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Battle Scar
Battle Scar
Techo


Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: Free Study XII (Advanced Editing IV*)
Camera: Canon EOS-20D
Lens: Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro
Location: Backyard
Date: Aug 13, 2006
Aperture: F10
ISO: iso400
Shutter: 1/160
Galleries: Nature, Macro
Date Uploaded: Aug 31, 2006

 Shot outside in all natural light. Hand held, No Flash, Shutter Priority, +0.3Step Exp. Compensation, Metering Mode(Pattern)

Special Thanks very much in advance for any comments left :)

This is the last shot I took in Aug, since have been very busy at work to take any pics at all. It's been more than two weeks since I took the shot and I cant wait to start to posting again. I haven't gotten a chance to vote or comment since as well, but you folks amaze me with your works of art. I plan to revisit the older challenges and leave my comments and fave more than a few.

----------------------

Awesome, thanks for the top10 :)

These smaller kinds of dragonflies love to perch in the warm sun while the larger ones prefer the shade during the day time. Their flight paths remind me of warriors patrolling a border, especially the ones that come out at sunset to catch those pesky mosquitoes.

It does happen that two dragonflies intersect each other in mid air. Would be awesome to catch that on film. The the geography of the area here makes it really hard to even catch them in flight.

Don't think the photo would've been as unique without the scar on its eye, though it's not a really big one. I've seen bigger. Could've just titled this one "Say Cheese" because they have this almost constant smilely look on their faces.

--more shooting details:

Didn't use any extra lens attachments or accessories, just the body+lens.

Getting in this close requires use of manual not auto focus, then slightly move your body in and out to get the proper focus and fire of a continuous 2-3 shots. Much easier to get this done if leaning against something. If shooting standing without a tripod, I usually find I must shoot in continous mode. Also, dont try to get the close up from the first shot. On first try , start to shoot farther but coming as close as you can without scaring the subject, take a test shot and see if it flies off, without peaking out of the viewfinder come in closer and closer taking a shot every few steps, creeping in till you get as close as you want. Try not to wear anything really bright and red, I noticed it scares them away more easily.



Fun shooting everyone :)

Statistics
Place: 9 out of 684
Avg (all users): 6.9132
Avg (commenters): 8.1579
Avg (participants): 6.8910
Avg (non-participants): 7.0000
Views since voting: 3090
Views during voting: 396
Votes: 265
Comments: 48
Favorites: 13 (view)

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AuthorThread
 09/11/2006 08:42:02 PM
Yes, what mpeters said.. thanks for the bugshooting suggestions. I am relieved to learn that someone else is feeling around for focus with macros. I think my problem with understanding your title during the challenge was that I didn't realize where his eye was or what it looked like unscarred. I'll have to bone up on my dragonfly anatomy ;-) Congratulations on your high score - a super-big deal in a challenge of this size and competitiveness.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/11/2006 02:45:28 PM
Techo,
Thanks for your details re: stalking the dragonflies. I have wondered many times just how these shots are pulled off. We dont have many dragon flies close to where i live but it is rare to see them sit still long enough to take a picture...

Congrats on a nice finish and a fine shot to boot!

P.S. I want/need that 100/2.8 lens ;)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/10/2006 07:55:30 PM
Outstanding capture! Congratulations on your top ten finish.

Message edited by author 2006-09-11 00:50:13.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/08/2006 11:38:14 PM
One of the finest macros I've ever seen.

