- MP4 Photoshop Tutorial Videos
- Setting the Scene
- NYC Seminar & Door Prize Info
- Bosque del Apache IPT Late Registration Discount Announcement
- Bosque on Facebook
- Used Camera Gear (including some great new listings!)
- Alan Murphy
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This optimized image of a group of adult King Penguins about to enter the ocean was created on an early morning (6:04am) landing at St. Andrews Bay with the hand held Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM Telephoto Zoom Lens (at 70mm) and the Canon EOS 5D Mark III Digital Camera (Body Only) w/FREE Bonus Items – $160.75 Value! [expires 11/24]!. ISO 400. Evaluative metering at zero: 1/800 sec. at f/11 in Av mode. Lowest Central sensor/AI Servo/Rear Focus AI Servo Suround AF active at the moment of exposure. Click here if you missed the Rear Focus Tutorial. Be sure to click on the image to see a larger version. |
MP4 Photoshop Tutorial Videos
The first of what will become very many MP4 screen-capture Photoshop Tutorial videos, King Penguin Image Clean-up, was first offered in the November 15th blog post. Why? Many folks have expressed a desire to see me at work in Photoshop doing all the great stuff described in detail in Digital Basics and to hear my voice as I work at my laptop and explain each step along the way. The topics covered in this first video include the use of the Patch Tool, the Spot Healing Brush, Content Aware Fill, and the basics of creating and using both Quick Masks and Layer Masks.
This 16 minute, 50 second MP4 video will be sent to your e-mail address via YouSendIt. Save it to your computer and then simply click and play. We have long thought about creating Apps but they are quite costly and you need something special to play them on. MP4 videos are the ideal delivery system. If you learn best by seeing and doing this series will really help you to improve your Photoshop skills.
To see the original capture and learn more, see “A Rare Side-lit Image…” here.
Here is the first comment that we received yesterday (via e-mail from John Mostert):
Hi Arthur, I have just watched your first MP4 Video–King Penguin Clean-up–and was blown away. I am looking forward to many more in the same style.
Regards, John
King Penguin Image Clean-up MP4 Photoshop Tutorial Video
The King Penguin Image Clean-up MP4 Photoshop Tutorial Video is available right now for the ridiculously low introductory price of $3.00. If we sell a zillion of them we just price all of them at $3.00. No guarantees though. To order yours through the BAA store, click here. Or call Jim weekdays between 9am and 5pm (3pm on Fridays) at 863-692-0906 with your credit card in hand. Or send us a Paypal for $3.00 to birdsasart@verizon.net with the words King Penguin Image Clean-up in the e-mail.
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This “Setting the Scene” image was created north of Santiago at Reñaca, V region , Chile with the Canon 24-105mm f/4L IS EF USM AF Lens (hand held at 32mm) and the unfortunately discontinued EOS-1D Mark IV. ISO 400. Evaluative metering +1/3 stop: 1/640 sec. at f/11 in Manual mode. Central sensor/AI Servo Rear Focus AF and recompose. Click here if you missed the Rear Focus Tutorial. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a larger version. From left to right are Clemens van der Werf (hand holding the 500 f/4L IS II and the 1D X), Nikon guy Walter Baliero–a good friend of our Santiago host Osvaldo Larrain (with the tripod-mounted Nikon 200-400), Paul Mckenzie hand holding the 300 f/L IS most likely with the 1.4X TC in place, and Denise Ippolito with the tripod-mounted 500 f/4 L IS. My 300mm f/4L IS II with the 1.4X III TC and the 1DX is on the rock to the right of Denise. The 24-105 is my go-to B-roll lens. I use it for a great variety of purposes and make sure that it is in my Xtrahand vest each and every time that I head into the field. On the rare occasions that I forget to pack it I invariably find a need for it almost immediately. |
Setting the Scene
Over the past few years I have realized that seeing the situation is the key to developing one’s creative vision and image design skills. On each of the last few IPTs have I placed more and more emphasis on learning to see (and evaluate) the situation. About a year ago I began creating series of scene-setting images. Studying them and the images that were made after recognizing a good situation is one of the keys to learning.
