#271: Attraction to Photographer

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Brian Goodman
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p.2 #1 · #271: Attraction to Photographer

What an enjoyable shot Beverly! When I saw the thumbnail, I thought it might have been a toy, so it was surprising to see all that detail. Was the insect colorized or are they that way in your neck of the woods?

Edited on Nov 08, 2007 at 04:07 AM

Nov 06, 2007 at 01:02 PM

Beverly Guhl 6-time assignment winner

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p.2 #2 · #271: Attraction to Photographer

Brian Goodman wrote:
What an enjoyable shot Beverly! When I saw the thumbnail, I thought it might have been a toy, so it was surprising to see all that detail. Was the insect colorized or are they that way in your neck of the woods?

Thanks, Brian! This is a wasp enjoying the warmer weather here in Austin, Texas; and these are his true colors! All I did was convert the background to B&W.

Edited on Nov 08, 2007 at 04:07 AM

Nov 06, 2007 at 01:52 PM

contre-jour
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p.2 #3 · #271: Attraction to Photographer

I'll have to agree with Philly's comments. Even viewing the picture was difficult for me. It's Perfect! Thanks for sharing your details in taking this photograph and with the post-processing.

Jamie

Edited on Nov 08, 2007 at 04:07 AM

Nov 06, 2007 at 05:26 PM

ruuskan

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p.2 #4 · #271: Attraction to Photographer

I'd run seeing something like this through the viewfinder

A fine entry!

Edited on Nov 08, 2007 at 04:07 AM

Nov 06, 2007 at 05:31 PM

Willa
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p.2 #5 · #271: Attraction to Photographer

Hi, Beverly!

Well, I didn't realize wasps had expressions, but this one sure does, and it DOES look like he's warning you to stay BACK with that alien glare!

Very, very well done!

Willa

Edited on Nov 08, 2007 at 04:07 AM

Nov 06, 2007 at 06:07 PM

Steven Roberts 1-time assignment winner

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p.2 #6 · #271: Attraction to Photographer

Once again Queenie! Just fantastic. I was out looking for another lens today and ended up picking up a 60mm Macro to get close...is this along the same line you are using? You are just amazing. I haven't read thru much of the comments, so forgive me if I am repeating myself.

Steve

Edited on Nov 08, 2007 at 04:07 AM

Nov 06, 2007 at 08:50 PM

Beverly Guhl 6-time assignment winner

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p.2 #7 · #271: Attraction to Photographer

Thanks, EVERYONE for the generous, terrific comments. Wish the wasp could hear all these nice things folks have said. Maybe he'd be more agreeable next time!

STEVEN: others asked about the lens, too, so here's my response pasted here below (it's more than lens, I do think a good camera sensor contributes to the whole). Thanks again!!!!

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.

Edited on Nov 08, 2007 at 04:07 AM

Nov 06, 2007 at 09:15 PM

Howard A-J
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p.2 #8 · #271: Attraction to Photographer

Beverly.. now that is a mean looking wasp...glad we don't get them over here.

Fantastic picture.. selective colour really does focus the attention on this beastie.. (must try it on one of my pics someday)

Great shot and good luck

H

Edited on Nov 08, 2007 at 04:07 AM

Nov 06, 2007 at 09:41 PM

FJR1

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p.2 #9 · #271: Attraction to Photographer

That wasp just looks evil, Bev, but the photo, as always, is superb. Great work!--Frank

Edited on Nov 08, 2007 at 04:07 AM

Nov 06, 2007 at 11:19 PM

Carrol

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p.2 #10 · #271: Attraction to Photographer

Great shot, Beverly.
Focus is right on! Nice DOF, too!
~ Carrol

Edited on Nov 08, 2007 at 04:07 AM

Nov 06, 2007 at 11:54 PM

James Markus 6-time assignment winner

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p.2 #11 · #271: Attraction to Photographer

I had some weird black and white hornets or wasps at my four hummingbird feeders this year for a few weeks. They would chase away the hummingbirds. So, I started flicking them with a stick...kinda like wasp golf hehehe. Couldn't seem to deter them at all, but the hummingbirds sure seemed to appreciate it. They started coming to feed when I was within a few feet of the feeder, and they almost landed on my wife's hand once. Excellent DOF and sharpness...good shot!

Edited on Nov 08, 2007 at 04:07 AM

Nov 07, 2007 at 12:13 AM

Karen Gilligan
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p.2 #12 · #271: Attraction to Photographer

Beverly,

Another outstanding entry. What talent you possess to keep doing these week after week. Love the post processing and the detail you were able to obtain.

