Posted by David Kjaer on November 15, 2006 at 1:53 PM
In the last 10 days I have caught and released 7 of these charming little mice that have been raiding my bird seed in the garage - seems I only get them in the winter and I can't work out how they get in. During the winter I do occasionally accommodate one for a few days in five star luxury and in return for their keep I have a photo session with them. Photographed in a purpose made set/box with props from the potting shed.
I know in posting this image I will get some stick from some members and can only say I don't trap in the summer months when they are more likely to have young and in any event I would not let them breed in the garage bacause of the obvious damage they could cause.
Canon 1D MkII + 24-70 f2.8 at 43mm iso 400 1/250 at f4
Hi David,
I don't have a problem at all with your image,as I'm sure you know exactly what your doing and no doubt have much experience with this type of photography.
An excellent shot IMHO with a really inquisitive looking subject and a great 'set' which is full of colour and interest.
Posted by Dennis Alden on November 15, 2006 at 2:10 PM
I don't have a problem with your image either David - and I'm sure they appreciate the 5 star break.
A super pin sharp image environmental shot. My only nit is that I think I would have preferred it to have the weed killer/lawn feed labels in focus as I find them vaguely distrating.
David,if you don't mind me asking.What type of box/set-up do you use? i.e. size,materials.
Are you shooting through a glass front?
Posted by Dave Courtenay on November 15, 2006 at 2:18 PM
Cool shot,I was plagued with these guys at my house in France in winter with up to 12 a night,all trapped and let free-should have taken a leaf out of your book and taken some shots
Posted by David Kjaer on November 15, 2006 at 2:23 PM
Hi Justin
No I'm not shooting through glass but it is an enclosed box - if you want the spec it is difficult to explain as I have no photo's of it but if you e-mail me a landline number I will be happy to talk you through it!
It's not important.My main query was if you were shooting through glass,which you've answered for me,so thanks for that.
Posted by John MacTavish on November 15, 2006 at 2:31 PM
I do like the mouse but find it rather at odds with its surrounding props.
Roundup and mice don't normally make long time bedfellows.
John
Posted by Helge Sorensen on November 15, 2006 at 2:45 PM
Hi David, very funny shot, which I'm sure must have some commercial value
Posted by David Kjaer on November 15, 2006 at 2:57 PM
Hi John
I don't know about you but I keep everything bar the kitchen sink in my garden shed and when I reconstructed this shelf I wanted it to be what you would find in a typical shed of today and not one of 50 years ago which I know would have been more photogenic. With regard to the Roundup container the mice have never attacked this or any of the other packaging containing substances which I'm sure they would find unpleasant - probably because I always have a few sacks of grain and nuts!
David
Posted by John Chapman on November 15, 2006 at 3:03 PM
Hi David
great enviroment shot.
John
Aberdeen
Posted by John MacTavish on November 15, 2006 at 3:22 PM
I don't take anything to do with our garden shed, it's our gardener's domain.
You'll know your markets for this better than I, but I would always tend to shy away from brand names unless I was specifically asked to include them.
Like I said before, I like the mouse. Esp with that curious look it has
John
Posted by Alan Bryant on November 15, 2006 at 3:29 PM
Great shot and story David
Posted by Chris Lloyd on November 15, 2006 at 4:26 PM
Hi David,
It's all been said. Great shot.
Regards Chris
www.c-m-l.com
Posted by John Gardner on November 15, 2006 at 4:41 PM
Very nice though does feel a little staged. The brand advertising is soemthing to be wary of. having said all that I like it.
John
Posted by Sean Bolton on November 15, 2006 at 5:21 PM
Hi David
I like it, a good composition, I would prefer the wood mouse a bit larger in the frame, but in this situation you hopefully managed a range of shots and compositions.