When we first arrived at Reñaca my main job was to evaluate the situation. I liked the overcast skies but the wind was pretty much blowing in our faces–bad for flight. And our main quarry, the Inca Terns, were all a good distance away and it was impossible to get any closer without drowning. You can see one perched on a big rock above Walter’s head and two more in flight. With the birds far away, I went to the Canon 500mm f/4L IS II with the 2X III TC and the 1D Mark IV (its 1.3X crop factor sensor provided extra pixels on the subjects) in an effort to created some nice images of perched birds. The image above was created later on in the morning when we decided to try to create some flight images. Note also the Kelp Gulls perched on the big rocks. Making something great on them would be difficult as they liked the biggest rocks and were well above our position. With patience, we did have some birds landing on the rock wall between Paul and Denise; they provided the best chances to create horizontal portraits and with the birds in the lee they would not be turned away from us to face into the wind.
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This image of a perched Inca Tern was created with the the tripod mounted Canon 500mm f/4L EF IS II lens, the Canon 2x EF Extender III (Teleconverter), and the unfortunately discontinued EOS-1D Mark IV. ISO 400: 1/500 sec. at f/9 in Manual mode. Fill flash with the Canon Speedlite 600EX-RT with the Better Beamer.
Central sensor (by necessity)/AI Servo Rear Focus AF and recompose. Click here if you missed the Rear Focus Tutorial. Click on the image for a larger version. |
Study the additional Renaca images below to learn more. And consider joining us at the NYC Seminar (details below); on Saturday at 1:00pm we will be presenting “Refining your photographic vision; learning to extract the image from the larger scene.” This session will feature lost of setting the scene sequences designed to teach to you recognize and evaluate the great variety of situations that you will encounter while you are afield with your lenses. Scroll down here for more info and the complete Saturday and Sunday schedules.
NYC Seminar & Door Prize Info
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Do consider joining Denise Ippolito and I in Staten Island in December for a great weekend filled with learning, fun, and great door prizes.
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Wow! We have put together a killer collection of door prizes for the NYC Seminar. If you live in the northeast and are not yet registered click here to join us and have a chance at winning some of the great and valuable loot below.
From ThinkTank: an Airport AirStream™ Rolling Camera Bag; meets all International carry- on regulations. A $324.75 value.
From LensCoat: a Standard LensCoat® RainCoat. A $79.99 value.
Manfrotto/Gitzo will be contributing one or more items.
From Delkin: a 32 gb 700X Compact Flash Card plus give-aways. The card is a $134.99 value.
NIK has sent a gift certificate for one copy of NIK Color Efex Pro, the Photoshop filter plug-in that has changed my digital workflow. Enter the code BAA at checkout to save 15%.
Topaz is sending a gift certificate for their black and white effects filter program.
Micheal Tapes at RAW Workflow has chipped in with a Lens Align Mark II. A $79.95 value.
You might also win a copy of The Art of Bird Photography II by Arthur Morris or a copy of A Guide to Pleasing Blurs by Arthur Morris and Denise Ipplito.
Thanks a stack to all of our generous sponsors.
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Join denise (images above) and artie (below) in Staten Island to learn get inspired, give your creativity a big boost, and improve both your in-the-field techniques and your image optimization skills.
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Bosque del Apache IPT Late Registration Discount Announcement
With four openings on this IPT and me headed out of town till 11/11 we are glad to announce a healthy late registration discount for this great IPT. Please call Jim weekdays from 9-5 eastern time at 863-692-0906 for details and leave a message if he is at the post office.
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Nobody alive or dead knows Bosque better than I do. Do consider joining us for the educational experience of a lifetime. For a greater appreciation of the composite image, click on the photo. Click on the enlarged version to close it. |
BOSQUE del APACHE 2012 IPT: “The Complete Bosque Experience.” NOV 21-27, 2012. 7-FULL DAYS: $3399. Co-leaders: Denise Ippolito, landscape photography expert Jim Heupel, and Photoshop expert Mike Hannisian. Introductory Slide program: 6:30 pm on 11/20. Limit: 12/Openings 4.
