I was wondering if these were better taken at a lower level?
Bob
Bob, I've copied a brief response I made about these in the 'fallow buck' thread - maybe you missed it first time round or (more likely?) you want an opinion other than mine
+
Yes, I think they're better for having been taken from a lower pov (than previously) ... but a low (or better, maybe - an appropriate to the subject) pov - just by itself won't turn a 'Hmmmm' shot into a stunning one, just because it's been taken from low down - still have to consider the usual factors - Light / background / composition / pose.
Decent light too, btw
Copied from other thread ...
<< Had a quick look at the squirrels.
Stuff I noticed
Mottled, distracting backgrounds - caused by leaves.
Branches that can't be cropped out and are in the way.
Still seem too high - was the cam on the ground, or you lying on the ground, with elbows on same, cam in hands, or something else?
Thought some shots would've been better with more space in front of the subject.
All imo, of course, but hth? >>
pp
Bob - just added this pic to give you some idea of what (I consider) the difference is by using a low pov.
Not a particularly exciting / good pic (Grey, not Red, only half orig frame area, Meh light, not doing anything interesting etc) but it presented itself for this single shot when I was in a local (to outlaws) park during last xmas when I was getting 'away from it all':)
Only put here to show what I've been talking about re low pov / bg etc - I'll happily remove if you don't want it in your thread - if it'd been munching a nut (as your No 1 pic) it'd been a better pic imo
(Btw - I had cam on a bean bag at path level (by a pond) when this showed itself at the top of a nearby grassy incline - so I ended up shooting up this incline, with very oof trees in the bg)
Bob, I've copied a brief response I made about these in the 'fallow buck' thread - maybe you missed it first time round or (more likely?) you want an opinion other than mine
+
Yes, I think they're better for having been taken from a lower pov (than previously) ... but a low (or better, maybe - an appropriate to the subject) pov - just by itself won't turn a 'Hmmmm' shot into a stunning one, just because it's been taken from low down - still have to consider the usual factors - Light / background / composition / pose.
Decent light too, btw
Copied from other thread ...
<< Had a quick look at the squirrels.
Stuff I noticed
Mottled, distracting backgrounds - caused by leaves.
Branches that can't be cropped out and are in the way.
Still seem too high - was the cam on the ground, or you lying on the ground, with elbows on same, cam in hands, or something else?
Thought some shots would've been better with more space in front of the subject.
All imo, of course, but hth? >>
pp
Bob - just added this pic to give you some idea of what (I consider) the difference is by using a low pov.
Not a particularly exciting / good pic (Grey, not Red, only half orig frame area, Meh light, not doing anything interesting etc) but it presented itself for this single shot when I was in a local (to outlaws) park during last xmas when I was getting 'away from it all':)
Only put here to show what I've been talking about re low pov / bg etc - I'll happily remove if you don't want it in your thread - if it'd been munching a nut (as your No 1 pic) it'd been a better pic imo
(Btw - I had cam on a bean bag at path level (by a pond) when this showed itself at the top of a nearby grassy incline - so I ended up shooting up this incline, with very oof trees in the bg)
I apologise PP for not seeing your post in the other thread. I see exactly what you mean from the photo you have been so kind to put up> I really do appreciate it. I was lying on the ground on a mat. I had my elbows on the mat and I am sure it would have been better is I had the camera on the ground.
Many thanks again.
Cheers
Bob
Something I used to (and still) do ... is a google image search on ... whatever subject I'm interested in / taking pics of etc.
Note the ones that appeal and why ... and ditto for the junk - why they are...
Not suggesting you / me / anyone should then just imitate / copy (although I see that nowadays with hide based pics ... recognising setups / bgs etc) ... but imo it provides a starting point re what to aim at.
In my own case, re waterfowl (especially) , I very quickly came to the conclusion that putting into practice the std advice of 'getting low' was going to be the approach needed to get the sort of pics that appeal (to me).
Making / improving the gear to do this also provides additional stimuli for (rapidly) aging grey matter too ... 'use it or lose it' eh?
Bear in mind, of course that a shot similar to mine could've been taken if cam had been at the same height as the grassy mound, just as the squirrel was 'coming over the horizon' ... assuming no junk in the bg then came into view - scrabbling around isn't always essential, although water-based horizons rarely (if ever) lie
Something I used to (and still) do ... is a google image search on ... whatever subject I'm interested in / taking pics of etc.
