Had a couple of ideas but nothing really exciting. I took some macro type shots of this papaya ona deep blue background but they just looked blahh. Later on that day whilemowing the lawn I came across this Praying Mantis. I think it might even be the exact same one from my Rule of Thirds entry. I popped him in a glass and stuck him in the fridge til I finished mowing. I did two setups. One with him on top of a pile of sunflower seeds (I envisioned the title being "they are mine - all mine!!!) and then brought out the papaya. The backdrop is a poster board of blue sky and clouds. He posed wonderfully once again and I got a ton of shots. This pose gave me the best focus of the seeds along with his head and body. Hopefully I dont get too many people telling me that the image revolves around the mantis rather than the seeds. I came up with the title to basically make sure that the DNMCers stay off my back. Come on 6!!! And for all you wondering, Mr Mantis is back under my porch safe and sound. Hopefully he will make another return to the DPC pages.
Just thinking about my models I realize I am using alot of the same ones. My kids, Kermit, Santa Maria, the tigers, and now the Mantis.
Post processing - levels, saturation, burning on the mantis, USM, cloned out some shiny spots on the papaya meat, increased canvas size for border, stroke, NI, resize for web.
Post Processing
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This poor guy is probably getting very tired of seeing the inside of your refrigerator. I'm surprised he hasn't moved to the neighbor's yard yet! But you do a very good job of shooting him (or her, as the case may be.) Nice setup, nice shot, nice score, nice finish.
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