Mr. Bullfrog 0f 2016

[skitterbug]

Inspired by RandyRFJP’s posting of his green frog, I’ve been waiting for my pond bullfrogs to sit out on the bank so I can use them for models. Alas, they are shy this year. BUT, not to be deterred, I spotted this fellow late and I mean dark out! I’ve never tried snapping pics in the dark. I had to resort to manual focus which is a new experience for me. And I have some questions!
But first, here is pic 1



So when manual focus is used, where is the focus point of the lens - center spot - several spots? How does the lens choose what to focus on? This is probably basic but you can see that my bull frog is a bit off!

Now the second shot, I’m posting for fun. It isn’t in focus as much as I would have liked but it made me laugh when I loaded it to my computer. If you look closely at his eye, you will see a nymph (?) sitting on it! If that was my eye, I’d be in tears! But he doesn’t seem to care!



So how do people take pictures and get them in focus in the dark of night! Since my bullfrog is making it difficult for me, I need some help!

Thanks!

[Stagecoach]

Sandy,

First, get yourself a torch, place it on the ground pointing at the frog to aid focusing. You can also use one of those LED head lights. My toads do not mind this method being used

As for manual focusing you will not use 'focus points', you choose what the lens focuses on not the camera. Simply look through the viewfinder, frame the shot, then adjust the lens focus ring concentrating on nothing other than the eye.

Your second shot had perfect focus on the eye !

[skitterbug]

I like the idea of the head light and never thought of it. Sad sack that I am.....!

Thanks for the critique of my shots. The only light that I had was when I pressed the shutter button half down and the red light of the camera lit up so I was happy to have these turn out at all! The bug on the eye is hilarious to me! I didn't see it until I unloaded my camera's card!

It always comes down to the focus on the eye, doesn't it and trust that the rest of the pic turns out the way one hopes!

Time for bed for me! Thanks for replying!

[Shadowman]

Nice shot.

[LePetomane]

That is a handsome frog. Well done.

[Wavelength]

Very nice; the second image has good sharpness...how that can sit with that little thing in its eye, i wonder!!!

[skitterbug]

Thank you John, Paul and Nandakumar!

Our pond is approximately 27'W x 30'L and 4 feet deep. It has at least 3 of these bullfrogs residing in it (and a few fish). Now trying to get the frogs to sit for me is a challenge. But I do enjoy them!

[bnnrcn]

Nice image of a friendly looking frog

[RandyRFJP]

Sandy, I like your frog very much. He or she appears to be a much more jovial creature than the one I photographed. Regarding the small insect on your frog's eye, based on its shape, I would guess it's a type of leafhopper. Why the frog doesn't mind it being there is most likely because he has his third, transparent eyelid raised. It raises from the near the bottom of his eye upward to protect his eye. That eyelid is termed a nictitating membrane. Some, and maybe all birds I('m not certain), also have nictitating membranes to protect their eyes. I have a photo of a raptor having one of his membranes down and invisibile, and the other (which is not transparent like a frog's) up. If you didn't know better, you'd think he was blind in one eye. My plan is that bird photo will be the next one that I post.

[skitterbug]

Hi Randy,

Thanks for the explanation about the eye protection! I just couldn't imagine how he could put up with that insect crawling or sitting on his eye. Now I know!
I definitely am looking forward to viewing your raptor pic and the difference in the appearance of the eyes.

[IzzieK]

.........Now trying to get the frogs to sit for me is a challenge. But I do enjoy them!

You don't pay your models enough bugs so they will willingly pose for you...how about a kiss? Maybe...perhaps one of them will turn out to be a handsome prince?

Anyway, the focus on the first one was on the leg. The second one is on the eye. Brilliant shot! Like that one better....Well...it is sort smiling sheepishly at you. It must be the prince...

[skitterbug]

You don't pay your models enough bugs so they will willingly pose for you...how about a kiss? Maybe...perhaps one of them will turn out to be a handsome prince?

Anyway, the focus on the first one was on the leg. The second one is on the eye. Brilliant shot! Like that one better....Well...it is sort smiling sheepishly at you. It must be the prince...

I have a prince already so I'll pass on kissing frogs! LOL
Thanks for the C&C! And I enjoy your replies!

[skitterbug]

So one additional question for all the experts - How do I get "the entire frog" in focus! What am I not doing correctly? It is frustrating to see part of my picture in focus and the rest fuzzy. There has got to be a way to "get 'er done"!

Thanks!

[Stagecoach]

So one additional question for all the experts - How do I get "the entire frog" in focus! What am I not doing correctly? It is frustrating to see part of my picture in focus and the rest fuzzy. There has got to be a way to "get 'er done"!

Thanks!

Sandy,

Firstly, I would question why you want to get the entire frog in focus? My own personal opinion is that the picture will have more impact when it's a closeup similar to these (I'm referring to yours) if part is out of focus (but of course not the eyes).

Secondly, there a two ways you can increase the depth of focus if you wish;

a) Close down the aperture and compensate by increasing the ISO OR upping the lighting (flash). There are different ways you can achieve the flash amount.

Downside is that increasing ISO 'may' produce too much noise in the image for your liking. Experiment.

b) You can make the subject smaller within the framing by moving away/zooming and then crop the image in post.

Downside is that cropping 'may' reduce the image IQ too much for your liking and purpose for what it is intended for.

If you can just get an angle and a DoF that gets both eyes sharp you have a winner

These two may give you an idea of what we are up against when wanting to get close in and the challenge DoF gives us. From what I recall these were not cropped much at all and both shot at f/13.

[IzzieK]

Grahame is right. I was about to say the same thing. And I have to add that too small an aperture will cause diffraction too. Alway take the middle road.

[skitterbug]

Sandy,

Firstly, I would question why you want to get the entire frog in focus? My own personal opinion is that the picture will have more impact when it's a closeup similar to these (I'm referring to yours) if part is out of focus (but of course not the eyes).

Secondly, there a two ways you can increase the depth of focus if you wish;

a) Close down the aperture and compensate by increasing the ISO OR upping the lighting (flash). There are different ways you can achieve the flash amount.

Downside is that increasing ISO 'may' produce too much noise in the image for your liking. Experiment.

b) You can make the subject smaller within the framing by moving away/zooming and then crop the image in post.

Downside is that cropping 'may' reduce the image IQ too much for your liking and purpose for what it is intended for.

If you can just get an angle and a DoF that gets both eyes sharp you have a winner

These two may give you an idea of what we are up against when wanting to get close in and the challenge DoF gives us. From what I recall these were not cropped much at all and both shot at f/13.

Hi Grahame,

I guess I wanted to get Mr. Bullfrog completely in focus to show off his proud face and strong legs. He is a handsome beast! Since it was dark and I wasn’t using any outside light except the flash, I reckon I was lucky to catch a few good ones of his face. I see so many shots that people take that are sharp and crisp and I want mine to be the same. And I have run into graininess trying to use increased ISO. My “trash” is full of attempts! LOL

I’ll give your suggestions a try and see how it goes for me.

I really like your second pic! That is one sharply focused and grumpy looking frog! Looks like you woke him from his nap! <grin>

Thanks for replying!

[skitterbug]

Grahame is right. I was about to say the same thing. And I have to add that too small an aperture will cause diffraction too. Alway take the middle road.

Hi Izzie,

Thanks for the feedback! I'll keep working on trying to find a median that I can live with!