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Running Collaris

Common collared lizard (Crotaphytus collaris). This lizard is a very moving lizard. When he needs to escape, he runs on two legs. It was not easy, but after a f...
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Common collared lizard (Crotaphytus collaris). This lizard is a very moving lizard. When he needs to escape, he runs on two legs. It was not easy, but after a few attempts, this escape finally managed to capture me. The animal in human care.
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NIKON D5

Aperture 63/10 ISO 1000 Shutter 1/6400 Focal Length 190/1

upload_date

Jul, 2018

Views

1776

Likes

+357

Awards

Community Choice Award

Runner Up in Reptiles Photo Contest

Contest Finalist in Reptiles Photo Contest

Peer Award

+418

Top Choice

+17

Absolute Masterpiece

+13

Magnificent Capture

+12

Outstanding Creativity

Superb Composition

Superior Skill

All Star

Virtuoso

Genius

Emotions

Impressed

Sad

Top Ranks

Top 20 rank

Top 20 rank week 1

Top 10 rank

Top 10 rank week 1

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Top 10 rank week 1

Top 10 rank

Top 10 rank week 1

Top 10 rank

Top 10 rank week 1

Top 10 rank

Top 10 rank week 2

Top 10 rank

Top 10 rank week 1

Top 10 rank week 2

Top 10 rank

Top 10 rank week 1

Top 20 rank

Top 10 rank

Top 10 rank week 2

Top 10 rank week 1

Top 20 rank

Behind The Lens

Location

I created this photo during private photo event with my good friends photographers in the Czech Republic. We took advantage of a unique opportunity to take a pictures of a several species of exotic amphibians and reptiles. This scenery has been carefully selected to resemble as much as possible a natural dry sandy habitat.

Time

It was a warm summer day on 7/7/2018. Seven is my lucky number. At 10:30 the weather was very favorable and it was a lot of sun. I needed the sun and warmth to keep the lizard warm and active and wanted to move.

Lighting

Shortly before noon there was much light and the light was sharp. On the rugged sandy surface was very dark shadows. But it is natural for this lizard. She is active only when there is a lot of sun.

Equipment

I worked with my favourite very fast digital camera Nikon D5 and with my very fast lens Nikkor 70-200mm f/2,8 E FL ED VR. I needed to be very low over the sand surface. I did not use the tripod, I lay on the sand and held the camera in my hand.

Inspiration

At another photo event in the past I have already captured one a good photo of this running lizard, as it runs on the hind legs, but from a side view. Now I wanted to catch the running lizard from frog perspective in direct run against me. This time I was very lucky that the lizard was running right against me.

Editing

I used only the basic adjustments in the software Nikon Capture NX-D. The scene was very contrasting, I had to slightly adjust the contrast, highlight on the skin and shadows on the bottom of the body. I love natural photos. Shots without big adjustments. I try to capture all my photos so I do not have to use the post-processing. I know it is very modern and trendy today, but I do not work with PS or LR or other sophisticated post-processing software. Maybe my photos could be even more attractive, but I want to show real reality.

In my camera bag

The contents of my robust Tamrac bag is primarily a powerful digital camera that I can rely on in every weather. Now I'm normally using the body Nikon D5 and the backup body Nikon D850. I normally wear Nikkor lenses 24-70 f/2.8 and 70-200 f/2.8. These "workers" have always been with me. On the "macro" action I take the excellent old micro lens Nikkor 200 f/4 or micro lens Nikkor 105 f/2.8. For animals and birds photography I need to pack "heavier weight" - I'm using the excellent Nikkor lenses 400 mm f/2.8; 300 mm f/2.8 and now also a my new lens Nikkor 200 mm f/2.

Feedback

When it comes to photographing the exotic animals or endangered animal species, I recommend the form of "assisted (arranged) photography". It's about photographing a species of wild animal that is in human care. The animal is tame, working well with it, and it is especially safe for humans. Most importantly, the photographer does not disturb wild animals in their natural biotope. Today there is a trend commercial group photographic expeditions to exotic countries. From the yield is funded the rescue of endangered animal species. But too frequent visits of groups of people in animal biotopes are very disturbing and stressful for endangered animals and their food chain. These expeditions can become very destructive for small animal populations and, instead of rescuing animals, can speed their extinction. We all photographers have to think, whether our money really helps those animals.

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EuroBen

Running Collaris

Common collared lizard (Crotaphytus collaris). This lizard is a very moving lizard. When he needs to escape, he runs on two legs. It was not easy, but after a f... Read more

Behind The Lens

See more amazing photos, follow EuroBen

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Common collared lizard (Crotaphytus collaris). This lizard is a very moving lizard. When he needs to escape, he runs on two legs. It was not easy, but after a f...
Read more

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