2009 First Light Photo Workshop Online Newsletter
FEBRUARY
TEXAS HILL COUNTRY
Made a run over to the ranches where the April - May Texas Hill Country bird workshop is going to be held recently and found some interesting locations as well as getting some things lined up to make things better for those attending. Where the ranches in the Rio Grande Valley have been hosting photo workshops for numerous years, some in the Hill Country have been at it for just a few years.
The great thing, though, is that at the ranches being used on my workshop, all three ranch owners do photography and have a very good idea of the needs of serious photographers. There were a couple of things at two of the ranches I made suggestions about and they were very open to these.
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One deals with the bluebird boxes they have. The're going to be switching to a style where the side wall opens up for much better access to photograph the babies in the box. I had done work at bluebird boxes in Colorado for several years going out with the coordinator of the box system at some property where there are 200 boxes. We would go into the boxes where there were babies but would only spend a short amount of time there for their protection. It was more than enough time to get good shots and this will be the case on the trip here this year.
Perch set-ups and other attractants were also discussed. I just received an email from one owner letting me know what all else he has planned before we arrive. The first trip (Apr. 28 - May 3) has one spot left on it and I have added a second trip beginning on May 3 if this one fills up and more people are interested. There's a good chance I'll have a second leader on this trip but it's not set in stone as of yet.
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At one of the ranches, the adjoining ranch has some red deer on it as well as some bison and we have received permission to go over there and photograph these, offering another subject to the birds we'll be getting at the blinds. Also at this ranch we found a black vulture nest with an egg in it. These birds have a long incubation time and an even longer time before the hatchlings fledge so it will be in the nest during the trip. There is good access to a vantage point where shots of the young in the nest can be taken.
One ranch has a feeder where a doe white-tail deer has become so used to the ranch owner that we will be able to get quite close for some portrait shots as well as a chance of her coming into the area jumping over a fence.
The big draws on this trip will be the opportunity to photograph painted bunting, golden-cheeked warblers, belted kingfishers, and a couple of other surprise treats.
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2008 PHOTO CONTEST
If you attended a workshop in 2008, send in two images for the First Light Photo Contest sponsored by Lowepro. The winner will receive a Fastpack 200 as well as $150 off the price of a trip this year. The runner-up will receive $150 off the price of a trip this year. Get your images in by March 23 and the winning images will be announced in the March newsletter later that month.
ICELAND WORKSHOP BIG PRICE REDUCTION
So you thought the economy in the United States is bad. The economy in Iceland pretty much went in the tank a few months ago with numerous of the major state run banks collapsing. Unlike the United States, this has caused prices for most everything to drop dramatically. Because of this, the guide I'm using has contacted me with notice of a pretty good price drop for the trip this year. Instead of keeping this as profit, I'm passing on the savings to workshop participants, taking $1,000 per person off the price of the trip. The other good thing is that airfares have also dropped quite a bit. In checking out flights for myself, they have dropped close to $700 from when I last checked. Now is a great time to sign up for this trip and book your flights while the costs are down this low. If prices drop again, these will be passed on for those already signed up.
PHOTO TIPS - FLIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY PART 1
A new feature to the newsletter will be a series of photo tips on a variety of subjects. Each subject will have a series of tips associated with it. The first main subject is birds in flight photography. If you have a subject you would like to see featured down the road let me know and I'll cover it. As always, please pass on any questions you have regarding photography and these will be covered in the subsequent issue.
If you don't have a lot of experience capturing images of birds in flight, it's much easier to get a focus on them when they are far away from you and track them in until they are in position to where you want to get the shot. Trying to get them in the viewfinder and in focus very close to you is very difficuly until you have quite a few shots under your belt and you get comfortable with finding them and getting a focus. Start as far away as you need and work to shorten the distance each subsequent shot. Use continuous focus so your camera adjusts the focus as the bird gets closer to you.
CAMERA BODY QUESTION
Andy,
I am looking to get a new Digital
SLR. I am looking at the Nikon D3, Nikon D700 and the Canon 5D MII. Do you have
any thoughts? The low light and full frame sensor capabilities of these cameras
appeal to me. Do you know any marketable differences between these models, any
recommendations? I don’t know too much about Canon, so your thoughts on other
comparable or higher end Canon models would be appreciated. - D.T.
