Scary monsters & fantastic beasts

[Steve Kaluski]

Just out having some fun this morning, whilst the sun was out - bathing the park in strong, saturated Winter colours.

It's quite nice to turn the tables and shoot small, although the fisheye was proving a tad more difficult at times. I think if passes by saw these teeth, they may think twice at trying to attract them.

Thanks to those who viewed or posted a comment on the previous thread.

Steve

Subject: Grey Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) baring teeth!!!
Location: UK
Camera: Canon 1DX MKII
Lens: 16-35mm f/2.8MKII HH
Exposure: 1/2000s at f/8 ISO2500 EV 0
Focal Distance 10cms
Original format: Portrait, very small crop for presentation
Processed via: LRCC & PSCC2017

[Andreas Liedmann]

Hi Steve .... a little guy from Transylvania
Lovely to see a different approach and view of them . Love the low angle .... how did you get that low
The super fine details are stunning and the usual high IQ is great .
I just wish for more DOF to get the whole head sharp , specially the eyes .The fence is a bit unfortunate .....but was there !!!
Enjoyed watching ...
TFS Andreas

[keith mitchell]

You keep coming up with something different Steve,excellent detail and Iq,love those whiskers and teeth.

Keith.

[Steve Kaluski]

I just wish for more DOF to get the whole head sharp , specially the eyes .The fence is a bit unfortunate .....but was there !!!I just wish for more DOF to get the whole head sharp , specially the eyes .The fence is a bit unfortunate .....but was there !!!

Hard to gauge Andreas, could have easily upped things no problem, but also these guys are constantly moving and darting about, easily spooked by any slight movement, or noise - set on HS(S). Not a lot you can do with a WA lens, but it's enough OOF not to be distracting IMHO.

[Steve Kaluski]

You keep coming up with something different Steve,excellent detail and Iq,love those whiskers and teeth.

Thanks Keith, yes just trying to be a bit more 'alternative' in my thinking, not 'rocket science' or 'reinventing the wheel', just a bit of fun.

[Rachel Hollander]

Hi Steve - Great to see you experimenting in the field and fun to see the teeth and whiskers, however, this really doesn't work for me. I want more (or less) of the squirrel and more room around the whiskers. The fence and the highlights where the sun hits the fence are major distractions for me. Keep experimenting though.

TFS,
Rachel

[Andrew McLachlan]

Such a great image Steve...one of the best squirrel photos I have ever seen!!!

[Basil Dardagan]

I think that the teeth and whiskers make fantastic focal points !!

[Steve Kaluski]

Such a great image Steve...one of the best squirrel photos I have ever seen!!!

Cheers Andrew, I wonder who sowed the seed here, however this was far more demanding believe me (although I think you know), rather than the majority of my wildlife images. Working at such close quarters, low perspective and as I mentioned, these guys are easily spooked, did mean you had to be very crafty. I very much appreciate far more now, your Frogscapes, especially shooting from a kayak.

Folks should try shooting with much smaller lens like this, it's fun and challenges the person, plus, subjects like this are oh so common.

[Steve Kaluski]

Cheers Basil.

[haseeb badar]

Hi Steve -- You will never cease to amaze us . Absolutely loved this one ! Such lovely details and a super low angle. Yes the fence is unfortunate but I am sure a lot of people would love to experiment with squirrel images . Great going !

TFS !

[Steve Kaluski]

Thanks Haseeb, you can experiment with any animal/subject and just have fun for a change and challenge yourself and the camera, (especially if you have a new camera body to play with ).

I think next year one of the themes will be - 'Out for Fun' or 'Challenge yourself'.

[Moody McCall]

Cool shot. Like the bushy tail. Be careful!

[haseeb badar]

Great idea Steve !

[Morkel Erasmus]

A really fun perspective Steve!!

[Gabriela Plesea]

Dearest Steve,

I certainly see this on a magazine cover

Trying to avoid a philosophical discourse since it is almost midnight. Tempted though...I must say, this makes me think you are having the most fun with photography, capturing Nature at its best, weird and wonderful as it is

Superb pose from this fellow, he is so bold and daring! If indeed a He, than we are probably looking at the Eros of all squirrels: neither beautiful nor gentle, given the size of his teeth. (Did our friend Neil see this?)

As usual, you devote yourself to detail, and it is there where it matters most. Some might think I am trying to please you but I assure them (and you) it is not so: if you remember our discussions about "mood and feel" you will know this is right up my alley. Not just from the aesthetics POV (love the comp, BTW), I just love the way your character fills the frame (seems huge, despite its real life size...)

So what's not to like here? Great POV, angle, love how you seemingly "distort" things. You have a great gift Steve : you are able to stir one's imagination. Looking at your squirrel and its bare teeth I just cannot help but think of a Broadway character, hope this makes sense to you?

Warmest regards,