Cicada
Took me a long time to finally catch a good shot of one of these guys!
Took me a long time to finally catch a good shot of one of these guys!
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Mar, 2016Views
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Awards
Zenith Award
Creative Winter Award
Curator's Selection
Member Selection Award
Featured
Spring Selection Award
Contest Finalist in Miniature Masterpieces Photo Contest
Peer Award
Superb Composition
Top Choice
Absolute Masterpiece
Outstanding Creativity
Superior Skill
Magnificent Capture
All Star
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Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
Behind The Lens
Location
This photo was taken while traveling with my beautiful fiance. We were at the Palamidi fortress in Nafplio, Greece. The Palamidi fortress was built 1714 as a strategic military fortress .In 1715 it was captured by the Turks and remained under their control until 1822, when it was captured again by the Greeks.Time
This image was taken at 6:18 PM on a gorgeous sunny day with highs above 35°C.Lighting
This is a naturally lit photo. In order to get the lighting I desired I moved so that the sun was not behind my subject. Instead the sun is coming from about 45° to my left. I find doing this properly exposes the subject while not blowing out the sky.Equipment
This was shot on a Canon Rebel XS using a EF-S18-55mm f3.5-5.6 IS kit lens. No other equipment was involved in the shoot.Inspiration
I love traveling and capturing memories for later reflection. I also love having a camera in hand with nothing to worry about other than trying out some photography ideas, experiencing new places and meeting some interesting people. Cicadas had been making all sorts of noise while we were traveling in Italy and Greece but I never saw them in such large numbers until we toured this fortress. After being swarmed by about 50 of them departing from one particular tree I took a photo of this lone critter that was happy to stay still and pose for me. I am glad I have no hair as been swarmed by a bunch of cicadas is somewhat unnerving.Editing
I edited this photo in Adobe Lightroom using minimal adjustments other than colour correction, basic adjustments. The real trick to make the wings pop in the photo was increasing the orange and yellow saturation.In my camera bag
While traveling to places I am worried about taking expensive camera gear I have my dusty, or trusty, Canon Rebel XS which is a crop sensor camera. When I am using this crop body I am never without my Canon 35mm f2.0 lens which I use in low light situations. Most of the time in sunny days I use the kit lens a EF-S18-55mm f3.5-5.6 IS. In my professional photography bag I carry a Canon 5D MkII and a Canon 5D which are full frame cameras I use for events such as weddings, new born shoots and portraits. My favourite lens with these two cameras is my Canon 50mm f1.4. When doing street photography I again use my Canon 35mm f2.0 which has a wider perspective when used on a full frame camera body as opposed to a crop sensor camera body.Feedback
If you can hear cicadas they are around but they can be difficult to find. I am no expert but on this extremely hot day I believe the cicadas were taking roost in the evening shade of this tree, probably to stay cool. I initially spotted the movement in the tree and when I got close to try and take my first photo I was swarmed by over 50 of these critters. So I wouldn't recommend getting to close to a cicada roost unless you are cool with the prospect of being swarmed by some large insects. I was fortunate when this lone cicada decided to stay behind and pose for me on the tree limb.
