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Sometimes you just gotta have it


Sometimes you just gotta have it
Photo Information
Copyright: Kathy Meader (writerscrawlz) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 260 W: 2 N: 767] (2491)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-06-15
Categories: Mammals
Camera: Canon EOS digital rebel XT, 28-300mm
Exposure: f/2.5, 1/125 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version, Workshop
Date Submitted: 2008-06-16 17:32
Viewed: 448
Points: 16
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
This was taken late afternoon, not the best time of day to be out with the camera due to lighting. However, this squirrel was really enjoying this treat. Best I figure, there must've been a cookie, brownie, or some other pastry in it given the wax paper.

He made such a mess that I've called him Messy Marvin in tribute to the little boy from a commercial eons ago who made a mess of everything. I never forgot him (perhaps because I'm too much like him?)

Despite the fact I'm allergic to grass (and everything else that grows outside...), I crawled on my belly to get closer. It was worth the hives. As you can see, the grass is both light and dark. He was in the shade and I had my focus on him. I had more DOF than I wanted in front of Messy Marvin, but I think that was because I was on my stomach and lower than he was...hence, the grass in front of me became blurred. I cropped some of it out. The BG did have the DOF I wanted and fortunately, I was able to capture the moment.

Messy Marvin licked and chewed every crumb that the wax paper had to offer. When done, he stood, holding the paper and looked me in the eye as if to ask: Can you refill? Sadly, I couldn't. (that photo will be posted in a day or two)

At the time this was taken, the university campus was empty. This squirrel and I were the only ones around in this particular area. Eventually, he figured I wasn't a threat as long as I didn't make any sudden movements. That explains why I inched forward on my belly and am thankful for the cream that helps the hives today!

I hope you enjoy this photo as much as I enjoyed watching Messy Marvin. If only I could control the lighting...

Any ideas for the future? I thought about cloning the grass from the front to the back in hopes of making the grass all one shade. Is that going to far?
Luis52, goldyrs, MartinL, nglen has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • Luis52 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1026 W: 5 N: 2888] (10447)
  • [2008-06-16 18:53]

Hola Kathy.
Bello momento capturado en esta foto. la ardillita parece estar hambrienta y comer todo lo posible. Me agrada el plano al raz del zacate, y creo que le da una mejor idea de la imagen.
Saludos
Luis52.

Kathy,
do you remember the Kenny Rogers number Coward of the County,which has this line "Sometimes you gotta fight to be a man"...?
Don't ask me why, those lines went off in my head when i saw this shot!
Simply put, an awesome shot!And Messy Marvin seems to have got the best out of you!
Very well done, my friend!
Cheers!
Goldy

Kathy,

I think a good word to describe this shot is 'chocolate craving'. You've caught it very nicely. I wouldn't worry about the lighting too much - it looks good the way it is :)
I'm sorry to hear about your allergies - that is not fun at all, especially if they have the potential to stop you from going outside and photographing critters like this. Hopefully you can cope with it without too much hassle...

Best Regards,

Martin

Hi Kathy,
Messy Marvin doesn't look all that bad to be fair and I know all to well about the problem of strong back lighting and darker foregrounds.The only thing you can do is move yourself for a less strong back light or if not you can try as I did with the shadow/highlight control in my photo editor.The workshop photo shows a possibility and would work better with the full size original so if noise becomes a factor you can use your noise removal function just enough for less grain and still have nice detail.Thanks for sharing this little guy who has a thing for people food,nuts to nuts-eh? Since posting the workshop photo something just occurred to me and that is the use of flash,might work but you could get nasty red eye,however. Bob

  • Great 
  • uleko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2582 W: 170 N: 7867] (24879)
  • [2008-06-17 9:48]

Hello Kathy,
I sympathise with you as I suffer from hay fever too and know what it's like! The best time of the year in nature is when you suffer the most! Anyway, you did well here capturing this little one taking care of man's leftovers. Lovely sharp capture where the Squirrel seems to be enjoying himself.
TFS and regards, Ulla

  • Great 
  • nglen Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 2130 W: 9 N: 5959] (22526)
  • [2008-06-17 12:31]

Hi Kathy. A good close up of the Squirrel enjoying its food. As you say getting it every where. A nice low pov looking straight at its eyes. good detail and natural colours.not easy in the hars afternoon light so well done TFS.
Nick..

great shot of the little critter. I don't mind how the grass is, I do like the fact that he was in the shade when you captured this

What a little character! Too cute! ha ha
I hope you got the hives taken care of. Have you started reading that book yet? I just fell in love with the author during my read.

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