While I have done a lot of bird photography, I only seriously started photographing hummingbirds in 2012. I think my expertise with other avian species gave me a leg-up when it comes to making great hummingbird shots but it’s still incredibly hard. Photographing hummingbirds is a task that will try your patience but if you can hang in there, the rewards are pretty amazing.
Category Archive: Gear
Topaz Labs updated Mask AI. On Sale $20 off thru May 4. V1.2 includes improved processing models for a better masking experience. Current users get update free. If you want to buy Mask AI use this link http://bit.ly/topazmask and code METHODS at check out for additional 15% off
I looked into tripods and heads from all the big names like Miller, O’Connor, Sachtler and Acebill. Talk about sticker shock… there are dozens of models to choose from in the $5000 to $19000 price range! That’s more than I want to spend. So I looked at the next tier. Manfrotto and Benro are big players in the under $5000 video tripod segment. They make nice stuff.
But since video is not my main thing, that’s still more than I wanted to spend. Then I found out about the Magnus REX VT-6000 2-Stage Video Tripod with Fluid Head.
To get the discounts on Topaz Labs products, you must go to this link (bit.ly/TopazPlugins) and when you order, use the code METHODS to save 15% off whatever the current pricing is.
I have been using a new sharpening tool called Topaz Labs Sharpen AI. This tool works as either a plugin or a standalone program and in my opinion, offers the best sharpening I have ever seen.
It is now on sale – $59.99 (regularly $79.99)
I love camera and gadget bags. My closet is my proof. When people ask me how many camera and gadget bags I own, I always say, “More than I need, but fewer than I want.”
It must be like my old girlfriend and her shoes. But I digress…
The Platyball is available in two versions — the Ergo and Elite. The difference? The Elite comes with an electronic leveling indicator — the first of its kind. Both models support up to 22 pounds, meaning it’ll work with just about any interchangeable lens camera on the market.
Whether you do macro work, shoot portraits, weddings, families, pets, product shots or do video, if you’re in a studio, you might have noticed many photographers are switching to LEDs. They are affordable, and they give you a What You See Is What You Get (WYSIWYG) advantage. No guesswork involved. You see what the light is doing. With constant light, when you turn on a light you see your light as you move it and you see how it falls on your subject. That’s why people gravitate towards using it because it’s a lot easier to pick up and to use. If you’re new at bringing the light instead of finding it, there is a shorter learning curve.
If you have seen my posts about Topaz and their new AI suite of post-production software for photographers, you have also probably seen how much I love Gigapixel AI. For bird and wildlife photographers, it’s a must-have. No matter how much lens you have (and I have 1200mm EFL) there are times when you just cannot get as close as you would like. Sometimes it’s because there are physical barriers to getting closer and sometimes it’s just a safety issue, either yours or the subject’s safety.
