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
Beverly Guhl wrote:
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.
The fact that you didn't run in the face of personal danger means you'd make a first class photojournalist!! (That wasp would have seen nothing but a blur running in the distance had it been me!)
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
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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