Tens of thousand of Snow Geese, 10,000 Sandhill Cranes, ducks including point-blank American Wigeon and Wood Duck, amazing 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. Top-notch Photoshop instruction. This will make 18 consecutive Novembers at Bosque for me. Nobody knows the place better than I do. Join us to learn to think like a pro, to recognize situations and to anticipate them based on the weather, especially the light and the wind direction. Every time we make a move we will let you know why. When you head home applying what you learned will prove to be invaluable.
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Are IPTs expensive? Of course they are. For good reason. The most experienced, knowledgeable, and hardest working leaders. Great Photoshop instruction. Great folks. And great food. For a greater appreciation of the composite image, click on the photo. Click on the enlarged version to close it. |
Bosque on Facebook
Visit Bosque on Facebook here and bookmark the page. It’s a great way to keep up on current events and refuge conditions.
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This image of a landing Inca Tern was created with the the tripod mounted Canon 500mm f/4L EF IS II lens, the Canon 1.4x EF Extender III (Teleconverter), and the unfortunately discontinued EOS-1D Mark IV. ISO 400. Evaulative metering +2 1/3 stops off the white sky: 1/1250 sec. at f/5.6 in Manual mode. Fill flash with the Canon Speedlite 600EX-RT at -1 stop with the Better Beamer.
Central sensor (by necessity)/AI Servo Rear Focus AF active at the moment of exposure. Click here if you missed the Rear Focus Tutorial. Click on the image for a larger version. With the wind blowing at you it is possible, at times, to create pleasing flight images of birds braking to land from behind. Keep your mind open to all possibilities. |
Used Camera Gear (including some great new listings!)
Patrick Sparkman
Good friend, skilled photographer, and multi-IPT veteran Patrick Sparkman is offering the following used Canon gear for sale:
Canon 800mm f/5.6 L IS lens in excellent condition: $9,900. The lens is three years old and includes the original case and box as well as the Lenscoat covering (which has always been on the lens) and the 4th Generation Design lens foot (as well as the original lens foot). (This is a great buy on my favorite-ever super-telephoto lens.) Buyer pays shipping.
Canon EOS-5D Mark II full frame 21 mp camera body in excellent condition. Includes the box and all original accessories along with a Really Right Stuff camera plate: $1,300. Buyer pays shipping.
Canon 24-105 f/4 L IS zoom lens in excellent condition with the original box: $750. Buyer pays shipping.
Combo: the EOS-5D II plus the 24-105: $1,950. Buyer pays shipping.
Canon 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II lens in excellent condition with the original box and Really Right Stuff lens plate: $1,700. Buyer pays shipping.
Contact Patrick via email at psparkman@me.com or on his cell at 903-654-3359 (leave message & callback # if no answer).
John Armitage
John Armitage is offering the following used Nikon gear for sale:
Nikon 300mm f/2.8G AF-S ED VR II. Purchased early 2012; condition Like New. With all factory packaging and items & Nikon USA 5 year warranty. Extra $70 Really Right Stuff replacement foot with Arca-Swiss grooves. Will accept return within 2 weeks if not satisfied. Offered at $4,500/postpaid within USA.
Nikon D7000 body, Purchased early 2012; condition Like New. With Nikon USA 5 year warranty. All factory items included. Extras: 2nd Nikon battery, two SD cards Sandisk Extreme Pro 95 MB/s 8GB each. Will accept return within 2 weeks if not satisfied. Offered at $600, postpaid within USA.
Nikon AF-S Teleconverter TC-20E-III 2.0x, purchased early 2012; condition Like New. With Nikon USA 5 year warranty. Will accept return within 2 weeks if not satisfied. Offered at $250, postpaid within USA.
Nikon AF-S Teleconverter TC-14E-II 1.4x; Purchased early 2012, condition Like New. With Nikon USA 5 year warranty. Will accept return within 2 weeks if not satisfied. Offered at $250, postpaid within USA.
Nikon External Flash SB700, Purchased early 2012; condition Like New. With Nikon USA 5 year warranty. Will accept return within 2 weeks if not satisfied. Offered at $200, postpaid within USA.
