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Dragon's Eye - The Final Version


Dragon's Eye - The Final Version
Photo Information
Copyright: Joe Kellard (joey) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1706 W: 242 N: 5635] (20049)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-02-28
Categories: Reptiles
Camera: Canon EOS 400D (Rebel XTi), Sigma 180mm f/3.5 Macro + 1.4x Converter, Digital ISO-100, Kood 72mm UV filter
Exposure: f/14.0, 1/200 seconds
Details: Tripod: Yes (Fill) Flash: Yes
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2008-03-19 4:32
Viewed: 789
Points: 50
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
I have posted a shot of a Beardies eye twice before, but the first one was quite blurred, the second had a messed up composition and the DOF was too shallow so I have posted a Final Version (which is a completely different photo to the other two!), where I've tried to compose it following the Rule of Thirds, used a tiny aperture which was impossible before with my compact and sharpened it better because I didn't have any decent editing software before such as Photoshop :-)

This I took a few weeks ago with my new Sigma 180mm macro lens and a Sigma 1.4x Teleconverter.

I hope you like it!

Bearded Dragons have broad triangular heads and flattened bodies, with adults reaching approximately 18 to 24 inches head-to-tail first discovered by Philip Martinez in 1854. When threatened, they will expand a spiny pouch under their jaw and turn it black, as well as inhale air and puff up to make them appear larger. The pouch resembles a beard, lending the animal their name. Males are often slightly larger than females, with a broader head in proportion to their bodies, but females are often slightly more heavily set. Bearded Dragons have a distinctive series of lateral spines (specialized scales) radiating horizontally from the head to the base of the tail. Their color ranges from light tan to dark brown, depending on their native soil, often with highlights of black, brilliant red, or gold, and can change somewhat depending upon their internal condition. Some captive populations have been selectively bred for more brilliant colorations. As juveniles, they are semi-arboreal. As adults, they are more terrestrial, but will climb to bask and search for prey. Bearded Dragons can occupy a large range of habitats from the desert to dry forests and scrublands.


All species are from Australia, but they have been exported worldwide and bred successfully in captivity. In the wild, the various species are widely distributed throughout different regions of Australia. Bearded Dragons live about 10-15 years with proper care in captivity, though some can live up to 20 years old.

Bearded Dragons are opportunistic omnivores. Many Bearded Dragon habitats are dry and sparsely vegetated, so food may often be difficult to find. As a result, Bearded Dragons are capable of subsisting on a wide variety of food sources.

Their stomachs are large enough to accommodate large quantities of food. At a young age, Bearded Dragons will not to eat as much vegetation as their adult counterparts. As a Bearded Dragon ages it will eat less animal matter and more plants, leveling off at around an 80% plant and 20% animal diet.

Due largely to their animated and highly social behavior, mild temperament, willingness to breed in captivity, flexible diet, and robust nature, Bearded Dragons are popular among reptile enthusiasts as pets.

Info courtesy of Wikipedia.

Thanks for lookin'
soccer, ramthakur, fartash, cicindela, Adanac, jcoowanitwong, eqshannon, ellis49, jaycee, matatur, boreocypriensis, jusninasirun, Silvio2006, Jamesp, Alex99, gondox, Necipp, angybone has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Joe,

Awesome close up. The lighting and sharpness are excellent. The POV, Composition and detail make this a very good pic.
TFS,
Sheriff

  • Great 
  • lousat Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1009 W: 6 N: 2729] (10145)
  • [2008-03-19 5:03]

Hi Joe,what a wonderfull macro,excellent under all coners of view,great sharpness and colours,very very impressive,my best compliments,Luciano

With tele-converter, you have eventually got what you wanted, Joe -- a super macro of a Dragon's eye.
The sharpness and intricate details of the eye and around the eye are unbelievable.
Add to this the richness of colour tones and you are looking at a masterpiece.
Another amazing feat to your credit.
TFS and cheers.
Ram

Hello Joe
Excellent closeup of this Bearded Dragon,
Perfect details,use of flash and composition,
Superb shot my friend.