Note the ones that appeal and why ... and ditto for the junk - why they are...
Not suggesting you / me / anyone should then just imitate / copy (although I see that nowadays with hide based pics ... recognising setups / bgs etc) ... but imo it provides a starting point re what to aim at.
In my own case, re waterfowl (especially) , I very quickly came to the conclusion that putting into practice the std advice of 'getting low' was going to be the approach needed to get the sort of pics that appeal (to me).
Making / improving the gear to do this also provides additional stimuli for (rapidly) aging grey matter too ... 'use it or lose it' eh?
Bear in mind, of course that a shot similar to mine could've been taken if cam had been at the same height as the grassy mound, just as the squirrel was 'coming over the horizon' ... assuming no junk in the bg then came into view - scrabbling around isn't always essential, although water-based horizons rarely (if ever) lie
pp
Thanks again PP I now see exactly where you are coming from and you are certainly correct in everything you say. I will have to do more google searches as I just googled shooting at low levels and very interesting indeed. I will have to get down more often as I can see the difference in an image. At times I do find it difficult getting up after laying down because of the major 'C' surgery. But with these results it is well worth it.
Cheers
Bob
I think these are very fine contributations to the field of squirrelography.
Having a camera with a flip out screen really helps when putting camera on the ground or holding over the head and framing with live view -- one of the things I like best about my Nikon D5100.
This is a darn good looking squirrel (sorry, Harry). The colors are beautiful, and I like that you can see what the squirrel is eating. The squirrels around here aren't nearly this pretty! Nice series. Best, Pam
<<Favourite species and places in Europe?
I have four: ... // ...
While some photographers have made their name photographing sharks and tigers and elephants, I've made mine, such as it is, photographing small furry mammals with large incisors. Over the years red squirrels have kept the wolf from my door and they remain for this, and more sentimental reasons, my favourite species to photograph. I owe a debt of gratitude to European beavers too >>
Pleased you like them Earache. I have seen the September issue of the Wildlife mag. We are so lucky here in South West Scotland we don't have any greys in the area but there is always a first time. We are always on the look out for them.
Bob
This is a darn good looking squirrel (sorry, Harry). The colors are beautiful, and I like that you can see what the squirrel is eating. The squirrels around here aren't nearly this pretty! Nice series. Best, Pam
Thanks ever so much Pam for looking and commenting. Veru much appreciated.
Bob
<<Favourite species and places in Europe?
I have four: ... // ...
While some photographers have made their name photographing sharks and tigers and elephants, I've made mine, such as it is, photographing small furry mammals with large incisors. Over the years red squirrels have kept the wolf from my door and they remain for this, and more sentimental reasons, my favourite species to photograph. I owe a debt of gratitude to European beavers too >>
Bob - I'd suggest Niall's own site is worth a shufties too (if not already seen) ... apart from a few more red squirrels, his 'field studio shots' - with white bg are worth a look, too.
(he's also a regular contributor to Pete Cairns' Northshots blog that i previously mentioned.)
Bob - I'd suggest Niall's own site is worth a shufties too (if not already seen) ... apart from a few more red squirrels, his 'field studio shots' - with white bg are worth a look, too.
(he's also a regular contributor to Pete Cairns' Northshots blog that i previously mentioned.)
Great images here Bob, you have captured the squirrels in perfect Autumnal light with the orange and brown hues of the leaves creating a great contextual surrounding. Number 1 and number 5 are my personal favourites!
Great images here Bob, you have captured the squirrels in perfect Autumnal light with the orange and brown hues of the leaves creating a great contextual surrounding. Number 1 and number 5 are my personal favourites!
Dan
Hi Dan I am pleased you like them. I will take you sometime as I'm sure you would enjoy it.
Cheers
Bob
Comments
I was wondering if these were better taken at a lower level?
Bob
Bob, I've copied a brief response I made about these in the 'fallow buck' thread - maybe you missed it first time round or (more likely?) you want an opinion other than mine
+
Yes, I think they're better for having been taken from a lower pov (than previously) ... but a low (or better, maybe - an appropriate to the subject) pov - just by itself won't turn a 'Hmmmm' shot into a stunning one, just because it's been taken from low down - still have to consider the usual factors - Light / background / composition / pose.
Decent light too, btw
Copied from other thread ...
<< Had a quick look at the squirrels.
Stuff I noticed
Mottled, distracting backgrounds - caused by leaves.
