Howdy everyone! Been busy around the Intrigued Headquarters this week. We turned on the lights in the haunt lab, fired up all the 3D printers which are now going around the clock and there are props in various states littered about the lab – it’s haunt season and, like every year, we are already behind schedule. It is clear the finger issue will need to be taken care of as it is slowing me down, especially on the heavier items – ugh, not like I need ANOTHER medical procedure to deal with. The good news is I did officially finish processing all the spoils from the January 2025 trip to Texas..yes you read that year right. On the bright side, plenty more fodder for future posts and now I can start on the March/April trip to Arizona which I believe netted me the most +1s in a single trip – I think you are really going to like those finds! While I try to get the scare factory back on schedule and put more thought into how to resolve the latest injury, Brad is going to take over and bring you another entry in his “Down Under” series. Unless you are from that area, you might want to turn your monitor upside down so you can read it easier..or stand on your head ha.
Take it away Brad…
One day during our photo assignment Down Under . . . I’m betting some of you may think I’m just reusing this opening line from other stories. Well, I am, sort of. Jan and I had a fantastic time in Australia and New Zealand, and ended up photographing over 130 different species. All but one of these species was a +1. That means there will be plenty more stories from the Birds Down Under series.
Today, I’m going to start with a bit of photography education, mainly for me, to help with today’s story. Camera basic 101 (at least how I understand it): all auto-focus capable cameras, whether SLR, point-n-shoot, mirrorless, or smartphones need some sort of contrast to be able to achieve a sharp focus. The camera sensor relies on finding sharp edges in the photo, contrast, or patterns, to achieve a sharp focus. What better photography target for birders than one that is starkly black and white? In other words, high contrast. No fuzzy transitions between various shades of yellow, green, or brown. I’m talking ends of the spectrum, polarizing black and white.
I think “Mama” took the Kodachrome tin and replaced it with Lomography Lady Grey. Hit the jump to learn more about this black and white specimen…while you try to get that song out of your head ha… “I got a Nikon camera, I love to take a photograph, so mama don’t take my Kodachrome away…“
Continue reading Great Focus Target…by Brad Marks
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