Tramps in Mud Time: how a Robert Frost poem reflects on my wonderful life.

Brown Pelican in flight, La Jolla, CA

Canon EF 70-200 f/2.8L IS II and the 2X II TC (hand held at 300mm) with the EOS-1D MIV. ISO 500. Evaluative metering +1 1/3 stops off the sky: 1/1000 sec. at f/5.6.

The 70-200 f/2.8L IS II has been a favorite of mine ever since I started borrowing one from Canon Professional Services about five months ago. I purchased my own in November past. You can read about my early impressions here.

THE MICHIGAN SITE GUIDE

Whether you are seeking to photograph tame Common Loons, majestic winter owls, or find extensive forests with unique warblers and songbirds, Matthew Studebaker takes the reader through the best and most productive bird photography areas in Michigan. Both Michigan's Upper and Lower Peninsulas are included with original maps for each chapter, highlighting key areas of interest. Every chapter has a list of the most likely species to be found, what time of year to visit, where to shoot, basic techniques for each area, and more. Popular photography areas covered include Nettie Bay and vicinity for Common Loons and songbirds, winter hotspots in the Upper Peninsula, the Kellogg Bird Sanctuary for tame waterfowl, and Pointe Mouillee for hundreds of migrating shorebirds in the fall. A list of useful web links and up to the minute birding reports is included as well, providing the photographer everything they need to start planning their Michigan photo outing in any season.

We are proud to announce the availability of Matthew Studebaker's excellent Michigan Site Guide, his second (along with the Ohio Site Guide) written especially for BIRD AS ART. To order your copy, you can send a Paypal for $50, call Jim at the office with credit card in hand, or click here to order through the BIRDS AS ART On-line Store.

Snowy Owl, Michigan

Pectoral Sandpiper, juvenile, Michigan

Singing male Kirtland's Warbler, Michigan

Cerulean Warbler, male, Michigan

SOUTH GEORGIA/FALKLANDS EXPEDITION UPDATE

Twenty-three BIRDS AS ART folks will be joining me on the killer South Georgia/Falklands Expedition that will run October 18 to November 11, 2012. If you missed that feature, see item one here. If you are seriously interested in this trip it would be best not to tarry as there are only 13 slots left on the trip.... Please e-mail me at samandmayasgrandpa@att.net immediately for details and the sign-up info. This trip is so spectacular that I am good to go as a participant paying the full freight. I hope that you can join us.

THE LENS ALIGN MARK II UPDATE

Thanks to the brilliant Michael Tapes for both the Lens Align MII and this product shot.

As far back as Bosque my sharp images got even sharper.... With help from Peter Kes I began fine tuning the focus on my various lens/camera body combinations by calibrating the focus using the Lens Align Pro. Just yesterday I tried out the new Lens Align Mark II, cheaper, lighter, easy to travel with, and yes, better. If you have spent thousands on a super-telephoto lens it would seem foolish not to ensure the absolute best results.

You can find the complete Lens Align Mark II tutorial here.

The Lens Align MkII costs only a fraction of the original Lens Align Pro and–with the slightly longer ruler, and the new ruler patterns, it performs even better. You can order yours right now by calling Jim at 863-692-0906 or send us a Paypal: $79.95 plus shipping: $6/US or $13/INT via Priority Mail. If you order through the BAA On-line Store here

please be aware that the shipping fees may vary a bit depending on your location. International shipping charges will also vary by country depending on additional fees for customs, VAT, duties, or fees depending on their laws, rules or policies. Important note: we have been having a problem with the On-line store; some overseas customers are incorrectly being charged ridiculously high shipping charges. If this happens to you, simply complete the order and e-mail Jim. He will issue a refund for the overcharges. This is an obviously less than ideal situation and we are doing our very best to rectify it but we are at the mercy of forces beyond our control Winking smile emoticon

Thanks a stack to the 100+ folks who ordered right off the bat. Jim will be shipping all of the unfulfilled orders early this week.

Brown Pelican, 1/8 sec. head shake blur, La Jolla, CA

Canon EF 800 f/5.6L IS lens with the EOS-1D MIV. ISO 400. Evaluative metering +1 stop: 1/8 sec. f/7.1.

Though I liked the original here is the image caption for the optimized file: "Brown Pelican head shake 1-8 sec blur face & eye added & enhanced _W3C2439 La Jolla, CA.tif." I made a Quick Mask of the face and eye from another image created just before this one, reduced the opacity, and fine-tuned it with a series of Layer Masks. Advanced Quick Masking and basic Layer Masking techniques are detailed in Robert O'Toole's APTATS I and APTATS II.

If you would like to learn more about creating pleasing blurs check out A Guide to Pleasing Blurs by Denise Ippolito and yours truly.

HUNT'S SPECIALS

Contact Gary Farber for price quotes on digital cameras, Canon and Nikon lenses, software, and printers and inks: call 781-462-2332 to speak to Gary directly or e-mail him at digitalguygary@wbhunt.com

SHOPPER'S GUIDE

Below is the gear that I used to create the images that you see in this Bulletin. Thanks a stack to all who have used the Shopper's Guide links for all of their B&H gear purchases as a thank you for all the free information that we bring you on the Blog and in the Bulletins.

Canon 800mm f/5.L IS lens (My very best friend Smile emoticon

)

Canon 70-200mm f/2.8 IS L II lens (An amazingly sharp and versatile lens; an instant favorite for me.)

