Book Review - Photography & Birdwatching

Title:  The Birdwatcher`s Guide to Digital Photography
Author:  David Tipling
Publisher: ILEX Press
Pages: 143

As an Avid Birdwatcher, Avid Amateur Photographer and even more Avid Reader I decided to give this book a reading.

The first thing that grabbed my attention was the quality of the book itself.  I tend to avoid shabby or cheap looking books as books mean a lot more to me than to most other people.

As indicated on this blog and above I`ve been in photography for a few years now meaning that I had to often refer back to the title to make sure that my review is not biased by a little bit too much knowledge.  Even so I gladly indicate that I learnt a lot about post-processing.

David writes in a easy going style that is just right for the Birdwatcher that want to upgrade from a "point-n-shoot" to more demanding bird photography.  This book is most definitely useful for the audience that David writes for and then a few others that want to upgrade their post-processing skills.

This book is also suitable for more advanced photographers that want to get into birdwatching or bird photography as it does give useful information about different types of birds and their behaviour.

Would I recommend this book?  Yes I surely would.

Olympus 2011 TIPA AWARDS !!!!!!

THE TIPA AWARDS

TIPA Awards are recognized as the most coveted photo and imaging awards worldwide.

Best D-SLR Expert: Olympus E-5

For a very reasonable price, the Olympus E-5 provides benefits that rival those found in some professional SLRs: complete weather-sealing, comprehensive functions, excellent responsiveness, 100% viewfinder, good noise control, dual CF/SD slots, built-in image stabilisation, all in a rugged magnesium-alloy body. Add to this Olympus' Dust Reduction System, which has proven to be among the most effective solutions in the market. The 12.3 Megapixel Live MOS sensor, combined with the 'TruePic V+' image engine produces images that rival competitors with substantially higher pixel counts.

Best Expert Compact Camera: Olympus XZ-1

The Olympus XZ-1 has one of the fastest zoom lenses in its class, the iZuiko f1.8-2.5 6.0-24mm (28-112mm equivalent angle of view in 35mm cameras.) Rather than succumb to the continuing Megapixel race, the light-reception area of each pixel of the 1/1.63-inch, 10 Megapixel CCD has been doubled. The XZ-1’s AF illuminator, Dual Image Stabilisation, Low-Light mode that automatically adjusts the ISO sensitivity up to ISO 3200 and the compact size all add up to an exciting “candid” camera that also offers advanced manual controls.

The information in this post comes from both the ADORAMA and TIPS AWARDS websites

A Bit on Duck Photography

Maybe not too exiting but this is what happened today (Sunday 1 May 2011) in my part of the World.

"The Early Bird Catches the Worm" that is how the saying goes.  But has anybody told YOU what bird that is because I can tell you that it is NOT a Yellow-Billed Duck in Africa :-)

As and avid "Golden Hour" photographer I headed out, just after 6 am, to the pond where I was going to take the best duck photo`s ever !!!!

On my way I got a nice sunrise.  Not too spectacular.  Not too shabby.

Arriving early I set up my Giottos tripod with the a Giottos MH7001 Ballhead strong enough to carry the E-3, ZUIKO 50mm - 200mm Pro zoom and a ZUIKO 2X converter.  Draped the lot in camouflage and settled down to wait.

And what a wait it turned out to be.  Bird photography, specially duck photography in the wild, is not for those without bag of patience :-/  As I was wearing a camo cape, made by my lovely wife, I started out standing.  Got tired of that and sat down eventually ending up horisontally on my back, listening to the Mourning Doves and a few other invisible feathered specimens.  After about 80 minutes the first yellow-billed duck made her appearance and true to the female form immediately started chatting.  I tried to get up but the movement, and maybe the absence of other ducks, was too much for her and she promptly left again.

I then decided to stand around not knowing that it would be another hour before two of the desired yellow-billed ducks eventually decided to turn up at the pond where yesterday I saw no less than 8 of them.

In the mean time I observed the wakening of dragonflies from their dewy slumber.  Quite amazing to say the least.  The seem to wake up in stages.  Then I was surrounded by a great number of them begging to be photographed.  Now you can imagine with my setup only ones that were like a little bit further away could be photographed.  Here is one that I like more than the others as it is not the "standard" view.

 

Here are a few photo`s from my happy ending "ordeal".  Must mention that they kept me busy for a while :-)

And THEN......

A nice and unsuspecting BONUS !!!!

Hope that you enjoy these.