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Stare Down
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Stare Down

by Jess Williams

Gallery: Macro & Close-upPosted February 24, 201372 views7 comments
I was sitting on a small stool photographing day-lillies in the early evening light when this little guy landed on a log in front of me and proceeded to stare me down. In fact, he stared at me for so long that I was able to re-position myself, scoot closer, and photograph him. He was probably just warming himself and possibly unconcerned with my presence, but whenever I look at this photo I get the feeling he's a tough guy trying to intimidate me.

Comments and critiques welcome! Large version also available.

Canon Rebel XTi
Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 DG APO Macro Telephoto @ 300mm
1/500 at f/8
ISO 400
Cropped to about 35% of full image
handheld
Very minor PP in PS
My perennial garden, July 2012

Comments

7 comments
Comment posted by Balan Vinod on February 24, 2013 at 12:16 PM
Love the thin Dof here Jess, Love the contrast between the two sides of the frame. My monitor shows this a tad bit hot overall...


Beautiful concept.

Balan Vinod
Registered on March 20, 2006, 889 Posts, 2312 Comments
Comment posted by Howard Cheek on February 24, 2013 at 12:41 PM
I like the strong side light with its long shadows, adds a bit of drama Jess.
Great point of focus and use of F/8.
Details held up nicely at 35%, well done :wavey:
Registered on July 24, 2008, 1201 Posts, 10758 Comments
Comment posted by John Neukirch on February 24, 2013 at 12:42 PM
The face and front pair of legs are awesome. Looked like some strong directional side light. Had you known it was going to cast such a great shadow I'd of tried a slightly different comp to include it. Possibly a higher angle, might have been really cool.
Registered on July 9, 2012, 207 Posts, 1476 Comments
Comment posted by scott lanz on February 24, 2013 at 3:41 PM
I like the eye level, head-on perspective, Jess. The detail is first rate. Cool image. :toast:
Registered on November 14, 2003, 840 Posts, 12902 Comments
Comment posted by Carolyn Derstine on February 24, 2013 at 8:22 PM
Great macro, Jess. I like your eye-level POV with this this guy. Good DOF choice too to make face in focus and the rest more blurred.
Registered on February 16, 2011, 610 Posts, 3684 Comments
Comment posted by Mark Seaver on February 24, 2013 at 9:35 PM
Very funny, great back story. I'm grinning widely. It does look like it's trying to intimidate you.
Registered on January 23, 2011, 1103 Posts, 17270 Comments
Comment posted by Albert Darmo on March 4, 2013 at 9:57 PM
Hi Jess :wavey: Looks like the mafia's hit man :biggrin: An unusual and intrigueing compositiion :wink:
Albert Darmo
Registered on November 25, 2008, 1386 Posts, 11978 Comments