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Green Dragon
2nd PlaceGreen Dragon
md8speed


Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: Macro V (Advanced Editing IV)
Camera: Nikon D70
Lens: Sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX Macro for Nikon
Location: Kitchen
Date: Jul 3, 2005
Aperture: 29
ISO: 200
Shutter: 1/160
Galleries: Animals, Macro
Date Uploaded: Jul 3, 2005

Taken with Sigma 105mm f/2.8 at f/29 with Nikon 50mm f/1.8 attached with a reversal ring manually stopped to f/1.8 with focus at infinity. Light provided by Nikon SB-800 with diffuser handheld about 12 inches above the bug. Yes he is alive.

In PS- Cropped about 10%, increased saturation and contrast. Adjusted curves. Cloned out some of the pollen on the eyes and hair. USM. Save for web.

Jacko-
Imitation is the highest form of flattery.

Statistics
Place: 2 out of 374
Avg (all users): 7.6844
Avg (commenters): 8.6071
Avg (participants): 7.6457
Avg (non-participants): 7.7614
Views since voting: 17061
Views during voting: 640
Votes: 263
Comments: 94
Favorites: 31 (view)


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AuthorThread
08/14/2008 10:51:13 AM
egads! his face looks like a kiwi
03/31/2008 12:51:04 AM
I really like macro pictures like this. this is amazing. im looking at buying this lens (Sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX Macro for Nikon) but whats the difference between this one and the Sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro for Nikon? what does DG mean can anyone help me out?
11/07/2007 10:45:50 PM
Absolutely wonderful capture! Love the vivid and bold greens on the face of this dragonfly. But the most defining feature of this capture is the great level of details you show us in this insect! From the individual 'diamond' shapes in the compound eyes to the hairs on the face you bring us up close and personal with this bug and show us every detail with sharp clarity.
07/16/2005 05:53:30 AM
awesome work you have there!

BTW how did you keep it still?

Message edited by author 2005-07-16 05:54:09.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/14/2005 04:36:46 PM
I have been looking at this since it won and the more I look at it the more I like it. The detail is amazing and I am soooooo jealous - I want a lens like that to take amazing shots like this. WELL DONE

By he way were any animals hurt in the making of this picture?

Message edited by author 2005-07-14 16:37:25.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/13/2005 11:27:17 PM
absoluteley beautiful. Wow. Well done!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/12/2005 01:01:21 PM
i like photos
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/12/2005 09:39:46 AM
Rotate slightly to the right, and this gets a 10 from me :-)
Great job
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/12/2005 03:14:01 AM
photos like yours here really make me hope i have a camera that is capable too. nice shot! this creature looks like he needs a shave, lol.

Message edited by author 2005-07-12 03:16:35.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/11/2005 11:47:59 PM
He needs a shave.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/11/2005 09:24:25 PM
Very, very nice... looks like Jacko has some tight competition now. Excellent work - congrats on your ribbon. :-)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/11/2005 08:41:39 PM
Big congrats on your red, Mike! Great macro abstract!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/11/2005 08:05:00 PM
nice job on making the front page on photosig as well.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/11/2005 06:49:39 PM
Congratulations on your Ribbon! Very well done and about as macro as it gets!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/11/2005 03:09:03 PM
This definitely deserved a BLUE!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/11/2005 12:05:51 PM
Congratulations! This is spectacular, both in color and clarity! Any entomologist would love this shot.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/11/2005 09:10:27 AM
Tough Challenge....Yours was certainly a great Macro. Congrats!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/11/2005 08:26:03 AM
Congrats!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/11/2005 07:34:06 AM
well done
07/11/2005 02:38:05 AM
Congratulations on a well deserved ribbon!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/11/2005 12:29:44 AM
This little guy rocks. Congratulations on your Red. No easy feat with so many entries.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/11/2005 12:26:14 AM
Congratulations, with that equipement you really got up close.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/11/2005 12:11:38 AM
Originally posted by kpriest:

Looks like a camel's mouth! I gotta get me a lens like yours! My top pick for the challenge so far. Even though bugs are a little cliché, every once in awhile a shot like this really stands out as extraordinary. Good luck!

Like I said - Extraordinary! A well-deserved ribbon and hearty congratulations from me. ...now I gotta get me a good macro lens!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/11/2005 12:07:56 AM
Jaysus, somehow I missed this one. How in HELL did you get so close? Great work! Good that you paid homage to Jacko too...

R.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/11/2005 12:06:09 AM
Originally posted by Jutilda:

Congrats!!! Who says bug shots don't win!!!