I am still waiting for my first winter visitor to the garage. Good news is the Goldfinch population is on the up (10 at the last count), and half a dozen greenfinches too in the back garden. I must sort out some perches soon.
cheers
Sean
Posted by Graeme Lee on November 15, 2006 at 6:16 PM
Hi David.
I like it very much. Shows the common shed environment really well. Wouldn't change a thing compositionally. Maybe the Lawn weeder and Roundup could do with being in focus, but that's really minor.
Graeme
Posted by Tim Munsey on November 16, 2006 at 3:29 AM
A shot full of interest, tells a story. The works basically.
Tim
Posted by Paul Williams on November 16, 2006 at 3:54 AM
Given the way you treat the critter, you do realise that it's probably the same mouse you keep catching!
Interesting image and very well taken, commercially it wouldn't work too well because of the targeted brands, but that isn't really of concern I suppose here. full of potential and I believe you could further enhance this to give a very saleable image, perhaps a bit of generic packaging a few pots etc....
Like it as is though, Mice, Butterflies... what next Dave
Posted by writepic on November 17, 2006 at 9:41 AM
i like this a lot. to play devils advocate, could you set one up with a (disarmed of course) moustrap, with a big lump of holey cheese, so it would look like the mouse was thinking about figuring out the trap. i say disarmed, i mean a broken one that looked like it was set, but wasn't able to go off. i'm sure it would be a fun one to try, while you have the resources present.
Discussion
20 repliesI know in posting this image I will get some stick from some members and can only say I don't trap in the summer months when they are more likely to have young and in any event I would not let them breed in the garage bacause of the obvious damage they could cause.
Canon 1D MkII + 24-70 f2.8 at 43mm iso 400 1/250 at f4
I don't have a problem at all with your image,as I'm sure you know exactly what your doing and no doubt have much experience with this type of photography.
An excellent shot IMHO with a really inquisitive looking subject and a great 'set' which is full of colour and interest.
A super pin sharp image environmental shot. My only nit is that I think I would have preferred it to have the weed killer/lawn feed labels in focus as I find them vaguely distrating.
dennis
Are you shooting through a glass front?
No I'm not shooting through glass but it is an enclosed box - if you want the spec it is difficult to explain as I have no photo's of it but if you e-mail me a landline number I will be happy to talk you through it!
David
It's not important.My main query was if you were shooting through glass,which you've answered for me,so thanks for that.
Roundup and mice don't normally make long time bedfellows.
John
I don't know about you but I keep everything bar the kitchen sink in my garden shed and when I reconstructed this shelf I wanted it to be what you would find in a typical shed of today and not one of 50 years ago which I know would have been more photogenic. With regard to the Roundup container the mice have never attacked this or any of the other packaging containing substances which I'm sure they would find unpleasant - probably because I always have a few sacks of grain and nuts!
David
great enviroment shot.
John
Aberdeen
You'll know your markets for this better than I, but I would always tend to shy away from brand names unless I was specifically asked to include them.
Like I said before, I like the mouse. Esp with that curious look it has
John
It's all been said. Great shot.
Regards Chris
www.c-m-l.com
John
I like it, a good composition, I would prefer the wood mouse a bit larger in the frame, but in this situation you hopefully managed a range of shots and compositions.
I am still waiting for my first winter visitor to the garage. Good news is the Goldfinch population is on the up (10 at the last count), and half a dozen greenfinches too in the back garden. I must sort out some perches soon.
cheers
Sean
I like it very much. Shows the common shed environment really well. Wouldn't change a thing compositionally. Maybe the Lawn weeder and Roundup could do with being in focus, but that's really minor.
Graeme
Tim
Like it as is though, Mice, Butterflies... what next Dave
i like this a lot. to play devils advocate, could you set one up with a (disarmed of course) moustrap, with a big lump of holey cheese, so it would look like the mouse was thinking about figuring out the trap. i say disarmed, i mean a broken one that looked like it was set, but wasn't able to go off. i'm sure it would be a fun one to try, while you have the resources present.
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