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THE CAPTURE


THE CAPTURE
Photo Information
Copyright: Ram Thakur (ramthakur) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3300 W: 167 N: 9937] (32246)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-03-05
Categories: Reptiles
Camera: Nikon D200, Sigma 70-300 4-5.6 APO DG MACRO, 58mm UV
Exposure: f/10.0, 1/160 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2008-03-05 3:14
Viewed: 780
Points: 34
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
The Capture

This is the fastest shot I ever took as an amateur nature photographer and there is a story to tell about it.
This morning I was out in the park adjacent to our school, trying to take pictures of the school building with my Sigma 70-300mm (I don't have a normal lens yet)for the purpose of designing the cover page of one of our publications.
When I had finished taking pictures, I started walking across the small park to return to my office. Suddenly I noticed a yellow wasp alighting on the fallen petal of a poppy flower near the flower bed. Almost in a reflex, I aimed my camera at the wasp and started fiddling with the zoom ring on 70-300mm to focus on the insect. I did not have enough time to select aperture and shutter speed since I thought the wasp could fly away any time. When I was about to press the shutter, suddenly something pounced at the wasp at lightening speed; amazed, I removed the camera from my eye and saw a young garden lizard holding my subject in its mouth.
Apparently, the lizard had defeated me in the contest to "capture" the subject both of us were interested in!
In a reflex action again, I clicked away at fast as I could but before I could press the shutter for the fourth time, another lizard appeared and pounced at the first one, trying to snatch away its catch. I tried to capture that action but the things were happening so fast I could get a couple of fully blurred shots only.
Out of the three shots I took of the "capture", I found this one better than the other two.
I hope you enjoy looking at it.

Thanks.
mariki, matatur, pankajbajpai, cataclysta, Argus, jcoowanitwong, Karin, eruyanik, uleko, smitha, kmr13777 has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To uleko: Thanksramthakur 2 03-06 12:20
To cataclysta: Hiramthakur 1 03-05 06:14
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • lousat Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1982 W: 6 N: 5529] (19689)
  • [2008-03-05 3:54]

Hi Ram,very impressive pic,taken in a decisive moment,great sharpness and coloura and interesting note,thanks for share,Luciano

Hello Ram,

Very nice capture of this lizard with its prey. Good focus. Very nice light and colours.
Cheers,
Mariki

  • Great 
  • joey Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2001 W: 226 N: 6845] (24727)
  • [2008-03-05 5:20]

Great action shot Ram!
I'm suprised that lizard wasn't scared of getting stung!
Great timing and reflexes.
Superb detail and sharpness.
Spot-on focusing.
I like warm lighting.
Well done!
Thanks,
Joe

Funny situation Ram, good captures both on the lizards and on your part, fine focus at least on the head under such conditions my friend!
CVheers,
Mehmet

hello sir,
fine capture with good timing, you are correct that the lizard defeated you in capturing but then you got a good opportunity to shoot, liked the pov, good details captured,

these days i have become very irregular here but can do much about it, i logged in and saw this capture of yours, i am glad to be in touch again & hope that everything is fine at your end.
tfs & regards
pankaj

Hello Ram
Maybe it has some technical problems, sharpness compo (maybe you could crop it a little bit more) but what is the most importnat thing here is your interesting observation and great story in your note
TFS
Krzysztof

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3840 W: 190 N: 11430] (35227)
  • [2008-03-05 7:24]

Interesting experience of having one subject replaced by another in front of the camera!
The wasp looked as though it would have made a nice subject on its own, but now you have it framed by the mouth of a garden lizard!
You were quick to use the opportunity, Ram. The movement of the lizard is apparent and you did well to keep it in focus with the relatively low shutterspeed.
Thanks for sharing this one and reminding us of the rawness in Nature.
Best wishes, Ivan

Hi Ram,
You have a good reflect. You captured this action very well. Nice focus and well exposed image. Thanks for your note about the event that unfold before your eyes. TFS,
JC

Buenos detalles y acertada captura amigo Ram.
Cordiales saludos, JL.

  • Great 
  • Karin Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 418 W: 5 N: 268] (2089)
  • [2008-03-05 9:33]

Hi Ram,
I like your story, the lizard stole your subject but gave you and even more interesting shot. ;-)
Nice action photo and I wish him good apetite!
TFS

Wow! Ram! Great moment you had there! I can't imagine a scene like that you told. Simply it's faster than you:-) So you both focused at the same subject at the same time. Great story and nice catch!
Thank you!
Ersin

  • Great 
  • Jamesp Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1351 W: 0 N: 5494] (16524)
  • [2008-03-05 22:31]

Hi Ram

Great shot and the note makes it even better. Real TN stuff! Great detail etc.

James

  • Great 
  • uleko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3012 W: 162 N: 1012] (2959)
  • [2008-03-06 1:32]
  • [+]

Hello Ram,
Wow, what excitement and how clever of you to get this superb shot! I like the POV with the izard coming towards you. Great focus on its big mouth and prey. The wasp looks really big! Fine natural colours and very well composed. It is great to see action shots! Well done!!
Many thanks, Ulla

  • Great 
  • gannu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1169 W: 4 N: 3262] (14691)
  • [2008-03-06 10:23]

Sir, survival of the fittest and what a shot. This is an amazing shot. Sometimes you get something which you have not planned. Great shot Ganesh

Hello Sir,
WOW! what a CAPTURE!!I am really impressed by your presence of mind to go click click click:) This is a remarkable shot taken with good sharpness and details.he head of the lizard and the wasp in its mouth are re in good focus. Nice lighting too.
Thanks for the share,
Smitha.
Enjoyed reading your notes:)

Hi Ram,
Great timing and POV. So would you agree that a good camera and a good cameraman are just half of the game... the rest is being at the right place the at right time?

:)

TFS
Kirti

Bonita y oportuna captura Ram.
Saludos.

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