Regards
Fartash

Hi Joe!
Beautiful eye-contact and very good close-up :)
I like well saturated collours, sharpness and details. Now it is tiem for picture of entire lizard body! ;>
Best greetings,
Radomir

  • Great 
  • Adanac Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1052 W: 1 N: 4179] (14054)
  • [2008-03-19 6:52]

Hello Joe,
The textures and colors in this macro are phenominal Joe. Great camera work my friend, thanks for sharing.
Rick

Hi Joe,
I see it worked well with the converter, the picture is sharp with god details. Lovely colours and fine POV. Only nit is
the white spot in the eye from the flash, a lot of people call catch light but for me it's a bit distracting, otherwise it's very good picture.
Well done, my young friend.

Hi Joe,
This is wonderful macro picture. On the spot sharpness. Perfect color clarity. Very well done.
JC

You cannot get much closer than that Joey. Fine close in. Your flash un9it works very well...from eye to eye!
Bob

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1799 W: 8 N: 4669] (15091)
  • [2008-03-19 7:54]

Hi Joe,

You have mastered your new equipment and software. This is simply awesome. The eye and surrounding skin are amazing. Super colors and razor sharp details. The rule of thirds made a great composition. Can't imagine what you will come up with next.

Jane

A perfect macro-detail this time Joe, colors are fine and that blood-shot huge eye is forbidding. TFS my friend,
Cheers,
Mehmet

Hi Joe,
very nice close-up... I like POV and composition.
Sharpness and colors are very good, too.

TFS Tatjana

Wowwwww... Good evening my friend OwlMan:-)
This is a perfect shot as always. I always love the herptiles' eyes because they are represent the power and the self-confidence structure. TFS my friend.
Cheers,

Bayram

an hypnotic composition, great crop and fantastic colours
regards
jo

Hello Joe. Simply stunning. Amazing to see this closeness to a bird's feature. Just wondering about how to capture something this bird myself - on a bird. :-)
Regards. Jusni

Hi Joe, fantastic eye with amazing details and wonderful sharpness, very well done, ciao Silvio

  • Great 
  • Jamesp Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1252 W: 0 N: 4842] (14380)
  • [2008-03-19 14:43]

Hi Joe

A great close-up shot - good composition and POV with wonderful colour and detail. Well observed and captured.

James

  • Great 
  • lizzie Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 214 W: 0 N: 635] (2843)
  • [2008-03-19 17:23]

Hi Joe,

Well the patience pays off because you're presenting us an amazing close up of the dragon,s eye.
Beautiful vivid colours
Perfect sharpness
Excellent details.
Very well done!

Lise

  • Great 
  • gannu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 935 W: 4 N: 2335] (10900)
  • [2008-03-20 2:54]

Joey, Awesome and little afraid one. Great closeup shot Ganesh

  • Great 
  • Alex99 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3052 W: 148 N: 4559] (14727)
  • [2008-03-20 10:16]

Hi Joe.
You have perfect macro lens and it brings you amazing close-up picture. Terrific cropping, amazing sharpness and details, great flash work. Bravo. I wish you many so
Nice macro shot. We are waiting for them here.
Yours Alexei.

  • Great 
  • gondox Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 260 W: 59 N: 221] (1135)
  • [2008-03-20 10:25]

Hi Joey!

Fantastic details and colors there, it was very worth working on this project! Very good lens you can be really happy with it. Composition got perfect too, TFS!

Best regads.
Andor

  • Great 
  • Mana Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1718 W: 24 N: 5002] (16380)
  • [2008-03-20 11:12]

Hi Joe,
Outstanding close-up with such lovely colours and sharp details. Very skilfully done with great use of flash lighting and perfect exposure. Excellent POV and composition. Kudos.
TFS.
Sumon

Hello Joe, the sharpness and detail is awsome, a good creative composition also. Excellent work tfs rgds Necip.

I adore these enigmatic close-ups. Wonderful how you take a piece and turn it into art. Well done!

  • Great 
  • arfer Gold Star Critiquer [C: 2731 W: 0 N: 0] (0)
  • [2008-03-24 21:15]

Hello Joe

Amazing POV and DOF.
The colours are rich and well saturated.
Excellent texture.
Wonderful spot on focus and sharp details.
TFS

Rob

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