Project 52 by Mal Schulstad

[Geoff F]

Yes Mal, it's surprising how some insects are still able to fly around with badly tattered wings. I often see Spring butterflies, which have survived the winter, and have seriously ripped wings.

But in that case it does get them started with a bit of early breeding so once the eggs have been laid they have achieved their object.

However, back to these excellent photos which have some very clear details.

John. I think this photo just made a macro lens jump to the top of the wish list.

Just remember the often quoted warning 'Macro photography is addictive and can seriously harm your wealth'.

[Goldcoastgolfer]

Thanks for the positive feedback... although full credit really has to go to the model

[Dave Humphries]

Hi Mal,

That portrait is a real "WOW" shot, perfect focus for the DoF, I've never got anything that good, now there's a challenge for me for the weeks in the 20s and 30s (in our summer here)

Looks like s/he needs to clean up

Viewers; do F11 your browser and view fullsize in the Lytebox for the full experience

The process that I have to use to get full frame photos of bugs is to effectively stalk the little critters, approaching them slowly and with the camera glued to my face as fire off an occasional shot in case I end up scaring them off, until I'm at minimum focussing distance in most cases.

Yep, that's my technique too.

I suspect they have no nerves/feeling in their wings, so such damage is just a loss of efficiency in flight. Bit like us having a haircut.

Cheers,

[Wendy Stanford]

Excellent image, very sharp with great detail, cannot add anything that hasn't been said, well done

[Donald]

Wonderful Week 7 entry. And I include the explanatory text as much as the images in that summary.

For those who are serious about learning this hobby of ours, an explanation like that gives so much insight and food-for-thought in terms of the activity and the processes behind it. I think that's a very important bit of rambling and I hope a lot of newer/less experienced members see it.

And the images are not too bad either!

[Geoff F]

Yes, and in particular, Mal's comments about 'hiding behind the camera' when approaching nervous bugs is good advice. Never look them directly in the eye. They are less concerned about a slowly approaching camera than the face of a 'predator'.

But be careful when also trying to 'slide' a tripod forward in case one leg gets caught in the foliage.

[Goldcoastgolfer]

That portrait is a real "WOW" shot

Few things in life I find beat good luck

I suspect they have no nerves/feeling in their wings, so such damage is just a loss of efficiency in flight.

That's very possible. There's not really much in those wings to hold nerves as well. Still, the damage didn't seem to bother it too much when it flew off.

Excellent image, very sharp with great detail, cannot add anything that hasn't been said, well done

Thanks Wendy

Wonderful Week 7 entry. And I include the explanatory text as much as the images in that summary.

For those who are serious about learning this hobby of ours, an explanation like that gives so much insight and food-for-thought in terms of the activity and the processes behind it. I think that's a very important bit of rambling and I hope a lot of newer/less experienced members see it.

And the images are not too bad either!

It's always nice to know that someone enjoys my ramblings

Never look them directly in the eye. They are less concerned about a slowly approaching camera than the face of a 'predator'.

A very good piece of advice. In fact, some of them I think actually become quite curious. This isn't the first time I've had a little critter jump in front of the lens.

But be careful when also trying to 'slide' a tripod forward in case one leg gets caught in the foliage.

I would also recommend wearing shoes when stomping around in the garden. Nothing worse than lining up for a great shot and then stepping on a sharp piece of bark to distract you from what you're doing!

[SpiderBob]

Mal, that was for the lack of a better word out.......standing! Detail, detail detail, tack sharp, what a picture.

[Goldcoastgolfer]

Thought I'd throw in a bonus macro pic just so I can get the bugs out of my system before I move on to this week's photo

[Donald]

Thought I'd throw in a bonus macro pic just so I can get the bugs out of my system before I move on to this week's photo

Mal

I'm seeing a notice telling me that the picture is protected by you. Maybe you're the only one who can see it.

[Goldcoastgolfer]

Any better now? Still working out permissions at Zenfolio...

[kezmal]

Nada!!!!

[Donald]

Any better now? Still working out permissions at Zenfolio...

Nope. Is that the same as Nada?

[Goldcoastgolfer]

Nope. Is that the same as Nada?

I think Nada means nothing. How about now?

[dje]

I think Nada means nothing. How about now?

I can see it now Mal. I'm not really into bugs but I do find this image interesting. Great detail and colours in the head and the shallow DoF effect works well I think.

Dave

[kezmal]

Nope. Is that the same as Nada?

LOL - Yo!

[Goldcoastgolfer]

Well, this should be the last of my "non-speciality" photographs before I return to people and portraits for a while.... maybe anyway. That candle challenge sounds like a bit of fun

Anyway, the subject for this week is actually the same one that Kerry posted a few weeks ago - a dying orchid. To refresh your memory of the particular situation that came about, we were standing in the family room at my mother's place who has a penchant for orchids. However she tends to not take care of them so they die out after which time she replaces them.

The particular subject in question was one of her orchids on its last legs - a very sorry looking subject. In hind sight, I should have taken a photo of it in some boring light.

In any case, for some reason the light at my mother's place transforms into something that can only be described as simply magnificent in the ten minutes before sunset. I've been there many times now and tend to have my camera with me just in case the light hits something that transforms it an object of beauty. This is exactly what happened in the dying orchid's case.... kind of.

Kerry's version of the orchid was taken after I had taken mine using a telephoto lens. The black TV screen behind the orchid made for an ideal backdrop. Kerry also had the foresight of removing the less pleasant (translation - orchid petals that were well and truly dead) off the plant to create a much more pleasant image.

The version I captured on the other hand, using a mid-range zoom barely framed the elements of the orchid against the TV. It also had elements of the orchid that just looked untidy. After seeing what Kerry produced, I resigned mine to the scrap pile (bin 13 I think Donald called it!)



Last week I decided to go back to it for some reason. I think it was because that this photo was taken in one of those "perfect natural lighting" situations. I decided that it was worth the effort to at least try and save.

In case you hadn't realised, post processing is not one of my stronger skills. I appreciate having some tools now to complete a vision but lack the patience to sit in front of a computer and learn the things that some of the post processing masters of the forum do. I have, however, a much greater appreciation of the cloning and adjustment tools (particularly to dodge and burn) after this exercise.

I'm not sure that it compares to what Kerry produced or anything that Sharon ever posts on here, but at the end of it all, given it was destined for the scrap heap, I'm happy with the results. And given the history of this particular photo, I thought "A Memory of Beauty" was a rather appropriate name.



Not that exciting in the scheme of things around here but it has sentimental value to me

[SpiderBob]

I really like the last one Mal, can't really comment too much as I'm still leaning, but sure looks great to me, especially with the Light box.

[oldgreygary]

Mal,

I am rookie at Digital photography but thought I can offer some points of view. I think that possibly 'variety is the spice of life' could apply. I have found that by taking shots of a range of subjects not only helps to build knowledge but also keeps you 'fresh' i.e. by having to think about different situations/compositions it can help all aspects of your image taking. I think and believe that is what I am doing. Even if you have experience and expertise in one field it is good to step out of your 'comfort zone' and try different things.

From my 'rookie' point of view looking at your images leaves me with the impression that you certainly have the skill and ability to produce great images. Absolutely, something to aspire to!

Cheers for now

Gary

[Goldcoastgolfer]

I can see it now Mal. I'm not really into bugs but I do find this image interesting. Great detail and colours in the head and the shallow DoF effect works well I think.

Dave

Thanks Dave. The DoF isn't intentionally shallow - shot at f/14. Just taken really close up to get the size close to full frame which makes it really thin.