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Juvenille Texas Squirrels
Juvenille Texas Squirrels
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Jun, 2015Views
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Awards
Action Award
Chatter Award
Zenith Award
Legendary Award
Top Shot Award
People's Choice in Squirrels Photo Challenge
Top Choice
Peer Award
Superb Composition
Absolute Masterpiece
Magnificent Capture
Outstanding Creativity
All Star
Superior Skill
Genius
Virtuoso
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Behind The Lens
Location
This is my absolute favorite capture of all time so far. It was taken in Lake Buchanan, TX on a camping trip to go photograph the Texas wild flowers. Spring is my favorite time in Texas when all of the colors of the bluebonnets & wildflowers paint the land. And the bonus is all of the newborn animals all over the place. I saw the mother squirrel poke her head out and so I grabbed my camera. There were actually three baby squirrels in the tree that kept fighting to peek out because of their curiosity. I actually have a shot from a few before where the one on top was determined to force it's head out to see.Time
It was taken in the middle of the afternoon around 2 pm. Normally not my favorite time to shoot since the light is so harsh. We were hanging around the campsite resting for a trip later in the day.Lighting
I was so lucky the shade of the tree helped give me soft lighting on the cute little animals. I did use a fill flash, harsh sunlight would have been too contrasty. Any kind of bounce fill probably would have scared them back in. I was just patient and took photos while they went in and out of the tree.Equipment
Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi, 70-200 mm f/4, Canon Speedlite 430EX IIInspiration
I am always on the lookout for any shots that inspire me. I LOVE taking pictures! I was out to shoot nature since I was looking for wildflower shots. On this trip I was able to catch quite a few animals and birds.Editing
I know nature photography should be more about the image of what you actually saw, I try not to over edit my photos. I worked in photo darkrooms for 20 years so I try to do in Lightroom/Photoshop what I would be able to do with an enlarger. Small crop, small curve adjustment and a little saturation. I have recently started using the McPhun filters I purchased which really gives some landscape photos some really nice oomph!In my camera bag
My Tenba backpack so far has been my best camera bag to date. LOVE IT! So versatile and heavy duty, and with traveling it still fits under the seat on an airplane for my personal item. Because of ViewBug I have decided to try to start upping my game and have upgraded to the Canon 6D. I am old school and used cameras with film, so when it all went digital it has been and is a huge learning curve. All that I knew without looking or thinking on my camera, now makes me stop and figure out what settings I need to use. It gets a little easier every time. I always have a long lens, 70-200 with me at all times and a wider angle lens for anything landscape. I usually have my Canon 430EX II flash. And I have fallen in love with my MeFOTO tripod. I couldn't really take the jump and buy the expensive tripods so I tried different cheaper models. I stumbled across this one and decided this was the one. I needed something light enough to travel with. This one fits in my carry on and is heavy duty enough to handle my camera with my long lens on it.Feedback
Patience!!!! That is the most important aspect when it comes to photographing anything, especially animals. I can not say I have always gone out of my way to make sure I am at the right place at the right time. I know the times for best lighting, but sometimes our schedules don't permit it. And everytime I rush something I'm mad at myself for not getting there sooner, staying longer, taking more photos, etc. That is what I have been starting to work on. I will always try to get a better shot the next time.
