Posted by Brett Lewis on October 1, 2008 at 6:13 AM
Hi Folks,
Over the weekend I was working on some shots of herpetofauna that could potentially be used in magazines and articles etc.. I had a selection of slow worms and lizards for the purpose and used white card as a back drop. The weather was in my favour and I was able to use just natural light with the odd bit of fill-flash on occasion. The set-up consisted of some white card on a picnic table in the garden..!
This is a far cry from the animal in it's natural environment but it suits the purpose of the shot. I don't expect it's to everyones taste but I would be glad to hear your experiences with such images and any tips you have to offer. This is a first for me and I appreciated the helpful notes from some of the Kent-based UKNP's over the weekend when they had a look at the prints..
This is a adult female Slow-worm showing her characteristic dark flanks and dorsal stripe. I like the facial marking which are unique and help with photographic identification of individuals in the field.
The key part of the subject is the head so increasing the DoF and rendering more of the lizard's body in focus would detract enormously form the impact of this image.
I think it's superb and would make an excellent stock photo
Posted by Rob Fisher on October 1, 2008 at 10:47 AM
Brett,
I agree with Barrie, DOF spot on, excellent image.
Super for purpose image, if I had to find a nit it would be for a softer shadow, reflectors should be able to achieve that for you....
Speak soon
Phil
Posted by Mark Sisson on October 1, 2008 at 11:34 AM
Funny Phil mentions DK - they were just who I had in mind when I saw the image too!
Solid stock work, and should sell well for you Brett.
Mark
Posted by John Robinson on October 1, 2008 at 11:36 AM
Interesting shot and very well executed Brett but not my cup of tea I'm affraid.
May be just what some picture researchers are after though.
Cheers
JohnR
Posted by Ian Andrews on October 1, 2008 at 1:04 PM
I almost agree with Barrie!
However, having seen the A3 print, a touch more DOF would benefit this one as the tail goes a little to far OOF (IMHO).
The lizard was fine!
Good shot. Not my type of picture but i think it a good one for determining.
Posted by Paula Graham on October 1, 2008 at 1:51 PM
Amazing work, great effect.
Posted by Colin Crowdey on October 1, 2008 at 5:38 PM
Hi, not really my cup of tea this type of shot, however, it is technically well executed and the shallow DOF makes this shot stand out.
cheers
Colin
Posted by Dawn Monrose on October 2, 2008 at 6:01 AM
A great image, definately fit for purpose.The pose, with raised head too, is excellent. Hard to say about dof from this small version really, but looks like it could do with a teency bit more.
A technically brilliant shot that is different and really stands out!
Posted by Brett Lewis on October 2, 2008 at 6:25 AM
Hi Folks, many thanks for your comments. You will be pleased to know that I have a variety of shots from a variety of view points as well as DOF. At one point I was shooting at F29 and then at F8, so somewhere in the PF will a be a shot to suit those that need it. This middle of the range DOF I think works best for the subject as I do not want the eye to be drawn to the tail..
I have appreciated all comments and will now look to other subjects for the same effect such as Grass snakes and Adders etc..
Thanks again.
Brett.
Posted by Matt Doggett on October 3, 2008 at 6:01 AM
Hi Brett
I like this a lot and had been thinking of doing similar things myself. There's an underwater photographer called David Doubliet who does a similar thing but underwater. He swims around with a minature underwater studio and puts sea slugs etc on it for the same effect!
Cheers
Matt
Posted by Alan Bryant on October 3, 2008 at 1:18 PM
I really like this
The DOF is great IMO.
Posted by Paul Inglis on October 4, 2008 at 4:35 AM
Discussion
17 repliesOver the weekend I was working on some shots of herpetofauna that could potentially be used in magazines and articles etc.. I had a selection of slow worms and lizards for the purpose and used white card as a back drop. The weather was in my favour and I was able to use just natural light with the odd bit of fill-flash on occasion. The set-up consisted of some white card on a picnic table in the garden..!
This is a far cry from the animal in it's natural environment but it suits the purpose of the shot. I don't expect it's to everyones taste but I would be glad to hear your experiences with such images and any tips you have to offer. This is a first for me and I appreciated the helpful notes from some of the Kent-based UKNP's over the weekend when they had a look at the prints..
This is a adult female Slow-worm showing her characteristic dark flanks and dorsal stripe. I like the facial marking which are unique and help with photographic identification of individuals in the field.
Kind regards,
Brett
Canon 30D, 18-55 mm, ISO 200, F16 @ 1/250
Tony
ps why are you not at school?
The key part of the subject is the head so increasing the DoF and rendering more of the lizard's body in focus would detract enormously form the impact of this image.
I think it's superb and would make an excellent stock photo
I agree with Barrie, DOF spot on, excellent image.
Rob
Super for purpose image, if I had to find a nit it would be for a softer shadow, reflectors should be able to achieve that for you....
Speak soon
Phil
Solid stock work, and should sell well for you Brett.
Mark
May be just what some picture researchers are after though.
Cheers
JohnR
However, having seen the A3 print, a touch more DOF would benefit this one as the tail goes a little to far OOF (IMHO).
The lizard was fine!
Great work Brett.
Ian
cheers
Colin
A technically brilliant shot that is different and really stands out!
I have appreciated all comments and will now look to other subjects for the same effect such as Grass snakes and Adders etc..
Thanks again.
Brett.
I like this a lot and had been thinking of doing similar things myself. There's an underwater photographer called David Doubliet who does a similar thing but underwater. He swims around with a minature underwater studio and puts sea slugs etc on it for the same effect!
Cheers
Matt
The DOF is great IMO.
Stunning shot!