Canon 5D, Canon 100mm macro lens, 1/250 sec @ f14, Manual exposure,
+ 1/3 flash compensation, Al servo focus, Canon 580EX on left of lens connected by two joined Off Camera Shoe Cord's, Canon 430EX on opposite side fired wirelessly, both flashes diffused by shooting through a sheet of white paper.
Beanbag, iso 640, Raw, very muddy knees and chin
Full frame, levels, hue/saturation +6, converted using Lightroom.
Small catchlight in the eye cloned out.
Hi,
Had a good few hours with my bank voles yesterday. Worth sitting out a couple of rain and hail showers as this particular individual eventually allowed me a very close approach.
I think he's so cute he deserves to be seen LARGER
All comments always welcome and appreciated.
Posted by Paul Inglis on March 10, 2008 at 8:40 AM
Hi Justin,
Superb! The larger version is just sweet!
Posted by Andy Astbury on March 10, 2008 at 8:42 AM
Lovely image Justin - great detail and a cracking bit of exposure control
Posted by Nigel Blake on March 10, 2008 at 8:45 AM
Now that is special, great exposure, spot-on colour and fine detail, I like it!
Sure am Phil. It's a bit on the breezy side, to put it mildly. Decided not to hit the beach with the camera this time as I've still got the chips out of the UV filter from being sandblasted by the last lot of gales
I've been putting food out reguarly for them for the last few months, there's a pile of seed just literally 2 inches from my lens hood. I always put it in the same spots and the vole always does a tour of his territory checking to see if any food has been left.
I started by having the camera on a beanbag about 2.5 feet in front of the hole, the vole was very relluctant to come out at first and he didn't need too as there was food scattered elsewhere all around and this particular hole doesn't actually lead anywhere other than out in the open.
I watched him survey the scene from lots of vantage points and because nothing moved and there was no sound he soon chanced it and came out to grab a bite to eat. I let him come out loads of times and eat without disturbance before lying down behind the camera.
I tried remotely firing the camera initially but getting the focus on the right spot was too hit and miss.
When he comes out to get a seed he then goes back under the piece of bark and I've got about 10 seconds to make any adjustments before he re-emerges to get another one (unless he doesn't make the right choice regarding seed type the first time and then he comes straight back out for another one and sometimes catches me unaware moving around to check the histogram,etc.)
The noise from the camera and flash only spooks him for a very short while and he soon learns that they're totally harmless and that he's quite safe to eat undisturbed, he soon ignores them completely.
Every time he went back under the bark I edged the beanbag a couple of inches closer untill I eventually ended up in position for this shot with the front of the lens hood approximately 10-12 inches away.
Blimey Justin, that's a great (but simple, in the nicest sense, of course!) set up - and thanks for a VERY comprehensive explanation. I for one found it extremely informative. Thanks for sharing, it is much appreciated.
And congratulations again on a top shot!
Michael S
Posted by Andy Shepherd on March 10, 2008 at 9:06 PM
Simply stunning , thanks for including the picture of your set up , I for one hadn't realised how much effort you'd put in to capture this stunning image , excellent work Justin.
Regards
Andy...
Posted by David Clapp on March 10, 2008 at 9:13 PM
Wow that is excellent, great to see how you did it as well. Top photo and top technique.
Posted by Danny Green on March 11, 2008 at 10:33 AM
Oh how cute is that, brilliant stuff Justin but then I always expect it. Top drawer.
Many thanks for the kind comments, they're really encouraging.
Just done an A3+ print and the cute little thing looks larger than life, quite literally
Posted by John Robinson on March 12, 2008 at 7:44 AM
Discussion
31 replies+ 1/3 flash compensation, Al servo focus, Canon 580EX on left of lens connected by two joined Off Camera Shoe Cord's, Canon 430EX on opposite side fired wirelessly, both flashes diffused by shooting through a sheet of white paper.
Beanbag, iso 640, Raw, very muddy knees and chin
Full frame, levels, hue/saturation +6, converted using Lightroom.
Small catchlight in the eye cloned out.
Hi,
Had a good few hours with my bank voles yesterday. Worth sitting out a couple of rain and hail showers as this particular individual eventually allowed me a very close approach.
I think he's so cute he deserves to be seen LARGER
All comments always welcome and appreciated.
Superb! The larger version is just sweet!
Very very nice indeed.....
You getting a battering from the winds ?
Sure am Phil. It's a bit on the breezy side, to put it mildly. Decided not to hit the beach with the camera this time as I've still got the chips out of the UV filter from being sandblasted by the last lot of gales
Superb!
W
David
Interesting about the macro lens and flash used
Stu.
John
Aberdeen
Superb
This is just superb, carn't fault it well done.
Dave
Just... WOW!
How in the name of Jebus did you persuade him to come out when you were laying there???
Stunning, mate!
it makes you sit up and take note,, fantastic all round
Major.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hi Michael,
I've been putting food out reguarly for them for the last few months, there's a pile of seed just literally 2 inches from my lens hood. I always put it in the same spots and the vole always does a tour of his territory checking to see if any food has been left.
I started by having the camera on a beanbag about 2.5 feet in front of the hole, the vole was very relluctant to come out at first and he didn't need too as there was food scattered elsewhere all around and this particular hole doesn't actually lead anywhere other than out in the open.
I watched him survey the scene from lots of vantage points and because nothing moved and there was no sound he soon chanced it and came out to grab a bite to eat. I let him come out loads of times and eat without disturbance before lying down behind the camera.
I tried remotely firing the camera initially but getting the focus on the right spot was too hit and miss.
When he comes out to get a seed he then goes back under the piece of bark and I've got about 10 seconds to make any adjustments before he re-emerges to get another one (unless he doesn't make the right choice regarding seed type the first time and then he comes straight back out for another one and sometimes catches me unaware moving around to check the histogram,etc.)
The noise from the camera and flash only spooks him for a very short while and he soon learns that they're totally harmless and that he's quite safe to eat undisturbed, he soon ignores them completely.
Every time he went back under the bark I edged the beanbag a couple of inches closer untill I eventually ended up in position for this shot with the front of the lens hood approximately 10-12 inches away.
And congratulations again on a top shot!
Michael S
Simply stunning
Regards
Andy...
Danny
Just done an A3+ print and the cute little thing looks larger than life, quite literally
JohnR