2017 Project 52 - 1st QTR - Sandy(Skitterbug)

[skitterbug]

Very nice milkweed shot! The background is nicely out of focus and the foreground sharp. Nice work!

Thank you Joe! It was one of the few days that there was any sunshine available!

[skitterbug]

Dreary day for outside photos but the frogs were awake! It is only late February and we are usually buried in snow! It is truly amazing to see these creatures today. I couldn’t get close because they were jittery so I used the longest lens I have. I tried getting closer but they’d have none of it.
I like #2 best. It isn’t as grainy since I changed the settings and that seemed to help.
C&C always appreciated!

#1 -1/800ss – f/6.3 – ISO 400 – 250mm




#2 –1/30ss – f/9.0 – ISO 100 – 250mm

[Geoff F]

These are good, Sandy. Even the close up shot is sharp and well exposed; nice bit of reflection as well.

[joewatt]

Hi Sandy - I love the milkweed shot. I see and agree about the noise to me it does not detract from the effectiveness of the photo. Nice job!

[skitterbug]

These are good, Sandy. Even the close up shot is sharp and well exposed; nice bit of reflection as well.

Hi Geoff ~ I'm glad to see the bullfrogs surviving in our tiny koi pond. I was worried that they might not have a place to hibernate. These two look in good health!
Thank you for your kind compliment.

[skitterbug]

Hi Sandy - I love the milkweed shot. I see and agree about the noise to me it does not detract from the effectiveness of the photo. Nice job!

Hi Joe ~ Due to strong winds, I believe that milkweed pod has sown all of its seed now! But I did like the way it was positioned that evening. Sun shining on it was just right, I thought!
Thank you very much for looking at my pic! I appreciate your thoughts!

[Goldcoastgolfer]

Nice shots I used to do a bit of macro photography and what I've found is that if you actually approach very, very slowly from behind the lens (just keep looking at your view finder) you have a better chance of getting close. Creatures don't like looking at our eyes - but when they see a camera lens they tend to see a reflection of themselves I think.

You've inspired me though - I might post a recent picture of a frog as my next P52 photo

[skitterbug]

Nice shots I used to do a bit of macro photography and what I've found is that if you actually approach very, very slowly from behind the lens (just keep looking at your view finder) you have a better chance of getting close. Creatures don't like looking at our eyes - but when they see a camera lens they tend to see a reflection of themselves I think.

You've inspired me though - I might post a recent picture of a frog as my next P52 photo

Other than watching where I'm walking, that is my usual move for bullfrog pics - behind the camera - snapping pics every now and again just to see how close I can come. I hadn't thought about the fact that animals don't like "eyes" but you are exactly spot on with that comment! In some species, I believe it is a matter of dominance? The one that looks away first becomes second in line! Or maybe eaten!

Now bring on your frog! I want to see him!

[skitterbug]

Week 9 and Week 10

The first one amuses me. This critter was on the wall in my kitchen. We have them in several places in our home. Since I wanted to see how flash versus no flash would impact my shot, I decided to give it a go. I'm going to post the one that was without flash. I did try my hand at PP and the pic is the result.

1/60 - f/5.6 - ISO1600 - 55mm
#1 - Buggy Fun!



There was one spot of time that I managed to grab a shot of my favorite koi pond. The water fall is closed down during the winter months. We have a submerged air pump that functions during the bitter cold. I like watching how the water bounces and the light shimmers so I took a try to see how it might turn out.

1/500 - f/11 - ISO 400 - 55mm
#2 - Water Shimmers

[Cantab]

Sandy, I really like the second photo. I'm not certain what the precise attraction is, perhaps it's the juxtaposition of the solid foreground rocks with the water shapes frozen in time even though not frozen literally.

What was the temperature when you took the photo? Does the movement generated by the air pump inhibit the pond from freezing over?

[skitterbug]

Sandy, I really like the second photo. I'm not certain what the precise attraction is, perhaps it's the juxtaposition of the solid foreground rocks with the water shapes frozen in time even though not frozen literally.

What was the temperature when you took the photo? Does the movement generated by the air pump inhibit the pond from freezing over?

Hi Bruce ~ Fortunately, the temperature wasn't freezing when I took the second photo. Our winter has been more mild this year since we haven't been to 0℉ or below. Some years, I feel like I am the one becoming a frozen lump! But to answer your question, the answer is yes, unless it becomes too cold, it does help to keep the pond surface open.

I've been hunting for past photos of what this would look like when it is completely frozen over but haven't come up with exactly what I wanted. There have been times when the ice freezes around the flowing water. It looks really intriguing.

