What is to be learned, Grasshopper?

[Don Ellis]

Leela often asks if it's necessary that I always carry a camera with me. And I always say, "You never know...."

You never know if you'll be the only one there to record an event or a face or an interesting moment. I lugged the cameras around all day yesterday and never took them out of the bag once until Leela picked me up at the train station and we arrived home. As I stepped out of the car, this grasshopper landed at my feet, so I broke out the camera and the macro lenses and took a few photos while Leela went in the house.

After 15 minutes or so, I had what I wanted and figured I should go spend some time with my girl. I looked up to see her standing there with her own camera, next in line for the grasshopper photo op... things are looking up.

http://www.kleptography.com/dl/fm/grasshopper1.jpg

http://www.kleptography.com/dl/fm/grasshopper2.jpg

Cheers,

Don

Canon G2, Hoya +10 for the first shot, B+W +5 for the second.

[gro]

omg .. thats awsome man .... so much detail and the angle of the 2nd 1

[Ballen Photo]

Don, These are GREAT! Now, where is the photo of Leela taking a photo? :wink:
-Bruce

[Conk]

Your second shot is definately a winning shot. Way to go Don! Most excellent.

[JMAS]

Don,
You are a Master! 8)

The second shot is awesome. :shock:


Thanks for sharing.


Jaime

[HJMinard]

Wow :shock: :shock:

Those are really, really (really) good :!:

Love the perspective in the second shot.

[Don Ellis]

And here I thought that everyone replied only on weekdays when they were in the office... thanks to all of you for taking a moment from your weekend.

And thanks for your very nice comments. The first shot is definitely a "meet and greet" shot so you can get a close-up view. He was about 3.5 inches (9 cm) long, by the way.

The second shot is by far the more interesting and a reminder to me as much as anyone that these types of shots are better when there's something else in the frame to add interest.

I took 45 shots and I look through them just as you do... critically, and to see which ones are the most striking. The car certainly added a nice dimension.

Thanks (did I say that?)... well, I meant it.

Don

[Don Ellis]

Don, These are GREAT! Now, where is the photo of Leela taking a photo? :wink:
-Bruce

Always want the shot of the girl, dontcha? :lol: Well, I can't blame you but I can't help you this time. I was in bugmode. Maybe next time.

Thanks for your comments.

Don

[latigid soe]

Awesome shots......simply awesome :D

[marie]

Don,

You are a Master! 8)



:shock:

my words exactly
.... from day one

here is living proof

really wonderful shots.
you did the little fellow justice.
one could almost love him dearly :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

hope you had a nice trip (not meaning the grasshopper) :lol:


the unplanned pictures nearly always come out best... I think

these are just really great

you yourself must be thrilled
if you are human
and that you are :lol: :lol:

the first picture is tops
but the second with the scale of the car beside the grasshopper is ..just.... .. terrific

(I'm amazed he didn't jump before you got the shots Don ) 8) :D

[Moppie]

As everyone else said, they are amazing!

An excellent example of why you should keep a camera on you :)


I keep going back to the 2nd photo, theres great contrast between the bug and the car, in both colour and theme.

[thomascanty]

Wow, those are very sharp and clear! He sure is green, too. Nice captures.

[xdjoynerx]

and from a g2 :shock:

[drisley]

Uhh, how do you get so close without the grasshopper hopping away?
You must be... "The Bug Whisperer"!
8)
Oh wait! Is that a "made in china" stamp on that bug?

[TJ]

great hopper pics

[CyberDyneSystems]

Don,

You constantly amaze me!

That second shot is simply one of the greatest "bug macros" I have ever seen. Period.

It is so completely filled with character that I feel as if it is more like a still from a "Pixar" animation than a photo.

Fantastic.

[LazyPhotographer]

Superb images!

[Ballen Photo]

Don,

You constantly amaze me!

That second shot is simply one of the greatest "bug macros" I have ever seen. Period.


And what's even more amazing is He's "SMOKIN" a lot of us that have fallen for having to have "The Latest & Greatest" equipment, thinking that will allow us to produce photos like the ones that Don has here, taken with a G-2. :shock: Kudos Don, my hat is off to you.
-Bruce

[CyberDyneSystems]

There's a BIG difference between having the cake for a big kit of tech..

...and having talent and artistic vision. :shock:

[Ballen Photo]

There's a BIG difference between having the cake for a big kit of tech..

...and having talent and artistic vision. :shock:

Same thing I said. Only we used different words. :wink:
-Bruce

[Belmondo]

There's a BIG difference between having the cake for a big kit of tech..

...and having talent and artistic vision. :shock:

Some of us would appreciate if you didn't rub it in. :cry: :oops: :wink:

[Lone Wolf 75]

Those are really great. I've never seen a grasshopper up that close and personal.

[PhotosGuy]

Excellent shots!

[cmM]

amazing macros !!!

#2 is a great portait :)

[Don Ellis]

Had I known I was going to get this kind of reaction, I would have photographed a grasshopper a long time ago. :shock: Better late than never, I suppose.

So many people with so many nice comments... thanks very much to everyone. I'm glad you enjoyed the shots. It was one of those events where you have a willing (or at least not freaked out) insect and after taking the obligatory "big bug" shot and he's still hanging around, you figure you'd better think up something a little more creative. Fortunately, the big Toyota Previa van looks like some sort of concept racing car from this angle. And the color and rims and highlights help reinforce the illusion.

I took 45 shots, by the way, which is not as many as I would usually take, but I was in a bit of hurry. Considering the reaction here, I guess it was enough.

Again, thanks for all your very generous comments. It was a great way to start Monday morning.

