Happy new year to all!!! Filled with happiness, love, good health and fantastic photographic opportunities! 🙂
Since acquiring the Canon 7d Mark II, I have used the following game plan from pre-sunrise to early morning. About 25 min pre-sunrise, I start working with the Canon 5d mark III on blurs from 1/30s to 1/15s in Tv mode with Auto ISO capped at 3200. The 5d mark III allows a bigger creation thanks to more pixels and blurs do not require a fast FPS rate. Then, 10 min prior to sunrise I switch to the 7d mark II to start capturing action, with pink reflection on the water when possible. For the most part, I stick with the 7d mark II after that point.
Reddish Egret in flight – Sarasota Bay, Florida
ISO 400 | f/5.0 | 1/20 sec. | Tv mode | AI servo rear focusing
This photograph was created with the Canon 600mm f/4 L IS II USM lens, the Canon EOS 5D mark III on tripod in the water.
I am very pleased with the Reddish Egret in flight blur above. When panning properly with the subject you are likely to have a fairly sharp head with blur limbs. The effect can be quite stunning. Tv mode is the way I like to go here as I tend to point at different subjects with different lighting conditions in a quick successive manner. Don’t be frustrated if you are not pleased with your results right away, as there are way fewer keepers with blurs than with traditional shots.
American White Pelican landing – Sarasota Bay, Florida
ISO 1600 | f/4 | 1/4000 sec. | Manual mode | AI servo rear focusing
This photograph was created with the Canon 600mm f/4 L IS II USM lens, the Canon EOS 7D mark II on tripod in the water.
Few people understand how to create the pink reflection in the water… The image above was created 5 min before sunrise. When the conditions are right and when you are at the proper height angle, you will see some mesmerizing pink colors in your backdrop. The timing is typically 10 min prior to sunrise or within 10 min after sunset, with the sun in your back. The height angle can be very important as the pink is created with the reflection of the lower part of the sky.
American White Pelican in flight – Sarasota Bay, Florida
ISO 1000 | f/5.6 | 1/3200 sec. | Manual mode | AI servo rear focusing
This photograph was created with the Canon 600mm f/4 L IS II USM lens with 1.4x extender, the Canon EOS 7D mark II on tripod in the water.
A few minutes after sunrise, you may start a more traditional type of photography. The American White Pelican in flight above was created 15 min after sunrise. The sweet light at that time can be a bit too hot at moment, especially against whites. To mitigate this effect I use the Hue/Saturation adjustment in Photoshop CC, and decrease the saturation of the yellows. Usually, this is done while having the subject isolated on a separate layer.
Used Gear for sale
Canon EF 300mm f/4 L IS
I am putting my 300mm for sale at $950. Quite a saving versus the price in store for a lens in mint condition that delivers pro results for a very small price. You may contact me by email at steven.blandin@gmail.com if you are interested 🙂
The Canon EF 400mm f/4 L IS is now sold!!
Florida Spoonbills and Shorebirds instructional photography tour / $890 / limit 5 people / March 7th-8th 2015:
SOLD OUT!! Let me know if you want to be put on the waiting list for next year by shooting me an email at steven.blandin@gmail.com
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Steven
lenstrek