My focus was not as sharp as I would like but this photo will show the start of what happens when it is cold enough.

Thank you for your comments! I appreciate them very much!

ISO 100 - 1/400ss - f/9.0 - 55mm

[Shadowman]

Weeks 9 and 10, nice efforts.

[Craigie]

The bug image seems a bit blurry, maybe camera shake. Increasing shutter speed to 1/80sec (or more) with your FL at 55mm.
I do like your pond images, well done Sandy.

[skitterbug]

Thank you John!

[skitterbug]

The bug image seems a bit blurry, maybe camera shake. Increasing shutter speed to 1/80sec (or more) with your FL at 55mm.
I do like your pond images, well done Sandy.

Hi Gary ~ Yep, I agree! The bug does seem just slightly out of focus. It could be camera shake but it could also be that I tried getting too close. The lens that I have doesn't do well for that sort of shot and I pushed it. I'd love to have a macro lens but haven't a clue what would really be best for the T3i and not cost a fortune. I'd like to update all my equipment sometime so I don't want to sink a lot of money in what I currently have. But still the allure to have the ability for close pictures is there. <sigh>

Thank you for your comment about the pond pic. I enjoy that space and I'm drawn to it when I want to take pictures especially in the milder months when the fish and frogs are out and the flowers are blooming. I really enjoy watching the water and the patterns that occur.

ps: If I can convince another bug to travel on that wall, I'll give your suggestion a try just to see what the results might be!

[Geoff F]

Ladybirds, as we call them over here, are always a tricky subject, Sandy. You frequently get hot spots on the shell even when avoiding direct sunlight. I usually end up doing a bit of cloning over these areas.

Difficult to say about sharpness without zooming in a lot closer but it looks reasonable to me. Was it auto focus? If so, it is likely that your camera preferred to focus on part of the wall and with such a wide aperture your focus depth would be rather shallow.

Probably one of the Harlequin Ladybirds by the look of it. Originally an Asian species which has been introduced to many parts of the world for pest control; but they have flourished and can cause problems with a range of native species.

ps. macro lenses are definitely a specialist subject and rather expensive to get started with them; but if you get serious with close up work it can be great fun.

[joebranko]

Nice shots. I particularly like the pond shots

[Goldcoastgolfer]

[QUOTE=skitterbug;663220]Week 9 and Week 10

The first one amuses me. This critter was on the wall in my kitchen. We have them in several places in our home. Since I wanted to see how flash versus no flash would impact my shot, I decided to give it a go. I'm going to post the one that was without flash. I did try my hand at PP and the pic is the result.

1/60 - f/5.6 - ISO1600 - 55mm
#1 - Buggy Fun!


[\QUOTE]
I always like these types of shots - and playing with the crop to figure out the best place for negative space is always a fun part of the challenge.

I generally find when working with small critters that because I'm so close to the subject, I have try for a greater depth of field - which means generally artificial lighting (unless I happen to be outside on a really bright sunny day). Little critters are also often moving which means a faster shutter speed is often better for sharpness. I do have an external flash that I can bounce off surfaces or even remove from the camera and remote control to get the lighting that works best.

Week 9 and Week 10
There was one spot of time that I managed to grab a shot of my favorite koi pond. The water fall is closed down during the winter months. We have a submerged air pump that functions during the bitter cold. I like watching how the water bounces and the light shimmers so I took a try to see how it might turn out.

1/500 - f/11 - ISO 400 - 55mm
#2 - Water Shimmers

Definitely something cool about this one - the colours, texture, positioning of the elements... it's almost mysterious

[skitterbug]

Difficult to say about sharpness without zooming in a lot closer but it looks reasonable to me. Was it auto focus? If so, it is likely that your camera preferred to focus on part of the wall and with such a wide aperture your focus depth would be rather shallow.

ps. macro lenses are definitely a specialist subject and rather expensive to get started with them; but if you get serious with close up work it can be great fun.

I usually have auto focus on when I'm trying to capture something in motion. I'm not fast enough to tune in a sharp shot manually. So I have to rely on the camera's ability.

I've captured the busy bug and will post him for commentary in a few minutes. I think that trying to capture close shots that satisfy me will not be possible unless I do go to a macro lens. It won't happen for a bit.

Thanks for your thoughts!

[skitterbug]

Nice shots. I particularly like the pond shots

Thank you Joe! You will probably see more of that pond as the weather improves around here. Just so long as I don't drive everyone crazy with it!