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Caught in Prayer
1st PlaceCaught in Prayer
timfythetoo


Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: Burst of Color II (Basic Editing)
Camera: Canon EOS-30D
Lens: Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 APO DG Macro for Canon
Location: my back porch
Date: Jun 24, 2007
Aperture: 5.0
ISO: 200
Shutter: 1/320
Date Uploaded: Jun 24, 2007

 We seemed to have had a mantis nest somewhere under our porch as I have been finding these tiny little baby manti around. This guy here is not much longer than the diameter of a quarter. I picked up the flowers in case I wanted to shoot one for burst of color. This was taken outside on my back porch with trees as the background. The mantis was pretty helpful with his pose as he let me put him basically where I wanted and the stayed put. I shot numerous pics of him with a variety of lenses - this one using my Sigma 70-300 in macro mode which gave me the real shallow DOF and turned my treed background into basically nothing.. Not as sharp as I would have liked. Advanced edit would have been nice.

PP - RAW conversion, numerous selective color adjustments which helped the colors pop (the center of the flower shoudl have been yellow but I wanted the mantis more green so I had to choose which was more important, and the background blended to black nice) NI a couple of times, USM several times, various levels and saturation adjustments, save for web, USM and border.

I haver this shot up at Fotofight and Eyefetch, both scoring around a 7.2 or so. Which usually means that this will score a high 5 here. But 27 votes in I am sitting on a 7.04. Lets see how it ends.

Post ChallengeWhooh Hooh! Didnt expect this to score the best of all three sites. I took 2nd place at fotofight with a 7.1 and 6th place at eyefetch with a 7.0. Thank you for all the votes and comments. If you are interested in readxing a stroy of my mantis go here - Long Story about Me and Manti

Statistics
Place: 1 out of 286
Avg (all users): 7.2604
Avg (commenters): 8.2800
Avg (participants): 7.1250
Avg (non-participants): 7.3281
Views since voting: 12094
Views during voting: 317
Votes: 192
Comments: 71
Favorites: 24 (view)

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AuthorThread
 07/09/2007 03:15:10 PM
Congrats Tim. Glad the little guy cooperated!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/07/2007 02:38:59 PM
Congrats, Tim! It's a great shot. :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/06/2007 02:44:26 PM
Congrats!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/05/2007 06:05:39 PM
Love this photo, and the border really goes nice with this. Congrats on the ribbon, and that little mantis is adorible.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/05/2007 08:34:07 AM
Way to go on the blue!! Excellent capture! Saw my first little guy like this the other day in our garden. Great subjects.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/05/2007 03:34:26 AM
What an excellent capture! Congrats on your well deserved blue ribbon!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/05/2007 01:34:21 AM
I even like the cheesy border on this one. WTG man.

I'd be shocked if this didn't make the Kodak billboard. Send it in.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/04/2007 03:34:37 PM
What a darling of an entree! Congratulations on your Blue. Indeed a memorable image.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/04/2007 02:49:36 PM
Beautiful capture so well suited to this challenge!! Congratulations on the blue!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/04/2007 01:49:49 PM
So thats why you were so interested in my score ;-)

Congrats on the blue, well deserved
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/04/2007 01:21:23 PM
Fantastic shot- congrats on your blue !!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/04/2007 11:48:55 AM
WTG Tim!!! Congrats on winning the blue with this superb shot!! They are fascinating creatures the way they watch you!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/04/2007 10:49:47 AM
I guess I don't need to be repetitive of my comment made during the challenge...so I'll just congratulate you on winning the blue ribbon!

...and how come mom is not a "...too?"
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/04/2007 08:56:58 AM
Congrats on 1st! Fantastic shot, love the color and sharpness! Well Done!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/04/2007 07:46:08 AM
WTG TIM!!! Fantastic shot bursting with beautiful color. Congrats on the blue! GO Untouchables!!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/04/2007 06:17:25 AM
OMG !! I was just thinking that I hadn't seen you on this page in a while! Congrats I'm so EXCITED for you!!!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/04/2007 05:32:39 AM
Whoa -- way to go Mr. T!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/04/2007 05:29:25 AM
Originally posted by sukilynner:
That's my boy! As your mom, Tim, I have always enjoyed the new 'pets' you brought into the house - the snakes, the tarantulas, the newts, the turtles, the hamsters (all named Hester), the mice to feed the snakes, the anoles, the crickets to feed whomever. All the animals, and you, continue to create so many smiles. You warm my heart. Congratulations on your Blue Ribbon!

