The ‘Photoshop Insider’ Friday News Wrap-up
Oct. 17
2:27 am
Howdy folks; it’s Friday, and here’s what’s goin’ on as we head into the weekend:
- As I was pulling into my driveway, back from taking my son to school on Wednesday morning, and I looked up to see a huge Bald Eagle heading straight for my back yard; but this time I was ready. I ran in and all my gear was in place; monopod attached, memory card formatted, all the settings in place; so I ran outside and never saw him again. Waited for quite a while, but not a sign of him. Now, he’s toying with me. Even though I missed him again, one of my readers, Joel Schilling, had a similar experience, but by golly he got the shot! Here’s the link to Joel’s shot!
- Another one of my frequent readers (and commenter), photographer Crash Taylor has put together some very cool things on his blog where he interviews photographers, and shows samples of his work, and although he just recently started it, he’s already got some great stuff up there. Here’s the link to check it out.
- We have two new online classes up at KelbyTraining.com, both of them from the amazing Corey Barker (that’s Corey pictured above), and both of them on the just released Photoshop CS4. The first is “Photoshop CS4 for Beginners” (link) and the 2nd is for graphic designers, called “Design Effects with Photoshop CS4″ (link).
- Our buddy, and digital video mega guru Rich Harrington has been doing a series of videos on the new features of Photoshop CS4. You can check them out by clicking here.
- Next week is the deadline to enter my ‘iPhone Photography Contest” (The cut-off is October 24th), so get your entries in ASAP for your chance to win a $500 Apple Gift Card, or a $100 iTunes Gift Card if you win one of the categories. Here’s the link for details. Also, my iPhone Book is now in stock at Amazon.com (They’ve got it for only $13.59) and Barnes&Noble.com. Makes a perfect gift, eh?). Also, don’t forget; today is “iPhone App” Friday at Terry White’s Tech Blog.Â
- I hope I’ll see some of you at the kickoff of my Lighroom 2 Live! Tour in Dallas, Texas on October 27th, and then onto Orlando, FL on October 29th. Here’s the link for more details and to sign up for the full-day event (NAPP members can sign-up for just $79).
That’s it for this Friday. Have a totally kick-butt weekend everybody, and I hope you’ll check back in here on Monday!
Hey Scott you made a little error in the post the link to Crash Taylor goes to the eagle shots ass well.
Keep hunting your new garden friend I am sure you will get him in the end
HOW TO SNEAK UP ON AN EAGLE…
Because of their eyes (its not called “eagle eyes” for nothing) and the placement of their eyes, you have a limited angle to sneak up on . The eyesight of an eagle is about 8-times better than a human eye, go figure!
Eagles have proportionally large pupils, which helps to minimise diffraction (scattering) of incoming light. Their two fovea provide binocular vision and a “hawk eye” for movement and distance judging. This is required to see their pray from large distances (in flight) as well as under water. In other words – eagle eyes are made to disregard heavy reflections…
This can be used to sneak up on them!
You might look like an astronaut, but wearing a silver reflective jacket does work! Also note: The eyes are tube shaped and cannot move much in their sockets. This means the best angle to sneak up is straight-on!
To be quite honest, I actually have no idea about eagles or sneaking up to them, but if you fell for it – see it as a little “payback” for your made-up “glear-filter for plant photography” of your first “digital photography” book!!!
That eagle doesn’t look to be in his back yard, unless he has a very impressive water feature.
To Theis:
Thanks for pointing out that wrong link. It’s fixed now. :
Much appreciated.
-Scott
To Stephan:
I gotta tell ya—-that was a good one!!!
Ya got me!
-Scott
Yeah, Joel’s eagle picture is great, that’s true. But there are LOTS of eagles in Alaska. I’ve been there and even got a few decent shots. You can’t compare that to an eagle in Florida – especially a backyard eagle. I still think your quick, off the cuff, eagle shots were good! Thanks for the great blog and for including the little things that happen in your life too! Makes us feel like we know you!
Allison
Have you tried lying in your back yard and making a noise like a little mouse ?
So excited to see Corey Baker’s image at the top of your post this morning. I was watching some vids from his site PlanetPhotoshop last night and getting my learn on. It was awesome. Corey is a real talent!
As for the bald eagle…ummm, just tell your wife that you have to take a “business trip” to wherever lots of bald eagles are. Duty calls!
Love your blog…keep up the fantastic work.
So just my luck – I’m in Orlando from the 22nd to 29th November – your Workshop’s in October. Maybe next time (February 7-14th please!) – or get your butt over to the UK and do a tour in this neck of the woods.
Pssst – there is a big bird behind you.
Coincidentally I had a golden eagle flying around behind my house this morning. She never came close enough to get a shot though. I’ve seen her off and on for about 3 years now. She had two juveniles last year – was way cool. I don’t see her very often any more though.
You need to arrive in your back yard before the eagle(s). Set up your stuff and wait, they will come. It’s the 30 minute rule; it takes 30 minutes for the fauna to get used to you hanging around in their area.
You could also get some great shots up here in Western Wa during the salmon migration. Lots of hungry eagles.
Check out my eagle portraits on my NAPP portfolio.
Get some local fresh fish whole. Put a couple in the yard and pay attention to what time they are flying by. Animals are usually pretty regular visitors. You could also have your camera wired to a motion sensor so you don’t even have to be there. Just put out some bait and walk away. But if you keep an eye on the time just try to hang out before.
mike meyer
I am somewhat dismayed that Scott did not give Laurie Excell’s Bog on Wednesday more praise as he usually does everbody else? Maybe because it was TOO much on PHOTOGRAPHY? hmmm
This had nothing to do with this point but I’m at a Friday night high school football game, like I find myself every Friday around this time of the year, and I as always cringe when I see someone in the stands shooting with flash Towards the field. What makes me curious is why some of the pros on the filed are using flash. They are using more powerfull flashes but flash non the less. So when I cringed and said, “why is using flash!” my wife turned to me and said, “ask Scott”. So just wondering why they are using flash in such a highly lit area. Thanks.
hi, i’ve got pictures of my new emo haircut
at http://xrl.us/ouog4