Of the three bodies you mention, here are some specs to consider. For closest comparison, the Canon 5D and Nikon D700 are closest to each other for size, price and many features.
Nikon D3 and D700 have a 12.1 megapixel sensor compared to 21.1 in the Canon 5D II. The 5D has Canon's new DIGIC processor, the latest technology in the business while the Nikon's still use their older processor. 5D also has a self cleaning sensor. The D3 is is the same size as the 5D while the D3 is much larger. The D3 has space for 2 CF cards. Because the D700 is smaller in size, it has no LCD info on the rear panel and it also has a pop up flash, even though there is a hot shoe. Not sure why they have a pop up flash for a pro model body. Frames per second of the three are comparable, but with the type of work you do that isn't a concern if there's a 1, 2 or 3 fps difference for a camera body.
With using Canon, the 5D is a great mid-level pro camera. Doesn't have all the bells and whistles as the 1DS III, thus the big price difference. It does have live action (read video) but I don't think that's something you'll be drawn to. I have the Canon 1DS II body and really like it. It has a 16 megapixel sensor and many more functions and controls that the 5D. I even use it for a bit of wildlife shooting for the extra megapixels, even though it's full frame and doesn't bring in the subject a bit more.
DIGITAL
/ MARKETING CORNER - METERING MODES
By Bob Dean
We have all heard the comment, “well I just fix it in Photoshop™”. I’m not too sure about you but I would rather spend my time in the field shooting than in front of the computer fixing images. One of the best pieces of advice I ever heard, whether shooting film of digital is “get the exposure correct when you take the picture”. If you do this, you will not need to “fix” it later. Over the next few months, the digital corner will go back to exposure and metering basics. This month we’ll look at the metering modes available in today’s digital SLR camera bodies.
Most digital SLR’s have followed their film predecessors in having a variety of metering modes. The 3 basic ones are matrix or pattern, center weighted and spot. In the case of my Canon 40D, the engineers have added a 4th they call “partial”. This forth one is really a variation on the spot meter capability.
The “meter” in the camera is really a combination of the light sensors and the computer’s microprocessor. The processor takes input from the sensors and computes the exposure based on the sensor light readings, the aperture setting, shutter speed, focal length, and a lot of data stored in “look up tables”. Let’s look at each of selectable metering modes of the sensor and consider how to use them most effectively.
Matrix or pattern looks at the entire image divided into a number of segments. In the case of the Canon 40D, there are 35 segments or zones evaluated. Here is an example of the zones in a simpler, 13 segment matrix pattern:
As you can see, the zones are not uniform, but are designed to give the camera’s processor information according to a “best case” for normal compositions. Normal is defined as average distribution of light, medium and dark tones. Matrix is usually good for front lit scenes, or scenes with minimal contrast or a moderate mix of light and dark tones.
Center weighted and partial modes look at the entire scene but give substantially more “weight” to the center. Typically 70% of the information from the center area and 30% from the periphery are used to calculate exposure. Here is an example of the center weighting approach.
Center weighted exposure is probably one of the better tools we have. This mode uses a lot of the experience developed over the years of film shooting. Center weighting, along with the exposure lock feature on the camera, provides a very good tool for getting the best exposure possible. This mode is best for scenes with highly directional light, a scene with very bright sections and very dark sections, like a landscape with bright sky and dark foreground, and high contrast scenes. To most effectively use center weighting, while controlling over exposure, always include the brightest area in the center (biasing toward the highlights). Take the reading in manual or any of the creative exposure modes (shutter or aperture priority) and lock the exposure with the AE lock. Then recompose and shoot! A word of caution, this mode, like any other, averages to middle grey so you may need to compensate for very white or very black subject matter.
Spot and partial metering looks at a small part in the center of the frame. All exposure information is calculated from that area. This metering mode is very good for subjects that are in shadow, where you need to control or saturate highlights, and high contrast scenes.
Spot metering also averages to middle grey so you may need to compensate or look to use white balance to get a correct color rendition.
Next time you’re out shooting, try these different metering modes, consider the lighting of the scene and take a few notes on which mode you selected for each shot. Consider adding some comments on why you chose that mode, and see how your images come out. Do this a few times and maybe you’ll spend less time in front of the computer and more behind the lens!
