BIRDS AS ART BULLETIN #113
SEPTEMBER 20, 2003
 
 
NYC TRIP REPORT
 
SENSOR CLEANING SOLUTION?
 
IPT and SEMINAR UPDATES
 
FALL COLOR PHOTO WEEKEND/DAVID CARDINAL
 
 
Note: all of the images in this Bulletin were made on my NYC trip!
 
 
Semipalmated Sandpiper, juvenile, Jamaica Bay WR, Queens, NY  
Image copyright 2003 Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
 
Canon 1Ds with 500mm f/4 L IS lens and 2X II TC . ISO 250, Evaluative Metering -2/3 stop: 1/500 sec. at f/11.  AI Servo AF.
 
Even though limited to the central sensor only with this setup, I prefer to use AF rather than to focus manually because it is simply more accurate.  Coming up with a perfect composition like this is not always possible when limited to the central sensor...
 
 
NYC TRIP REPORT
 
August 2002 was the first August since 1976 that I did not spend any time at all at the East Pond at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge so it was great to be back in the mud once again at the peak of juvenile shorebird migration.  The Bayside Seminar was a success with about 50 folks in attendance--many went home with great door prizes which included lots of Fuji film from both Fuji and Hunts, a 640 Delkin e-film Pro Card, and amazingly, a brand new Roadrunner AW!  Seventeen folks attended the ITF-Workshops on Monday and Tuesday while 8 joined me for the IPT (Wednesday through Friday).   It was great to see so many folks eager to learn to crawl in the mud and muck.  Most of the attendees did so quite enthusiastically and with style!  Brutus Oostling came all the way from Sweden for the IPT.  Many folks with relatively short lenses found that with a careful approach that they were able to get within petting distance of many of the shorebirds. 
 
 
IPT participant Mary Curtis getting down and dirty with her 300mm f/2.8 on the JBWR IPT  
Image copyright 2003 Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
 
Here are two of the thank you notes that I received:
 
#1: Just a quick note of thanks for an excellent and informative seminar last Sunday at Bayside, Queens.  And thanks again for a wonderful day in the field on Monday at Jamaica Bay NWR.  I really learned a lot of things over those 2 days about exposure and composition.  Best, Keith Mangino
 
#2: I just can't seem to find the right words to describe my experience during the JBay IPT.  So how about these...  How about some two-sewer stickball and a Yoo-hoo on the stoop after that;)  Art I had a blast!    The Sunday seminar cleared up the problems I was having using my 1V's matrix meter.  You filled the IPT not only with photo info, but also shared your extensive birding knowledge.  I really can't decide which I appreciated more.  I may even be able to get my family to commit to a birding weekend at Jamaica Bay, using FOOD as a bribe!!!  (AM Note:  as usual, we came up with some great places to eat including an Indian restaurant about 20 minutes down Cross Bay that had great food, especially the goat masala!)  It truly was a pleasure to meet and work with you.  Thanks again,  Mike Borkowski   PS: Put me on the waiting list for the next one.
 
 
Semipalmated Plover, juvenile, Jamaica Bay WR, Queens, NY  
Image copyright 2003 Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
 
Canon 1Ds with 500mm f/4 L IS lens and 2X II TC . ISO 250, Evaluative Metering at 0: 1/800 sec. at f/8.  AI Servo AF.
 
This little guy was at the north end of the East Pond.  Brutus and I photographed him for more than 30 minutes while we were on our bellies in the thickest, blackest, ooziest mud I had ever been in!  It was well worth it!
 
SENSOR CLEANING SOLUTION?
 
When I was in Denali, Todd Gustafson offered to clean the sensor on my 1Ds using the "Wendy's Knife Method."  I said, "Yes," uttered a short prayer, and then turned away unable to watch.  Two minutes later he handed me back the camera and lo and behold, nearly all of the dust spots had been removed.  Both Juan Pons and Henry Domke sent me a link to a site that described both the method Todd used and a method that yielded even better results.  Here's the link: http://www.pbase.com/copperhill/ccd_cleaning 
If you decide to go ahead and try this, be sure to read all of the instructions carefully several times.   As for me, I will be heading to Wal-Mart's on Monday to try and find the recommended spatulas. 
 
