A few weeks ago I asked for some advice on macro lenses and after having chewed the cud for a while I finally gave the credit card a bit of grief and ordered the Canon 180mm Macro lens. The lens arrived today so this evening I headed off to a local nature reserve (Clattinger Farm in Wiltshire) armed with my 5D, tripod and new lens. I was hoping for butterflies and dragonflies but never really got either. However the star of the evening was this critter which I believe is a Meadow Grasshopper but my ID skills (and ID book) are not brilliant so please correct me if I am wrong here.
There were lots of these about, but mostly low down and not in good photographic places. Then I found one sunbathing on a grass stem and got a few variations on this shot. Colours are quite warm, (maybe too warm) due to the evening light, do I need to adjust the WB?
Canon 5D, 180mm F3.5 L macro, ISO 250, f8, 1/250th, tripod.
Cropped slightly from top and bottom for web presentation, otherwise full frame.
Thanks for the comments and feedback. The colours were as shot using AutoWB conversion. I quite like these colours after looking at the image again today.
Antony, thanks for the suggestion about the rotation. Sometimes with this type of shot I will try and get an angled shot by tilting the camera but I didn't get chance with this critter, he hopped off after a few shots.
However with this background I think I can get away with some Photoshop rotation and cloning in of the corners. This is my quick attempt which I think works well. One good thing about the 5D is there are lots of pixels to play with so even after this big rotation and crop I still have an image of around 8 Megapixels.
Excellent, congrats on the new lens, looks like it is in good hands. You have done well to get a clear bg and the light is super, stay with the warmth....
Discussion
15 repliesA few weeks ago I asked for some advice on macro lenses and after having chewed the cud for a while I finally gave the credit card a bit of grief and ordered the Canon 180mm Macro lens. The lens arrived today so this evening I headed off to a local nature reserve (Clattinger Farm in Wiltshire) armed with my 5D, tripod and new lens. I was hoping for butterflies and dragonflies but never really got either. However the star of the evening was this critter which I believe is a Meadow Grasshopper but my ID skills (and ID book) are not brilliant so please correct me if I am wrong here.
There were lots of these about, but mostly low down and not in good photographic places. Then I found one sunbathing on a grass stem and got a few variations on this shot. Colours are quite warm, (maybe too warm) due to the evening light, do I need to adjust the WB?
Canon 5D, 180mm F3.5 L macro, ISO 250, f8, 1/250th, tripod.
Cropped slightly from top and bottom for web presentation, otherwise full frame.
cheers
Sean
Graeme
Warm works for me - it's a beautiful image - don't change a thing
Barrie
I'm with Barrie here.....leave well alone and enjoy as is.
A cracker
John
Spooky....
I just bought an Canon EOS 5d to go with my canon 180mm macro lens
Tim
Super shot, I love the lighting and you were so lucky to get this one clear of the ground to give you that great BG!
David
This is top drawer stuff. Like you not brilliant with Grasshopper ID's so can't help I'm afraid, but whatever it is, it's a bloomin' good pic of it
Regards
Rob
Very sharp and lovely colours.
I wonder if it would be more pleasing if you rotated the image anti-clockwise 45 deg. or so?
After all grass does bend and break etc.
Regards
Antony
Thanks for the comments and feedback. The colours were as shot using AutoWB conversion. I quite like these colours after looking at the image again today.
Antony, thanks for the suggestion about the rotation. Sometimes with this type of shot I will try and get an angled shot by tilting the camera but I didn't get chance with this critter, he hopped off after a few shots.
However with this background I think I can get away with some Photoshop rotation and cloning in of the corners. This is my quick attempt which I think works well. One good thing about the 5D is there are lots of pixels to play with so even after this big rotation and crop I still have an image of around 8 Megapixels.
cheers
Sean
Cheers
Antony
I liked the first one, nice shot of a very difficult subject. Have fun with your new toy.
Danny
I like the first one best. Superb image and light.
Best wishes
Phil
Looks like you've well and truely got to grips with the new lens.
An excellent shot.I love the warm light and the brown background is superb.
Both versions work really well for me.
Excellent, congrats on the new lens, looks like it is in good hands. You have done well to get a clear bg and the light is super, stay with the warmth....
I believe your ID is correct...