2018 Project 52 - 2nd QTR - Sandy(Skitterbug)

[skitterbug]

There is a bit of noise in the background shadows, but not too bad and the main subject is quite satisfactory.

Hi Geoff - I appreciate you checking this one out! I was hoping that the noise wouldn't affect the raccoon too much. Your verification that he looks pretty decent is good to know!
Thank you!!

[skitterbug]

Well, I see that I already posted for Week 19 when it should have been Week 18..... so we will flip flop the weeks' numbers and next week I'll be on track again!

I've been trying to catch martins in flight! And that isn't easy - for me at least! I have blips, blops and blurs.... So back to something sitting still - until he decides to leap into the air, swoosh underwater and disappear!

Here is Mr. Bullfrog sunning himself. He still isn't very trusting but I've been able to get closer than before. It helps to have a longer lens too!

[Geoff F]

Wet creatures are always a problem to expose well; but you have got this one perfectly.

[skitterbug]

Wet creatures are always a problem to expose well; but you have got this one perfectly.

Hi Geoff - Thank you for the kind words!

[rudi]

Very, very nice frog in week 19 (what should be week 18 or vv); well to be clear in post #42.
And to be really nitpicking, I would be tempted to burn the lower right corner a bit, as it seems to 'grab' my attention.

[skitterbug]

Hi Rudi - Whichever week it is - chuckle....
Funny you should mention that right corner.... would you believe that I had burned it a bit before I posted it? I was not entirely pleased with the light reflection but I didn't want to overdo it either or I'd end up making it look fake (to me anyway).
Thanks for commenting!

[billtils]

For these, I did increase the speed - using the camera's manual settings. Had to have a bit higher ISO because of the gloomy weather but I think the noise in the pics is minimal. I was also more pleased about the DOF in these.

Now you're clicking Sandy, these are lovely.

[billtils]

Had a try at this in Affinity Photo. Not sure if you can tell a difference or even if I am headed in the right direction. There doesn't seem to be a straightforward way to do what I know you would like to see done. I just tried one to see if it works okay.

Works for me Sandy - that's a cracking shot!

[skitterbug]

Hi Bill - Thanks for the encouraging words!

[skitterbug]

I'm not sure what anyone will think about these photos but I wanted to show what our farmers have to work in today. I can imagine they are very happy to have their protective tractor cabs but I bet by the end of the day, they will still be covered in dust.

At first there was only one person working ground but soon a second one joined in so it didn't take them long to get the ground worked and ready for planting. I think it is going to become a cornfield.

#1 So two are working in this photo. You can tell by the two clouds of dusty soil billowing out behind them!
ISO400 - f/14 - 1/500ss




#2 - This is a young woman driving this outfit. She spotted me and gave a wave. I cropped these pics so you can see the dust flying. The soil is rolling off the tines. It is fun to watch - from inside of the house.
ISO400 - f/14 - 1/500ss




#3 - This is one of the first attempts I tried. I wanted to show just how dirty this job can be; as well as a hazard to their health. Ours too if we don't stay indoors. This is a very large field. I'm estimating that it is around 95 acres. The farmer owns 277+ acres that includes this field which is across the road from us, a field just south of it and then one on our side of the road, south of us. He has several farms in the area but I don't know the total acreage that he does have. Lots though!
ISO400 - f/5.6 - 1/3200ss

[Geoff F]

These work fine, Sandy. I often find exposure to be a problem with scenes like this having a wide range of light levels.

I assume the extra rear wheels are to spread the tractor weight. Will they return later to roll the field before sowing?

These fields are very flat compared to where I live and all the ground slopes in one direction or another.

[billtils]

Love your treatment of the dust - nice shots and interesting story.

[skitterbug]

Thank you Bill for your kind words.
I'm going to add just a bit more to that 'story' as I am replying to Geoff's comments!

[Wavelength]

That raccoon is so cute

[Wavelength]

The farm land images are very nice too

[skitterbug]

These work fine, Sandy. I often find exposure to be a problem with scenes like this having a wide range of light levels.

I assume the extra rear wheels are to spread the tractor weight. Will they return later to roll the field before sowing?

These fields are very flat compared to where I live and all the ground slopes in one direction or another.

Hi Geoff - It isn't easy taking photos of farmers in action. <chuckle> They are on the move and they don't stop and pose for me at all!

Most of the fields in our area are flat but Ohio has some hills to contend with as well. Then the task to farm is not as easy to do.

Yes, the rear tyres spread the weight as well as add traction to pull their field equipment. This is the last pass they will make over the field with any type of equipment for soil preparation. They will still use some sort of spray and I'll post a pic of the equipment they used for that task. And then they set about planting. I have a few photos of this equipment as well. Hopefully it will help you understand what they are doing. I'll add that it has been years since I've been involved with farming and the equipment has changed drastically. I don't even know for sure what the names of the pieces of equipment are that they use. It is amazing to watch them in action!

So first off, once they finished breaking and smoothing the field (earlier pics), they sprayed for weed control, I'm guessing. It could be for insects but I'd think it is too early to worry about them.
#1 Field Sprayer - ISO400 - f/14 - 1/800



#2 - Done with spray, folded up the arms and ready for road travel - ISO400 - f/14 - 1/800



#3 - The planter they used to seed the field corn. The little disks on the bottom are used to cut open the ground so the seed can be planted. And then there is a press wheel that will compact the soil over that seed. ISO-400 - f/14 - 1/800



#4 - Planting - ISO640 - f/6.3 - 1/1250ss

[Wavelength]

Now i see the more colorful part of them....lovely

[skitterbug]

Now i see the more colorful part of them....lovely

Hi Nandakumar - glad you like them! It is a treat seeing these huge pieces of farm equipment in action! I have to wonder what it would be like to actually operate one of them! Wow! What fun that would be!

[skitterbug]

That raccoon is so cute

Hi Nandakumar - he is cute. I'm using that pic for my computer desktop for right now because I like the way he is looking toward the camera!
Thanks for commenting!

[skitterbug]

Now I believe it is week 20.... I think
Our landscape provides plenty of opportunities to keep practicing. Here are a few that I enjoyed capturing. Opinions about them are always welcome!

This photo of Mr. Bullfrog shows him sitting in an odd way. I found it amusing. I also like the reflections of the rocks and the bullfrog on the water.

#1 - ISO1600 - f/5.6 - 1/200ss



Mr. Sneaky Snake, a harmless garter snake, was trying to decide if he could go over the rock or if he'd have to go around it. He eventually decided to go around. I was concerned that the background was perhaps too bright so I did burn it a bit to tone it down.

#2 - ISO640 - f/6.3 - 1/1000ss



And then there is Mr. Rabbit. This time he is trying to add asparagus to his "sandwich". (see post #31 for past info). Hopefully I've cropped it enough that it is more about the rabbit and less about sandwich fixings! <chuckle>

#3 - ISO1600 - f/11 - 1/100ss