harrylyndonskeggs
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Awards
Winner in Reptiles Photo Challenge
Contest Finalist in The Animal Eye Photo Contest
Winner in CLose Up Animals Photo Challenge
Contest Finalist in Reptiles And Amphibians Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in Small Things In Nature Photo Contest
Featured
Contest Finalist in Springtime Macro Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in Using Zoom Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in Sharpness Photo Contest
Staff Winter Selection 2015
Peer Award
Absolute Masterpiece
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Superb Composition
Magnificent Capture
Outstanding Creativity
Superior Skill
All Star
Genius
Virtuoso
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laurenkaymyers
June 21, 2016
I am astounded at the beautiful detail. Wonderful capture. Congrats on your awards.
Helkoryo
December 09, 2016
A magnificent shot, razor sharp stop action detail and great clarity, love it
joycealicesmith
December 09, 2016
Amazing shot!!! Congratulations on winning the Challenge! This is National Geographic at it's best!
melo008
December 09, 2016
Stunning photo. Keep up the good work. Thanks for entering this amazing shot, well done!
mattarcher_7110
March 18, 2017
Thank you for entering my challenge. Amazing shot! Congrats on the win!
SandraStewartPhotgraphy
October 01, 2017
Great shot! To catch them licking their eyeball is so hard... wow
Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
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Behind The Lens
Location
This photo was taken in New Caledonia in the Blue River national park. This crested gecko, usually a nocturnal animal, is disturbed by the heavy monsoon rains that break the canopy above.Time
This was taken in the morning, where the low angle of the sun means little light pierces the dense jungleLighting
The dark jungle means little ambient light is available, certainly not enough to 'freeze' this gecko clearing his eyes. I therefore used an external flash with a diffuser to soften the light but to increase the shutter speed enough to capture all the detail I wanted.Equipment
I used a Nikon D7000 (have now upgraded to D750) with a sb 600 external flash and diffuser. I didn't opt to use a tripod as the gecko was skittish, not used to being awake in the day, and I wanted to move close without disturbing it with a large, bulky tripod. The lens was a macro lens, sigma 105, shot at f/11 to make sure the detail was crisp (f/11 being roughly the lens's sweetspot).Inspiration
It is rare to see these geckos in the day, so this was more of an opportunistic shot than a planned shot. However, I spotted him from a short distance and planned my approach so that I would be able to get a steady shot of his face with the beautiful droplets. I had to hold the camera steady for a substantial time at an awkward angle in order to capture the very moment where the tongue flashed out, but it was worth the arm strain!Editing
Yes, but only minor. Mostly noise reduction, having shot at a relatively high ISO due to the dark jungle, but also some slight saturation increase to compensate for JPEG degradation and slight exposure modifications.In my camera bag
As a wildlife photographer, lenses are the most important choice for me. I like to carry my 150-600m tamron where possible, often from a chest mount to stop back or neck pain. I also like using my sigma 105 macro where possible, as it is the sharpest lens I own (especially in its sweetspot). I often carry two camera bodies (Nikon d750) to avoid needing to constantly change lens, and not to miss any fleeting opportunity, which with wildlife is often the only opportunity! I often carry a tripod, a Slik 500, but dependent on whether I think there will be ample light, in which case I often don't bother, liking to work in wide aperture in any case.Feedback
I think capturing wildlife macro is a mixture of equipment, technique and patience. Ideally use a macro lens where possible, however I also recommend the raynox line if you are on a budget. In terms of technique, wildlife is skittish and unpredictable. As you will need to get close to capture macro shots, I use the method of bank and move closer, i.e. take a shot, move a bit closer, bank another shot, move a bot closer until either it has run away or you have the shot you want. And in that lies the patience element! You can never guarantee the shot you want but keep trying and you will be rewarded. Good luck!