Marine Snail Shell II

Marine Snail Shell

The third day, I shot this one of the back side of the shell.  Again the spiral drew my eye into the picture.  I thought this one had mystery as I could not see the bottom.  I could not seem to get a light positioned to light it all the way to the bottom.  I wonder if a snoot or a focused spot, neither of which I own, would have accomplished lighting it all the way down.  They might have eliminated the mystery I liked, though.

Marine Snail Shell Setup

This is the setup I used for the back side of the shell.  Note that the side lights have the polarizing film over them.  Of course, the lens has the circular polarizing filter mounted.  The light directly to the left of the camera has a Stoffen Diffuser on it.  This was the light with which I tried to plum the depths of the spiral unsuccessfully.  I really like the results from the polarizing film.

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Marine Snail Shell

Carol brought home some sea shells and this was among them.  I thought the spiral made the subject interesting.  I set this up in the light box to photograph it.  I found the reflections from the side lights distracting and decided to try to eliminate them.

Marine Snail Shell

  I mounted Edmond Optics Polarizing Film on each flash.  I mounted a circular polarizing filter on my lens and started shooting.  I kept watching the reflections in the LCD on the camera.  I would rotate the filter on the lens a little each time until I found the position in which the reflections were minimized.  I then thought to myself, "I have the perfect rendition of this shell."  BUT when I processed the image I noted the dust on the shell.  I decided to redo it again, this time eliminating the dust.

Marine Snail Shell

I did this one the next day.  I liked the result and thought it was worth a little extra work.  I brought the shell to my desktop under a color corrected light and adjusted the color as nearly as I could to that of the original shell.  (I had used auto white balance during the shoot)  I have dedicated this one to my daughter Carrie as I had her on my mind that whole day.

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Thinking East Coast

Spotted Sandpiper Carving

We are thinking of Carol's Brother, Don, and Mary, his wife these days.  We talked to them before Sandy hit in its full fury but have not heard from them since.  They are probably just without power.  They live in Ellicot City, Maryland.  Don is a carver of birds and this is one of his many.

Spotted Sandpiper Carving

He recently sent this carving to Carol.  It is possible that I enjoy his carving more than Carol.

Spotted Sandpiper Carving

I love to photograph his work.  This is a species that I have photographed at Gorman Nature Center.  They are a shore bird.  They walk along plucking food from the shallows near shore.

Spotted Sandpiper Carving Setup

The birds head was too much in shadow especially on the bottom with the top light.  I was able to reflect some soft light back under its "chin" with a fourth light.  The fourth light was set three stops below the others and it was reflected.  I wish that I had tried backing the fourth flash further from the reflector.  It was so strong because it was so close.  I was, however; happy with the result.

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Instects of Summer Retrospective V

Painted Skimmer

I like to find them perched with a separation to the background to get the blur.  I shoot insects at f/11, 1/16, or rarely at f/22.  It is more an exposure thing than DOF, depth-of-field.  The higher "f" numbers make the blur go away.  I prefer to shot at f/11 if conditions permit.  This one was shot at f/11

Dogday Cicada

I heard these in July this year.  Usually they don't start until August.  I am reminded that autumn and frost is not far off when I hear them.  (Old Farmers Almanac lore)

Ctenucha Moth

It appears that these like nectar also.

Ruby Meadowhawk

This shot was from the summer but if it were a current shot I would call it the autumn meadow-hawk.  They appear similarly but are distinctive species.

 

Sadly, this is the end of the "Insects of Summer Retrospective" series.  Summer is a difficult time in which to photograph because it is so hot.  The heat is saps my energy.  I have come to love photographing the insects and will miss it until next year.

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Insects of Summer Retrospective VI

Tachinide Fly

These flies might be larger than a horse fly.  They appear to like nectar.

Chinese Mantis

I saw more of these this year than in any previous year.  I am unsure whether it is because I have become more aware or because there were more of them.  

Chinese Mantis

Chinese Mantis Stalking a Grass Hopper

I think this image puts forth the camouflage characteristics of the Chinese Mantis.  I wanted to see one catch prey but did not capture that activity this year.  

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Creatures Seen Recently

American Goldfinch

I think this is a male.  This shot is a good example of how the bright yellow summer plumage changes in Winter. 

Song Sparrow

I have never seen a song sparrow raise its crest.

Cabbage White Butterfly

Besides this butterfly, I saw some kind of dragonfly, a large one.  I did not get a close look but I would guess it to be a shadow darner because of the lateness of the season.  I talked to a friend the other day who said she saw an autumn meadow hawk dragonfly.

These are all creatures I saw during the warm weather on October 24, and 25.  The insects will be gone when the cool weather returns.  Some of the birds will remain and be easier to photograph because they are feeding on the weed seeds.   Also because the leaves are about off the trees.

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Insects of Summer Retrospective III

Black-horned Tree Cricket

The tree crickets must like nectar.  

Black-horned Tree Cricket

Stink Bug

Stink Bug

I seem to remember hearing that these are becoming pests in some areas.

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