Lightly Killed and Crispy Fried (Monty Python)
by Harvey G (Photocommission.com) on Jan.16, 2012, under Flora and Fauna, General, Macro, Nature, Photography 101, Portfolio, Published, Road Trip, Sigma Photo, Wildlife, Workshop
Lunch Lizard © HarveyG Photography (seen on SigmaPhoto.com)
I lay flat on my stomach for an hour watching this guy catch his lunch during a workshop getaway in and around Hoedspruit, Limpopo, South Africa. Used a Sigma 100-300mm f/4 APO EX DG APO HSM full-frame non-stabilised lens on the D90 (Sadly it is discontinued by Sigma as they have replaced it with a 120-300mm f/2.8 and I’m counting pennies ;p ) This gives me the effective range of 150-450mm on the DX small-frame sensor of the D90. Distance to subject about 180 cm / 70.9 in right at the cusp of closest focus. A small 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 would also work as long as it’s the DG (full frame) and not the DC 18-250mm version. Note the low POV. Critical in getting more powerful images. I wished more people would do that with their pet images on Facebook!
The lizard polished off at least half a dozen insects and larvae in one hour. They are so fast that by the time he’s scampered to catch the fallen insect he’s half swallowed it already before you get a shot. You have to be spot on with focus and constantly alert. Shutter priority is the way to go and once you have mastered that go aperture priority but keep an eye on the shutter speed. At least double the speed of the maximum focal length of your lens to get a sharp unblurred image. In my case that would be 1/800th or more preferably 1/1000th. A bean bag is handy as this big lens weighs 1480 g / 52.2 oz, and gets harder to hold as time goes by, however the POV is then slightly higher and not so powerful a shot.
ETA 2012/01/19: ID just in! Thanks to to Trevor from Hardaker.co.za Common Flat Lizard (Platysaurus intermedius) Possibly male.
Watching him snack bugs reminded me of The Crunchy Frog sketch by Monty Python:
Happy New Year 2012
by Harvey G (Photocommission.com) on Jan.09, 2012, under Flora and Fauna, General, Print for Sale, Road Trip, Wildlife, Workshop
Well it’s back to the grindstone for most of us. Hope you all feel refreshed like these little guys and have a fabulous 2012!
Splish Splash - Crowned Lapwings aka Kiewiet (c) H Grohmann photographed during a Workshop at Rietvlei NR
and all those togs that can afford the new Nikon D4 should have a blast at the Olympics with it this year.
Topaz Labs 2012 Year End Special
by Harvey G (Photocommission.com) on Dec.26, 2011, under Gear, Software
Topaz Labs full & upgrade bundles 30% off till 01.01.2012 Click this link > TOPAZ LABS SPECIAL & use the coupon code “YearEndSavings”
Belated Christmas Gift valid till 01/01/2012 
Merry Christmas!
by Harvey G (Photocommission.com) on Dec.25, 2011, under General, News
Thank you for reading this past year. Hope you have a safe peaceful holiday and a prosperous 2012. More regular updates in the new year and some exciting happenings and offers. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook too!
Nikon ViewNX 2.2.5 Released
by Harvey G (Photocommission.com) on Dec.15, 2011, under News, Software
Many bug fixes and support for new cameras.
ViewNX 2 is all-in-one image browsing and editing software application for both still images and movies. It is a fun and easy-to-use application offering enhanced operation.
In addition to image browsing function, ViewNX 2 allows users to adjust image size and brightness, as well as offering new editing functions that enable cropping and image straightening for RAW-, TIFF- and JPEG-format images. Naturally, it also enables adjustment of such aspects as white balance and exposure compensation for RAW images captured with Nikon digital cameras. Smooth collaboration with my Picturetown, Nikon’s image storage and sharing service, has also been achieved. What’s more, Nikon Transfer 2 has been incorporated into ViewNX 2 for transferring images to a computer, and functions for editing movies, including one that allows you to trim movie footage, have also been included.Modifications enabled with version 2.2.5:
Modifications that apply to both the Windows and Macintosh versions
- Auto 2 is now available for selection from the list of White Balance settings in the Adjustments palette for RAW images captured with the COOLPIX P7100.
- An issue that prevented display of Exposure mode in the Metadata palette for images captured underwater in Easy Auto mode with the COOLPIX AW100/AW100s has been resolved.
- An Event box has been added under Description in the Metadata palette.
- Lens information is now displayed in the Metadata palette for images captured with the Nikon 1 V1 or Nikon 1 J1 using the Mount Adapter FT1 and a CPU lens.
Additional modifications to the Macintosh version
- Support for Mac OS X version 10.7 has been added.
Additional modifications to the Windows version
- An issue that prevented the editing of metadata, application of labels and/or ratings, or image rotation on some systems has been resolved.
Get it here
Nikon D4
by Harvey G (Photocommission.com) on Dec.14, 2011, under Camera, Gear, Hardware, News, Specifications
Rumours have been flying around for a while. Thom Hogan’s logic about the life cycle of Nikon models and their launch times makes sense as is his question as to who will buy the D4 is also pertinent as it means that delivery will not be in the 100′s of thousands. The D800 (D700 replacement) and a successor to the D300s would be more important to Nikon. The only curve ball has been the Tsunami in Japan and the flooding in Malaysia which has set them back a few months. Expect an announcement at the PMA show in Las Vegas (January 10-13, 2012).
Here are a few specs gleaned from the web (scary right?) from sources that are generally on the ball. The D4 would be competing with the Canon EOS 1Dx.
16.2 MP (18Mp?)
11 fps
Shutter durability up from 150,000 to 300,000 (A real guess)
100 to 102,400 native ISO range, expandable to 50 and 204,800
Face detection/recognition function that will work in the viewfinder (Nikon has submitted several viewfinder patents)
Improved video, possibly 1080p/30/25/24 fps and 720p/60/30/25/24 fps similar to the expected Nikon D800
Uncompressed video out through an HDMI port
Ability to assign the two front body buttons to smooth aperture control during video recording
Compatible with a new Nikon WT-5 wireless transmitter to replace the 2007 WT-4a
Ethernet integrated in camera (wired tethered shooting?)
Expeed 3
USB 3.0
Improved 51 AF points
AF detection range will go down to EV-2.0 (the D3s went to EV -1)
Autofocus system: 9 cross-type sensors operational up to f/8
Compact Flash + XQD memory card slots.
Gear I use: Bodies: Nikon D-SLR’s / Lenses: Nikon, Sigma, Tokina, Vivitar /
Filters: Hoya UV & Polarizing / Flash: Nikon Speed-lights / Bag: Lowe Pro /
Tripods & Heads: Manfrotto / Grips, Triggers, Timers, Batteries: Phottix /
Editing Plug-in: Topaz Labs for Noise Reduction, HDR.
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-= Planet Earth is my studio =-
Thank you for visiting! I've been photographing for commissions (events), clients (print & electronic media), myself (wildlife) & family, friends, colleagues since the early '80's all over the world. I started young, before the digital age. Every image was and still is thought out, perceived, anticipated, hand crafted. Passion is a word freely bandied about by 'togs but passion alone doesn't translate into powerful, emotive, memorable imagery.
But coupled with professionalism & experience...
Let me show you why it's worth hiring an experienced photographer!
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