Contact John via e-mail at john@qued.com or on his cell at 1-970-250-6080
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This image of an Inca Tern win flight was created with the the tripod mounted Canon 500mm f/4L EF IS II lens, the Canon 1.4x EF Extender III (Teleconverter), and the unfortunately discontinued EOS-1D Mark IV. ISO 400. Evaulative metering +2 1/3 stops off the white sky: 1/1250 sec. at f/5.6 in Manual mode. Fill flash with the Canon Speedlite 600EX-RT at -1 stop with the Better Beamer.
Central sensor (by necessity)/AI Servo Rear Focus AF active at the moment of exposure. Click here if you missed the Rear Focus Tutorial. Click on the image for a larger version. At times, when a big wave hit the rocks, a group of terns would jump up in flight; this gave us a few brief moments to could create an image with the bird |
Denise Ippolito
Denise Ippolito is offering a Canon EOS-1D Mark III in very good condition for $1200.00 and a Canon EOS-5D Full Frame Sensor 12 mp Digital SLR Camera in excellent condition for $800.00. Please contact Denise via e-mail.
Bob Hawkins
Bob Hawkins is offering a used Canon 400mm f/5.6L lens–my old “toy lens,” killer for flight, in like-new condition for $1,000 including ground shipping in the continental U.S. The lens was used for only 2-3 hours. Guaranteed payment or a cleared check is required before making shipment. You can reach Bob via e-mail or try him on his cell at 727-363-1687. If no answer try his wife’s cell at 727-385-1658.
Steve Vige
Steve Vige is offering the following used gear for sale:
Canon 70-200 f4L IS lens (price reduced!) in excellent condition includes pouch and original Canon box: $899 buyer pays shipping.
Please contact Steve on his cell at 661-305-0307 or via e-mail. Note: I used this sharp, lightweight lens for about two years and loved it.
Shelly Goldstein
Multiple IPT-veteran and all around nice guy Sheldon Goldstein is offering the following Canon lenses for sale; each of them has recently been checked and cleaned by Canon Jamesburg. Wire transfers preferred or wait until your check clears. All sales include shipping and insurance.
Canon 500mm f/4L IS lens in excellent condition with LensCoat, the RRS LCF-50 Arca style replacement foot, the original foot with all the screws, and all the original stuff including the lens trunk and leather hood. This one is an absolute steal at $6899. It will likely sell in minutes as we have sold others recently with less extras for more.
Contact Shelly by phone at 1-646-423-0392 or via e-mail.
Cindy Cox
Cindy Cox is offering the following used gear for sale:
Canon EOS 5D Full Frame Sensor 12 mp Digital SLR Camera in excellent condition for $750.00 (mirror recently replaced by Canon). Buyer pays shipping.
Canon 24-105mm f/4L IS EF USM AF lens in excellent condition for $750.00. Buyer pays shipping. (This is artie’s favorite B-roll lens; he never leaves home without it.)
Please contact Cindy via e-mail.
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“The Photographer’s Guide to Attracting Birds”
Alan Murphy taught the world to create killer images at backyard set-ups in his 106 page eBook, “Guide to Songbird Set-Up Photography.” In his latest effort, “The Photographer’s Guide to Attracting Birds,” he has out-done himself. As I proofread the new e-Book for readability, I was amazed not only by the images, but by Alan’s innovative and creative techniques. Heck, in many cases, I was stunned by his cleverness.
Click on the logo-link below to get your copy. (PayPals are accepted.)
In his first eBook, Alan shared many long-held secrets that were carefully developed over time. It was a spectacular start and has helped thousands of folks—including me—to improve their craft and create stronger images. In his next effort, “The Photographer’s Guide to Attracting Birds,” Alan has continued his tradition of sharing in ten, all-new, wide-ranging chapters. While the first eBook dealt mainly with attracting songbirds into photographic range, the new book teaches you to attract birds from many different families: shorebirds, roadrunners, quail and raptors. The latter group includes eagles, vultures, buteos, caracaras and accipiters. And there are, of course, dozens of never-before-revealed tricks for attracting those colorful songbirds: tanagers, flycatchers, warblers, orioles, thrashers, jays, longspurs, cardinals, larks, buntings and woodpeckers, among others. From your backyard to the deserts to the woodlands to arctic tundra, Alan covers it all.