No-one - I think that's the point - on dpc, bug shots generally win :). I'd be a little more convinced if I hadn't seen this exact angle of a dragon fly at least a couple of other times on dpc - but it's technically very well done. And I'amazed that you managed this shot with a live dragonfly.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/11/2005 12:05:11 AM
Beautiful image. Congrats on your ribbon.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/11/2005 12:04:40 AM
Congratulations on the ribbon speedy. This was an excellent photograph, and worthy of a ribbon, even if it is a remake from Jacko.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/11/2005 12:04:32 AM
Congrats on your ribbon! Great shot!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/11/2005 12:03:46 AM
Congrats!!! Who says bug shots don't win!!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 Comments Made During the Challenge
07/10/2005 11:27:12 PM
Well, this photo won last time, why not try again? Technically very well done of course.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/10/2005 09:22:37 PM
what a cute little guy! Nice green and yellow tones - detail is pretty good. Too bad you could not get rid of the white specks on the eys though. Still - 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/10/2005 11:12:59 AM
{{{giggles}}}...he needs a shave!...at least I hope it's a he...
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/10/2005 02:14:15 AM
well, i knew i'd find one of these in here eventually. I really want to give this deserving photo a high score, but a pic that looks almost exactly the same won the previous one, and it might suffer from lack of originality. On that note, i'll deduct one point and give you a 9. good luck
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/10/2005 01:53:44 AM
Wow.. I envy all of you with reverse couplers.
Congratulations on a sure ribbon!


  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/09/2005 10:20:53 PM
Wow, now that is upclose and personal. Looks like he could use a little shave :) Excellent detail in this shot.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/09/2005 05:12:42 PM
Very good close-up. But can't recognise what kind of bug. May be too close...
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/09/2005 02:40:18 PM
Fit to challenge criteria: 2 /2
Contrast/Colors: 2/2
Photo Quality: 2/2
Composition: 2/2
My subjective affinity: 1/2
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/09/2005 05:28:17 AM
Great Shot. Excellent detail on the eyes and mouth with just the right amount of dof.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/09/2005 01:58:05 AM
Looks like a camel's mouth! I gotta get me a lens like yours! My top pick for the challenge so far. Even though bugs are a little cliché, every once in awhile a shot like this really stands out as extraordinary. Good luck!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/08/2005 07:19:34 PM
Gilette should invent some shaving devices for flies and mosquitos. ;)
Jeez, this is close. Colors, sharpness, exposure and overall punch are so good here. Normally you'd say 'damn those buggers' but this one is actually making a funny face. How can you slam one to death after a pic like this?
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/08/2005 02:46:26 PM
Someone needs a shave.. AMAZING.. 10..
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/08/2005 12:17:32 PM
Very nice macro
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/08/2005 10:15:13 AM
woh scary... hehe everything's great here... 8
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/08/2005 09:34:34 AM
what a monstershot. can not wait to hear what lense you used!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/08/2005 08:57:58 AM
Wow that's really close up....maybe too, but the detail on the mouth(?) is great. Some exposure problems maybe with extreme light and dark. Great abstract as well. Very cool!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/08/2005 07:52:47 AM
So many great shots in this challenge. It's a very hard choice to pick my favourite, but I think this may be it. Good luck on a ribbon. 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/08/2005 07:37:27 AM
You can't get much closer than this. Great macro. Excellent DOF, Sharpness and color. I will be interested to see what camera, lens and lighting set up you used.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/07/2005 09:03:31 PM
Excellent close up! Great texture in the eyes and his hairy face. I would like it better if it were leveled and centered. But still one of the best in the challenge.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/07/2005 08:51:36 PM
nice... best bug pic in the challenge 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/07/2005 07:52:36 PM
Excellent shot...the colour an focus are fantastic..good luck!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/07/2005 05:52:05 PM
Great capture
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/07/2005 04:55:19 AM
Actually, this is a little disturbing. Perhaps a little TOO close!! Makes me bug-eyed! LOL I must admit that I am truely impressed by your accomplishments at getting such a close macro. His nose, or whatever you call it on a bug, looks like its smushed up against your lens.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/06/2005 08:33:48 PM
YIKES! GREAT shot! So how was this set up? I hope this little goateed dragon fly didn't get hurt during the shoot :) Great DOF. Maybe a little rotation to the right to allow for a little more breathing space by the eye. Other than that, you've got my high score. 10+
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/06/2005 08:15:17 PM
cool head shot and wonderful macro; I can see all the details on the facets of the eyes...stunning job!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/06/2005 07:03:28 PM
i think you could have gotten a little closer. Heck any closer and we would see bug brains.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/06/2005 05:46:33 PM
funny looking bug, i like his smile- but other than being in extra sharp focus the composition looks like its been neglected - why is iit slightly tilted? why is it cropped tighter on the right than the left? what about the background? what about the glare on his nose and forehead?
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/06/2005 03:58:35 PM
Wow. Now that's close! Was he waiting for a kiss! I like this one. 8
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/06/2005 03:19:31 PM
Totally amazing. Excellent macro capture. One of my top three. 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/06/2005 02:54:16 PM
Simply wow! You cannot get closer than this!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/06/2005 12:38:22 PM
Outstanding sharpness. Fabulous, really. But, to get full points, more care needs to given to composition, line, and artistry. This is just an in your face bug face. The white background on the right is distracting.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/06/2005 11:24:36 AM
Kind of a chimpish smile :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/06/2005 08:13:13 AM
He forgot to shave this morning :) Awesome macro !
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/06/2005 05:05:54 AM
damn cool, looks like my beard, 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/05/2005 08:37:02 PM
Nice color and detail, this is a great shot, he looks like a cross between Shrek and a teenage mutant ninja turtle. With big eyes.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/05/2005 08:00:38 PM
wow, might have straightened it, maybe clone out odd bits of white 8
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/05/2005 04:34:09 PM
There had to be one of these and of all, this one is the best! Good luck.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/05/2005 04:26:26 PM
I knew it was a matter of time before I ran across one of these. This is just so cool and the focus is perfect.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/05/2005 04:23:32 PM
OMG thats what i call a macro Congrats on your Ribbon !!!.....10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/05/2005 02:01:28 PM
z

