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naturallight

Green Glow

Aug, 2018

Views

1067

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+344

Awards

Chatter Award

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Top Shot Award 21

Community Choice Award

Contest Finalist in Reptiles Photo Contest

Peer Award

+127

Absolute Masterpiece

+51

Top Choice

+34

Superb Composition

+18

Magnificent Capture

+12

Outstanding Creativity

Superior Skill

All Star

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Virtuoso

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Platinum

Love the expression!! Great shot!

Platinum

Love the expression!! Great shot!

Platinum

great photo... really like it

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Same photographer See all Behind The Lens

Snowy Egret during breeding season. Orlando Florida

Behind The Lens

Location

This photo was taken in Aruba where the iguanas are a protected species. When too many gather in and around the many resorts on the island, the government will come in to trap them in order to move them out to the less populated areas on the island.

Time

This photo was taken around noon when the sun is high and the heat of the day has fully engulfed the atmosphere. The iguanas are most active during the higher temperatures.

Lighting

Knowing the lighting is harsh at high noon, I sat on the ground, trying to get at the same level so the perspective would be from the iguana's perspective, looking up from the blades of grass.

Equipment

I used a Canon EOS 7D Mark II camera with a Tamron 150 - 600 mm lens. The ISO was 400 at 1/1000 sec at F7.1. I did not use a flash nor did I use a Tripod

Inspiration

Iguanas intrigue me as an exotic creature. I never grew up around this animal so I actually try to attract them to come closer. They will come closer to get lettuce and bread to eat but they are also attracted to the color red. Knowing this fact, I always paint my toenails with red nail polish before traveling to Aruba. And yes, they do come close to investigate. To reward their presence I have given them a maraschino cherry which they readily gobble up.

Editing

I use Lightroom for my post processing. I usually go through each category in the "develop" window. I just go down the right hand side beginning with the cropping tool, the exposure adjustment slider, HSL/ color, the Detail section, Lens Corrections and the Effects sliders until I optimize the photo for clarity, color and sharpness.

In my camera bag

I normally carry an extra photo card and an extra battery for my Canon camera. Next, I carry a second EOS 7D Mark II Canon camera body along with 18 - 135 mm zone lens. I also carry a macro lens because even though I am usually shooting with my long lens, I know the smaller insects or the dainty flower is also a consideration out in the field. I also carry cleaning tools, a soft cloth and my canon manual. And last but not least, I carry sweatbands and a bandanna handkerchief for my head and hair.

Feedback

My best advice is to have patience for your subject. Most of mine are wild animals so it is knowing their behaviors so that you can anticipate what it will do next. Then, be sure to position yourself with consideration to lighting, so you can capture their behavior without shadows. The last bit of advice is to get down at their level, to capture your subject from their environment and from their point of view.

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naturallight

naturallight

Green Glow

Behind The Lens

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