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Red-tailed Hawk on Road Kill. Upper Texas Coast. Nikon 300/2.8 lens (hand held) with the Nikon D4 camera. ISO 800. 1/5000 sec. at f/6.3 in manual Mode. Image courtesy of and copyright Alan Murphy. Learn how attract birds using road kill on page 83 of Alan’s great eGuide. |
As you read through the new eBook, the words amazing, simple, brilliant, clever, innovative, and practical will come to mind frequently. You will constantly find yourself saying aloud, “Why didn’t I think of that?”
His tips for feeding individual songbirds and then photographing them in flight are simply remarkable, as are those for dealing with bird species that habitually land on barbed wire. Who would think of attracting shorebirds into photographic range? Alan Murphy. And not only does he share his methods and techniques with you, he shares several of the great images he created using each of the strategies.
The chapter on using audio playback to attract birds into photographic range is alone worth the price of the book. In addition to a complete synopsis of the techniques he uses, it contains tips on the recordings themselves, the needed gear and the techniques he uses for specific bird families. And most importantly, he teaches you how to minimize any potential stress on the subjects.
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Cooper’s Hawk Mobbing a Decoy Owl. Smith Point, Texas. Nikon 300/2.8 lens (hand held) with the Nikon D800 camera. ISO 400. 1/3200 sec. at f/5.6 in manual Mode. Image courtesy of and copyright Alan Murphy. Learn how to attract raptors using a decoy owl starting on page 40 “The Photographers Guide to Attracting Birds.” |
The chapter on using decoy owls to attract raptors into range for both flight and perched photography includes lots of stuff that is new to me even though I first began using my very own Cabela’s plastic owl—affectionately nicknamed “Hootie”—more than 15 years ago. And the one on blinds and camouflage is full of practical suggestions that will help you in the field.
From constructing and designing effective ground perches to using insects and—yes, even road kill—as bait, it seems that every conceivable avian photography situation is covered in detail and includes easy-to-read, easy-to-follow instructions.
I for one can’t wait to get out in the field to try some of the great new techniques that Alan shares with us in “The Photographer’s Guide to Attracting Birds.”
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Scissor-tailed Flycatcher. Upper Texas Coast. Nikon 600/4 VR lens on the BLUBB (BIRDS AS ART Big Lens Ultimate BeanBag) from the car with the Nikon D800 camera. ISO 500. 1/250 sec. at f/8 in manual Mode. Image courtesy of and copyright Alan Murphy. Learn to get birds off their favored barbed wire perches and onto your perch beginning on page 75 of Alan’s eGuide. |
Click on the logo-link below to get your copy. (PayPals are accepted.)
Shopper’s Guide
Thanks a stack to all who have used our B&H affiliate 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.
Shop B&H
Support the BAA Blog. Support the BAA Bulletins. We want and need to keep providing you with the latest free information, photography and Photoshop lessons, and all manner of related information. Show your appreciation by making your purchases immediately after clicking on any of the links above. Remember, B&H ain’t just photography!
And from the BAA On-line Store:
LensCoats. I have a LensCoat on each of my big lenses to protect them from nicks and thus increase their re-sales value. All my big lens LensCoat stuff is in Hardwood Snow pattern.
LegCoat Tripod Leg Covers. I have four tripods active and each has a Hardwood Snow LegCoat on it to help prevent further damage to my tender shoulders 🙂 And you will love them in mega-cold weather….
Gizo GT3532 LS CF Tripod. This one replaces the GT3530LS Tripod and will last you a lifetime. Learn more about this great tripod here.
Mongoose M3.6 Tripod Head. Right now this is the best tripod head around for use with lenses that weigh less than 9 pounds. For heavier lenses, check out the Wimberley V2 head.
Double Bubble Level. You will find one in my camera’s hot shoe whenever I am not using flash.
The Lens Align Mark II. I use the Lens Align Mark II pretty much religiously to micro-adjust all of my gear an average of once a month and always before a major trip. Enjoy our free comprehensive tutorial here.
BreezeBrowser. I do not see how any digital photographer can exist without this program.
Delkin Flash Cards. I use and depend on Delkin compact Flash Cards and card readers most every day. Learn more about their great 700X and 1000X cards here or about my favorite Delkin card here.
