#271: Attraction to Photographer

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Beverly Guhl 6-time assignment winner

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p.1 #1 · #271: Attraction to Photographer

Oh, the irony... I was attracted to HIM thinking about the WA theme, "attraction" and how this wasp was attracted to my hummingbird feeder, when all of a sudden I uncomfortably found him attracted to ME! Got too close. He stopped eating and brazenly moved to the edge of the feeder to make his ''attraction' clear, underscoring it with this menacing stance and glare. Unable to resist this new photo-op, I braved a few clicks before backing away. He then resumed his happy feast. Just a few moments before, a bee had dared to try to drink from the same spot; this guy grabbed the bee and hurled him out of the way. You don't mess with these guys!

This image is copyrighted by the owner

C&C Always Welcome.

BEV

Edited on Nov 08, 2007 at 04:07 AM

Nov 03, 2007 at 08:54 PM

Steve Spencer
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p.1 #2 · #271: Attraction to Photographer

Hi Bev,

Great shot. I find it kinda scary, but then I am allergic to these. You have captured him very well.

Edited by Steve Spencer on Nov 03, 2007 at 04:10 PM GMT

Edited on Nov 08, 2007 at 04:07 AM

Nov 03, 2007 at 09:00 PM

levartze
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p.1 #3 · #271: Attraction to Photographer

Hi Bev,
Very nice! I like the B&W background and wasp in color!
Bob

Edited on Nov 08, 2007 at 04:07 AM

Nov 03, 2007 at 09:05 PM

P Pihl
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p.1 #4 · #271: Attraction to Photographer

Really mean-looking! Great sharpness and colour.

Edited on Nov 08, 2007 at 04:07 AM

Nov 03, 2007 at 09:06 PM

Beverly Guhl 6-time assignment winner

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p.1 #5 · #271: Attraction to Photographer

Thanks everyone!

Steve, I'm allergic to them, too (though not life-threatening). I think I had a drop of sweat on my forehead as I backed away. If he'd come at me I'd have screamed so loud and run so far I wouldn't have even been able to post this till Monday cause I'd still be runnning. ;-)

Edited on Nov 08, 2007 at 04:07 AM

Nov 03, 2007 at 09:12 PM

mark nicoll
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p.1 #6 · #271: Attraction to Photographer

Great shot, makes the hair on the back of my neck stand on end.
Take care
Mark

Edited on Nov 08, 2007 at 04:07 AM

Nov 03, 2007 at 09:42 PM

jban99

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p.1 #7 · #271: Attraction to Photographer

Hi Beverly. Great shot!
This picture has superb clarity and an excellent composition.
Boy, what a look on his face, there’s no doubt of the attraction to the proximity of your warm blood; you’re a very lucky photographer!
Perfect timing…

Edited on Nov 08, 2007 at 04:07 AM

Nov 03, 2007 at 11:55 PM

Thea Kirkwood
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p.1 #8 · #271: Attraction to Photographer

What an amazing shot. Is it OK to ask what lens you used. I'm still learning the protocol for this site but I would love to know what equipment you were working with. The composition is pure artistry. Thea

Edited on Nov 08, 2007 at 04:07 AM

Nov 04, 2007 at 12:41 AM

Beverly Guhl 6-time assignment winner

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p.1 #9 · #271: Attraction to Photographer

MARK: Thank you, and sorry he makes you uncomfortable; I can totally relate to that.

JOHN: Appreciate the feedback! I felt lucky he allowed me to take his picture without tossing me around like that bee, yes. :-)

THEA: Thanks! You can always ask people about their photo. We're all here to learn and share. I used my Tamron SP AF 90mm f/2.8 1:1 lens, 1/250 at f7 It was very bright in the shade so I could use a fast shutter to compensate for hand-held (trembling hands actually)! Ordinarily I use a tripod with remote and mirror lock-up, but I was not keen on setting up near him. Wanted to be able to make a fast getaway. :-) This lens (and 5D sensor) is really awesome. The ONLY sharpening on this image is just a touch on his face/eyes.

