Forest Creatures

[MicroWyred]

Got lucky today while out with the dogs. Still getting the hang of focus and DOF when in close up and the hardest part keeping the dogs at bay while lining the shoots up.

500d 55-250mm/

250mm F8 1/125th 1000 iso
This one isn't small but saved me putting it in another thread.


250mm F5.6 1/250th 250 iso

2010 08 28_Wyre Forest_5187 copy
250mm F8 1/320 1000 iso

2010 08 28_Wyre Forest_5188
Hint and tips welcome as always

Dave.

[djguk47]

Re: Forest Creatures

Dave, if you were out with the dogs then you were indeed lucky to get the first shot.
I am thinking maybe a tighter crop on the first shot would reduce some of the camouflage background and maybe the same on the last shot as it took me a while to spot the spider.
Good shots and keep on trying and posting here and you will get "tips" from those who know how to help.

David

[Muscat]

Re: Forest Creatures

Dave,

Great success with dogs in tow, I am not sure how you managed that.

I agree with David if you had cropped the 1st and last pictures i feel that they would have had great focus on the subjects. The DOF on the spider looks good and would show it off much better if it was larger.

[MicroWyred]

Re: Forest Creatures

Thanks David and Muscat for the comments. I have taken the plunge and cropped the images tighter as you suggested and it makes for a greater effect – thanks guys.

I am/was reluctant to crop to much encase the image quality is degraded but I suppose as they will be viewed over the web that isn’t really an issue. However, how far can you crop an image, if on the other hand you wanted to print that image?

[djguk47]

Re: Forest Creatures

Dave, the shots look much better with the cropping.
I see the spider was shot at f8, maybe next time try something like f4 or f2.8 (if you can) and make sure the focus point is on the spider and this will give you a greater out of focus background which will highlight the spider even more.

Good question about how far you can crop and still have clear image definition for printing...and one I do not have an answer for, but someone will come along and comment on my suggestion and hopefully answer the question.

David

[codachrome]

Re: Forest Creatures

Nice set of images.

Coda

[Glenn]

Re: Forest Creatures

Nice series. The first is a lot better with the tighter crop.

However, how far can you crop an image, if on the other hand you wanted to print that image?

It would depend on the size you want to print at. I recently posted an image of a hoverfly which was a very big crop and I printed this at A4 and A3. While the A3 print was good it was not as good as the A4 print because the printing software, in this case Lightroom 3, had to up scale the image to print at A3. Unfortunately the up scale process isn't a magic bullet and it had lost some quality and definition compared to the A4.

[Nathaniel]

Re: Forest Creatures

Hello Microwyred. Which forest is this in Kidderminister- I know the area reasonably well as I visit a friend there on and off. I don't like spiders at all and will not comment but I like the first shot. I agree with the cropping advice given to you.

[Muscat]

Re: Forest Creatures

Dave, They look much better cropped, well done

[MicroWyred]

Re: Forest Creatures

Thanks guys for all your comments and advice, it all helps to turn me into a better photographer (I hope).

Hi Nathaniel - I generally walk in the Wyre Forest - a place i love to walk with the dogs.

Cheers

Dave.

[Les McLean]

Re: Forest Creatures

First is a peach, with a wonderful symmetry to the composition, with attractive light.

It's a pity that branch is masking the ear of the deer, but can't be helped in the circumstance.