Posted by Peter Cairns on May 23, 2008 at 12:21 PM
One from last summer that's just found its way to the top of the processing file!
I've been reprimanded for not posting camera details. I have to say, I'm not sure it makes any difference to whether the shot appeals or not but anyway, if you're interested...
I like this very much. I like the purple haze in the foreground, the alert posture and sharpness.
Strangely, although called Nature Photographers.Net there appears to be (in my opinion) more enphasis on the tech's than the nature. I'm always interested in the shots that only give the shooting data and no background the shot etc. Where's the passion for the natural bit?
Posted by Peter Cairns on May 23, 2008 at 12:58 PM
I'm absolutely with you on this ARD. I understand Andy's point but I often wonder how many joiners get asked what chisel they use! The camera is just a tool and we seem really hung up on gear in Britain. This shot was possible because I know a bit about pine martens rather than the fact I have a fancy camera. Sorry to rant but I just don't get this pre-occupation with f stops and ISO settings.
Very nice! I've not seen one of these in quite a few years now! We're very low on mammals over here! Beautiful pose you've caught there! Great exposure and nice choice of depth of field too!
I know where you are coming from. Just ask a question about lenses and see how many more replies it generates. That said I like to see it all, techs and background info about getting the shot. Of the two, the latter is the most beneficial though.
To be fair, and speaking as someone who is just starting out with a macro lens, I find the aperture info useful for seeing what effect it has with which lens. I guess we are all looking for something different.
I really like this shot btw, the mauve flowers really give it a lift. Eric
Hi Pete - we try to create (and hopefully sell) images that appeal or invoke some kind of response in my opinion - the camera is indeed the tool that creates the opportunity that the photographer/naturalist saw. That said you need to know what you're doing!!
Love these animals and have seen others of yours from this stunning setting and sequence.
Hi Peter
Just got back from a trip to Skye would have loved to have seen one of these. I really like the image, the alert pose and the purple for the fore and back round. I don't really care much for the techs there only useful if there something out of the ordinary but I do generally include them as some may find them useful.
See plenty of these here-flat but have only ever had 2 cross my path whilst i was driving-i really wish i could have come to terms with them but alas i have left it too late-lovely image of a very endearing animal
Wonderful shot, I love the pose, and background. These are probably my absolute favourite shots of yours (so far... ) Absolutely stunning.
I like to see some techs, doesn't have to be too in depth, but its interesting to see how the pros do it And things like the quality of the gear etc. It also helps if someone has some issues/nits with pictures, people who comment can suggest remedies - ie: stop down a bit, or whatever......
I personally enjoy seeing the specs, as a beginner it helps to see what went into making a photo. Also, it's easy to say the camera is just a tool when you have some of the best tools in the business!
Lovely pose, and after actually gettng a shot of one of these its the foreground rock and heathers that make it for me.
Agree, I'd like to see more about the "fieldcraft" and nature: sometimes getting the position or proximity to your subject and knowing where to find it and when, is a bigger problem than the technicalities of the shot. Having said that, as a beginner too, I do find the techs useful to help develop my own skills and understand how they help create images
Up until recently, the badger was my bogey animal. Now this is. I have been to the Highlands on a couple of occasions and only managed one mediocre flashed shot which I am far from happy with. I would love to have a shot like this in my files. It has everything: a great pose, colour, environment, etc. A fantastic pine marten shot and one of the best I have seen. If you could help me in anyway, I would be in your debt.
As for techs: It does help people to learn the craft when they can see a low f/number has created this shallow depth of field, or s slow shutter speed meant you were extra careful or used a tripod, or how close you were by using a 50mm or 500mm
Very nice Peter, Agree with Elliott as to a good reason for posting techs, the other side is that if someone less experienced posts their techs one can advise that little bit better.
Great capture of a very elusive mammal.
As for the techs debate, as can be seen from the comments above, quite a number of us do like to see them included and much can be learned from both seeing the images and also how they were taken. Surely, one of the aims of our site is to help one another? I must say that I have gleened a huge amount of information from the generous members of this site, and for that, I am extremely grateful for all the inputs.