Do know that all digital camera manufacturers vehemently warn users not to attempt to clean the sensors on their digital cameras, but sending your camera in twice a week is to be cleaned is simply not an option.  If you do it yourself, you will be doing so at your own risk.  I will let everyone know how I do ASAP.  In the meantime, thanks to Juan and Henry, to the others who responded, and most of all, to Nicholas R. who put the whole thing together and who freely shares his experiences with all digital photographers.  His method looks like the real thing, and might indeed by the solution to a very persistent problem that up until now has plagued digital photographers.
 
 
Semipalmated Sandpiper, juvenile, Jamaica Bay WR, Queens, NY  
Image copyright 2003 Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
 
Canon 1D with 400mm f/5.6 L lens.  ISO 400, Evaluative Metering -1/3 stop: 1/1600 sec. at f/8. AI Servo AF.
 
I led the group on a shorebird flight-photography walk never dreaming that I could make an image even half this good...  These guys are tiny and fast.
 
 
IPT and SEMINAR UPDATES
 
The first Bosque IPT (23-25 NOV) has 6 slots open, the second has been sold out for months.  All are invited to the Thanksgiving Day Brunch at the historic ValVerde Steakhouse at 12:30 that Thursday.  Best to let me know via e-mail that you will be coming.
 
The Post X-mas SW FLA 3-DAY IPT has only 2 openings. The 5-DAY SW FLA IPT (FEB 25-29) and the 3-DAY FORT DESOTO/SARASOTA IPT (MAR 26-28) are both wide open, as is the 3-DAY ST. AUGUSTINE ALLIGATOR FARM  IPT (APR 23-25).
 
The 3-DAY SAN DIEGO IPT (JAN 9-11) has room for seven more folks who would like to photograph the spectacular breeding plumage pelicans, wood ducks, and Heerman's Gulls. 
 
Note: if you are interested in joining me to learn about warbler photography at either Magee Marsh near Toledo, OH or at  Pt. Pelee National Park in Ontario, please get in touch by e-mail.  I will be scheduling those two 3-DAY IPTs in the very near future.
 
For details and general information on all BAA/IPTS click here:
 
 
For information on the Los Angeles Seminar and In-the-Field Workshops (NOV 1-4) visit: http://www.birdsasart.com/laphotoweekend.htm
 
 
 
Herring Gulls, squabbling juveniles, Jamaica Bay WR, Queens, NY  
Image copyright 2003 Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
 
Canon 10D  with 300mm f/4 L IS lens.  ISO 200, evaluative metering at zero (set manually): 1/1000 sec. at f/5.6.  AI Servo AF.
 
As the tide got for later and later each day on the IPT, we struggled to come up with subjects.  A loaf of Wonder Bread and a short drive to the North Channel Bridge solved that problem on Thursday.  And yes boys and girls, the 10D can focus well enough for flight and action...  As we were photographing these birds against both sky and water backgrounds, I chose to set the exposure manually so that it would not be necessary to be enter compensation each time that the background changed...  Whenever you face a situation where changing backgrounds create metering problems (but the light is constant), determine your best exposure and then switch to manual mode.
 
FALL COLOR PHOTO WEEKEND
 
Moose Peterson's friend David Cardinal is hosting a Fall Color Seminar & Day Photo Shoot on October 10th and 11th in Paradise on Michigan's Upper Peninsula.  On Friday evening will cover general landscape photography with plenty of tips on making the most of fall color. Saturday morning the group will photograph at local scenic hotspots. At lunch they'll review the day and compare notes. There is an optional session for digital shooters on Saturday afternoon.
 
BAA Bulletin subscribers who sign up will receive an autographed copy of "The D-1 Generation which David co-authored with Moose.  Be sure to mention BAA Bulletins to receive your copy).   To learn more about David, visit: http://www.cardinalphoto.com/  
For additional workshop info, click here:  http://www.cardinalphoto.com/events/
 
Best and great picture making to all,
      
Artie 

Note: Arthur Morris has been a Canon contract photographer since 1994 and continues in that role today.  Hunt's Photo of Boston, MA is a BIRDS AS ART sponsor, as is Delkin Devices.  Do feel free to forward this Bulletin to one or more photographer-friends. Those wishing to subscribe click here mailto:http://birdsasart.us1.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=94ad23bd96f48a1de2ca612b3&id=bdb4a511a0?subject=subscribesubject=subscribe  If you  received this bulletin in error, or would like your name removed from the subscriber list click here birdsasart@verizon.net?subject=unsubscribe  Back issues of relevant Bulletins are archived on the web site at:  http://www.birdsasart.com/bn.html