AdderallDiaries

Posing Pretty

Botanical Gardens-San Antonio, TX

Botanical Gardens-San Antonio, TX
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Canon PowerShot SX170 IS

settings

Aperture f/5.9 ISO 160 Shutter 1/320 Focal Length 80000/1000

upload_date

Aug, 2015

Views

306

Likes

+14

Awards

Action Award

Zenith Award

Creative Winter Award

Curator's Selection

Top Shot Award 21

Legendary Award

Great Shot

Superb Composition

+17

Top Choice

+16

Outstanding Creativity

Absolute Masterpiece

Superior Skill

Peer Award

All Star

Magnificent Capture

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Beautiful Welcome to Viewbug!

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Same photographer See all Behind The Lens

They don't make zombies like they used to

Behind The Lens

Location

I took this picture at Botanical Gardens in San Antonio, TX.

Time

It was early afternoon. I break one cardinal rule of photography by not being a morning person.

Lighting

The key was to catch the butterfly standing still and posing. My cameras are always set for Vivid color unless I am taking pictures for my wife's hair design training. This was Super Vivid at maximum magnification and I use my Army training for a good sight picture to be perfectly still at maximum zoom. Have a good stable position, make sure the subject is steady, proper focus and holding my breath (briefly) between inhale and exhale. The lighting was set for sun although I have been encouraged to keep the white balance in auto.

Equipment

I had a Canon PowerShot SX170. Nothing else except zoom, Vivid color and a tactical patience. I never had another chance.

Inspiration

The inspiration has been years in the making. I couldn't keep a camera and was always losing them because I wasn't interested in taking pictures. I relied on what everyone else was doing which was to point and shoot in Auto mode. A few years ago I discovered angles and it changed everything. I also enjoy working on speed, intricacy, deception and magnification. I try to avoid what everyone else is doing but it is smart to learn fundamentals in order to break them.

Editing

No, my philosophy is that life happens. Capture it well and it won't need processing. I am just starting to realize that is not always the best philosophy but it's hard changing habits. I recently bought a book by Tony Northrup that really discusses great strategies for creating pictures rather than just taking pictures.

In my camera bag

I still have my Canon PowerShot SX170 but I would rather have a PowerShot with a viewfinder. Viewfinders and optic lenses are indispensable in my opinion. It is very hard to take a great picture with just the LED screen in broad daylight and I think they help my focus. I now have the Nikon D3300 with the basic 35mm and the 300mm lens both Nikkor. I find the 300mm lens is still not enough zoom for me and I am seriously considering a Tamron 600mm lens. The Nikon has been modified to be carried from both rings using my Nikon strap around the shoulder and one carabiner. This enables me to quickly switch the Nikon to a wrist strap which I also use with an S-biner. I work with a Capture belt clip and Propad more often now which can be used on my Camelbak while I run and take pictures of other runners. I carry two 64 gig SD cards, a universal and wall charger, a modified Manfrotto/Bogen tripod that a good friend gave me as a gift, a UV filter which I converted into a sungazer using black polymer, a gray card and bullseye level. I also carry tips on the fundamentals of photography in my camera bag. My equipment is still growing with a Studio Pro mobile studio.

Feedback

Don't be afraid to look very strange while taking pictures. As a photographer, you are very strange and that is part of your job description. I believe the most boring part about taking pictures is Auto mode and "mug shots" of people. There are no mug shots unless you are in a police lineup. There are only glam shots. Come out of Auto fast if you really want to enjoy your camera. There are few greater offenses than owning a lot of expensive equipment and only knowing how to use one percent of it.

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AdderallDiaries

Posing Pretty

Botanical Gardens-San Antonio, TX

Behind The Lens

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