Andynbr

Gecko - upclose

Canon EOS 7D

settings

Aperture f/18 ISO 100 Shutter 1/200 Focal Length 50/1

upload_date

Mar, 2016

Views

243

Likes

+37

Awards

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+19

Outstanding Creativity

+16

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Absolute Masterpiece

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Same photographer See all Behind The Lens

Behind The Lens

Location

This photo was taken during a "Wild Arena" Macro day, where the organisers had brought along a few different reptiles and critters to photograph. We booked out the back store-room of a local camera shop and set up a table with a black cloth and black backdrop.

Time

I think this was taken around midday, but most of the natural light was shut out in favour of artificial light, which was far more controllable.

Lighting

For the lighting, I used a mix of continuous and studio lights. The continuous light was provided with a Manfrotto Lykos LED panel and the remote studio lighting provided by 2 Elinchrom heads. I used Elinchrom Skyports to fire the heads.

Equipment

This was shot hand held using a Canon 7D with a 50mm f/1.8 and a Kenko extension tube on to allow closer focussing. I used manual focussing as the extension tube made AF very difficult.

Inspiration

Being a Macro experience day, there were loads of different animals but this was probably my favourite animal to photograph during the day. I breed reptiles myself so I had an instant connection with the Gecko. I love spending time with my reptiles and photographing something that is slightly more out of the ordinary and not seen every day. This guy was very happy to still meaning I could really experiment with different angles, composition and lighting. He had no problems with the camera coming up close and personal, and would always follow the camera around so nailing focus on the eye was easier than with some of the other animals. I got far more photos of him that I was happy with compared to the other animals like frogs and cockroaches that wouldn't stay still.

Editing

There was a little post-processing involved as the image was shot in RAW so started quite flat. Some minor shadow and highlight adjustments were required as well as some contrast and clarity to bring that definition back, while keeping things looking realistic. A little sharpening was added as well. ISO 100 meant no noise reduction was not required and white balance was "as shot", but was set to "flash" on the camera prior.

In my camera bag

I use a Tarmac Anvil 27 bag and I have it crammed to the max! Since upgrading the 7D to a 5D MkIII, I carry around a 16-35mm f/2.8 L II, a 17-40mm f/2.8 L II and a 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS. I also use the nifty fifty f/1.8 and a Sigma 105mm OS Macro occasionally. Lighting comes from a pair of Yongnuo YN560s with the 560TX wireless transmitter. For wildlife and sports, I use a Sigma 150-600 Sport, but that will be all I carry due to the weight.

Feedback

If you have local companies or individuals who offer something like an animal experience day, take advantage of them. The ability to shoot something different from the norm, in slow time and in controlled conditions is worth the money, and the guys who run them are always happy to help and answer your questions. Whether it's bird photography, wild cats or reptiles and insects like this day, they are great fun to do and allow you to get shots you'd never get just going out into the wild and winging it.

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Andynbr

Andynbr

Gecko - upclose

Behind The Lens

See more amazing photos, follow Andynbr

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