- Texel Holland IPT Report
- Short Notice, Dirt Cheap, In-the-Field Nickerson Beach Photographic Instruction with Arthur Morris
- Dynamic Nature Photography Teaching Team
- Japan in Winter
- New York City–On Location with Denise Ippolito & Arthur Morris
- Bosque del Apache 2013 IPT: “The Complete Bosque Experience
- Next Year In Holland
- Affiliate Links
- Canon EOS-5D Mark III User’s Guide
- Used Camera Gear
- IPT Highlights
- IPT Info
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This Pied Avocet on the nest image was created at Texel, Holland, with the tripod-mounted Canon EF 600mm f/4L IS II USM lens, the Canon 2x EF Extender III (Teleconverter), and the Canon EOS-1D X Digital SLR camera. ISO 400. Evaluative metering -1/3 stop: 1/1250 sec. at f/9 in Manual Mode. Central sensor (by necessity) Expand/AI Servo/Rear Focus on the bird’s eye and re-compose. Click here if you missed the Rear Focus Tutorial. Click on the image to see a larger version. Sun in the morning was a rare commodity on Texel…. |
Texel Holland IPT Report
Though we had a great group and a fun time, and though everyone learned a ton, the Texel IPT was–bird photography-wise–pretty bad considering our expectations. The cold weather delayed or cancelled the breeding species for several key species especially Eurasian Spoonbill. We had scheduled three visits to the rookery but there were no birds either on nests or at the roost. All three visits were cancelled. As were several guided visits to various gull colonies.
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This Eurasian Spoonbill was photographed with the tripod-mounted Canon EF 600mm f/4L IS II USM lens, the Canon 1.4x EF Extender III (Teleconverter), and the Canon EOS-1D X Digital SLR camera. ISO 800. Evaluative metering +1 1/3 stops as framed: 1/1000 sec. at f/7.1 in Manual Mode. Central sensor Surround AI Servo/Rear Focus on the bird’s eye and recompose. Click here if you missed the Rear Focus Tutorial. Click on the image to see a larger version. |
Alan and Pat Lillich and Steve and Jo-Ann Leimburg were in for the whole nine yards, staying along with us after the Tulip IPT. Ian Glaves drove from the UK and BPNer Rosl Rosner drove from Germany. Both rarely slept or rested and did some good work from their own vehicles while the rest of us slept. Ian, a birder at heart, had his eyes opened about photographing the more common species and Rose, who is a skilled photographer, gained a much better understanding of exposure in theory and in practice.
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This 3-frame in-camera ArtVivid HDR image of the avocet nesting was created at Texel, Holland with the tripod-mounted Canon 24-105mm f/4L IS EF USM AF Lens(at 24mm) and the Canon EOS 5D Mark III Digital camera body ISO 400. Evaluative metering +1 stop yielded a base exposure of: 1/800 sec. at f/11 in Av mode. Central sensor/AI Servo Rear Focus AF 1/3 of the way into the island and re-compose. Click here if you missed the Rear Focus Tutorial. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a larger version. When even the remotest possibility of doing some serious land-scape or bird-scape work with a short lens exists, I make sure to have a Wimberley P-5 plate and my Giottos MH 1302-655 Ballhead in my vest. It takes less than two minutes to mount the plate on the camera body, spin off the Mongoose M3.6, and replace it with the tiny ballhead. |
In addition to the cold–it was 32 degrees Fahrenheit on our last outing, the usually strong and almost always relentless west northwest winds made things very difficult for us in the mornings. Our best chances were with the gorgeous Pied Avocets and a with variety of gulls species, most especially the lovely black-headeds and the handsome lesser black-backeds. For more on the former, see “Elegant, Sexy Cousin” here.