great job here
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/08/2006 10:06:25 AM
Congratulations on your top ten, excellent shot!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/08/2006 05:47:59 AM
Congrats on top 10! This is great. As a macro lover I have a question - Did you add an extra lens, reverse one, extension tube,close up filter? I can't get my Macro 100mm to do that unless I add something. Very interested in what if anything you used.
Thanks and much success.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/08/2006 05:32:03 AM
Congratulations. Glad to see your photo was appreciated enough to arrive in the top 10.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/07/2006 08:41:18 PM
great macro! congrats on top 10!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 Comments Made During the Challenge
09/07/2006 05:08:05 PM
WOW!!!!! Amazing, sharp, colors, don't know what else to say!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/07/2006 05:03:48 PM
Really freaky macro. I don't see the scar though.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/07/2006 08:14:09 AM
Unbelieveable macro shot. Absolutley fantastic.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/06/2006 04:52:00 PM
Very nice macro one of the better ones I have see thus far. Nice colours details dof everything seems to work here.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/06/2006 04:05:19 PM
excellent dragon for sure
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/06/2006 10:20:22 AM
Amazing macro with really good light.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/06/2006 04:13:06 AM
Yikes! Great shot!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/05/2006 07:09:09 PM
wonderful macro...great coloring and composition! 10 and adding to faves!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/05/2006 06:40:57 PM
wow
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/05/2006 01:17:24 PM
I could only imagine what it's senses must be like...what a detailed capture !! good job . 8
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/05/2006 11:19:23 AM
GREAT close up macro shot. Nice focus on the eyes. The left wing sorta takeas away from the photo, but it's an amazing shot regardless.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/05/2006 03:27:59 AM
I love close up macros. Your DOF an sharpness is excellent and your point of focus is right on. Nice capture.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/05/2006 01:59:57 AM
That's the best dragonfly picture I've seen for a long time. Well done.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/04/2006 02:12:56 PM
Great details, clean and pinsharp. love it
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/04/2006 11:58:58 AM
Excellent photo
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/04/2006 08:12:10 AM
fantastic sharpness, whats in focus is exactly what needs to be. One question tho, was the insect shot post morten, so to speak, or was it just really cooperative? :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/04/2006 04:32:08 AM
well taken macro. Excellent focus - I know how difficult that is. Clear, bright colors and great detail.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/04/2006 03:24:43 AM
Nice macro
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/03/2006 10:53:55 PM
This is one of the best photos I've seen in this challenge... and this challenge is filled with amazing shots. 10 - hope you ribbon.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/03/2006 05:26:18 PM
Now that's a macro! Excellent colours.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/03/2006 01:04:53 PM
Great closeup with some incredible detail. Love the colour as well. Bumping up!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/03/2006 10:20:50 AM
Holy cow, that's close! I love how their eyes look like helmets. Great job with everything here.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/03/2006 09:52:04 AM
Great macro! I'll be interested to see what lens you used for this shot, I want one!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/03/2006 09:34:06 AM
I wish I had your skill
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/03/2006 09:23:01 AM
nice job a differetn angle form most of the dragonfly macros i ahve seen. good job with the DOF.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/03/2006 07:46:50 AM
Wow! 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/03/2006 06:43:20 AM
Absolutely gorgeous macro !!
8.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/02/2006 09:44:58 PM
What amazing detail!
I have GOT TO get a decent macro lens - this is excellent!
Well done.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/02/2006 10:55:17 AM
Now THAT'S macro! Great detail, rich color. Very nice!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/02/2006 07:57:03 AM
You have captured the dragonlfy-ness of a dragonfly. Very often, photographers are attracted to these special insects and shoot to capture all. It is the details - especially the large compound eyes which cover almost 360 degrees - which really tell the insect's story. Nice work.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/02/2006 05:49:57 AM
-10-
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/01/2006 05:41:13 PM
This is truly an amazing detailed macro. Adding to fav (9)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/01/2006 10:41:49 AM
That's some seriously crisp detail and a good composition. Excellent macro photo!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/01/2006 07:11:35 AM
oh wow beautiful sharpness and lovely bokeh circles on the wing. 9
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/01/2006 06:42:25 AM
WOW! Excellent macro! Colors are fantastic! Detail is incredible! The bokeh on the translucent wings is just WOW!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/01/2006 06:38:25 AM
wow, that would have to be the very best dragonfly macro I have ever seen...this site has hundreds of shots of dreagonflies, but this surpasses them all...I have to give this a 10...the title is fantastic too

it's not just great as a dragonfly shot, but also an outstanding macro, good luck with this
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/01/2006 05:34:20 AM
Whoa...amazing!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 09/01/2006 02:28:31 AM
Woah! Scary!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 08/31/2006 09:51:58 PM
Awesome macro!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 08/31/2006 09:08:22 PM
GOD - that is a macro!!!!!!! Terrific.
  Photographer found comment helpful.


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