<< Previous Next >>

Frog's Eye View of the Grass Forest


Frog's Eye View of the Grass Forest
Photo Information
Copyright: Bob Harrison (BobH) Silver Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 41 W: 8 N: 192] (638)
Genre: Plants
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-10-05
Categories: Water Plants
Camera: Canon PowerShot S5 IS
Exposure: f/8, 1/40 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Reflections [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2009-05-01 18:35
Viewed: 947
Points: 18
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
This image is the fourth in my current series. It was shot only a few meters away from the previous three posts and shows the same grasses, but otherwise is different in nearly every way. Like "Many Liquid Suns", it gets more interesting to me with each look.

The shot was taken while holding the camera over the side of the canoe and as close to the water as possible. Because it is vertical format, the center axis of the lens was perhaps 5 cm above the water surface (with horizontal format, this could be as little as 2 to 3 cm- only for very still conditions!).

The same wide angle view as in the preceding post now gives a totally different perspective. The simple composition of that image, determined by the strong backlighting, is gone. With frontal lighting instead we can see detail throughout this image, which has become much more complex. The fog has helped by retreating toward the ocean, lingering only on the water's surface in the left background.

By descending into the grasses, we get a frog's eye view through what seems to be an open forest. The water is palpably close, with several surface dimples visible at the bases of the largest stalks. But our visual world is dominated by tall grass stalks, extending upward out of our field of view.

The tallest stalks, reaching more than 50 cm above the water, tower over us, and even dwarf the smallest trees because of our unusual point of view. The closeness of the grasses creates a powerful impression of height, almost giving the sense that they are bigger than the more distant (but obviously taller) trees.

Those trees are actually not so distant- likewise the boulder at the left edge of the frame. They all can be seen in my earlier "Loon Island" post, on the left side of the island. The perspective of this view is looking right to left along the near shore of "Loon Island". Comparison of these two images tells us that the beauty and serenity enjoyed by the human inhabitants of "Loon Island" are also available to the frogs living in the offshore grass forest.

Hope you enjoyed this frog's eye view of the world. Thanks for looking.


tech notes-
shot handheld from my canoe, slight cropping, one step PS sharpening, significant increase in brightness & contrast, adjustment of shadow/highlight balance, no color modification
mamcg, goldyrs, NinaM, matatur has marked this note useful
Only registered TrekNature members may rate photo notes.
Add Critique [Critiquing Guidelines] 
Only registered TrekNature members may write critiques.
Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To andykirkland: depth and verticalityBobH 3 05-05 18:17
To NinaM: colors?BobH 2 05-03 07:19
To matatur: lighting changeBobH 1 05-02 20:30
To papajoehermit: holding onBobH 1 05-02 06:49
To LordPotty: maplesBobH 1 05-02 06:29
You must be logged in to start a discussion.

Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • mamcg Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Silver Note Writer [C: 156 W: 14 N: 40] (2811)
  • [2009-05-01 18:39]

Hi Bob,
the reflection creats more beauty in this shot as the red, orange and yellow leaf give a touch of colour, well composed.
regards.
TFS.

This is such a lovely composition, and so beautifully executed, Bob!Very proud to be your neighbour, bro!
Cheers!
Goldy

Hi Bob,
Yep,these arty shots of yours certainly do have plenty to entertain the eye.
I love the colours in those background trees.
I guess they must be maples or somethng?
Nice work again.
Cheers & TFS
Steve

Bob, as Peter Gabriel says in one of his most famous songs: "Kiss That Frog!" And from this frog's eye view you certainly got close enough to do just that. Wonderful creativity. Hope you had your camera strapped on your neck, just in case you might have let go!! :o)

JoeGoff, Louisville, KY

interesting angle, TFS Ori

Hi Bob,
Interesting photo, interesting POV, nice reflection in the water. Beautiful colours.
Regards
Lucja

  • Great 
  • NinaM Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 801 W: 3 N: 2100] (6594)
  • [2009-05-02 12:41]
  • [+]

Hello Bob, I loved being a frog for a few minutes, transporting myself into an new world. Great shot, once again, with beautiful colours and nice quiet reflections. In effect, this seems like a frog's view of the world, I wonder if they see with so many colours! I'd love to be a frog and look at this. Thanks again,

Francine

Obviously, the frogs see the best view there Bob, again a fine set of reflections my friend, but what a tremendeus difference a slight change in lighting produces...
Mehmet

This image gives me the feeling I missed on the previous image I critiqued of yours. I absolutely love this shot, I wish that I had taken it. Very strong DOF and use of vertical lines. The reeds do not send the viewer up out of the frame but deep into the image to the red and gold colors. The reflection deepens the image giving the viewer a sense of depth not captured in may refelctions. This isn't merely a reflection, but another line down expanding the frame.

Calibration Check
















0123456789ABCDEF