Umbrella Inky-cap Mushroom

Camera Setup

I have been unable to execute a setup like this for years.  The CamRanger has given me a new lease on life in that regard.

Camera Setup

Not even my Canon Angle Finder would help on this setup.  If I could get down that low, I might be able to use the "live view" function.  I set this up using the CamRanger exclusively for composition.

Umbrella Inky-cap Mushroom

I began looking for another one after the first day.  It took me two days but I found it.  I trimmed all the grass, save one blade, around it very carefully.  I shot enough captures to get the back side in focus.  These were a bit more of a challenge to process with Helicon Focus.  I had to play with settings until I found one that worked.

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Umbrella Inky-cap Mushroom

Umbrella Inky-cap Mushroom

This mushroom is about 1 inch in diameter and 1.5 inches high.  It is much more delicate but it looks a little like something you put into a mixed drink.

Umbrella Inky-cap Mushroom

I like this perspective much better than the first.  I have been shooting these for processing in Helicon Focus.  I shoot multiple captures using the CamRanger.  I did not shoot enough for this view.  You may notice the rear is out of focus.

Umbrella Inky-cap Mushroom

I tried to eliminate the grass blades in the foreground and I knocked it over.  I shot this series while it was in the "knocked over" position.

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CamRanger

CamRanger

I knew I needed one when I first heard about it.  At the time it only supported Apple devices.  It now supports Android which my Samsung Galaxy S4 runs.  I initially thought that I needed one because of its ability to control my camera, Canon 7D, wirelessly from up to 50 yards.  That makes it a more than adequate replacement for an articulated LCD, which my camera does not include.  It enables me to get down with the camera and set it up without my physically getting down to set it up.

It connects to my camera, it does not support all cameras so check, and broadcasts an "ad hock" wifi network.  CamRanger comes with a zippered carrying case which can hang on the tripod during use.  I installed a free app on my phone and, WALLA, it connects to and controls my camera!  It also works with larger Android devices and with Windows also.

I decided to try Deep DOF first. 

CamRanger Hanging On Tripod

The CamRanger Android App is not totally intuitive.  I found that I must acclimate myself to its idiosyncrasies.  I shot my first Helicon Focus series using the phone to manually advance the focus for each of 105 shots.  Pretty tough work.  The result was enough to catch my vision of the possibilities but I wanted to automate it.  No problem, the app can do that.  It lets you choose the size of the focus steps, "large", "medium", and "small".  You can then choose the number of captures, 1 to 50.  If 50 is not enough it will pick up at that point of focus with more captures.  You must enable "live view" in the app and the last thing to check is "auto focus".  I ran several with out that selected and it captures up to 50 of the same focus point.  I found that I can not assume that it stays on "Auto Focus" just because the previous series was "Auto Focus".  I finally learned.  It has the camera save to its memory card and saves a thumbnail on the CamRanger.  I find that I can disable "live view" in the app and it releases the camera so I can view images on the camera's LCD once the series has finished.

Camera Setup for Queen Ann's Lace

I thought the light on the flower was beautiful!

Queen Ann's Lace

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Sikorsky Black Hawk

Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk Helicopter

I generally shoot at 1/1000 when I hand hold or mount on a mono-pod my long lens.  The down side of that is when I shoot aircraft in flight.  1/1000 stops the props and rotors.  I have been trying 1/500 as I did in the shot.  I think it successfully showed the motion.  I find that I am less able to get sharp images with 1/500 but I think the effort is worthwhile for the motion it shows. 

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Insect in Spider Web

Insect in a Spider Web

This is probably a mosquito caught in a spider web.  Thank you spider, they are bad this year and I don't like their bites.  For that reason I wear a long sleeved shirt.

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Moths for the Morning Person

Tussock Moth Caterpillar

Moths are mainly nocturnal creatures but the caterpillar is up at all hours.

Snowberry Clearwing Moth

This moth is evidently nocturnal.  I see it often during the morning hours.

Ctenucha Moth

This is another moth that I see during morning hours.

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A Nemesis of the Gardener

Japanese Beetle

As a gardener, I detested this beetle.  I have talked to other gardeners who feel the same way.

If you can look at it without hate in your heart, You might see that it is beautiful.  They can fly but are not frightened easily by the photographer.  They are so numerous that even if one flies away you can find another.

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