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This calling Black-headed Gull was photographed with the tripod-mounted Canon EF 600mm f/4L IS II USM lens, the Canon 2x EF Extender III (Teleconverter), and the Canon EOS-1D X Digital SLR camera. ISO 400. Evaluative metering at 0: 1/400 sec. at f/14 in Manual Mode. Central sensor (by necessity) Expand/AI Servo/Rear Focus on the bird’s eye and re-compose. Click here if you missed the Rear Focus Tutorial. Click on the image to see a larger version. |
The communal living experiment was a great success–ten of us shared a rather large house. Best of all, everybody loved my cooking. We had some great broccoli–Jo-Ann Leimburg helped with cooking the veggies, and a ton of great fish including cod, halibut, and my favorite, haddock. I am able to get fresh haddock from Junior’s Fish Market in Lake Wales and do so on a weekly basis when I am home.
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This image of a wheeling Lesser Black-Backed Gull was created with the hand held Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS II lens and the Canon EOS-1D X Digital SLR camera. ISO 400. Evaluative metering +2 stops: 1/3200 sec. at f/5 in Manual Mode. Central sensor Surround/AI Servo/Rear Focus AF on the bird’s upper wing active at the moment of exposure. (see the original immediately below. Click here if you missed the Rear Focus Tutorial. Click on the image to see a larger version. |
To see more really good gull images and learn a ton check out the “Flight Photography Gear and Tips on the Cheapest Bird Photography Boat Trip Ever!” blog post here.
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This is the BreezeBrowser Main View screen capture for the image above. The illuminated red square on the bird’s upper wing indicates that AF was active at the moment of exposure. Make sure to check Show Focus Points under View to activate this feature. To see the focus points in DPP check AF Point under View or hit Alt L. Regular readers know that I use and depend on BreezeBrowser every day of the year. It allows me to sort my keepers and deletes the rejects faster than any other browsing program. We use it on the main computer in the home office to catalog our images file-drawer style. And the companion program, Downloader Pro allows me to download my images quickly and conveniently. It automatically adds my IPTC data and the shooting location. I have it set up to create a folder named by the Month/date/year. The Breezebrowser/Downloader Pro combo saves me many hours each week. To learn earn more or to purchase this great PC only program, click here. Image clean-up and several expand canvas techniques are detailed in Digital Basics File, an instructional PDF that is sent via e-mail. It includes my complete digital workflow, dozens of great Photoshop tips, several different ways to expand canvas, all of my time-saving Keyboard Shortcuts, and Quick Masking, Layer Masking, and NIK Color Efex Pro basics. I moved the bird back in the frame using one of the eleven tutorials in APTATS II. |
Short Notice, Dirt Cheap, In-the-Field Nickerson Beach Photographic Instruction with Arthur Morris.
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This image of an adult American Oystercatcher standing over a surf clam was created at Nickerson Beach, Long Island, NY with the tripod-mounted Canon 800mm f/5.L IS lens, the 1.4X III TC, and the Canon EOS-1D Mark IV (now replaced by the Canon EOS-1D X ). ISO 400. Evaluative metering +1/3 stop: 1/800 sec. at f/8 in Manual mode. Central sensor (by necessity) on the bird’s neck/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 long effective focal length being seated behind my lowered tripod made it seem as if I were right on the ground. Click here to learn about the optimization and image clean-up for the photo above. |
Short Notice, Dirt Cheap, In-the-Field Nickerson Beach Photographic Instruction with Arthur Morris. May 14 (am/pm) & 15 (am), 2013. (Yes, that is soon.) 6-9:30 am/4-7:30pm. This one is priced so low that you need to e-mail for the rates. Limit 4/session. 3 1/2 openings left.
Payment in full due immediately. If you would like to join me please get in touch via e-mail or call me at 863-692-0906. Breeding American Oystercatcher and Piping Plover (small chicks possible). Herring and Great Black-backed Gulls, Sanderling, and other shorebird species. Early-arriving Least and Common Terns, and breeding plumage Lesser Black-backed Gull likely. Courtship and mating behaviors; flight. Learn digital exposure and creative image design.