Branches that can't be cropped out and are in the way.
Still seem too high - was the cam on the ground, or you lying on the ground, with elbows on same, cam in hands, or something else?
Thought some shots would've been better with more space in front of the subject.
All imo, of course, but hth? >>
pp
Bob - just added this pic to give you some idea of what (I consider) the difference is by using a low pov.
Not a particularly exciting / good pic (Grey, not Red, only half orig frame area, Meh light, not doing anything interesting etc) but it presented itself for this single shot when I was in a local (to outlaws) park during last xmas when I was getting 'away from it all':)
Only put here to show what I've been talking about re low pov / bg etc - I'll happily remove if you don't want it in your thread - if it'd been munching a nut (as your No 1 pic) it'd been a better pic imo
(Btw - I had cam on a bean bag at path level (by a pond) when this showed itself at the top of a nearby grassy incline - so I ended up shooting up this incline, with very oof trees in the bg)
Flickr
I apologise PP for not seeing your post in the other thread. I see exactly what you mean from the photo you have been so kind to put up> I really do appreciate it. I was lying on the ground on a mat. I had my elbows on the mat and I am sure it would have been better is I had the camera on the ground.
Many thanks again.
Cheers
Bob
Something I used to (and still) do ... is a google image search on ... whatever subject I'm interested in / taking pics of etc.
Note the ones that appeal and why ... and ditto for the junk - why they are...
Not suggesting you / me / anyone should then just imitate / copy (although I see that nowadays with hide based pics ... recognising setups / bgs etc) ... but imo it provides a starting point re what to aim at.
In my own case, re waterfowl (especially) , I very quickly came to the conclusion that putting into practice the std advice of 'getting low' was going to be the approach needed to get the sort of pics that appeal (to me).
Making / improving the gear to do this also provides additional stimuli for (rapidly) aging grey matter too
Bear in mind, of course that a shot similar to mine could've been taken if cam had been at the same height as the grassy mound, just as the squirrel was 'coming over the horizon' ... assuming no junk in the bg then came into view - scrabbling around isn't always essential, although water-based horizons rarely (if ever) lie
pp
Flickr
Thanks again PP I now see exactly where you are coming from and you are certainly correct in everything you say. I will have to do more google searches as I just googled shooting at low levels and very interesting indeed. I will have to get down more often as I can see the difference in an image. At times I do find it difficult getting up after laying down because of the major 'C' surgery. But with these results it is well worth it.
Cheers
Bob
These have fine isolation and a very nice color palette.
Eric
good gear; not enough time
Thanks ever so much I am pleased you like them.
Bob
Having a camera with a flip out screen really helps when putting camera on the ground or holding over the head and framing with live view -- one of the things I like best about my Nikon D5100.
Steve
Pics: http://stevehymon.smugmug.com
Blot: http://stevehymonphotos.blogspot.com
Pics: http://stevehymon.smugmug.com
Blog: http://stevehymonphotos.blogspot.com
So, Harry... see... it's a legit "science"
Very nice shots Bob!
Also, glad you got your 100-400 squared-away!
btw... A recent issue of BBC Wildlife Magazine featured Red Squirrels on the cover - I guess they are popular over there!
http://www.discoverwildlife.com/issue/september-2013
Snippet from here ...
http://www.wild-wonders.com/the_photographers_featured.asp?show=02
<<Favourite species and places in Europe?
I have four: ... // ...
While some photographers have made their name photographing sharks and tigers and elephants, I've made mine, such as it is, photographing small furry mammals with large incisors. Over the years red squirrels have kept the wolf from my door and they remain for this, and more sentimental reasons, my favourite species to photograph. I owe a debt of gratitude to European beavers too >>
pp
Flickr
Pleased you like them Earache. I have seen the September issue of the Wildlife mag. We are so lucky here in South West Scotland we don't have any greys in the area but there is always a first time. We are always on the look out for them.
Bob
Bob
Thanks Paul very interesting indeed.
Bob
(he's also a regular contributor to Pete Cairns' Northshots blog that i previously mentioned.)
pp
http://niallbenvie.photoshelter.com/
Flickr
Cheers
Bob
nice photo
http://www.studio-liorit.co.il
מתנה מקורית
I must admit they can become quite addictive.
Bob
Dan
Hi Dan I am pleased you like them. I will take you sometime as I'm sure you would enjoy it.
Cheers
Bob