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Waiting on the Runway


Waiting on the Runway
Photo Information
Copyright: Callie de Wet (Callie) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1252 W: 106 N: 2658] (7487)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2004-09-26
Categories: Insects
Camera: Nikon D70, Sigma 80-400 OS
Exposure: f/8, 1/400 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version, Workshop
Theme(s): SA Dragonflies, Kruger National Park animals 1 [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2004-10-21 10:29
Viewed: 1388
Favorites: 1 [view]
Points: 19
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
for takeoff. Family Libellulidae , or Skimmers, a wide-spread Dragonfly family, members being predominantly red or blue. Full colouration is often only manifested in mature males, making ID quite problematic, as I have noticed with interest on TN. We have around 60 species in 26 known genera in our region.
This is a Small Scarlet, Crocothemis sanguinolenta , a medium sized d’fly with a 52 mm wingspan. It is red, with a very wide, triangular shaped abdomen in cross-section; you can see the width clearly on the picture. All 3 members of this species are red and robust. I notice the way the wings are turned nearly 90º down like the flaps on an aeroplane. It is common all through summer and its range extends into equatorial Africa; sorry folks, I think this is a no-see in Denmark – Bente et al and UK, Robert et al. The genus is also found in Asia.
I really like the way he was “lined-up” on this reed, like waiting on a runway. I shot him in between the Malahite.

SHOOTING DETAILS
Venue – Kruger National Park – Lake Panic Bird
Date 26th September 2004
Time 09h52, 2 minutes after Le Handstand, already posted.
Camera - Nikon D70
ISO 250 & -0,7 EV
Sigma 80-400 F4.5- 5.6 APO OS
Filter – Cokin UV
Focal length - 400 mm
Exposure mode - Aperture Priority - 1/1 400 @ F8
Flash – none
Metering Mode – Muti Pattern
Support – Handheld
Quite some cropping, he was >2m away, levels; hue/ saturation; Some USM, , reduced to Site size.
AdrianW, lucky, Luc, CaptiveLight, PDP, marhowie, AndyB, Lourens has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To AndyB: Sneak upCallie 1 10-22 07:06
To AdrianW: WSCallie 3 10-21 15:07
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Critiques [Translate]

Lovely shot! I really like the composition of this one, the bold red on the green works wonderfully IMO. I also like the way the stem falls diagonally across the screen, and that the background is completely in bokeh. I think I'd possibly be tempted to crop a little off the top and right though, and possibly run some noise reduction on the green background, I'd also consider a bit more sharpening on the subject since he doesn't seem as detailed as I'd expect - probably as a result of the cropping... Anyway, a good note and well captured as always :-D

P.S. I've posted a Workshop for you, which I hope you'll like!

  • Great 
  • lucky Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Note Writer [C: 63 W: 5 N: 14] (84)
  • [2004-10-21 11:39]
  • [2]

Nice macro shot of this dragonfly... You did a good composition to place it in a diagonalty... Good details on its wings...
I think, the focus on its body is a bit soft and the red is a bit too saturated...
I would do some noise reduction on the background...
Anyway well done and thanks for sharing!

A lot of potential here with the vivid colours and the diagonal, but as has been said just a little soft.

  • Great 
  • japie Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1814 W: 100 N: 1904] (5187)
  • [2004-10-21 13:39]
  • [2]

The runway is a nice angle for this post. I like the composition as it leaves the runway clear for take-off. Even though not quite as sharp as your usual work - Says me who does not have one of these, I like the image a lot.

Thanks for posting

  • Great 
  • willie Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1023 W: 61 N: 648] (2083)
  • [2004-10-21 14:43]

Very Nice. the detail and colours make this a very good shot. Well done.

  • Great 
  • PDP Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2964 W: 366 N: 3848] (11751)
  • [2004-10-21 15:22]
  • [2]

What is the world coming to? Me with a bird today and you with a bug, when you expect whistles it's flutes.

Good shot Callie, It has been dsaid already that this one lacks your usual focus. I am very very jealous that we don't get such Dragon. The composition is a killer.

Well done.

Callie, this has a lovely artistic feel to it. The bright reds and greens contrasts to the extreme. Even though the focus is not spot on I still like this compo. I think if "Warholl" did insects they would look like this.

Callie, Good diagonal compostion and the bright red is killer! Tighten-up that softness & next time you'll have a big weiner!! ;-))

  • Great 
  • AndyB Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1592 W: 32 N: 1361] (3978)
  • [2004-10-21 18:38]
  • [2] [+]

A bright red beauty and very well captured with perfect composition.
Just a little soft on focus as previously said but as you say in your note you were 2m away and the shot was hand held.
Put on your khaki and sneek up closer next time ;-).If they fly away they usually return to the same place or very nearby.
A good shot,well done.

Ja, Callie, hoe rooier hoe mooier!! Nice shot. A little more sharpness could be in order. By the way have you ever tried NeatImage?

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