Edited on Nov 08, 2007 at 04:07 AM

Nov 04, 2007 at 02:05 AM

canandaigua ph 1-time assignment winner

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p.1 #10 · #271: Attraction to Photographer

This is an incredible shot Beverly, and your post processing is making it magic!!!!
No doubt the most interesting bee/wasp shot I've seen.
would you care to describe briefly your selective color technique?? It's fabulous.
just great...i can't say enough.....................!!
Peter

Edited on Nov 08, 2007 at 04:07 AM

Nov 04, 2007 at 02:15 AM

jimiwheels
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p.1 #11 · #271: Attraction to Photographer

Great shot Beverly! Focus is nailed. Composition is wonderful, I love the B&W background. You have captgured an agressive stance at very close range. Nice shot!

Edited on Nov 08, 2007 at 04:07 AM

Nov 04, 2007 at 03:34 AM

Philly Rains 1-time assignment winner

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p.1 #12 · #271: Attraction to Photographer

Yikes! My most hated insect, and so close it made my skin crawl! Beverly, the capture is stunning, so I have no stinging criticism. Har Har

Finalist!!

Edited on Nov 08, 2007 at 04:07 AM

Nov 04, 2007 at 05:25 AM

Beverly Guhl 6-time assignment winner

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p.1 #13 · #271: Attraction to Photographer

canandaigua ph wrote:

would you care to describe briefly your selective color technique??

Peter, I'm blown away by your wonderful feedback, thanks! Makes it all worth the risk. ha

My technique for selective color is basically to have my original layer under a BW conversion layer and apply a layer mask to the BW layer. [Your layer mask will be white, so you will use BLACK paint to mask out areas and WHITE paint to restore or erase any mistakes.] Using various brush sizes at various softness/hardness (to match sharper or softer areas of the image) I paint the BW areas on the mask to reveal the color layer beneath. Start out with 100% opacity and if there are some areas you want the color to fade, as I did on his right wing, use a larger brush at lower opacity with WHITE paint and paint that area to reveal more of the BW layer again. Zoom in, of course, for precision work. A handy keyboard shortcut: to toggle between black and white paint, press the letter X key.

Edited on Nov 08, 2007 at 04:07 AM

Nov 04, 2007 at 02:57 PM

Beverly Guhl 6-time assignment winner

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p.1 #14 · #271: Attraction to Photographer

jimiwheels wrote:
Great shot Beverly! Focus is nailed. Composition is wonderful, I love the B&W background. You have captgured an agressive stance at very close range. Nice shot!

JIMIWHEELS! You always make me feel great, thank you sooooo much. Every click of the shutter is a learning experience. Appreciate your feedback.

Edited on Nov 08, 2007 at 04:07 AM

Nov 04, 2007 at 03:02 PM

Beverly Guhl 6-time assignment winner

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p.1 #15 · #271: Attraction to Photographer

Philly Rains wrote:
Yikes! My most hated insect, and so close it made my skin crawl! Beverly, the capture is stunning, so I have no stinging criticism. Har Har

Finalist!!

PHILLY! No stinging criticism?

Thanks! For months these wasps and bees have been buzzing around and I've taken various pics of them. This is the first time I've ever had one get annoyed and actually make a move towards me. I was so shocked I stood there like a deer in headlights for a moment. Then my instinctive reaction was not to RUN, but to click the shutter! (I should probably never be allowed to shoot a charging elephant.) He must have been having a really bad day, or was one wasp with a really bad attitude.

Edited on Nov 08, 2007 at 04:07 AM

Nov 04, 2007 at 03:13 PM

Chuck Kuhn
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p.1 #16 · #271: Attraction to Photographer

Excellent, you have my vote......for now

Edited on Nov 08, 2007 at 04:07 AM

Nov 04, 2007 at 05:16 PM

Strad

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p.1 #17 · #271: Attraction to Photographer

Aw, for Heaven's sake, Bev! Yet another runaway 1st place winner!

What can be said - it's perfect! Brilliant! Awe-inspiring! Bravo!

