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Guest
18-May-2004 08:04
Thanks Olaf. I tried a few shots shooting through the grass. The lower one is actually an earlier shot than the upper one. I wasn't quite satisfied with how the grass was turning out, and besides the grass at lower right, there is also some near center that is causing some general softness in the picture. I paused to remove some grass before continuing. Unfortunately, I wasn't very careful with that effort. Part of the problem was that I was afraid of scaring the toads away.
I also have some shots with several toads, including one with three in the foreground and the one pictured here in the background (across the pond). Unfortunately, it didn't turn out as expected, and the wide aperture necessary for these long exposures created too shallow a depth of field to even discern that the distant toad was actually a toad.
I considered also using brighter lighting, but that, too, might have scared off the toads. If I had a remote flash for this camera, I would have tried that. But then to get the double throat effect, I'd have had to composite multiple images. -- Victor
Olaf.dk
16-May-2004 12:34
Victor, I see your dilemma! I definitely like the lower perspective of these handheld photos better than the "Come Hither"-shot. Actually, the image you posted below, has the best composition IMO. I also like the color in the water, the reflection, and even think the green grass in the lower right corner helps in balancing the composition, but unfortunately that shot is not as sharp... It does also have, as you point out, the double exposure of the throat, which is nice. I guess one could try to alter the above image adding a second exposure of the throat in Photoshop. Don't underestimate the power of reflection (repeating elements) - would have been great with the whole reflection of the frog, but it's good as is too! Considering the fact that you couldn't see through the viewfinder at the time of composing this low-angle shot, I think you did fantastic job! --Olaf
Guest
13-May-2004 22:18
I just realized that I have another handheld shot with a double throat showing. On this one there is more motion blur from handholding visible. But I don't know. I might like it better anyway. What do you think? -- Victor
Guest
13-May-2004 22:01
This is the one I originally meant to post. I think I changed my mind and uploaded the tripod version because of the double exposure of the toads throat (he stopped calling during the 6 seconds). Here, the toad was calling through nearly the entire exposure, so the throat is blurred but not double. I think I like the perspective of this shot better but the double throat of the other one better. Anyway, this one, not the other one, is the handheld shot. -- Victor
