Guardian
Oct, 2016Views
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Awards
Winner in Farm Life Photo Challenge
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Outstanding Creativity
Superb Composition
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Behind The Lens
Location
This shot was taken in Jones Oklahoma.Time
When we got there around 6pm that evening we found that the baby chicks had arrived earlier in the day. "Of course we had to go see them. I mean, who doesn't want to hold and love on some fluffy little peeps." (pun intended) After loving on them for a bit, it dawned on me that I should grab my camera.Lighting
To be honest... I kind of got lucky with the lighting in this shot. I was debating whether to add some "creative" lighting or not when I seen this little guy stop and take up his post as if to guard his siblings from the camera. The heating lamp was the only source of light in the coop and he happened to stop in just the right spot, so keeping my elbows on the inside of the enclosure for stability, I took the shot.Equipment
This shot was taken with a Sony Alpha 350, (a350) 18mm - 70mm kit lens, no flash, no tripod (unless my elbows count...) "didn't think so"Inspiration
My wife and I live in Oklahoma City and go to a small country "home" church out in Jones Oklahoma. We love to escape the hustle and bustle of the big noisy city twice a week. I started taking my gear and getting there early so I could try to capture the beauty and tranquility of the (slower paced) country side. Beautiful sunsets over the pond and through the trees, birds, insects, chickens and most recently goats are just a few subjects out there that are not readily available in the city. I can only hope that some of my photos will inspire others to get out their cameras and start clicking.Editing
I did very little post-processing with this image. Lens correction, touch of contrast and a tiny (almost imperceptible) bit of vignette.In my camera bag
I keep 2 equipment bags that have an assortment of goodies for different types of shoots. One bag is for camera, lenses, filters, and other accessories. The other bag is for all of my flash equipment. I have a hunters waist pack (fancy fanny pack) that I load depending on where and what I plan on doing. That way I don't have to carry everything that I won't be using. In the camera bag: Sony a77, 18-55mm lens, 75-200mm lens, Tamron 180mm dedicated macro lens, Raynox DCR-250, Raynox MSN-202, 2x teleconverter, wired, wireless and remote triggers, memory cards, batteries, assorted filters, extension tubes and the cleaning kit. In the flash bag: 3 Yongnuo speed lights, 1 flexable dual arm light kit with 2 Yinyan BY-18 speed lights, hot shoe adapters, stands, batteries and back drops.Feedback
"You will miss 100% of the shots that you don't take" - Wayne Gretzky You can't take the shot if you don't have your camera. If my camera was not in the truck, I would not have gotten this shot. I try to keep my basic gear nearby - Camera, 18-55mm lens and the 180mm macro lens. My advice for someone wanting to grow their skills as a photographer... "Get your camera out and start clicking". Just wishing you could be a better photographer isn't enough.