Thanks mom! ;)
 07/04/2007 05:20:52 AM
That's my boy! As your mom, Tim, I have always enjoyed the new 'pets' you brought into the house - the snakes, the tarantulas, the newts, the turtles, the hamsters (all named Hester), the mice to feed the snakes, the anoles, the crickets to feed whomever. All the animals, and you, continue to create so many smiles. You warm my heart. Congratulations on your Blue Ribbon!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/04/2007 04:56:48 AM
Congrats
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/04/2007 01:15:19 AM
Fantasitc photograph. Well done on another ribbon!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/03/2007 11:53:00 PM
Well whatdya know! This little guy did very well for you! Let's hope he wasn't the one that the spider got. Congratulations!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/03/2007 11:43:28 PM
yea, nice photo ... the crying mantis :-)
congratulations !
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/03/2007 10:49:26 PM
Special little critters, beautiful shot!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/03/2007 10:44:26 PM
Tim!!!! I thought you went into hiding! WOW..stunning image...delicate and beautiful
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/03/2007 10:41:42 PM
nice one, Timfy, congrats on your blue!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/03/2007 09:52:38 PM
Congrats on your Blue Ribbon
Nice work
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/03/2007 09:41:42 PM
another PINK ;) congrats!
i liked the praying mantis on the flower.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/03/2007 09:24:02 PM
Beautiful color combo. The drop on him is cool--I think he's crying ;) Congratulations Tim!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/03/2007 09:16:20 PM
soo pretty, the border! you got away with murder. :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/03/2007 09:13:51 PM
Nice work, Tim. Not every day a purple border wins a blue :-)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/03/2007 09:06:51 PM
Good for you, Tim! Big congrats on your BluE
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/03/2007 09:00:51 PM
What a lovely capture. Congrats on the blue.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/03/2007 08:37:12 PM
congrats on the ribbon! great color and contrast here. well done!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/03/2007 08:29:07 PM
Awesome!! Congrats!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/03/2007 08:29:07 PM
Congrats on the blue!! very nice capture!!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/03/2007 08:26:30 PM
WOW! Congrats!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/03/2007 08:20:25 PM
Ohmygoodness! What a fabulous photo, Tim! Congratulations on a Blue Ribbon! This is certainly deserving of the top spot!

  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/03/2007 08:19:50 PM
CUTE! congrats on your ribbon, the focus here is wonderful and the colors are just spot on!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/03/2007 08:17:32 PM
Nice Tim! Go Big Blue! :-D
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/03/2007 08:11:25 PM
Congratulations! This is awesome!!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/03/2007 08:09:33 PM
YES!! Alright Tim! Nice job as always! UNTOUCHABLES RULE!!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/03/2007 08:06:02 PM
YAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!

You go man...oh and UNTOUCHABLES RULE!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/03/2007 08:03:15 PM
Congrats! So you just win blues and nothing else eh?
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/03/2007 08:02:51 PM
Congratulations, Tim. That's certainly a striking photo.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/03/2007 08:02:23 PM
thats amazing.....adding to faves and congrats on the blue!!!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 Comments Made During the Challenge
07/03/2007 04:14:54 PM
Great catch, this is beautiful
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/02/2007 07:58:12 PM
Pretty
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/02/2007 05:31:42 PM
Stunning image. Awesome. Classic capture. 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/01/2007 06:49:49 AM
The only border that works I've seen so far in this challenge. Very nice shot, though maybe a touch more dof could have improved it. Great composition.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/30/2007 10:13:25 AM
good lighting, great composition. Way to capture the green framed in a burst of pink.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/30/2007 04:11:59 AM
cool. a pet. hmm.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/29/2007 05:48:36 PM
one of my favorites...i love this!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/29/2007 04:24:23 PM
very vibrant!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/29/2007 07:00:37 AM
Very striking macro photograph! Even though he is so clear and crisp, the little guy almost disappears as he gets swallowed by the sea of pink.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/29/2007 06:18:37 AM
best i've seen so far-9
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/29/2007 05:25:20 AM
Love it! I'm a HUGE mantis fan and you've done a superb job of capturing this wonderful creature. Into my favorites it goes; and yes- a 10 all the way:)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/28/2007 06:59:05 PM
Very cool picture, nice job. Good luck ;)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/28/2007 04:45:39 PM
Perfect composition, great capture. I just wish there was a little deeper depth of field to get more of the mantis in focus.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/27/2007 11:49:04 PM
Wonderful model!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/27/2007 09:32:27 PM
excellent shot, maybe could have gone a little closer
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/27/2007 08:22:40 PM
how awesome are you & this photograph... I love this soooooooooo much.. The pink color against the green is perfect & I love your choice of border.. 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/27/2007 07:53:40 PM
Excellent image. That mantis really pops off the pink flower and the black background is perfect. Nice touch with the thin pink boarder. I think this could easily ribbon.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/27/2007 04:58:18 PM
really great! nice choice on the frame, fuscia as opposed to the green.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/27/2007 02:50:06 PM
amazing.. i love the contrast with the green and pink- 7
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/27/2007 02:49:04 PM
nice capture, love the dof
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/27/2007 11:37:10 AM
Great color..I wish your bug was just a little sharper
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/27/2007 02:09:11 AM
Very good macro.Excellent DOF.Limited but beautiful colors
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/26/2007 10:29:37 PM
Very Beautiful photo..one of my favorites in the challenge.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/26/2007 09:41:21 PM
I really like this (but not the fuschia border). Great DOF and color saturation.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/26/2007 08:11:24 PM
HOLY SHIT i love it! what lense did you use, PLEASE tell me...?
  Photographer found comment helpful.


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