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 (10)
durleybeachbum
Very tropical, Lee! It works really well as an art piece, but as a keen nature lover I should be very interested in seeing what is left of your 'pond'!
morningglory
I love the whole look of this one. It would make a great art card. I see a little bit of gray-blue in his tail feathers.
LovelyPoetess
Always hard to catch these guys up close, although you've gotten pretty near the fellow. Nice work on the background. I never cease to be amazed when I see them perched in a tree. Somehow that looks so alien to me.
blinkings
I'm not a fan of fake backgrounds, but as they go this is a goooody!
whaleman
You did a nice job, but perhaps a bit too vibrantly different. Still, I find it very appealing and I love the bird shot just as it is!
Fidelity2
It is super cool. I thank you for this one. 5+!
photosynthesis
I think the background is a nice creative touch & adds drama to this image - well done...
Katraz
Nice touch.
kgb224
The background certainly does it for me in this capture. You did amazing photo editing work in this capture. Congratulations for being featured in gallery of the week 36. God Bless.
mbz2662
Very nice. I like :)