I am an American baby boomer with varied interests and I consider myself to be a new-comer to photography, especially digital photography. Since getting my Nikon 7900 in '04, I have become rather interested in capturing wildflower and small critter close-up images: thus most of my postings are of those subjects, but occasionally I do find other things that either interest me or I just feel compelled to share, lol. I use a point and shoot Nikon 7900 coolpix digital camera and I am usually within a few inches of my subjects. I seldom use a tripod. My camera has very few manual adjustments so most of the time I have it set to "macro" mode. With this setting, I get a 7.8mm lens with an f stop of 4.8 and aperture speed of around 1/50-1/100 of a sec. I do my digital editing using Paint Shop Pro XI as the primary program with some usage of a few specialized features in Photoshop 7. I appreciate all comments but I ESPECIALLY like those that give honest critiques. Update: I bought a Nikon D40X with 2 Nikon AF-S VR lens (18-55mm and 55-200mm) at the end of 2008 but did not have free time to play with it until May 2009. It is a steep learning curve to go from point and shoot to DSLR, especially if one knows nothing about photography beyond - turn it on - then point and shoot, lol.
Update #2 - Aug 2013: I bought a Panasonic Lumix DMC - Lx7 because the Coolpix 7900 is on it's last legs. BIO I am a 60ish single man with a diverse background of employment. Among other things, at one time or another, I have been an engineering draftsman, a union carpenter, a member of the International Alliance of Theatrical and Stagehands union, a stained glass pattern maker, a ranch hand, a lifeguard, and a member of the USAF for almost 8 years. I have been retired for over 20 years because of a back injury and now spend my time enjoying my 25 acres of Northeast Texas Woodland. I have been building a house for the past 10 years and may even finish it eventually, lol. Thanks to all who have taken the time to comment on my postings and I hope everyone (who has clicked on one of them) enjoyed the image. Lee
Comments (13)
kimariehere
awesome macro shot WOW he looks like an alien !!!! very cool!!! still wondering how you manage to find so many critters its mind boggaling!! lol!! ...
MrsLubner
Gosh, you are brave! I learned a while back that those guys bite and it hurts. I see this one is curious about you and maybe that will distract it. Great shot!
frankman
Great shot. i just thought those creatures are much bigger.... What did you do it looks right in the camera?? fabulous
durleybeachbum
Amazing creature, and you've captured all the detail in the body; you've got a steady hand! Brilliant shot.
JeffG7BRJ
Awesome macro Lee, frankman thinks these are larger insects, I assume that this is the male that is a lot smaller than the female. I always think of Quatermass when I see these creatures, it was a TV series in the late fifties/ early sixties and the aliens they found inside a space ship looked very similar to the mantis. Excellent shot and very fitting for Holloween I think. Bravo!!!!!
tizjezzme
Omgosh, this is SO GOOD Lee! He's even looking at the camera.. how perfect.
krakosky
fantastic macro,great work
mbz2662
Looks like a "Men In Black" alien... lol. You let that dude get on your finger! Don't they bite?
bkhook
A really fantastic shot! They are so fascinating to watch.
NightGallery
Man these things are soooo coool. I NEVER see these in So Cal. Just an awesome creature. Great shot!!!
amlondono
AWESOME < SO..............GOOD !!!!!!!!!!!!! , Thanks for sharing , Ana
bpclarke
This little guy is watching you. Excellent macro shot. Love those wonderful details. Bunny
erskogly
Fascinating creatures - and up close they have a look that is quite fitting for Halloween:) Excellent capture!