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Something Wicked This Way Comes
Something Wicked This Way Comes
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Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: Free Study XIV (Advanced Editing IV)
Collection: Favorites - Ribbons
Camera: Canon EOS-5D
Lens: Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS
Location: Easton, CT
Date: Oct 21, 2006
Aperture: f/9.5
ISO: 800
Shutter: 1/180
Galleries: Nature, Macro
Date Uploaded: Oct 31, 2006

This is what I SHOULD have entered for Bokeh III. I plead insanity. :-/

We found this big praying mantis right in the middle of a soccer field immediately after the game. Amazing that he wasn't trampled. As blind luck would have it, I had my extension tube with me (I rarely carry it), and I spent the next hour on my stomach on the cold, wet field taking photos. Afterwards, I placed the mantis on a bush outside the field... and he very nearly became lunch for an even BIGGER one that happened to be on the bush!

Processing Combined two differently-processed versions of the same RAW file for greater dynamic range, Channel Mixer for color, USM, Noise Ninja on the background, assorted dodge & burn, and levels adjustments, cloned out a couple tips of grass behind the mantis, smoothed some parts of the background lightly with the blur tool, and spot saturation adjustments.

Statistics
Place: 53 out of 625
Avg (all users): 6.4416
Avg (commenters): 6.9091
Avg (participants): 6.4717
Avg (non-participants): 6.3158
Views since voting: 1475
Views during voting: 277
Votes: 197
Comments: 13
Favorites: 0


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AuthorThread
11/08/2006 07:47:41 PM
great picture! great book too...
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 Comments Made During the Challenge
11/07/2006 03:56:48 PM
The title suits this perfectly. I love these splendid creatures and was lucky to have gathered an extensive collection of images this year from two muses I worked with over several months. You've managed to capture its personality nicely with this one. Excellent lighting. Sure to do well!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
11/07/2006 01:00:31 PM
Very crsip and clear, wonderful shot.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
11/06/2006 06:30:10 PM
Oh yeah! great shot. It's watching you alright ;)
The way the fellow is backlit makes this extra special and not just a closeup. Also like the overexposed areas on it's back.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
11/06/2006 05:34:31 PM
FABULOUS detail on the mantis! I wish the highlights on the back weren't blown out :-( Silly sun never cooperates, does it? Great natural colors too!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
11/06/2006 02:36:30 PM
Very nice color and detail to this macro. I like the circle bokeh in the backdrop. The highlights on its back are a little on the bright side, but don't seem to take away from the quality of the photo.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
11/05/2006 11:47:03 AM
great shot
  Photographer found comment helpful.
11/04/2006 06:41:19 PM
great colours and a great close up.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
11/03/2006 12:25:20 AM
great shot here, and arn't those claws looking dangerious....
  Photographer found comment helpful.
11/02/2006 09:11:58 PM
Funny so many are out this time of year. I love watching them and this one has such big eyes and so green. He's beautiful and the shot is just wonderful. Congrats.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
11/02/2006 08:01:29 PM
great macro.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
11/02/2006 07:45:51 PM
Wow, nice and bright!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
11/01/2006 04:38:26 AM
wonderful title, excellent macro image...9
  Photographer found comment helpful.


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