Dynamic Nature Photography Teaching Team
Below are several opportunities to learn from two great photographic instructors. Arthur Morris, the grizzled veteran who is a demanding instructor. Denise Ippolito, with a kinder, gentler teaching style. Yet neither will rest until you fully understand the concept at hand. Both are blessed with an amazing ability to see the image in the field and to teach you to do the same. Both lead by example. Both can teach you how to design a pleasing image. Both are highly skilled Photoshop instructors. Artie’s image optimization skills are driven by a desire for speed and quality, Denise’s by creativity and innovation. Each is driven by an inner desire to share everything they know about nature photography. And be it birds or flowers they will always put you on some great subjects.
In addition to the trips listed immediately below see the other opportunities to learn from artie and denise in the IPT section at the bottom of this e-mail.
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Japan in Winter FEB 12-26/27, 2014. Snow Monkey, Red-crowned Crane, Stellers and White-tailed Sea Eagles, and Whooper Swan: $12,999. Limit: 7/Openings: 1
This previously unannounced trip is a nearly sold out from the BAA Friends List. We have assembled a great group of 6 very happy campers and have room for one more. Three great leaders: Arthur Morris, Denise Ippolito, and multiple BBC and Nature’s Best honoree Paul Mckenzie,
Included: all lodging including Tokyo hotel, all breakfasts and dinners, ground transport and transfers, four eagle boat trips (ice conditions permitting), all entrance fees, and in-country flights. Not included: international flights, alcoholic beverages, lunches, bottled water, and snacks.
Do know that every major photographic competition awards several prizes to images made in Japan in winter…. Seriously interested Happy Campers are invited to e-mail for the complete itinerary.
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This 3-frame in-camera Natural HDR image was created in Edam, Holland with the Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II (hand held at 130mm) and the Canon EOS 5D Mark III Digital camera body). ISO 800. Evaluative metering +1 1/3 stops; the base exposure was 1/250 sec. at f/4 in Avmode. Central sensor/AI Servo Rear Focus AF on the wall active at the moment of exposure. Click here if you missed the Rear Focus Tutorial. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a larger version. Both denise and artie are skilled street photographers. The principles in street photography and in nature and wildlife photography are pretty much the same. Here artie has used an intermediate telephoto lens to extract interesting detail. Next year’s Holland trip will include two street photography sessions in addition to the tulips. Details will be announced soon. |
New York City–On Location with Denise Ippolito & Arthur Morris May 25 – 26, 2013, 2-day Workshop-$495
Join Denise Ippolito and Arthur Morris for a two-day creative workshop in the Big Apple. This exciting adventure through the streets of NYC will begin with an informal get-together at our hotel on the evening of May 24th. This will give us all a chance to get to know each other before we hit the streets in the morning for our first exciting photo shoot. We will explore China Town, Little Italy, Times Square, Rockefeller Center, Grand Central Station (tripod permit included) and much more during our two days together. The emphasis will be on street photography, seeing and capturing dynamic images, and expanding your creativity using a variety of in-camera techniques including HDR and Multiple Exposure.
Please contact me via e-mail for complete details and the itinerary.
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Sandhill Crane composite, Bosque del Apache NWR, San Antonio, NM. Click on the image for a larger version. |
Bosque del Apache 2013 IPT: “The Complete Bosque Experience.” NOV 26-DEC 2, 2013. 7-FULL DAYS: $3399. Co-leader: Denise Ippolito. Introductory Slide program: 6:30 pm on 11/25. Limit: 12.
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 19 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 sky conditions, 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. Includes all lunches and the Thanksgiving Buffet at the Crowne Plaza in Albuquerque. I hope that you can join me for what will be an unparalleled learning experience.
Click here for registration info and the complete IPT schedule. Scroll down for complete Bosque IPT info.
