Posted by David Sewell on April 14, 2010 at 3:18 PM
What I was after here was a picture that showed the features of a male great crested newt as though looking from the bottom of a pond. What I did was to set up a tank near one of our regular survey sites and adopt a low angle. I should have noticed that the surface of the water was reflecting the grass beneath the tank rather than showing the sky. Even so, I am pleased with the result and thought I would share this one with you. The key features for a male great crested newt are, obviously, the crest, and the silver flash in the tail. The male uses this silver flash in courtship, and it is probably the easiest part of the animal to see when carrying out surveys at a pond at night. Most important of all is the belly pattern, which is unique to each individual, and which we use for identification in population studies.
My biggest lesson here, however, was to use a tank without too many scratches on the glass, as some of you will know it takes hours to clone them out!
I think you have achieved what you set out to do showing of the markings very nicely indeed. I think the green background as work very well a probably better that the sky would have done had it worked out.
Posted by Mark Davies on April 14, 2010 at 3:43 PM
Nice image and well executed . The band of green along the top needs to go fo me giving it a uniformity to the background . I agree with Guy the green may be better than the blue sky.
Posted by David Taylor on April 14, 2010 at 3:55 PM
Perhaps more DOF to get the excellent tail in full focus. Excellent markings.
Posted by David Sewell on April 14, 2010 at 4:03 PM
Thanks for those comments. David, depth of field was limited by the need to keep the background well out of focus - it is a hedgerow with a grass field at the bottom.
Discussion
11 repliesMy biggest lesson here, however, was to use a tank without too many scratches on the glass, as some of you will know it takes hours to clone them out!
Nikon D200, 150mm Sigma macro, 200 iso, 1/350th @ f5
I think you have achieved what you set out to do showing of the markings very nicely indeed. I think the green background as work very well a probably better that the sky would have done had it worked out.
David
Steve
Brett
David
Phil.