December 20th, 2011

BIRDS AS ART BULLETIN #392

  • COMPOSITION MAPS: VISUAL DESIGN AIDS FOR NATURE PHOTOGRAPHERS
  • THE BLOG IS THE BOMB
  • B&H FREE OVERNIGHT HOLIDAY SHIPPING ON SELECTED CANON LENSES & ON POWERSHOT CAMERAS
  • USED CANON 500MM f/4L IS LENS & TRIPOD FOR SALE
  • IPT UPDATES

no images were found

COMPOSITION MAPS: VISUAL DESIGN AIDS FOR NATURE PHOTOGRAPHERS

BIRDS AS ART Books is proud to announce the release of “Composition Maps: Visual Design Aids for Nature Photographers” a brand new e-book by Gloria Hopkins (with photographs by Arthur Morris). Several months ago we released Gloria’s first BAA e-book, Natural Design: Image Design for Nature Photographers. The book received positive reviews from many happy customers and everyone (including me) raved about her composition maps. I still have no clue as to how she knows exactly what is going on in my brain when I press the shutter button and optimize my images. But she does and shares that ingeniously in her latest offering, “Composition Maps.”

Click here to order your copy now.

no images were found

The E-book features more than 80 BIRDS AS ART IMAGES and 61 composition maps–some of the maps deal with two or more images. In the e-book you simply click on the map and hold the cursor down: the image is revealed! Give the animated GIF below a few moments to play and you will get the idea.

The simplest and fastest way to order your copy of “Composition Maps: Visual Design Aids for Nature Photographers” is through the BAA On-line Store by clicking here. Or, you can order your copy by sending a check for $30 made out to “Arthur Morris” to us at BIRDS AS ART, PO Box 7245, Indian Lake Estates, FL 33855. Be sure to include your e-mail address (written legibly). If you prefer PayPal you can send $30 to us via e-mail; be sure to include the title of the book.

no images were found

Click here to order your copy now.

no images were found

THE BLOG IS THE BOMB

I continue to put in 20+ hours a week towards making the blog informative, timely, and beautiful. Most of the educational features that formerly appeared in BAA Bulletins now grace the BAA Blog. If you have a problem subscribing, please contact us via e-mail. If you are not subscribed, you are missing a ton of great stuff almost daily. You can subscribe to the blog posts by clicking here. Below are links to recent posts of interest.

Learn about Robert O’Toole’s Nikon dSLR Guide here.

If you want to spend time studying great images you will surely want to bookmark Inspirational Photography Websites.

If you enjoyed any of the “For Your Critique” series you will surely want to learn of the two major revelations here.

Looking for an ultra-light tripod? Check out the info on the Gitzo GT1542T.

Most will enjoy the 38-image post that documents the construction of my new lap pool that by the way, is named Digital Basics.

And here is a great NIK Color Efex Pro workflow tip. This plug-in has completely re-vamped my workflow and vastly improved the quality of my images.

B&H FREE OVERNIGHT HOLIDAY SHIPPING ON SELECTED CANON LENSES & ON POWERSHOT CAMERAS

BAA sponsor B&H is offering free overnight shipping on selected Canon lenses (including many of my favorites) from now only until Thursday Dec.22, 4:00pm EST. Any lenses ordered via this link only will be received in time to be placed under the X-mas tree (or under the Hanukkah bush).

The selection includes two versions of the 70-200 IS, my current favorite, the 70-200 f/2.8L IS II, and my old favorite, the 70-200 f/4L IS. (Click here to learn about the 70-200 IS L II with the 2X III TC.) Also included are the EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM lens (the wide angle zoom that I am taking to Antarctica) and the EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM lens. Also on the list is Denise Ippolito‘s favorite Canon intermediate telephoto zoom, the EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS (Image Stabilizer) USM lens; lord, I made a zillion great images with that lens. In addition, there are five other shorter Canon lenses on the list. Again, you can view the entire list here.

no images were found

Click on the logo-link above for free overnight shipping on select Canon Powershot Cameras; they make great holiday gifts!

no images were found

I borrowed Denise Ippolito’s 500mm lens at the Barnegat Jetty last Saturday morning and used it with my Canon EOS-1D Mark IV to create the two originals for this stitched panorama of the lighthouse. ISO 400. Evaluative metering +1 2/3 stops: 1/100 sec. at f/6.3 in Av Mode.

Central Sensor/Rear Focus/AI Servo AF and re-compose. Click here if you missed the Rear Focus Tutorial.

I did not realize that this lens is no longer being manufactured and is no longer available new. It is being replaced by the 500mm F/4 L IS II lens that is at present delayed indefinitely. If you want or need one your best bet is to buy Suzanne’s below.

The blue in the image above is pre-dawn earth shadow. I enhanced the colors in the image with two great NIK plug-ins, Viveza (I am learning that one…) and Color Efex.

NIK 15% Discount

You can save 15% on all NIK products by clicking here and entering BAA in the Promo Code box at check-out. Then hit Apply to see your savings. You can download a trial copy that will work for 15 days and allow you to create full sized images.

no images were found

NIK Creative Efex Collection

NIK recently announced the availability of a special limited production bundle of 3 of their most popular products, Color Efex Pro 4, Silver Efex Pro 2, and HDR Efex Pro. You can save more than $200 on the bundle which is available only through NIK affiliates. If you would like additional info, please e-mail with the words “Creative Efex Collection” in the Subject line. If you have been on the fence about purchasing the plug-ins mentioned above this is a great chance to save some significant bucks.

USED CANON 500MM f/4L IS LENS & TRIPOD FOR SALE

Suzanne Weinheimer is offering a rarely used Canon 500mm f/4L IS lens in excellent plus condition for $5500. And an older Gitzo 1321 tripod in excellent condition for $250. Both plus shipping and insurance. Please contact Suzanne directly via e-mail here: suzbw33@aol.com.

Earn Free Contest Entries and Support both the Bulletins and the Blog by making all your B & H purchases here.

More and more folks are earning multiple contest entries with their B & H purchases. See here for details on that. Eleven great categories, 34 winning and honored images, and prize pools valued in excess of $20,000. Click here to visit the competition home page.

Shopper’s Guide

Thanks a stack to all who have used the Shopper’s Guide links to purchase their gear as a thank you for all the free information that we bring you on the Blog and in the Bulletins. Before you purchase anything be sure to check out the advice in our Shopper’s Guide.

Comments are closed.