Results 1 to 14 of 14

Thread: A Whole Lotta Spawning going on.

  1. #1
    BPN Member William Dickson's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2013
    Location
    Fife, Scotland
    Posts
    7,773
    Threads
    1,093
    Thank You Posts

    Default A Whole Lotta Spawning going on.

    Attached Images Attached Images
     
    Canon 5D Mk3
    f/7.1
    1/1250
    ISO 2500
    + 1 step

    I was out photographing birds today when I came across a small pond, where I counted at least 60 frogs spawning. It was great to see them, as I hadn't seen this before, nor had the chance to photograph this behaviour. I took a few shots, then let them get on with their frog orgy I just hope a heron don't find them.

    Thanks for having a look, and all comments appreciated.

  2. #2
    Story Sequences Moderator and Wildlife Moderator Gabriela Plesea's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2013
    Location
    South Africa
    Posts
    7,738
    Threads
    455
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Wow, this is one cool capture, William!

    I could not help but smile from ear to ear looking at this "affectionate" pose from the two frogs at the front. Just lovely, I like the colours very much, also your inclusion of the reflection, because it helps the framing so well - good composition, this is one very pleasing image.

    The presence of frogs in great numbers - I have been told - is sign of a healthy environment

    Kind regards,
    Gabriela Plesea

  3. #3
    BPN Member William Dickson's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2013
    Location
    Fife, Scotland
    Posts
    7,773
    Threads
    1,093
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Thanks Gabriela, I am glad you liked it

    It was an amazing experience to see this happening in my part of the world, for 60 animals to come together (excuse the pun ) annually, and display as they did was well worth seeing. The wee throats blowing out as they croaked . Fortutately for them, (prob a natural thing) the herons are away tree top bound at this time of the year in Scotland. Preparing nests etc. Because I am sure if herons found this, they would wipe them out. The only other raptors that 'like' frogs are Honey Buzzards, which are very rare here

  4. Thanks Gabriela Plesea thanked for this post
  5. #4
    BPN Member William Dickson's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2013
    Location
    Fife, Scotland
    Posts
    7,773
    Threads
    1,093
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    PS I hope Steve comments and 'shows' me how to make it better

  6. #5
    Story Sequences Moderator and Wildlife Moderator Gabriela Plesea's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2013
    Location
    South Africa
    Posts
    7,738
    Threads
    455
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    A very exciting time in terms of photography indeed, William!

    Right now as I write to you, it is h 01:00 am and the frogs in our pond here are singing their hearts out. The other day a Hammerkop was "checking on them", unfortunately for him a bunch of Hadeda Ibis (mother and kids) landed noisily on the lawn so he got a fright and took off. Frogs attract a variety of birds, so very soon I hope to find some new images from you in the Avian forum as well:) Should you be able to capture some interactions (herons versus frogs), do share those with us in the new forum entitled " Story Sequences"...

    I am sure the moderators - as well as members - will give you their comments and opinions, perhaps easier for someone to do an RP on your lovely image if you provided a jpeg version of the original file. I personally believe you have a reasonable frame to start with, the colours could be enhanced further, a curves adjustment would also help, and why not try another round of sharpening (not too much) on the subjects alone - I think it would benefit this image. I am not familiar with those little frogs, therefore I abstain from giving you suggestions regarding colours:)

    You did not specify the lens used, by the way. Not sure how close you were to the frogs either, but I see you took this at F7.1; since your shutter speed allowed you to do so, you could have tried a frame or two at higher aperture - just my humble take:)

    Hope you have a fabulous day tomorrow and more photographic opportunities - do share them with us!

    Kind regards,

    Kind regards,
    Gabriela Plesea

  7. #6
    BPN Member William Dickson's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2013
    Location
    Fife, Scotland
    Posts
    7,773
    Threads
    1,093
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Thanks Gabriela, your comments are taken onboard. It was a f/4 500mm with 1x4iii attached. I wasnt really sure about how much sharpness, as the frogs have a soft slimy skin whilst wet If they had been birds, well a differnt story I also thought maybe the water had a 'thickess' feel about it ..

  8. #7
    Lifetime Member Rachel Hollander's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2010
    Location
    NYC
    Posts
    14,320
    Threads
    929
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Attached Images Attached Images
     
    Hi William - Good to see you posting in Wildlife and taking the opportunity to capture the image. It's a fun one and we don't get a lot of frog images. I love the grouping and the strong reflection. I just felt the image was a little flat. I did a simple s curve adjustment in curves to the frogs and reflection to give it a little more punch and separation from the bg. I also applied another round of sharpening.

    It would be great to have your comments on other wildlife images.

    TFS,
    Rachel

  9. #8
    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Location
    Somewhere in the world
    Posts
    20,551
    Threads
    1,285
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Hi William, I like the grouping and the fact the water is quite neutral interspersed with the occasional weed/bubbles. Having the reflection is pretty cool, works well. For me, I think you needed more DoF, plus I'm also surprised about how 'gritty' the image looks, but it might be the laptop. I see you were +1 did you lighten the image in PP and how big a crop? If you get the opportunity again and the location allows, I would pop the gear on a tripod just to help bolster the steadiness and try to up the DoF. I think Rachel's RP has improved things, but the overall finer detail, clarity & sharpness is lacking slightly, sadly I think it's too long ago, but Andrew McLachlan posting of a frog in a Lilly pond would illustrate very well what I mean, I think that was taken with a 16-35 lens. If I can find it I will send it to you.

    Meant to add, I might consider loosing a little off the top, say to just below the light brown streak on the LHS, 10-15mm????

    TFS
    Steve

  10. #9
    BPN Member William Dickson's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2013
    Location
    Fife, Scotland
    Posts
    7,773
    Threads
    1,093
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Hi Steve, thanks for replying. This is the original, if it helps. All your advice has been noted.

    Name:  frogs.jpg
Views: 25
Size:  322.2 KB

  11. #10
    Story Sequences Moderator and Wildlife Moderator Gabriela Plesea's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2013
    Location
    South Africa
    Posts
    7,738
    Threads
    455
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Hello William,

    Great to see the original image-thank you! I do not mean to confuse matters, since you already got such good feedback from Rachel and Steve, just wanted to say you did a massive crop and that affected your IQ. With just a couple of tweaks, Rachel has improved this tremendously and I really like her RP:)

    Have a super evening,
    Gabriela Plesea

  12. #11
    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Location
    Somewhere in the world
    Posts
    20,551
    Threads
    1,285
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Hi William, based on the original file, then the substantial crop has not helped re IQ, always try to avoid this where possible.

  13. #12
    BPN Member William Dickson's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2013
    Location
    Fife, Scotland
    Posts
    7,773
    Threads
    1,093
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Thnks guys and thank you Rachel for taking the time to work on my image. It really does make a difference

  14. #13
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    Cody, WY
    Posts
    2,491
    Threads
    428
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Good work here.. I remember crawling into a breeding pool in Texas during in ICF Pro Tour event in 2010 and photographing the fun!

  15. #14
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Location
    Nagpur, India
    Posts
    3,837
    Threads
    245
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    such a wonderful moment , but certainly lacks the IQ .

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
Web Analytics