I also want to say "Thank You" for the detailed comments you have been making on the entries. Your instructions for post processing are being read by more than the one who submitted the entry. All of us beginners appreciate it. Good Luck.

Karen

Edited on Nov 08, 2007 at 04:07 AM

Nov 07, 2007 at 03:13 AM

Beverly Guhl 6-time assignment winner

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p.2 #13 · #271: Attraction to Photographer

MORE THANKS to all of you who have stopped to look and leave such nice and fun comments!!

Howard & FJR1... yes, it was an evil, alien wasp. For him to turn and broadcast his displeasure, even 'threatening' me by giving me a warning, gave me the distinct impression of an intelligence I had totally underestimated. They usually just attack with no warning! I'm still in awe of our little exchange actually because I've never experienced anything like it. It later reminded me of the comic character Dogbert when he says "Don't make me come over there and hit you." It was like that, but not so comic... until maybe later...after I was inside with the door closed. ;-)

KAREN: You're so sweet, thanks. I'm happy to share what I've learned and pass it along. I know how much it helps me when someone shares info with me, too! Certainly a nice bunch of talented people here.

bev

Edited on Nov 08, 2007 at 04:07 AM

Nov 07, 2007 at 03:39 AM

hhski
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p.2 #14 · #271: Attraction to Photographer

Great job with the focus and pp effects. How did you cut out the wasp? Another BG stunner.

Edited on Nov 08, 2007 at 04:07 AM

Nov 07, 2007 at 05:19 AM

TRENTPULL
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p.2 #15 · #271: Attraction to Photographer

Beverly,
That is one mean looking critter! I love your commentary as it gives this guy some personality. Your attention to details is superb and the contrast really makes this standout since most of us are familiar with Hummer feeders. My mother in law has just such a feeder on her patio and the local finches have learned how to get to the liquid. When the feeder gets empty, there is a lot of racket by the birds letting us know it is time to refill. We joke that there is a new generation of finches with diabetic profiles.
This excellent creation definately deserves to be amoung the finalists.
Trent

Edited on Nov 08, 2007 at 04:07 AM

Nov 07, 2007 at 06:04 AM

Patricia March
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p.2 #16 · #271: Attraction to Photographer

Beverly....this has got to be my favorite this week! He is really staring you down!
You captured it perfectly!
I also love to read your advice to some of the others...It is very helpful

All the best
Patty

Edited on Nov 08, 2007 at 04:07 AM

Nov 07, 2007 at 06:51 PM

Beverly Guhl 6-time assignment winner

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p.2 #17 · #271: Attraction to Photographer

hhski wrote:
Great job with the focus and pp effects. How did you cut out the wasp? Another BG stunner.

Thanks, Howard! Someone else asked about the selective color technique I used, so here it is again (from page 2 of this thread):

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 07, 2007 at 08:53 PM

Beverly Guhl 6-time assignment winner

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p.2 #18 · #271: Attraction to Photographer

TRENTPULL wrote:
Beverly,
That is one mean looking critter! I love your commentary as it gives this guy some personality. Your attention to details is superb and the contrast really makes this standout since most of us are familiar with Hummer feeders. My mother in law has just such a feeder on her patio and the local finches have learned how to get to the liquid. When the feeder gets empty, there is a lot of racket by the birds letting us know it is time to refill. We joke that there is a new generation of finches with diabetic profiles.
This excellent creation definately deserves to be amoung the finalists.
Trent

Trent! Thanks for your generous feedback, and the delightful story. The diabetic profiles made me laugh. I suspect these wasps would love your apple, too. :-)

Edited on Nov 08, 2007 at 04:07 AM

Nov 07, 2007 at 09:01 PM

Beverly Guhl 6-time assignment winner

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p.2 #19 · #271: Attraction to Photographer

Patricia March wrote:
Beverly....this has got to be my favorite this week! He is really staring you down!
You captured it perfectly!
I also love to read your advice to some of the others...It is very helpful

All the best
Patty

Thanks, Patty, you always leave such nice comments. I do value your feedback very much!! So many great entries this week, seems like everyone has had fun.

Edited on Nov 08, 2007 at 04:07 AM

Nov 07, 2007 at 09:15 PM

Philly Rains 1-time assignment winner

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p.2 #20 · #271: Attraction to Photographer

Congratulations, my sweet (and talented!) Friend!
A finalist again, and guaranteed to be in the top 3! I'm so proud for you!!!

Nov 08, 2007 at 04:07 AM


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