Even More Ladybirds!

Hi Gents,

Well I was wondering if it was a mexican standoff between Geoff and myself as to who was going to post next so I gave in and decided I would put something up.

Here is a photo of another type of Ladybird that I found in my backyard. I like seeing the variations that they have. They are a pretty little insect.

Canon 40d with Canon EF100mm f/2.8 Macro USM.
Canon 580EX II Flash with a home made light diffuser
1/250 s, f/11, ISO 100.
25mm Extension tube.


I had another 2 images I really liked out of this sequence, but I thought I'd follow Steves advice and just post 1 this time.

Maybe I'll post the other ones later as I'm interested to hear what you both think about them also.

Regards
Craig.

Mossy Rocks

Since we're all getting into confessions I thought I'd come clean with my own. I have a thing for moss covered rocks and flowing water.





Mossy Rocks
Canon PowerShot G10 at 28mm EFL
2.0s, f/4 & ISO 80



This was taken with the camera balanced on some clothing with a 2 second timer and using the built-in 3 stop ND filter this camera comes with.

Does this give you the feel of a tranquil stream somewhere deep within the mountains?

New Years Day Housefly

Hi Gents,

Here is a photo sequence taken on New Years Day of a Housefly.


Image 1: Housefly Portrait
Canon 40D, 100mm Macro Lens.
1/250s, f/11, ISO 100

Image 2: Housefly having a drink.
Canon 40D, 100mm Macro Lens.
1/180s, f/13, ISO 160


Image 3: Housefly not wanting its portrait taken anymore.
Canon 40D, 100mm Macro Lens.
1/180s, f/11, ISO 100


Image 4: Housefly trying to hide under the leaf.
Canon 40D, 100mm Macro Lens.
1/180s, f/13, ISO 160

Be sure to view the 100% images.
I like the reflection in the water droplet in the flys mouth in image 2.

Cheers
Craig.

Praying Mantis

Here's something a little different to my usual architectural shots.

Praying Mantis
Canon EOS 7D with a Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro lens at 160mm EFL
1/250, f/8.0 & ISO 100 with twin off camera flashguns

How does this work for a portrait of a Praying Mantis. Do you like the black background or should it be white? How about the soft focus on the stick it's holding onto?

Fire




Taken with Canon EOS 550D using Canon EF-S 18-200mm IS lens
1/2000 sec at f/5.6, ISO 6400, Focal Length 190mm (EFL 304mm)

 
So what makes a good fire picture?

Baby Taj

Here's a shot with a few locals in it.




Baby Taj
Canon EOS 7D with a Canon EF 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM at 35mm EFL
1/100, f/8.0 & ISO 100


I was trying to show this architectural gem in it's natural surroundings.

I kind of feel that the top left corner needs a few leaves so it balances with the top right corner. Also given the typical weather of the area, there was a fair bit of manipulation to bring back that blue sky. As a side effect, there is quite a halo around the edges of the trees.

What do you think? Does the image have enough interest that these imperfections aren't so noticeable or what?

Hawaiian Village

Here I was going for an image to showcase a typical traditional Hawiian dwelling.

Hawaiian Village
Canon EOS Kiss Digital X with a Sigma DC 17-70mm f2.8-4.5 at 85mm EFL
1/125s, f/5.6 & ISO 100

This was taken with a tripod and is a composite of several shots. The shots were combined in photoshop to erase all the camera toting tourists walking around the area. I don't mind local people in my shots, but I object to tourists with their cameras.

Besides the lack of native Hawiians, does it capture a traditional village hut in an interesting way?