The ant and the neon leaf.

[JBW]

[Shadowman]

Nicely done. If there were more details below the leaf it would give the scene a sense of elevation.

[JBW]

Nicely done. If there were more details below the leaf it would give the scene a sense of elevation.

Even in the original that area was almost entirely dark.

[Otavio]

Brian, I had a superzoom camera once (Kodak Z990) and I can say this is quite a result with the camera you have in your hands! You are, in my opinion, limited by your gear (this is a praise!).
Well done!

Cheers,

[JBW]

Brian, I had a superzoom camera once (Kodak Z990) and I can say this is quite a result with the camera you have in your hands! You are, in my opinion, limited by your gear (this is a praise!).
Well done!

Cheers,

In time more pixels would be nice but for now there is still a lot to learn with the S4200 and Gimp.

[nikon66]

Nice recording.

[Brownbear]

Hi Brian,

Very nice shot. I love the viewpoint and also the beautiful background for the colours of the leaf and the black abyss.

The ant looks almost like velvet. Is this an artistic rendering? If so it is very pretty but I wonder if we could see more detail in the ant without that effect?

Indeed you are producing wonders with that camera of yours! (due to your skill)

[JBW]

Hi Brian,

Very nice shot. I love the viewpoint and also the beautiful background for the colours of the leaf and the black abyss.

The ant looks almost like velvet. Is this an artistic rendering? If so it is very pretty but I wonder if we could see more detail in the ant without that effect?

Indeed you are producing wonders with that camera of yours! (due to your skill)

False humility aside, I am getting there with my skills, but there is still a long journey ahead. There is a fair bit of post processing and there must be a way to get more detail into the ant but as of now I am unsure how to do it. The fact is that the ant does have a velvet appearance. There appears to be very fine spikes or hair on the body? Here's the original.

[bnnrcn]

I like your edit ( first image) Brian, interesting ant with a velvet look. Nice colours

[JBW]

I like your edit ( first image) Brian, interesting ant with a velvet look. Nice colours

it is the largest ant we have here.

[Brownbear]

Hi Brian,

Just to say that I too prefer your edit. I downloaded your ant and tried lowering the highlights to see if it brought out any more detail (spikes and hair) and it didn't. It is time for that new camera and a macro lens.

Anyhow, once again. Beautiful image!

[JBW]

Hi Brian,

Just to say that I too prefer your edit. I downloaded your ant and tried lowering the highlights to see if it brought out any more detail (spikes and hair) and it didn't. It is time for that new camera and a macro lens.

Anyhow, once again. Beautiful image!

I showed your message to Myra. She just sort of pointed to the unfinished fence and house and made a disparaging sound deep in her throat. The new camera might be a while.

[Brownbear]

LOL... A harmonious life with the love of your life should take precedence. Followed by a roof over your head... Perhaps you can finish the unfinished fence with pieces of wood found in the nearby jungle (beautifully artistic and tropical) and use the savings to purchase a quality used camera from someone who lives in your area, a used camera shop or something like EBay... Just a thought to fuel the fire...

I showed your message to Myra. She just sort of pointed to the unfinished fence and house and made a disparaging sound deep in her throat. The new camera might be a while.

[JBW]

LOL... A harmonious life with the love of your life should take precedence. Followed by a roof over your head... Perhaps you can finish the unfinished fence with pieces of wood found in the nearby jungle (beautifully artistic and tropical) and use the savings to purchase a quality used camera from someone who lives in your area, a used camera shop or something like EBay... Just a thought to fuel the fire...

For years we used slabs cut from the felled coconut trees as fencing material as well as coconut fronds that had fallen. Sadly our community has become more crowded and we now require a solid fence. It averages three meters high and works well against noise, trespassers and the occasional rifle being discharged in our general direction. We figure it will take about 2 years to complete. Used cameras are hard to come by here as photography is a rich mans hobby. Pretty much have to buy new from the store as things get lost quite regularly in the post office.

I will try for a good shot of the progressing wall!

[Brownbear]

Hi Brian,

Sorry to hear that news about your little piece of paradise.

Here is a link for a great camera store with a great supply of used equipment.

http://kerrisdalecameras.com/

If there is someway that I can help get a camera to you, just let me know.

For years we used slabs cut from the felled coconut trees as fencing material as well as coconut fronds that had fallen. Sadly our community has become more crowded and we now require a solid fence. It averages three meters high and works well against noise, trespassers and the occasional rifle being discharged in our general direction. We figure it will take about 2 years to complete. Used cameras are hard to come by here as photography is a rich mans hobby. Pretty much have to buy new from the store as things get lost quite regularly in the post office.

I will try for a good shot of the progressing wall!

[JBW]

Hi Brian,

Sorry to hear that news about your little piece of paradise.

Here is a link for a great camera store with a great supply of used equipment.

http://kerrisdalecameras.com/

If there is someway that I can help get a camera to you, just let me know.

I spent many a good Friday night at the Kerrisdale arena if my memory has the name right for the ice rink that was just off 41st and the tracks.
I will indeed and thank you for the offer.

[Brownbear]

Hi Brian,

I live on the North Shore of Vancouver so I'm not familiar with that area. If you email the folks at the North Shore location asking for advice and recommendations to fit your budget you will find them very helpful. I've always wanted to visit the Philippines so if it takes you a while to decide perhaps I will save enough funds up for a vacation and deliver it in person. But that may take a while, ie; courier service will be faster.

I spent many a good Friday night at the Kerrisdale arena if my memory has the name right for the ice rink that was just off 41st and the tracks.
I will indeed and thank you for the offer.

[jcuknz]

As you know I am a Panasonic man but when I checked out the specs of your camera Brian I was quite taken with what they had put into it and the longer you use it the more you will get with it ...You are doing pretty good these days. It is a common trap that people think the grass is greener over the hill, it rarely is. Sheeple and Sheep are forever pushing their heads through the fence for that morsel which apparently more tasty than on their side. It is just as easy to take rubbish with an expensive camera as the more humdrum model.

[JBW]

As you know I am a Panasonic man but when I checked out the specs of your camera Brian I was quite taken with what they had put into it and the longer you use it the more you will get with it ...You are doing pretty good these days. It is a common trap that people think the grass is greener over the hill, it rarely is. Sheeple and Sheep are forever pushing their heads through the fence for that morsel which apparently more tasty than on their side. It is just as easy to take rubbish with an expensive camera as the more humdrum model.

I agree. I have yet to push the camera or my skills to the limit. And as i get more educated about Gimp that will make a difference as well.