You Never Know, Who's Coming to Dinner...

Ken Ramos · Post by **Ken Ramos** » Mon Feb 18, 2008 5:27 pm

As I was getting ready to head off to work this morning, I happened to look down at this rather large seed pod lying on the lawn. There in the middle of it, was this slug, eating away at who knows what. Seizing the opportunity, I stopped what I was doing and brought the pod indoors along with the slug of course, for a quick shot. I am developing a habit of bringing things inside to shoot them for some reason, spiders being the exception of course.

Canon EOS 20D
Manual mode
1/125 sec. @ f/11 ISO 400
Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM
Canon 430EX ETTL Speedlite at -1, off camera w/Novoflex bracket
Tripod mounted, Manfrotto 3001BPRO w/3030 head

Note the appetizer far right center, kind'a small and as I mentioned, you never know who will show up for dinner. Actually I think the springtail has nothing to really worry about.

JoanYoung · Post by **JoanYoung** » Mon Feb 18, 2008 6:39 pm

A lovely picture of the slug and springtail. You never know what you get unexpectly like this. But why don't you take spiders inside too?? They also want their picture taken you know!

Ken Ramos · Post by **Ken Ramos** » Mon Feb 18, 2008 7:07 pm

Joan replied:

But why don't you take spiders inside too?? They also want their picture taken you know!

They can go to one of those little kiosks at the mall and get their photo taken for a buck or so, if'n somebody don't feak out and squish em'.

Thanks Joan

JoanYoung · Post by **JoanYoung** » Mon Feb 18, 2008 7:15 pm

if'n somebody don't feak out and squish em'.

Poor, tiny little helpless spiders that nobody loves!!

I think you should come down to our neck of the woods so I can teach you to like them more. In no time at all I will have then crawling on your hand and you not wanting to squish them.

Mike B in OKlahoma · Post by **Mike B in OKlahoma** » Mon Feb 18, 2008 10:41 pm

Nice and close on this one!

My congratulations on having the discipline to use your tripod for what I'd have been tempted to treat as a grab shot!

Ken Ramos · Post by **Ken Ramos** » Tue Feb 19, 2008 3:29 am

You know a tripod is something I seldom use and I have two of them, plus a mono. Oftentimes I think that some shots would have been much better if I had just taken the time to have used one. Though my Manfrotto is not all that heavy, it seems like a beast at times to lug around. Maybe a nice graphite purchase might be in order.

Thanks Mike

beetleman · Post by **beetleman** » Tue Feb 19, 2008 6:23 am

A great picture Ken. The springtail is an added bonus. I bought a monopod to use with the new 400D until I get used to the new weight.

Bruce Williams · Post by **Bruce Williams** » Tue Feb 19, 2008 4:32 pm

You've made an interesting pic of what could so easily have been a boring subject. Restricting the composition to just the head works REALLY well with this subject and the eyespot is perfectly positioned within the frame.

Nice job Ken!

Bruce

Ken Ramos · Post by **Ken Ramos** » Tue Feb 19, 2008 4:51 pm

Thanks Bruce and Doug

The mono pod will coming quite handy from time to time Doug. Mine gets used more than my tripod. As for the photograph, I have to admit there Bruce that I do feel just a bit smug, not much, as to how it turned out and the springtail, as Doug mentioned was indeed an added bonus. I had no idea that it was there.

Thanks again guys

Danny · Post by **Danny** » Wed Feb 20, 2008 7:27 pm

Hey, nice ratio and contrasting scale Ken. Almost looks like an aphid there with those two stove pipes out the back. Probably wrong. Anyway, again, excellent ratio sir. Well done in the lighting department as well M8t.

Danny.

Ken Ramos · Post by **Ken Ramos** » Wed Feb 20, 2008 7:56 pm

Thanks Danny, I am pretty sure that is a globular springtail in there but it does resemble and aphid in a way, with those little tiny hind legs.