Fond regards,

Endre

Edited on Nov 08, 2007 at 04:07 AM

Nov 04, 2007 at 05:52 PM

Beverly Guhl 6-time assignment winner

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p.1 #18 · #271: Attraction to Photographer

CHUCK and ENDRE....

THANKS so much. I'm so flattered, truly.... and you realize now you've jinxed my photo! lol That's how it works. Do I smell sabotage here?! Naw....just happy to have time to participate. Best to you both.

I'll be on pins and needles seeing how you do Endre, such a great image you have submitted.

bev

Edited on Nov 08, 2007 at 04:07 AM

Nov 04, 2007 at 06:08 PM

suse

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p.1 #19 · #271: Attraction to Photographer

That's a fabulous shot, Bev. Great use of selective colouring and composition. What lens did you use? I don't know why I'm asking that, because I don't do really close macro and have no intention....

Nov 04, 2007 at 07:03 PM

Beverly Guhl 6-time assignment winner

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p.1 #20 · #271: Attraction to Photographer

suse wrote:
That's a fabulous shot, Bev. Great use of selective colouring and composition. What lens did you use? I don't know why I'm asking that, because I don't do really close macro and have no intention....

There's something about shooting these critters' faces that freaks me out, and I can't do it. But I'm full of admiration for people who pull it off, because it 'aint easy, period, let alone do so well.

Thanks sooooo much for the wonderful feedback and compliment. You are so right, it's not easy capturing their faces, they just don't hold still, nor do they stare at you... unless you catch them in a grouchy mood as I did. ha Someone else asked about the lens, too. I can't say enough good things about this lens: Tamron SP AF 90mm f/2.8 1:1 lens it is comparable to any Canon lens and possibly rivals many. I shot the wasp hand-held at 1/250 at f7. I never shoot macro w/out a tripod, but this was a rare exception. Thanks again!!

bev

Edited on Nov 08, 2007 at 04:07 AM

Nov 04, 2007 at 08:49 PM

markoner
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p.1 #21 · #271: Attraction to Photographer

Super shot Bev !
I was trying to find something that could improve it even more but just couldn't ;-)

Congrats,

Julien

Edited on Nov 08, 2007 at 04:07 AM

Nov 05, 2007 at 12:26 AM

hopes2
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p.1 #22 · #271: Attraction to Photographer

Bev,
Flawless, whole lotta talent going on!

Edited on Nov 08, 2007 at 04:07 AM

Nov 05, 2007 at 01:23 AM

nlamendo

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p.1 #23 · #271: Attraction to Photographer

Great use of selective color, it really emphasizes the wasp. The shallow depth of field is perfect. Hand held too, that's very impressive. A perfect take on the WA.
-Nick

Edited on Nov 08, 2007 at 04:07 AM

Nov 05, 2007 at 03:23 AM

Philly Rains 1-time assignment winner

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p.1 #24 · #271: Attraction to Photographer

Beverly Guhl wrote:
Philly Rains wrote:
Yikes! My most hated insect, and so close it made my skin crawl! Beverly, the capture is stunning, so I have no stinging criticism. Har Har

Finalist!!

PHILLY! No stinging criticism?

Nov 05, 2007 at 05:15 AM

Beverly Guhl 6-time assignment winner

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p.1 #25 · #271: Attraction to Photographer

JULIEN: Wow, thank you, that made my day!

DAN: Thanks,I do try my best... but even I know that talent is sometimes given a big boost by timing, luck and a good subject. I love it when it all comes together, just wish it happened more often! :-)

NICK: Thanks a ton. A friend told me he takes his macros hand held if the shutter speed is high enough, and this dicey situation seemed to warrant not being tethered to my tripod!

PHILLY: There's a lot to be said for motion blur. I don't think I'd make a good photojournalist for long; I'd be run down by a truck or something on my first assignment, and they'd put on my headstone: "...but she got the shot!" lol

Edited on Nov 08, 2007 at 04:07 AM

Nov 05, 2007 at 02:42 PM


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