This is the most fun I've had shooting in a while. The whole shot was quite involved. The family biked down a trail we love about 2 miles to a little frog pond. We had fun catching this little guy (and seeing some enormous frogs the size of a grapefruit) and putting him in a tupperware container. We then biked back along the path to a spot that had this perfect lilypad. I set the real camera up on the tripod and composed the shot as best I could. I then donned the drysuit (mainly for effect rather than temperature) and waded out for some test shots. Jenn was manning the camera. Once we got things set, I then got the frog, removed the tupperware lid and placed the container upside down on the lilypad. I then got as ready as I could and quickly flung the tupperware out of the picture. I wasn't sure if the frog would immediately bolt and we'd be out of luck, but he hung around for about 30 pictures and then was still there after we were done.
The DOF is on purpose to make sure the camera is the subject. If I were composing this for a Free Study, the frog would be in focus instead.
The camera is my 5D and lens which were destroyed last year in an ocean accident. I kept them around to use as a prop in a shot just like this.
I have really high hopes for this, but we shall see. Nothing special on processing.
POST: Whew! I'm happy to accept the blue because I loved this shot so much, but I was quite sure a 6.8 wasn't going to cut it. I'm surprised not one person commented that my shot would have been of the frog's behind. :)
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WOW... I REMEMBER THIS FONDLY AND ALSO LOVE THE STORY BEHIND THIS AWESOME IMAGE..... I THINK YOU DESERVE MY SHERPET JEWEL AWARD OF EXCELLENCE, AS INDEED IT IS AN EXCELLENT IMAGE AND ALSO NOW A FAVORITE...
FROM SHEZ
SHERPET JEWEL AWARD OD EXCELLENCE FOR 'Wildlife as Canon Sees It' BY DrAchoo
Funny you should mention that the shot would have been of the back of the frog... it was actually the first thing I thought of... (why is he taking a picture of the frog's butt)...
But ancient memories of similar layouts in Nat Geo mag's were too fuzzy to remember if they had included a subject in their photos.
clever and crazy idea at the same time :-), i agree about your focus decision because it looks little undefined when you look at the photo expecting to see the animal in focus, but of course challengewise the camera should be in focus, clever thinking as i said :-)
OMG ... you rawk and are kewl ... and that is from this 57 year old man ... but you prolly gonna like it cause I do when the grandkids tell me that about me.
So THAT's how you do it! Thanks for sharing this little gem & the story behind it. Congrats on the Blue, Doc :O) The only way to improve this might've been to put a National Geographic yellow border around it. And that says a lot. (ofcourse, the title would've been something about Frog Butts).
Well, Jason - you are the persistent one!!!
When I first saw this, I immediately thought you had this on one of those reflective pond things you find in some American Cities, well Salt Lake actually, which would still have been a great image, but having read through, I am amazed at the fact it's really out there in real world situation!
Very nice shot indeed, and colour is great. I am so sad that the camera was a write-off, but I also wondered if you would consider selling it to me. I have dreamed of having one of these, but could never afford one up to now, and even if it is a very expensive-looking paperweight, I would so much appreciate owning your prop camera! If there is any chance you would be willing to sell it, please let me know. I live in England, by the way, so postage might be high, but cheapest method is OK. Is the lens also a write-off, as that would complete the paperweight if it's available. Not a good advert for our Canons, is it. I live at the sea, and got drenched with my Olympus by a freak wave while photographing, and after an emergency dry down, it worked fine, just a month or two finding dried salt round the join in the zoom lens/body
Meanwhile, best of luck with your future pix, and congrats on the Blue
And just how did that poor little guy get back to his peeps in the 'hood from whence he came?? Homewrecker! At least you didn't freeze him. :-) 'Grats on another one and on not ruining a camera in the process.
Yes, I have already commented in this awesome image, but I just had to comments again..... Every time I see this one on the front page of DPC, it really pleases me and brings a smile to my face...... There is something that draws me to it every time.
And just how did that poor little guy get back to his peeps in the 'hood from whence he came?? Homewrecker! At least you didn't freeze him. :-) 'Grats on another one and on not ruining a camera in the process.
I scored this high, as you made it really look so genuine and so dam good.....
Not only a great story, but also a great idea, executed extremely well, and I for one really enjoyed this, and so pleased it got the BLUE ribbon that it deserved.....
I can't believe what photographers do, for the love of photography..... Thank you.....
Congratulations on an awesome shot and another blue. I'm glad to hear that the 5D in the shot was already trashed. It made me nervous to see it almost resting in the water. Looks like a lot of fun.
Somehow I missed voting on this but I did see it. Ribbon winner? Undoubtedly. Sorry I didn't throw my 10 into your batch. (Which would have hoisted it to a 6.8099!)
Loved this shot in the challenge.. glad to see your efforts were rewarded Congratulations on a well deserved Blue!!!! ;)
so... you were holding the Canon..but your winning shot was actually taken with Nikon right? ;)~
** um did you return the wee frog back to its original home after? ** ;) it had to be asked..lol
++ add
note: the frogs behind..but we all thought you were shooting the reflection of the frogs face from behind... you are just that good ;) ((well i think so anyway))
This is an outstanding (in a pond) shot! Congrats on the blue. The reflection is a good part of what makes this image cool. Well thought out, good teamwork, and nicely done.
That is a great setup. If that frog is real, you must have had a hell of a time keeping it there. I hope you didn't freeze it prior to the shot like all the macro bug people do :) One of my top picks.
MinMy Canon will keep on 'clickin' when it falls in the water... Too many of mine have met their death that way! Great Picture... 2 more than a Portrait of a camera though!
Wildlife as Canon Sees It
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