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This hyacinth field image was created with the tripod-mounted Canon 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II lens, the 2XIII teleconverter (at 400mm), and the Canon EOS-5D Mark III. ISO 400. Evaluative metering +1/3 stop: 1/200 sec. at f/22 in Av mode. Central sensor rear focus AI Servo AF 1/3 of the way into the frame and re-compose. Click here if you missed the Rear Focus Tutorial. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a larger version. |
Next Year In Holland
Despite a 100-year record cold spring with very few tulip fields in bloom this trip has been a spectacular success. The colors and variety of tulips at Keukenhof simply stun the mind and the senses. Denise and I are planning our Holland trip for next year: the Keukenhof Creative Tulip Photography IPT with a Touch of Holland. If you are a Happy Camper who is interested in joining Denise and me next spring, please shoot me an e-mail. Details will be announced soon.
Affiliate Links
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Regular readers well know that I spend an inordinate amount of time each week preparing blog posts and the BAA Online Bulletins in order to bring you the latest free information, photography and Photoshop lessons, and all manner of related information and to share with you my favorite new images. I have long resisted efforts to charge a fee for each. Please Show your appreciation by making your purchases immediately after clicking on any of our B&H or Amazon Affiliate links below or on the product-specifics links in each post. in this blog post. Both B&H and Amazon offer world class service and the lowest prices you will find anywhere. And using one of our links will not cost you a penny more. When shopping at B&H be sure to place an item in your cart to see the often too-low-to show actual price. In many cases B&H is forbidden by the manufacturer from publicizing their lowest price!
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Canon EOS-5D Mark III User’s Guide
Learn everything that I know about the EOS-5D Mark III including how I set up my camera for in-camera HDRs in the 5D Mark III User’s Guide. This guide also includes info on the following: 5D III exposure fine points, handling the WHITEs, the top LCD and all camera control buttons, all 5D Mark III drive modes, how to manually select an AF sensor, choosing an AF Area Selection Mode/how and why (includes extensive detail), and Menu Item Access. Coverage of almost all Menu Items and Custom Functions including the following: Image Quality, Auto Lighting Optimizer, Highlight Tone Priority, AF Configuration Tool (includes details on the custom setting that I use), Acceleration/deceleration tracking, Tracking sensitivity, Lens drive when AF impossible, Orientation linked AF point (I love this feature on the 5D III!), Highlight alert, Histogram display, Auto rotate, Custom Shooting Mode set-up, Safety shift, using the Q button, and setting up rear focus. The guide is–of course–written in my informal, easy-to-follow style.
Used Camera Gear
Walt Novinger
Walt is offering a used Sigma 300-800 f/5.6 EX DG APO IF HSM Autofocus Lens for Canon EOS, aka The Sigmonster in like-new condition. Used only 4-5 times: $6,000. The sale includes the original shipping box and the original soft lens case. Includes shipping in the continental US. You can call Walt at 1-442.222.4081 or by e-mail. James Shadle used the Nikon mount version of this lens to create many great images. Strong folks can save a bundle as this is a steal at $2,000 below list.
Brent Bridges
Brent is offering a used Canon EF 100-400mm f4/.5-5.6L IS USM wwith the Canon tripod mount ring B (W), the Canon ET-83C Lens Hood , the Canon LZ1324 lens case and the owner’s manual. Everything in excellent condition with scratches on the Lens Hood. Price $950. Seller pays shipping and insurance. Please call Brent at 770-565-5012 or contact him via e-mail
Colin Haase
Colin is offering a like-new Canon TSE (tilt shift) 24mm f/3.5 (the older version) for $750.00. If you are interested, please call him at 630-269-2242 or contact him via e-mail
Typos
On all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or leave a comment regarding any typos, wrong words, misspellings, omissions, or grammatical errors. Just be right. 🙂
IPT Highlights
There is a single opening on the September Bears Catching Salmon Bear Boat IPT and 2 openings on the Nickerson Beach Baby Beach Nesting birds trip. See immediately below for details and more.