Best wishes
Phil
Posted by Peter Cairns on May 25, 2008 at 12:34 PM
Philip, Phil, Elliott etc all make good points and I can see there is more justification in background information than I had perhaps realised.
For Elliott, this unusually tame young marten was kicking around my house for a few weeks last summer but I'm afraid has now disappeared. A workshop guest reported seeing it (or at least a marten) from my red squirrel hide just recently but I've not seen her for almost a year. Pine martens seem to be high up most photographer's lists and there are a number of places where you can photograph them but nowhere easily and in natural light. From time to time, they turn up denning in people's lofts or outhouses and this makes things a bit easier but very difficult to predict this. Sorry not much help.
Lovely work. I really like Pine Martens and it's great to see one captured in such a wonderful pose. It's interesting to read the debate about the technical info regarding taking photos and I must say that I have learnt a lot from people posting such things with their images as I have learned to use them as a starting block only to explore and develop my own personal skill.
Discussion
24 repliesI've been reprimanded for not posting camera details. I have to say, I'm not sure it makes any difference to whether the shot appeals or not but anyway, if you're interested...
Canon 1dMII, 500mm. f4/1/250sec.ISO400
Peter Cairns
www.northshots.com
Strangely, although called Nature Photographers.Net there appears to be (in my opinion) more enphasis on the tech's than the nature. I'm always interested in the shots that only give the shooting data and no background the shot etc. Where's the passion for the natural bit?
Regards
Love the heather behind!!!
Craig
www.craigchurchill.co.uk
Very nice! I've not seen one of these in quite a few years now! We're very low on mammals over here! Beautiful pose you've caught there! Great exposure and nice choice of depth of field too!
To be fair, and speaking as someone who is just starting out with a macro lens, I find the aperture info useful for seeing what effect it has with which lens. I guess we are all looking for something different.
I really like this shot btw, the mauve flowers really give it a lift.
Love these animals and have seen others of yours from this stunning setting and sequence.
Mark
Just got back from a trip to Skye would have loved to have seen one of these. I really like the image, the alert pose and the purple for the fore and back round. I don't really care much for the techs there only useful if there something out of the ordinary but I do generally include them as some may find them useful.
Nice image
Dave
Agree the camera is a tool..................although its become a pretty sophisticated tool, and i wish my chisel was half as clever
Alan
I like to see some techs, doesn't have to be too in depth, but its interesting to see how the pros do it
Anyhoo - great shot!!
I personally enjoy seeing the specs, as a beginner it helps to see what went into making a photo. Also, it's easy to say the camera is just a tool when you have some of the best tools in the business!
Cheers,
Dan.
Austin
Agree, I'd like to see more about the "fieldcraft" and nature: sometimes getting the position or proximity to your subject and knowing where to find it and when, is a bigger problem than the technicalities of the shot. Having said that, as a beginner too, I do find the techs useful to help develop my own skills and understand how they help create images
Rob
As for techs: It does help people to learn the craft when they can see a low f/number has created this shallow depth of field, or s slow shutter speed meant you were extra careful or used a tripod, or how close you were by using a 50mm or 500mm
As for the techs debate, as can be seen from the comments above, quite a number of us do like to see them included and much can be learned from both seeing the images and also how they were taken. Surely, one of the aims of our site is to help one another? I must say that I have gleened a huge amount of information from the generous members of this site, and for that, I am extremely grateful for all the inputs.
Best wishes
Phil
For Elliott, this unusually tame young marten was kicking around my house for a few weeks last summer but I'm afraid has now disappeared. A workshop guest reported seeing it (or at least a marten) from my red squirrel hide just recently but I've not seen her for almost a year. Pine martens seem to be high up most photographer's lists and there are a number of places where you can photograph them but nowhere easily and in natural light. From time to time, they turn up denning in people's lofts or outhouses and this makes things a bit easier but very difficult to predict this. Sorry not much help.
Pete
Thanks for the interesting posting..
Brett.
Danny