SANDWICH PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY

Why Am I Always Looking Up

Arnold Koenig's Bird Photography Presentation

Arnold Koenig begins his presentation on bird photography to the Downers Grove Camera Club. He introduces himself as a retired electronics technician, naturalist, and amateur photographer with over 50 years of experience. Arnold shares that he has prepared a PowerPoint presentation converted to video, which he begins to show to the group, starting with an introduction about himself and his background.

Arnold's Wildlife Photography Passion

Arnold discussed his passion for wildlife photography, particularly focusing on birds and other creatures. He shared his experience with various cameras, including his current Canon RF 300 to 100 and his Canon 5D Mark II. Arnold also mentioned his involvement with the Downers Grove Camera Club, where he has entered numerous images and won several awards. He uses Adobe Creative Cloud to maintain multiple websites showcasing his work. Arnold emphasized the importance of patience and practice in wildlife photography, as evidenced by his own experiences with owls.

Bird Photography Techniques and Resources

Arnold gives a presentation on bird photography, covering various aspects of the topic. He discusses different types of birds, resources for bird identification and photography, and the importance of learning about birds to improve as a nature photographer. Arnold recommends using field guides, books, and smartphone apps like Ibird for bird identification. He also shares personal experiences and tips for bird photography, including what to wear when out in the field. Arnold emphasizes the value of being knowledgeable about wildlife and suggests resources such as websites and books for further learning about bird photography

Arnold's Photography Equipment and Techniques

Arnold discussed his photography equipment, including his Canon R.5 Mark II camera and 100-300mm lens, which he recently replaced with a 100-500 RF lens. He shared his experiences with Costa Rica and the benefits of using the Canon EOS Utility software for remote live view shooting and adjusting exposure. Arnold also emphasized the importance of practicing with the camera and learning about features like dual back button focus, live view, and remote control. He encouraged the use of Canon's Connect app for remote shooting and saving GPS information on the pictures.

Bird Photography Techniques and Locations

Arnold discusses various aspects of bird photography, including patience, persistence, and good locations to photograph birds. He mentions Wayland Lake, Pioneer Park, Morton Arboretum, and Lock and Dam Number 14 on the Mississippi River as potential spots. Arnold provides detailed information about the birds and other wildlife that can be found at these locations. He emphasizes the importance of understanding bird habitats, nesting behaviors, and sounds to successfully locate and photograph them. Arnold shares personal experiences and tips, such as setting up near specific flowers to attract hummingbirds or using bird calls to locate nests.

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Owls and Wildlife Photography Techniques

Arnold shares his experiences photographing various birds of prey, particularly owls. He discusses techniques for finding and approaching wildlife, including using blinds, cars, and remote shooting to minimize stress on the animals. Arnold emphasizes the importance of patience and observation, noting that some animals are more tolerant of human presence than others. He recounts several memorable encounters with owls, including finding nests, observing fledglings, and capturing unique moments. Arnold also mentions using camera technology to see in dark nests and highlights the effectiveness of post-processing software for

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Canon R5 Advancements in Bird Photography

Arnold concludes his presentation and shows a Pro Show Gold slideshow about the Everglades. He discusses the advancements in camera technology, particularly focusing on the Canon R5 and its improvements over previous models like the 5D Mark IV. Arnold emphasizes the significant improvements in autofocus, frames per second, and overall responsiveness. He also mentions the benefits of using live view and the importance of learning how to use camera features in various situations. The discussion then shifts to bird photography techniques and experiences, with participants sharing their observations on hawk behavior and the effectiveness

Wildlife Photography Experiences and Encounters

Arnold and Sandwich discuss their experiences with wildlife photography, particularly focusing on insects and owls. They share stories about photographing dragonflies, praying mantises, and various beetles. Arnold recounts his childhood fascination with bugs and spiders, including a memorable encounter with a black widow spider. Sandwich mentions a close call with a potentially dangerous beetle in their yard. The conversation then shifts to owls, with Arnold describing his luck finding Eastern screech owls in Pioneer Park. Sandwich shares an experience of finding a baby Eastern screech owl on their doorstep.

Summary