Advice on Mark Smith's workshops: Has anyone attended a Mark Smith workshop and did you up your skills? My BIF are crap and even though I practice, practice, practice, I am just not...

Bonnie Halsell Loc: Ocala, Florida USA

Has anyone attended a Mark Smith workshop and did you up your skills? My BIF are crap and even though I practice, practice, practice, I am just not getting it. Consequently I am seriously contemplating taking at least a 2 day workshop with Mark. Anyone in UHHland have personal experience that can help educate me? It all may be moot because I have left telephone messages for the last 3 days (one a day) and I have not heard back from Mr. Smith.

Thanking you in advance for any input you may have.

Floyd Loc: Misplaced Texan in Florence, Alabama

There are several very good photographers living in Florida and have posted beautiful BIF pictures on UHH. Might save a bunch of money by contacting one near you for advice and all it would cost you probably would be a nice dinner in appreciation - if that.
Check the BIF section, look them up in the User List for contact information.

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

My first advice would be to learn the capabilities of your camera, in particular you should know how to set up and properly use your focus system settings.

You can also find videos of different shooting methods.

Then I would possibly entertain shooting with a pro such as Mark.

You didn't say what your camera and lenses were.

Keep shooting!

Bonnie Halsell Loc: Ocala, Florida USA

DaveO wrote:

My first advice would be to learn the capabilities of your camera, in particular you should know how to set up and properly use your focus system settings.

You can also find videos of different shooting methods.

Then I would possibly entertain shooting with a pro such as Mark.

You didn't say what your camera and lenses were.

Keep shooting!

I have Nikons: 850, two 810s, 750 and a 600. My biggest lens is a Tamron 150-600mmf/5-6.3, and I have a Nikon 500mmf/4 and a Nikon 200-500mmf5.6. I currently lead FREE (with paid admission) walking photo tours at the Silver Springs State Park, here in Ocala, Florida, so I am out shoot and instructing 2 days a week. I just can't get BIF and it bugs me. Big cats? no problem, automobile racing, no problem, hunter jumper show, no sweat. I have studied Mark's videos, and others, followed their advice and setting, but for the life of me I JUST CAN'T GET IT! I truly want to be able to have some good shots of BIF. I am attaching some of my BIF photos and you will understand why I want to get better.
Bonnie

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Bonnie Halsell Loc: Ocala, Florida USA

Floyd wrote:

There are several very good photographers living in Florida and have posted beautiful BIF pictures on UHH. Might save a bunch of money by contacting one near you for advice and all it would cost you probably would be a nice dinner in appreciation - if that.
Check the BIF section, look them up in the User List for contact information.

Thanks for the brilliant idea. I have been watching the BIF site and unfortunately, most people do not list their location,; particularly the new guys. I am attaching one of my BIF photos so you can see why I want to improve and get better.

Attached file:
(Download)

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

Bonnie Halsell wrote:

I have Nikons: 850, two 810s, 750 and a 600. My ... (show quote)

I'm not sure what your expectations are, but my first thought as a relative newbie of several years is that just maybe you need to work on exposure or processing. I fail to see what you're not getting. Nikon shooters have reported positive feedback on Steve Perry's Nikon AutoFocus Systems and I find it extremely helpful. The main site is: https://backcountrygallery.com/

The e-book is: https://bcgwebstore.com/product/secrets-to-the-nikon-autofocus-system/

Lots of valuable Nikon info in particular, as well as other settings, tricks, equipment testing and hints. I set up my D500, 850 and 7500 with it and it was well worth the time.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

Bonnie Halsell wrote:

I have left telephone messages for the last 3 days (one a day) and I have not heard back from Mr. Smith.

Thanking you in advance for any input you may have.

Maybe that should tell you something ?
.

gtilford Loc: Woodstock, Ontario, Canada

The best birds that I have found to practice my BIF shots on and I do it every spring to try to sharpen my skills for the coming year as winter tends to be slower here in southern Ontario is gulls. The are not a super large bird so they are faster but they are also not the small birds which I find to fast to practice on. Then I shoot, shoot shoot till I start nailing over 60 percent how I want my shots to be. Thru out the year I always go back to gulls on certain days to practice.

Bonnie Halsell Loc: Ocala, Florida USA

imagemeister wrote:

Maybe that should tell you something ?
.

Thank you for the wake up call. Rethinking my plans and have decided to do 3 days on my own just experimenting and practice, practice, practice!