Good Vibes
I set out this morning and didn't find much inspiration downtown at the farmer's market and along the waterfront. I figured I'd try my luck over at Greenfield Lake and see if any interesting creatures or characters could be found. Lucky for me, one of the alligators was right near the lake edge by the walkway. With only a few people around and having finally brought my 70-300 lens I set to work on the 6-7 foot reptilian.
I ended up at one point laying down and holding my camera just above the water to try and snag some low POV shots. Well, apparently my machinations had a couple interested enough to start asking me about photography. Was I a professional? Enthusiast? Do Is sell my work? Have I been published or travel specifically for shots? These questions led me to tell of my minor successes and when I told the man I was in National Geographic he shook my hand and said he couldn't wait to look up that issue to see my shot.
I am so very grateful for friends and family who offer such kind words and support for my photography. As good as that is, there's something so very fulfilling about hearing interest and compliments from a stranger. Maybe they were just being nice, but I don't think so. It sounds a bit new age-y, but I thank them for the good vibes they gave me this morning.
Good News From National Geographic
Crazy Man
I'm continuing to really enjoy my Nikkor 40mm micro lens, but it's having an impact on my behavior.
Sure, if you're trying to get an interesting shot of something, someone who is observing you can figure out what the deal is. You have a camera in hand and you may be climbing something, crouching down, etc. That's all fine and good. But what happens when the subject matter happens to be an inch long damselfly that only you can see? That was the position I found myself in the garage where I was going around in circles with my pointer finger in the air. I had to look like a complete mental patient who's miming "We're number one!" as I tried to get the guy to land on my finger.
I finally got him to land and got a pretty cute handheld shot, but even better is knowing that my family is now accustomed to this aberrant behavior and hardly blinks an eye.
Lesson Learned: Update
Almost fell off the chair yesterday when I checked my e-mail and saw my own picture sitting right there in the Popular Photography's message. Looks like my shot was selected for the "Best of July" readers submitted gallery. Looks like I'll have a 1 in 10 chance of making the print edition. Not so bad if I do say so myself.
http://www.popphoto.com/gallery/your-best-shot-gallery-july-2012?image=12
Lesson Learned
As a 42 year old man I've learned a very valuable lesson when it comes to macro photography of insects. If you're going to take photos of these guys and have to work 1 inch away from them (due to the short 40mm lens).... MAKE SURE THE DAMN THINGS ARE DEAD!
I could have sworn that this guy with the the killer spike for a mouth had passed on to the great bug beyond. If you had left me in the pool for hours, that would certainly do the trick. Not with this guy. After about 30 shots, I looked again through the lens to see his spike moving and his breathing kicking in. PHOTO SHOOT OVER!
Lesson-learned number two is that I can still scream like a little girl when necessary...