Message edited by author 2005-07-11 21:04:01.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/05/2005 12:35:28 PM
Nice shot and very crisp. 9
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/05/2005 10:12:20 AM
ok..if this is a real life bug then i am sooo jelous! i see a ribbon for this one(might not be the blue one because u forgot the water..LOL) congrats on an excellent photo..hope to see ya at the top!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/05/2005 08:11:36 AM
:) This is funny... didnt shave for a while. Nice portrait.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/05/2005 01:29:35 AM
9 - Yeah. This is why I had to vote (even via comments) on the Macro Challenge. There is nothing like a macro perspective. This photo is very near perfect. Okay, perhaps a little straightening, the two ahh antennae? in focus more, a more uniform background, a touch less shine on the 'snout', I don't know. Very good macro. Great perspective. Good colors.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/04/2005 10:34:52 PM
I've always wanted to compete against the best. The fact that I entered this challenge and I'm competing against this photo assures me of this. I'd be surprised to not see this with the blue. Nice, nice job! The comp and clarity are spectacular the DOF is perfect.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/04/2005 09:39:24 PM
How can something so ugly be so Beautiful? BTW He needs to shave.10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/04/2005 08:55:16 PM
Awesome detail!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/04/2005 06:40:34 PM
Wow! This belongs in a science book! I have never seen an insect in such detail before...just amazing. Good colors and lighting. The detail and clarity of the shot are superb!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/04/2005 05:14:03 PM
Now that's up close and personal. Great subject, the "smile" goes a long way. I might have fixed the small white areas in the eyes just to clean them up.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/04/2005 03:57:40 PM
Needs shawing.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/04/2005 03:22:20 PM
Very similar shot to some others I've seen from previous challenges, but fantastic DOF and color! Hard not to score this one very high. 9
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/04/2005 03:05:05 PM
Oh my...gotta love it....whatta face. Great work.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/04/2005 12:08:49 PM
ha ha needs a shave! this picture is amazing! I was getting fed up with dragonfly pictures, but this should be a ribbon winner for sure 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/04/2005 11:56:15 AM
Now you are officially Jacko's brother :D
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/04/2005 11:38:33 AM
Holy facial hair. :-) Nice and close with a perfect focus on the front of the head and the eyes. Awesome shot. Good luck in the challenge!

Returning to say this is my pick for the blue.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/04/2005 11:01:32 AM
Ohmygoodness. 1st place. End of story. Jeeeeeeeez, that's up close and personal. Yikes. Fantastic job! 10 (of course)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/04/2005 10:22:43 AM
Now that's a macro, great focus and color.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/04/2005 09:45:10 AM
man I need a macro lense, this is so cool, my congrats to you on a fantastic shot! 9.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/04/2005 07:31:44 AM
superb! That's how I look in the morning before I shave. 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/04/2005 06:52:21 AM
Perfect focus, a great photo. This fellow needs a shave. :-) 9
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/04/2005 06:50:12 AM
Wonderful. My one critism though is that I would have done a small crop and a rotate so that the top of the eyes was parallel to the top of the frame. 9
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/04/2005 06:26:17 AM
As a photograph, this could be framed better. But WOW! Look at that! I'd love to get my hands on the hardware that made this possible. Nice colors, too.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/04/2005 02:01:16 AM
What a face! Super coloration. The detail of his whiskers is amazing. Nice lighting on this shot.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/04/2005 01:14:49 AM
Now THIS is a macro! Great job... good luck!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/04/2005 12:34:55 AM
people just get better and better at macros dont they
7
  Photographer found comment helpful.


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