Here's Looking at You, Kid - Best of Show Intermediate Enhanced - December 2009
Photographer: Marcy Trahan
Image Title: Here's Looking at You, Kid
Date: December 2009 - Best of Show Intermediate Enhanced
Score: 22/27
Comments from Judges:
The interplay of all the color and technical execution are excellent. The frog is less than an inch long. Technical part of the shot is exquisite. The background is very nice also, The diagonal line is strong and the intensity on the face of the frog is good. Good colors.
Q. How did you set the shot up?
There is an elemment of serendipity to taking animal shots. They don't exactly pose for you. While going through a botanical garden in Costa Rica, this little guy was very active for a noctural frog, and we were all eager to take its picture.
Q. What equipment did you use? A Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi, EF 100-400 mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS USM lens
Q. What f-stop and exposure? 1/50 sec at f/5.0, ISO 400
Q. How many attempts before the success?
I took 30 shots of the frog as it hopped from palm frond to stem and around. I have shots of it from just about every angle that I could get.
Q. What did you learn from taking the shot?
Patience, for one, animals will do what they do, not necessarily what you want. Try to be on eye level for the best shot. Also, with red-eyed tree frogs, which are nocturnal, do not use a flash since it will cause damage to their sensitive eyes.
Q. What did you learn from the image being judged at competition?
That was really exciting to get the year-end best of show. This was the first year that I have submitted images to the monthly competitions, and my very first "best of show," so I was really thrilled. My husband, Rich, said I "cackled" with glee all the way home. Seriously, the judges always see things regarding technical quality, composition, and subject matter that the photographer may not always see or be aware of when the picture is taken. So, it makes me more sensitive to being consciously aware of those things when I take the next picture.
