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Dragon Glow
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Dragon Glow

by Thomas Haney

Gallery: Macro & Close-upPosted November 18, 2013338 views12 comments
A Dragonfly in tall grass just as the morning sun crests the horizon. As a wildland firefighter for the last 6 years i've had zero time to do serious photography in the summers, which has been difficult because it was always my favorite season, when the landscape seemed most alive. This year was my first as a Smokejumper, so of course I had absolutely no time, but last year I was an engine captain in Oregon and was able to spend some time in a field below my house before going to work in the morning. It was great to be photographing dewy insects again, my first photography love, and I began trying out my 300mm f/4 lens and 1.4X converter for macro work. For this one, is the dragonfly too small a part of the scene, or is there just not enough here? I appreciate your feedback.

Canon 5d Mark ii, 300mm f/4 lens with 1.4X teleconverter, 1/40 sec at f/5.6, ISO 250,
Processing: Increased contrast, minor dodging and burning, color balance adjustment to tone down reds a bit.

Comments

12 comments
Comment posted by Guy Nelson on November 18, 2013 at 7:22 PM
Hi Thomas,
I like it! The image has a dreamy feel to it. I like the look of the grass / seed heads DOF. the dragonfly stands out nicely on the grass stalk with the morning light shinning through its wings. I really enjoy your Photograph.
Thank you.
Guy Nelson
Registered on October 12, 2012, 24 Posts, 138 Comments
Comment posted by scott lanz on November 18, 2013 at 8:51 PM
Really well seen and photographed, Thomas. I like the entire image with the light, color, and grasses. I think the image is both attractive and dramatic, and works fine just as is.
Registered on November 14, 2003, 840 Posts, 12902 Comments
Comment posted by Sanjay Sundaram on November 18, 2013 at 11:27 PM
With a quick glance of the thumbnail I could tell it was your work. Great image, Thomas. The color, light and comp are excellent. I think the brightness of the dragon fly compensates for it being small and stays the central part of the image. It works great for me. Hope you can find more time for photography.

Cheers!

Sanjay
Registered on April 9, 2013, 107 Posts, 725 Comments
Comment posted by Thomas Haney on November 18, 2013 at 11:32 PM
Thanks for the feedback. I'm glad you all enjoy this one, as I do. Last summer I really had fun with working at macro shots that weren't really that macro and had a larger field of view, though I find them much more challenging. Thanks again.
Registered on April 7, 2013, 138 Posts, 537 Comments
Comment posted by Greg AshworthFanch on November 19, 2013 at 8:11 AM
First let me thank you for your work as a smokejumper and firefighter. Second, what a beautiful photograph--I wouldn't change a thing.
Registered on December 14, 2012, 55 Posts, 67 Comments
Comment posted by Christine Adams on November 19, 2013 at 7:55 PM
This is some special! I wonder if it is a tad too saturated? But regardless, it is different and .....special!
Registered on January 24, 2006, 119 Posts, 1871 Comments
Comment posted by Lorna Taylor on November 19, 2013 at 11:19 PM
A stunning shot !It is just perfect !
Registered on November 12, 2010, 254 Posts, 3083 Comments
Comment posted by Daniel & Loana on November 27, 2013 at 5:54 PM
Wonderful shot, Thomas.
Congrats on the WP!
D&L
Registered on October 7, 2008, 166 Posts, 3044 Comments
Comment posted by David Chauvin on November 27, 2013 at 6:02 PM
Excellent! Glad this made the WP or I would have missed it. :cool:
Registered on August 5, 2004, 1007 Posts, 5595 Comments
Comment posted by Bill Fach on November 28, 2013 at 6:37 PM
Thomas: Most excellent. Congrats on the WP. >=))>
Registered on November 1, 2003, 1805 Posts, 26981 Comments
Comment posted by Randy Runtsch on November 28, 2013 at 6:48 PM
Hi Thomas,

The scene, composition, and colors are very nice. This image has many artistic qualities and would look well on a living room wall.

Well done and Happy Thanksgiving. :smile:
Registered on October 30, 2013, 50 Posts, 445 Comments
Comment posted by Ingrid Vekemans on December 4, 2013 at 10:15 AM
Splendid capture in beautiful light. Congrats on the WP.
:toast:
Grt, Ingrid.
Registered on August 2, 2010, 138 Posts, 780 Comments