Dragonfly

"May the dragon of life only roast your hot-dogs and never burn your buns!" - unknown

I need a better telephoto lens. The lens combined with the body being mounted on the tripod results in too much shake when the shutter executes. Yes, even using a remote does little to fix the blur that occurs at shutter speeds that are sub 1/250.

This little dragonfly resting on a blade of what I would guess is some kind of marsh grass was one of many playing and sunning themselves along a small creek just north of here. I waded up to my knees in water that went from cold to comfortable and eventually soothing as I waited for just enough sun to take the shot.

*note: I have had to shut comments down on this post as its receiving far too much comment spam. If you have a question about this shot feel free to email me at blog at this domain.

Nikon D70 | 200 | 1/160 | f9

Lens: Nikon 70-300mm f/4-5.6G AF
Flash: None
Tripod: Cameron wt006t & Manfrotto 322RC2 head
Lighting: Direct Sunlight
Post Pro: Levels & Color Balance
Weather: Sunny
Time of Day: Early Afternoon
Location: Limehouse, Ontario, Canada

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Posted on July 15, 2006 9:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (20) |

Comments

Plain Jane

I am... overwhelmed. I love this photo. All the little leg hairs.. the detail... just beautiful.

I nearly forgot to mention - Hi, from Michele! :)

Posted at July 15, 2006 10:39 PM

flamingess

Wow - the best comment I can formulate after most of a bottle of very nice Sirah

srp

Here from Michele this time.
OK, WOW! I will NEVER post my dragonfly pictures now. I do love how much variety there is. I've seen the small blue ones and several large ones with green bodies and eyes. Then there are some with white bodies and black stripes on the wings that look like a miniature biplane. I have brown ones with black stripes on the wings and a varigated eye that looks like some sort of agate stone. My favorite are two with bodies that look like liquid gold on one and shiny chrome on the other. But no one is going to see them after this perfect shot.

I haven't waded into water to get a picture yet. That is dedication to one's craft.

Posted at July 15, 2006 11:08 PM

Florence

Hello, Michele sent me.

That's a beautiful shot. I can look into its eyes and see its Dragonfly soul. Lovely!

susie

Holy cow. You take beautiful photos! Wow! Very talented. I hope I can be as good one day. I would love to get more knowledgeable in photography. Plus, I've heard only good things about the Nikon D70.

I need to get my arse in gear so I can post photos like this too!

Here from Michele's. Stop by to have a slice anytime. :)

Posted at July 15, 2006 11:13 PM

jen

This is one of my absolute favourite shots of yours Paul. I am humbled. Seriously, I am totally blown away. Wow. Ok i am just going to stop typing now before i turn into a total blubbering idiot. Haha

Posted at July 16, 2006 2:10 AM

Jean-Luc Picard

That was a classic picture, Paul. Well done.

Michele sent me here.

Posted at July 16, 2006 8:12 AM

Karen

Um, I'm no photographer, but why do you need a new telephoto lens? That one seems, well, spectacular! But, since you are obviously an artist, I can understand the need to constantly improve your craft. What an amazing photo!

Michele sent me and I'm glad.

Posted at July 16, 2006 8:16 AM

Paul Sveda

Hey guys, thanks for your kind words..

SRP - You know my opinion, post your pics. Everyone doesn't shoot the same, see the world the same way or present it as such. Post you dragonfly. :)

Susie - Get the D200 if you can afford it, it will be the all you need for years and years to come. Mind you I said that about the D70 before.

Jen - Thanks, though I think you might still be spending time with Mike and his blubberizing affects.

Karen - The lens itself is ok, I say that begrudgingly, the problem is the camera is whats on the tripod. When the shutter slides open it sends vibrations through the body and lens. The lense is so far extended to get these shots and of such low quality that this motion registers as motion and at 300mm even the smallest shake translates into blur. On resize to web the photo picks up some sharpness. The full res image is too soft for my liking.

Thanks again guys.

cheers,

Posted at July 16, 2006 8:31 AM

Ravvy

Thats unreal!!! But its not... because it is real! but you know what i mean!! :D

I have never seen a Dragonfly with so much detail on it!!! Thats fantastic! If there was a blur that happened, i dont see it! But then again, you have great photos - alot of my friends love your pics!

Here via Michele's today - and ive always loved your site!!!

PS - firefox still doesnt show my blog looking good, but then again, mines not the only one... so i'll just stick to the trusty IE thats on this computer :D!

Posted at July 16, 2006 8:33 AM

Carmi

Paul, first of all, I love the light in this image. The shadow absolutely makes it.

Second, this may sound like a dumb thing to say, but precisely where on the camera-lens combination are you mounting the tripod? Is it on the camera body itself, or do you have a ring around the barrel of the lens?

I was drooling over the new Canon lenses that have built-in image stabilization. The prices depressed me, however. That and the fact that I'm too heavily invested in Nikon to switch.

Sigh...

Posted at July 16, 2006 9:44 AM

MorahMommy

This is spectacular! Thank you for sharing it.

Posted at July 17, 2006 12:10 AM

kenju

This is phenomenal! Unbelievable! Better than life!

Posted at July 17, 2006 11:24 PM

Paul

Vert, very sharp photo Paul

Posted at July 18, 2006 3:37 PM

Steve Pell

You should get Kenko Extension Tubes, they're a cheap way of obtaining macro.

Nice shot

Posted at July 21, 2006 8:32 AM

Pearl

Love the quote. You have commendable patience standing in water waiting for the shot to arrive. Nice results. I want a telephoto lens too but i believe yours would be put to far better results.

Posted at July 21, 2006 7:02 PM

The rumor mill has begun: Looks like the 10MP successor to the D70s is about to hit the market. See Carmi drool. I believe it's time.

Posted at July 22, 2006 8:43 AM

Mike

Very nice! And I learned something, too. I haven't been by in a while Paul - ' glad I stopped by.

Posted at July 22, 2006 1:44 PM

missc

WALLPAPER!!

Posted at July 24, 2006 5:17 PM

Carmi,

Yeah I had a chance to chat with a Nikon rep. Its realy going to be an interesting camera and its going to come in at a reasonable price point both just body and as a kit.

Cheers,

Posted at July 26, 2006 8:15 AM