Photo ABCs

Today's Special

Are you are stuck in a rut photographically, having knowledge of cameras, settings, and recipes for a good photo but just not achieving your artistic potential?

See the movie Today's Special. 

Trust me.

Osprey and Cardon

Another photo of an osprey on a cardón cactus south of San Felipe, Baja California, Mexico.

Art Morris

Seven years ago I took a two-day workshop from Art Morris which provided me with his basic principles of bird photography, which I have built upon ever since.

Last Sunday I had the privilege of hearing Art speak about his bird photography at the San Diego Photo Expo.(The projector casts Art Morris' shadow across his photograph of a sapphire-breasted hummingbird)

 

His talk was partly to inspire and partly to instruct. He openly shares his knowledge and also openly shares what he has learned from others, so it is in that spirit that I share a few tidbits from his talk. These basic points are covered in his newsletters and blog available at www.birdsasart.com, and of course, in his workshops. 

 

Know your subject.

If you don't love your photography, don't do it!

His basic principle: point your shadow at the bird (birds usually look best with frontal lighting).

Watch your background.

Captive birds provide nice subjects, but be even more selective about your background.

Cloudy days are great to shoot in.

Getting low is more important with shorter lenses (e.g. a 200 mm compared with a 600 or 800 mm). Since you will be closer to the bird with a shorter lens, if you remain at the same height your shooting angle will be towards the ground. Thus, your background will consist of the nearby ground, and not be as pleasing as a blurred distant background you can obtain by getting lower.

(hanging around with Art Morris)

Share your photos with area residents and property owners. You will often benefit from their knowledge of local conditions, birds and animals.

Bird behavior often repeats itself. Observe and be ready!

When a duck or goose dips its head repeatedly in the water, it will usually flap its wings after. Be ready!

You can take a great photograph even of a common species.

If you have over-saturated or strange looking reds in a photograph, try adding cyan to the red with the selective color tool. (I'll have to look for an opportunity to try that one!)

He's probably going to switch his "on-the-shoulder/birds-in-flight lens" to the newer Canon 70-200 coupled with its new 2x teleconverter. 

Thanks to Art for sharing his photos, tips, and inspiration. For a steady supply of his tips, check out his website, blog, and newsletter.

 

Great Egret Silhouette

A great egret lands on a tree after sunset at the Salton Sea, California.

Shrimp taco

This was the best shrimp taco I've ever had! From the home of the fish (and shrimp) taco, San Felipe, Baja California, Mexico.Lo mejor taco de camaron que he comido en mi vida! De San Felipe, Baja California, Mexico, donde el taco de pescado (y camaron) nació.

What is it?

A pigeon flies out of an abandoned boat, upon which an advertisement for a boxing match had been painted.

San Felipe, Baja California, Mexico.

Two of my bird photographs (but not this one!) are now on display at the San Diego Natural History Museum's Best of Nature photography exhibition. There is a reception today (Saturday, November 13), from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Try to catch the show before it closes on January 30, 2011, there are some great images!

Gull and Stingray

This gull would soon gulp down the stingray whole. Shot on the beach, just after sunrise, in San Felipe, Baja California, Mexico.

Two of my bird photos (but not this one), are now on display at the San Diego Natural History Museum's Best of Nature photography exhibit, through January 30, 2011. There is a reception tomorrow (Saturday November 13), from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. 

Try to visit the show, there are some great images! 

 

Gull and Turkey Vulture

A gull tells a turkey vulture to go away!

San Felipe, Baja California, Mexico

Turkey Vulture

A turkey vulture soars above the beach at San Felipe, Baja California, Mexico.

Heerman's Gull and Shrimp

A Heerman's Gull feasts on a shrimp at San Felipe, Baja California, Mexico.

This shot was just after sunrise. The reflection of buildings give an interesting color to the water.