Canon EOS-1D Mark IV professional digital camera body (I only own and travel with two.)

Canon EF 2X II teleconverter (I never leave home without one.)

And from the BAA On-line Store:

Gitzo 3530 LS Tripod (Sturdy and light and will last you a lifetime.)
Mongoose M3.6 Tripod Head (I use it every day with my 800mm.)
Double Bubble Spirit Level (Make your life easy by getting it right in the field; just a glance and you are square to the world.)

Delkin e-Film Pro 32 gb Compact Flash Card (Fast and dependable. Everything I want in a flash card.)

If you are considering the purchase of a major piece of photographic gear be it a new camera, a long lens, a tripod or a head, or some accessories be sure to check out our complete Shopper's Guide. You will learn to find the lowest prices, comparison shop, and help us to keep offering tons of great free info and images.

Brown Pelican preening, La Jolla, CA

Canon EF 800 f/5.6L IS lens with the EOS-1D MIV. ISO 400. Evaluative metering +1/3 stop: 1/1600 sec. f/6.3.

Though the 800 is often too much lens on the cliffs at La Jolla, it allowed me to frame this image as desired.

IPT UPDATES

SAN DIEGO IPT: JAN 19-23, 2011. Slide program on the evening of JAN 18. 5 Full Days: $2399 (Limit 8/sold Out). Co-leaders Tim Grey and Todd Gustafson. Brown Pelicans in spectacular breeding plumage with their bright red bill pouches, Wood and Ring-necked Ducks, Lesser Scaup, Western, California, and Heerman's Gulls, Marbled Godwit, and lots, lots more. Please see terms and deposit info below.

SW FLA IPT: FEB 9-14, 2011. Slide program on the evening of FEB 8. 6 Full Days: 2899. (Limit 10/sold out). Escape winter's icy grip to enjoy a wide array of Florida's tame birds: herons, egrets, Wood Stork, shorebirds, gulls, terns, skimmers, raptors, and more. Please see terms and deposit info below.

BOSQUE del APACHE 2011 IPT: "The Complete Bosque Experience." NOV 19-25, 2011. Slide program on the evening of Friday, NOV 18. 7-FULL DAYS: $3299. (Non-refundable deposit: $500; see details below.) Limit: 10/Openings: 8. Co-leaders: Robert O'Toole & Jim Heupel. Geese, cranes, ducks, sunrises, sunsets, and blast-offs. Live, eat, and breathe photography with one of (if not the) world's premier photographic educators at one of his very favorite locations on the planet. Plus great co-leaders and top-notch Photoshop instruction. Please see terms and deposit info immediately below.

With my ever-shrinking teaching schedule and all but this spring's SW Florida IPT sold out, this trip may well represent a rare opportunity to learn from the best, so do not wait too long before sending your deposit. Clemens van der Werf who was on this year's Bosque trip is already registered for next year. If you missed the Photographer Experience Quiz and the Mystery Photographer & Experience Level Revealed! posts on the blog, you will surely want to check them out to see what Clemens has accomplished in less than a single year of bird photography. And how!

Terms and deposit info:

A non-refundable deposit of $500 is required to hold a spot on the above IPTs. Deposits may be paid by check, PayPal, or credit card. Payment in full (by check or money order only) is due five months before the start of each trip and is non-refundable unless the IPT sells out. You will be required to sign a statement of understanding 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 is Cancel for Any Reason Coverage that 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. Do note that many plans require that you purchase your travel insurance within 14 days of our cashing your deposit check or running your credit card. Travel insurance protects you against unexpected developments, injuries, or illnesses. We regret that we must implement this policy but we have been plagued by last minute cancellations that make it impossible for others to participate and deprive us of essential income. Please consider your schedule and your work and family obligations carefully before plunking down your deposit.

Important note: please print, fill out, and sign the registration and release forms and include them with your deposit check (made out to "Arthur Morris." ) If you use a credit card to register, please fill out, sign, and mail the forms asap. Your registration will not be complete until we receive your paper work. You can find the forms here.

GREECE/DALMATIAN PELICAN EXPLORATORY IPT. FEB 27-MAR 5, 2011. 6 1/2+ Full Days of Photography: $2499. (Limit: 6/sold out). Co-leaders: Arthur Morris, Robert O'Toole, and Yannis Arvanitis as our bi-lingual guide. Payment in full is due immediately. Please call to hold a spot pending the arrival of your check made out to "Arthur Morris." Europeans please e-mail for wire transfer details. No discounts. For images and complete information click here. If you would like additional info on Lake Kerkini please e-mail me at samandmayasgrandpa@att.net and request same.

HOMER BALD EAGLE IPTs WITH ROBERT O'TOOLE, MARCH 2011: (All three sold out.)

GALAPAGOS 2011 PHOTO-CRUISE OF A LIFETIME IPT/The Complete Galapagos Photographic Experience: July 3-20, 2011 (July 5-19, 2011 on the boat): 13 1/2 days of photography plus a last morning panga ride: $12, 499. (Limit 11/sold out.)

If you would like your name placed on the seriously interested list for the SUMMER 2012 trip, please e-mail me at birdsasart@att.net.

Best and great picture-making,

artie

Note: Arthur Morris has been a paid Canon contract photographer, part of the Explorers of Light program, since 1996 and continues in that role today. Hunt's Photo of Boston, MA is a BAA sponsor as is Delkin Devices.