Cheers,

Don

[Don Ellis]

Don,
You constantly amaze me!
That second shot is simply one of the greatest "bug macros" I have ever seen. Period.
It is so completely filled with character that I feel as if it is more like a still from a "Pixar" animation than a photo.
Fantastic.

What a great compliment. Thanks, CDS. I still find it surprising how an ordinary "let's take this shot" can evolve into one of your better photos. It also serves as a personal reminder to look for ways to transform ordinary shots. After all, we're just making this up as we go along (at least I am). :)

Cheers,

Don

[Don Ellis]

And what's even more amazing is He's "SMOKIN" a lot of us that have fallen for having to have "The Latest & Greatest" equipment, thinking that will allow us to produce photos like the ones that Don has here, taken with a G-2. :shock: Kudos Don, my hat is off to you.
-Bruce

Thank you, Bruce. That's very kind. We all fall into that "better equipment, better photos" train of thought. It was only a couple of weeks ago that I was thinking a G6 might be a nice upgrade. Instead, I bought a new printer on Friday and on Saturday I shot this grasshopper, who turned out to be a nice reminder that the G2 is still working well. It's also a reminder of how important the tilt-and-swivel LCD is to my style of shooting -- I just set the camera on the ground and shot from his level, something that would have been extremely difficult with a normal viewfinder.

Thanks for the tip of the hat.

Cheers,

Don

[Nolz]

absolutely fantastic!!!! i thought the first shot was good! then i saw the second and must conclude they are BOTH fantastic!!!!

[jaypie77]

I realize that everybody and their mother has already weighed in here, but I just have to say:

SHOT #2 IS AWESOME!

[cgratti]

Were you lying on the ground for shot #2?

Perfect shot!

[robekert]

Don,
Is that your car in the background of that awesome shot #2 (I really like the distortion provided by the close-up filter). It looks like there is a set of "rims" on that ride..........maybe some "dubs" some "22s". Laz once referred to you as "pimp daddy" You down with that?
Cheers,
Rob

P.S. Please excuse my feeble attemp at not appearing as though I am a 40ish, balding, white male.

[JMAS]

I find myself coming back to this thread.
The sequence is mostly the same:
1 -look at the 2nd shot;
2 -look at my camera;
3 -hear a profound sigh.

Your question was "Grasshopper, what have you learn today?"
1-Don is a Master!
2-Before upgrading the camera one must upgrade himself, so that the ratio is somewhat favourable.

Thanks again, :wink:
Jaime

[Spargo]

Did someone say grasshopper?!
http://www.bearfootnw.com/pictures/CRW_0282.jpg

Taken with Digital Rebel and 18-55 kit lens @ 55mm on my screen door. Note: I was very close. :lol: And I know it's not as good as your pic but thought I'd share this quick snapshot. :)

[Don Ellis]

Were you lying on the ground for shot #2?
Perfect shot!

Thank you... I wasn't lying on the ground but my G2 was... boosted only by the permanent quick-release plate on one side and my finger on the other, so that the center of the lens was about 1.5 inches off the ground. I was looking down on the the LCD viewfinder.

Cheers,

Don

[Don Ellis]

Don,
Is that your car in the background of that awesome shot #2 (I really like the distortion provided by the close-up filter). It looks like there is a set of "rims" on that ride..........maybe some "dubs" some "22s". Laz once referred to you as "pimp daddy" You down with that?
Cheers,
Rob

P.S. Please excuse my feeble attemp at not appearing as though I am a 40ish, balding, white male.

Robert!


Always nice to take a shot that drags you out of your burrow and makes you act like a teenager. ("You're only young once, but you can be juvenile forever.")

As for the car, you missed one of the follow-up comments in this more-than-ample thread... "Fortunately, the big Toyota Previa van looks like some sort of concept racing car from this angle. And the color and rims and highlights help reinforce the illusion. "

So... Fat Family Van masquerading as Formula One... and it's not mine, in any case. Leela and I drive a Mazda MX5.

Thanks as always for butting in here. :lol:

Don

[Don Ellis]

I find myself coming back to this thread.
The sequence is mostly the same:
1 -look at the 2nd shot;
2 -look at my camera;
3 -hear a profound sigh.

Your question was "Grasshopper, what have you learn today?"
1-Don is a Master!
2-Before upgrading the camera one must upgrade himself, so that the ratio is somewhat favourable.

Thanks again, :wink:
Jaime

Flattery is even nicer when it's funny. Thanks, Jaime.

I may have photographed myself into a corner... people think I'm a genius because it was taken with a G2. If I'd used a G6, they'd be thinking, "Of course it's a decent photo... look at the camera he's using." I may never be able to upgrade. :D

One thing I occasionally remind myself ... if we had had any one of these cameras 20 years ago, it would have been magic. Just because it's 20 years later doesn't mean it still isn't.

Cheers,

Don

[SuperFly]

Hi Don,

Stunning Grasshopper Images - Shot #2 is definitely the best grashopper picture i've ever seen.

I wish I could add more that hasnt already been mentioned :)

[joekr]

sweet shots!!!!

[JoseC]

What a wonderfull shots, especially the second one.
Congrats.
Jose

[Drk Orange]

Typical, the images are gone before I get to see them. :(

[Don Ellis]

Typical, the images are gone before I get to see them. :(

Hi... I never delete shots from my online posting gallery but thanks to your message I checked and the entire folder is missing. Incredible. :evil:

But I have a backup and the grasshopper was uploaded first and now I'm uploading everything else.

Thanks very much for saying something instead of just looking and going away disappointed. You've saved me and a lot of people some real annoyance.

Cheers :D

Don

[Drk Orange]

I checked and the entire folder is missing.

Yeah, I also checked and there was nothing even in the parent directory. That's when I knew something ungood had happened.

I'm glad I got to see the images eventually, they were well worth the hassle. (And glad the other half is seeing the light)