MarkHawthornePhoto

Wetapunga

New Zealand native Wetapunga (giant weta) being re-introduced to pest free islands. Heaviest insect in the world.

New Zealand native Wetapunga (giant weta) being re-introduced to pest free islands. Heaviest insect in the world.
Read less

DMC-FZ300

Aperture 14/5 ISO 250 Shutter 1/80 Focal Length 96/5

location

Bay of Islands, Northland, NZ

upload_date

Jul, 2021

Views

Likes

Awards

Judge Favorite

Magnificent Capture

Peer Award

Top Ranks

Top 30 rank

Top 10 rank

Top 10 rank week 2

Top 20 rank week 1

Behind The Lens

Location

This photo was taken on one of the many Islands in the Bay of Islands, Northland, New Zealand. This particular Island is called Urupukapuka and is one of several, now pest free islands, thanks to the hard work of a lot of people!

Time

It was taken around midday or early afternoon.

Lighting

The lighting is natural shade conditions. Although it was a bright sunny day we were under the forest canopy which gave a nice light that my camera seemed to like.

Equipment

This was shot on my Lumix FZ300, bridge camera. A handheld close up. No other equipment and I am by no means professional.

Inspiration

Because of my interest in photography I was asked to take photos on the day, which I was very happy to do. It gave me a bit more experience and motivation to try for the best shots I could get, with the somewhat limited knowledge and equipment I have. The purpose of the day was to reintroduce over a hundred Wetapunga (Giant Weta) to 3 of the now pest free Islands. They are native to New Zealand but sadly not seen in this area since 1839. The Wetapunga have struggled due to introduced pest-predators and widespread habitat modification and loss, since humans arrived. These particular insects were raised at Auckland zoo, as part of the reintroduction process.

Editing

Even though I come from a feature film and visual effects editing background, I don't generally do much to my photos. I just crop to get the best framing and slightly tweak the lighting, colour and contrast until I get the look I like best, to my eye anyway. I like raw photography and at this point have little interest in manipulating my shots dramatically. That may change as I progress.

In my camera bag

I have my basic bridge camera and a tripod, that's it. At some point I would like a more professional camera.

Feedback

I don't really have any advice for capturing this kind of shot. If it looks good in the camera then that's all I go by. Oh, and maybe take lots of photos with slightly different lighting and different angles. Hopefully one or two of them will be good, that's about it for my strategy ;-)

See more amazing photos, follow MarkHawthornePhoto

MarkHawthornePhoto

MarkHawthornePhoto

Wetapunga

New Zealand native Wetapunga (giant weta) being re-introduced to pest free islands. Heaviest insect in the world.

Behind The Lens

See more amazing photos, follow MarkHawthornePhoto

Share photos. Enter contests to win great prizes. Earn coins, get amazing rewards. Join for free.

Share photos. Enter contests to win great prizes.
Earn coins, get amazing rewards. Join for free.