hendriklouw
FollowBanana Bats are very small and hide in rolled-up leafs of Wild Stralitzia's or banana trees. I found this one and he didn't seem to like my presence.... I had t...
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Banana Bats are very small and hide in rolled-up leafs of Wild Stralitzia's or banana trees. I found this one and he didn't seem to like my presence.... I had to use an external flash going through the leaf in order to get enough light into this very small space.
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Behind The Lens
Location
I took this image in my backyard, Richards Bay, South Africa. He was hiding in a rolled-up leave of a wild stratlitzia.Time
This was taken January 08, 2011, around 16:30. It was a beautiful afternoon and I was looking for some little bug or something to photograph, when he surprised me.Lighting
The lighting of this image was extremely difficult. My camera could not really handle too high ISO and he was fairly deep inside this rolled-up leaf. I had to use my on-camera flash with an off-camera flash giving light through the leaf in order to get light onto the subject.Equipment
I used a Nikon D200 with a 105mm Nikon and (I think) Nikon SB28?Inspiration
Inspiration was easy!! He was there! What an opportunity! I struggled to get this shot and just when I thought I might be able to get it, he had enough and came out to fly away. I got one shot!!Editing
Post-processing wasn't much. Basic levels, contrast and balance.In my camera bag
I only have one body: Nikon D7200. My Nikon 105mm macro, 28mm, extension tubes and Nikon R1C1 macro flash kit ensures I can do my macro (my first choice of photography). My 12-24, 24-70 and 70-200 covers everything else. But, I must be honest: wish I could afford that full frame with a 14-24 and updated macro flash system... :-)Feedback
To capture something like this you must firstly always be on the look-out. Look everywhere and on all heights. Once you have the opportunity, take the first shot. Just take it in order to have something. Then fine-tune the light and go for the real shot you want. Have extreme patience with the subject, but work fast before the opportunity is gone. Most of all: make sure you enjoy the moment itself!!