RETURNING PARTICIPANTS AND OTHER SPECIAL OFFERS
In the last issue of the newsletter, I mentioned to keep an eye out for changnes to deposits and repeat workshop participation. After doing a bit of research and with the current economic situation, I am implementing an offer for repeat workshop participants as well as husband and wife teams.
Beginning with First Light Photo Workshops scheduled for June 2009 and beyond, returning participants will receive a discount on trips of $75. This is taken off the deposit and deposit must be made by check to receive the discount. Also beginning with June trips, husband and wife teams will receive $100 off the price of a trip ($50 per person). Sorry, but if you are on a trip for earlier than this discounts can not be applied.
Refer a friend program - If you have been on a trip before and bring a friend along on a trip, you will receive an extra $50 off the price of a trip. This person must not have been on a First Light trip previously.
TRIP BALANCES
For all workshops, balances are now due 60 days before the start of a trip instead of the previous 45-day final payment date. Those signing up for a trip within 60 days of the start will have to pay the full amount at that time. This includes single supplement fees for a room by yourself.
TRIP UPDATES
TEXAS HILL COUNTRY BIRDS - Only one spot remains for the original week of this trip - Apr. 28 - May 3. Because the trip is close to filling up, a second week has been added and reservations are being taken for it from May 3 - 8. If it's for a single person, I'd prefer if you could sign up for week to to fill it. A couple can sign up for week two.
ALASKA EAGLES - Three people are currently signed up and four others are looking at this trip. If interested, contact to express interest as the final spots will probably fill up, especially with four people asking questions.
OREGON COAST - 2009 will probably be the last year of this popular trip with the addition of a trip to Maine in 2010. If interested in this trip, sign up now as it might not return to the schedule. Need one more for this trip to be a go this year.
SUBSCRIBER WEBSITE - Southern Cross Galleries
Dean Tatooles attended the 2008 Iceland trip and provided a link to his sight for people to see his photogrraphy. Dean specializes in wide format photography and has a gallery on his site definately worth checking out. Dean sells his work commercially and you will see by the images on his galleries why he has large prints hanging in many businesses and homes. Visit his website at http://www.southerncrossgalleries.com and let him know what you think of his work.
If you have a website you'd like others to know about and visit, plase pass the info on to me and I'll get it in a future issue of the newsletter. Currently I have several others to let you know about.
LINK EXCHANGE PROGRAM
Do you want to help your web site page rankings and search engine placement? Join up with other photographers in a link exchange program. Over the last year, I have added only photo related links and this is a key to helping with search engine optimization - related links. Those interested in exchanging links with my site as well as with other newsletter subscribers please pass on your web site title, url, and a brief description and the process will start. Those providing information will then receive info from others through me about adding new links to your web sites.
WEB SITE BUILDING
I recently had someone ask me about building a web site for them. I have done this in the past for a couple of people and am open to doing this again. If anyone is interested in having a web site built for their photography, please contact me and we can start the process of letting the world see your work. Basic cost for building a site is $200 plus the cost of setting up a domain name and the hosting fees.
HUNTS PHOTO SPECIALS
Canon refurbished lenses:
Canon
EFS 18-200mm IS - $479.99
Canon EFS 60mm 2.8 macro - $319.99
Canon EFS 17-55mm
2.8 IS - $799.99
Canon 28-135mm IS - $329.99
Canon 28-300mm L IS - $1,799.99
Canon
100-400mm L IS - $1,149.99
Canon 50mm 1.4 - $259.99
Canon 85mm 1.8 - $289.99
Canon
100mm 2.8 macro - $389.99
Canon 430EX II - $229.99
Canon 430EX - $199.99
For
used Canon lenses/bodies:
Used Canon 70-200mm 2.8 L - $949.00
Used Canon
70-300mm IS - $449.00
Used Sigma for Canon 50mm 2.8EX macro - $179.00
Used
Canon original Rebel Body (Black) - $179.00
Used Canon Rebel XT(Black)body
with 18-55mm lens -$219.00
For Nikon Used:
Nikon 50mm 1.8 - $69.00
Nikon
18-70mm - $179.00
Contact Gary Farber at 800-221-1830 X2332 or by e-mail at digitalguygary@wbhunt.com. Mention you saw the specials from the newsletter.
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Andy Long firstlightfoto@aol.com
