We had a great time at E.L.Huie....and I finally got a couple of decent flight shots.One thing I realize now is that I need to keep the shutter speed faster than what I was doing previously. The shapest photos had shutter speed shorter than 1/1000s.
For anyone interested I've been updating my images and in doing so realize that the links I previously posted no longer work. The images can be viewed at:
I hope this isn't out of turn for this thread. Do any of you know of any decent courses a beginner can take in Atl? Just received my 20D after a long hiatus from photography. I'm anxiously looking forward to getting more involed.
Check with some of the local colleges, they offer community classes which can be quite good. The price isn't to bad and most only run for 4-6 classes usually held once a week
Well, I was at Zoo Atlanta today and discovered to wonderful FMers there. Greg (Smilindoc) and one you all know for sure, since he is the that started it all here Gary (rollcast). I wish I could have spent a little more time with them, but my 15 month old daughter, wife, and mother in law were with me. It was funny, because my daughter loved the sticks on the ground, left over food, other children that didn't know her, various pieces of garbage that didn't make it to the proper receptical, but could have cared less about the animals!! In fact, she got a little tired and almost got eaten by the eagle in the live flying show. She wouldn't sit still and the trainer got a little worried/annoyed with her for not sitting still. I should have known better than to bring her in there, but I digress.
Greg and Gary, good to see a face with the avatar! Hopefully, I can get together with some more of you sometime when we all go clicking.
Ken
Ken.....Great to bump into you yesterday at the Zoo....Glad that your daughter didn't become eagle food...hehe.
In fact, that was my *own* daughter that was with Gary and me....She's about to start photography school....this week, as a matter of fact. And, we needed a place to meet up with Gary for her to do some horse-trading of equipment for school....and the Zoo was the perfect place.
Keep your eyes open....you never know when you might run into more of these folks!
I might suggest the Atlanta College of Art (in the Woodruff Arts Center). They have community education classes each semester. I have not taken any digital classes there, but have taken a couple of B+W course and enjoyed them. http://www.aca.edu/ce_main.htm
The Showcase School on Cheshire Bridge (http://www.theshowcaseschool.com/site/) also has a variety of classes. I have not taken one here, but have used their darkroom for B+W printing and was very pleased.
Well I'm back from a great vacation, Fly fishing and getting some outstanding bird images. I was in Naples Florida, yes I survive hurricane Rita, winds at 40-50 mph and 1.5-2 inches of rain.
Fall is now here and it's time once again to start planning an outing. So all of you Atlanta FM members........lets have a meeting in the next few weekends!!
Welcome back Gary. Looks like you had a good time! I was out in the Bay Area and had a chance to check out a few good spots for bird photography. I got a few good shots but no flight photos that are all that interesting. This is one that I like a lot:
I'm preparing for a conference presentation in two weeks so I won't be available until the weekend of 22nd. Hope I can get together with you all then or sometime soon thereafter.
Man........great shot!! I was at E.L. Huie watershed yesterday for a few hours, a great place for birds. Anyway I tried a few flight shots with the 500, handheld, not all that bad, not as easy as the 400.
Hey guys! Cool shots!
Gary,
I was in Florida for Hurricane Rita, too. We were far enough north though that all it did was rain a little with some breeze. It actually turned out to be a blessing in disguise, cooling things down for us a bit at Disney.
I've been practicing shooting football. I don't have many shots to show off, yet, but I'm learning a lot and having a great time!
I can't wait to get together again-one condition though-Gary is not allowed to show off all his cool toys! I'm broke after last time!!! !
Tracey
Thnx for the kind words...Glad you made it to E.L. Huie. Those shots look oretty darn good to me! Did you see any of the kingfishers while you were there? They were there when I was last there but are notoriously difficult to capture. The 500 with Teleconverter might do it. I'd love to pick up some pointers from you there. Maybe we can get a group together and go back there toward the end of the month.
I still need to get a tripod. I got a good deal on a used Mongoose 262 that Arhur Morris recommends for the 400. I've been waiting for Feisol to come out with their new tripod that will be comparable to the Gitzo 1325. Would love some opinions/recommendations!
Glad to here you had a good time at Disney, sounds as if Rita did you some good. We had to hold up Tuesday in a solid structure for a few hours while the hurricane passed.....Thank God "Hooters" was solid built.
Shooting sports can be very demanding, on both equipment as well as the photographer. I learn something new every time I'm on the field, who says you can't teach an old dog new tricks. ......and by the way those are TOOLS not TOYS!!!!
Todd,
I didn't notice the Kingfishers, though there were Allot of birds. For static shots I stayed in the car to be able to get closer, then eased out for the flight shots. I too am waiting for the new Feisol, though according to Grant it has met with some delay. I will say the more I use the Feisol 3301 the more I'm impress with this tripod.... light, sturdy enough for the big glass with a sidekick.
Looks like a outing toward the end of October is in the making. On a side note I will be at the Georgia Dome this Wednesday shooting Zoo Atlanta's staff as they fly their Lanner Falcon........Savannah.
In fact, she got a little tired and almost got eaten by the eagle in the live flying show. 
She wouldn't sit still and the trainer got a little worried/annoyed with her for not sitting still. I should have known better than to bring her in there, but I digress. 
!
