Posted by Brad Mangas on September 18, 2008 at 9:42 AM
While standing in the bluestem last weekend very still, this little fella zipped by me. He really moves fast but let me get within about 6-7' for a minute or two.
Looked it up in the bug guide and looks like a Carolina Mantis. Evidently they aren't good at reading maps!
Canon 70-300 @ 300mm, f5.6, 1/45
Posted by Daniel Loomis on September 18, 2008 at 4:47 PM
Since you have access to some local Bluestem, perhaps you could document its gradual change of color over the next month or so. We are a long way from the prairie here in South Arkansas and I miss the simple beauty of the great plains!
Posted by Wayne Rhodus on September 19, 2008 at 9:36 AM
Brad, the astetics of this shot are just as nice as the cicada shot. The technicals are spot on. But I think the position of the praying mantis (being upside down) is a little visually challenging and may be why you haven't gotten more comments on this post. Keep up the good work!
Posted by Brad Mangas on September 19, 2008 at 10:13 AM
Daniel that's a nice idea. I have gotten some shots of the bluestem as it was starting to seed. If I can make it to some area over the next couple of months I'm sure it will be a main subject of interest.
Thanks Daniel for looking and commenting.
Hi Wayne, I do know what you mean about the position of the mantis. the framing of the shot was really based on the grass since the mantis was near the ends. It's a challenge with me to get framing that looks proper with shots. Everything always talks about the rule of thirds in composition, but I'm not real stuck on that, I use it but I don't force it in any shot. So maybe some of my shots don't look (properly) composed. I actually hope they just look different instead of improper. I find myself getting basically the same type of results, it might just be the way I look at things.
I find it interesting how every person looks at a given scene or subject and can capture it in a different way. I'm glad you bring it up. I must say that there are really 2 reasons I post images on a forum such as this and that is to #1, share something that we all have a passion and desire to do. And #2, to get others opinion, and that means good or bad. I myself don't post images expecting everyone to like them, that's what makes it beneficial to share. What I would like is to know just what a person doesn't like about a particular image. If I agree there maybe some things I can change to improve. If I don't agree then no big deal.
I always appreciate every comment I get.
Thanks Wayne, take care.
Posted by Glenn Carter on September 19, 2008 at 10:58 PM
Brad,
I like the work you've been doing lately. I like the mantis shot as well. Keep it up!
Glenn
Posted by Lon Sharp on September 21, 2008 at 11:45 PM
Nice shot. I think he would feel more airborne without the other stem. I really like the effect of the OOF stems behind him.
Discussion
5 repliesLooked it up in the bug guide and looks like a Carolina Mantis. Evidently they aren't good at reading maps!
Canon 70-300 @ 300mm, f5.6, 1/45
Thanks Daniel for looking and commenting.
Hi Wayne, I do know what you mean about the position of the mantis. the framing of the shot was really based on the grass since the mantis was near the ends. It's a challenge with me to get framing that looks proper with shots. Everything always talks about the rule of thirds in composition, but I'm not real stuck on that, I use it but I don't force it in any shot. So maybe some of my shots don't look (properly) composed. I actually hope they just look different instead of improper. I find myself getting basically the same type of results, it might just be the way I look at things.
I find it interesting how every person looks at a given scene or subject and can capture it in a different way. I'm glad you bring it up. I must say that there are really 2 reasons I post images on a forum such as this and that is to #1, share something that we all have a passion and desire to do. And #2, to get others opinion, and that means good or bad. I myself don't post images expecting everyone to like them, that's what makes it beneficial to share. What I would like is to know just what a person doesn't like about a particular image. If I agree there maybe some things I can change to improve. If I don't agree then no big deal.
I always appreciate every comment I get.
Thanks Wayne, take care.
I like the work you've been doing lately. I like the mantis shot as well. Keep it up!
Glenn