Abstract Avocets
Got bored on Christmas morning waiting for everyone to get up (yes I wake up at 4:00 a.m. even on holidays) and started playing around on Photoshop with some recent Avocet pictures. Took these in cloudy conditions at Bolivar recently and didn’t like the lighting and colors. I’m a little spoiled with golden light at sunrise. First tried converting to B&W, which I liked better. Then used the “glowing edge” filter in PS5 for the final version.
Happy New Year everyone!
Original color version
Converted to B&W
Converted using “glowing edge” filter
Avocet Silhouette
What a difference a little sun can make. Nice change of pace from the cloudy weather lately. Found several hundred Avocets feeding yesterday at Bolivar Flats. The tide was low and it was prime time for Avocet photography. I guessed where they were heading and laid down and waited for them to come to me, which is the best way to get close to these birds. Ended up about 20 to 30 ft from a large group of them as they strolled by. Took this one right at sunrise.
Taken with Canon 7D and 100-400 lens on Skimmer ground pod
1/1000 sec @ F5.6, ISO 500, evaluative metering, + 1/3 exposure compensation, no flash
Some Favorites from 2011
Here are some of my favorite wildlife photos from 2011. Had a great time in 2011 and can’t wait for what 2012 will hold.
Wilson’s Phalarope Catching an Insect
Here are a couple full frame shots of a Wilson’s Phalarope taken at Bryan Beach, TX earlier in the year. My first time seeing one of these little guys. They were moving very fast and darting everywhere. I didn’t know what they were trying to catch until I got home and saw the second photo.
Taken with Canon 7D and 100-400 lens on Skimmer ground pod.
1/1600 sec @ F5.6, +2/3 exposure compensation, spot metering, ISO 250
1/2000 sec @ F5.6, +2/3 exposure compensation, spot metering, ISO 250
Skimmer Sushi on the Fly
Here are a few Black Skimmer shots from August at Texas City Dike. The Skimmers were nesting and the action would start when one parent would bring fish back to the youngsters. Took these out the car window in the early morning hours. Most are full frame shots.
Taken with Canon 7D and 100-400 lens
Teaching Classes at 2012 Galveston FeatherFest
A few months ago, I was invited to teach some workshops at the 2012 FeatherFest in April. I’ve been a major fan and participant in Galveston’s FeatherFest over the past few years with winning a few photo contests along the way, so obviously I accepted the invitation. Thanks Barbara. My workshops will concentrate on what I know best: shorebirds, lighting and getting down low. Below is a summary of what I’ll cover in the workshops.
The FeatherFest website has been updated with registration underway. I’d encourage everyone to check out the different workshops and field trips. Hope to see some of you there!
http://www.galvestonfeatherfest.com/
“Photography from a Bird’s Perspective“
This workshop will show you how enhance your bird photos by getting down to the bird’s level for a more intimate/dramatic perspective. I’ve been using these techniques for the past several years and I’m not satisfied with most of my “standing” shots anymore. You will be amazed at how close you can get to the birds when you aren’t standing up. We will discuss what equipment to use and how to use it to get the best low-level shots. I’ll share some of my favorite local locations that provide great opportunities to try out these techniques. Below is the basic agenda for the workshop.
- Perspectives from a “birds eye view”
- Equipment to use
- Techniques/Tips
- Local Locations to get down low
- Slide Show of some of my low-level shots
“It’s All About the Light”
This workshop will focus on how to get dramatic natural lighting in your bird photos. You will learn how to take advantage of shooting in the “golden hour” and by using back/side lighting and silhouettes. You will also learn how to use fill flash using a better beamer flash extender. Below is the basic agenda for the workshop.
- Types of lighting in bird photography
- Getting “golden light” photos
- Silhouettes
- Back lighting
- Side lighting
- What to do on cloudy days
- Fill flash using better beamer flash extender
- Camera settings
- Exposure control
- Techniques/Tips
- Slide Show
“Shorebird Photography”
This workshop will focus on taking photographs of shorebirds. We will review what equipment to use and how to use it effectively including getting the proper exposure in-camera instead of relying on post processing software to adjust the exposure. This is critical when taking pictures of white birds. I’ll share some of my techniques and tips on finding the birds, how to get close to them and how to get the actions shots. We will also discuss where some of my favorite local locations are to find shorebirds. Below is the basic agenda for the workshop.
- Equipment to use
- Camera settings
- Exposure control
- Techniques/Tips
- Getting close to the birds
- How to get action shots
- Local Locations
- Slide Show
Tim Timmis Photography 