Lady Bugs (1) [Contest Finalists August 2010]
Uploaded: August 06, 2010 13:45:05
During a nature walk I stumbled upon this delightful group/colony of lady bugs.
They had attached themselves to a old downed tree and at first glance made me feel slightly dizzy, because of the sheer number of moving lady bugs.
This part of the forest had the appearance of a rain forest and was mostly shade with filtered light. The image you see here has the uneven lighting predominate in the area and is what was appealing to me.
Exif: F Number: 14, Exposure Bias Value: 0.00, ExposureTime: 1/100 seconds, Flash: did not fire., ISO: 640, White balance: Manual white balance, FocalLength: 70.00 mm, Model: NIKON D70
Carla Capra Anderson August 06, 2010
During a nature walk I stumbled upon this delightful group/colony of lady bugs.Dale Hardin August 06, 2010
An outstanding entry for the challenge Carla. I love the play of light and dark. Also enjoy the nice diagonal composition that resulted from the POV. Excellent detail as well.Personally, I probably wouldn't change anything on this shot and because it so good, would probably abandon the other. #8811081
Rita K. Connell August 07, 2010
wow carla theses are outstanding. I love both of them. as for you first post I think I would dodge at 8 or 10% just a little on the dark area on the left with lady bugs on. I think that area needs to be open up just a tad.Aimee C. Eisaman August 07, 2010
Wow...that's alot of bugs. My guess is that these are not true lady bugs. I forget what these are called though. I honestly have only seen a real lady bug once in the past few years. I wonder if these are taking over or creating mixed breeds. I honestly think you got a great shot and love the contrast in the first image. The balance of exposure is great and I don't say it often, but I'd skip post processsing on this! :~) Wonderful in camera work! #8812167Carla Capra Anderson August 07, 2010
Oh my, I'm at a loss for words. But, thrilled by all your comments and compliments on this image. I'm over here do'n my happy dance..think snoopy :[)Dale, really..no crop? :) Thank you!
Rita, I tried the dodge without much luck. I've seldom used the tool and may be using it incorrectly. I had it on shadows, between 5-10%, using an airbrush. It gave one area a gray cast that wasn't appealing. Thanks for your "outstanding" compliment.
Aimee, I actually selected a less populated area of the log to photograph. So, this isn't the half of them, lol. Not lady bugs? That is an interesting bit of info. I must research this because, I'd like to see a real lady bug and call these critters by their given name. Thanks for your "wonderful" comment.
I'm so thrilled! My new years goal was to learn my camera's manual settings and take, what I call, out of the camera images.
I must admit that since I posted this here, I've played with the image. I added a curve adj., sharpened and added some brilliance with nik effects. But, I don't think I'll use or post it. :)
Thank you very much!
Carla #8812282
Jeff E Jensen August 07, 2010
One two threeOne two three
Four five six
Seven eight nine
Ten eleven twelve
And they all played games
At the ladybugs' picnic
They had twelve sacks so they ran sack races
And they fell on their backs and they fell on their faces
The ladybugs 12
At the ladybugs' picnic
They played jump rope but the rope it broke
So they just sat around telling knock-knock jokes
The ladybugs 12
At the ladybugs' picnic
One two three
Four five six
Seven eight nine
Ten eleven twelve
And they chatted away
At the ladybugs' picnic
They talked about the high price of furniture and rugs
And fire insurance for ladybugs
The ladybugs 12
At the ladybugs' picnic
12!
Fantastic image Carla!
#8812638
Susan M. Reynolds August 07, 2010
Wonderful in-camera processing, Carla :)Aimee's point (like Peter's so often do) about the name made me curious so I had to look up both photos of true ladybugs & they all looked like yours and the encyclopedia description.
On the "Ladybug Lore" site, I also found this part of a rather lengthy article on them.
"Their scientific names (Coleoptera, meaning "sheath-winged", & Coccinellidae, meaning "little red sphere") can be quite a mouthful, but by whatever name you call them, Ladybugs are well-known & well-loved all over the Earth. Nearly 400 species of Ladybug live in North America, & there are nearly 5,000 species worldwide. Also commonly known as the Lady Beetle or Ladybird Beetle, the name of these insects reflects the global admiration of mankind. None are much larger than a pencil-eraser (some are even smaller) & they come in a wide variety of colors, including red, orange, pink, yellow & black. They can have as many as 20 spots - or no spots at all."
I've seen red, orange and yellow ones both with & without spots, but have yet to see a pink one! Now that would be too cool!
p.s. Carla, I understand what you said about wanting to learn to get it right "in camera"...especially after taking Sean Arbabi's course on Exposure last winter.
It was the first time I ever learned to use Manual Mode completely on my camera & I love how it gives so much more control over the end results in camera. I decided not to take so many, many photos to get something right, but to concentrate on the quality of each and every one instead of the quantity of how many I would take. It's helped me be more conscious of everything that I'm seeing through the lens before I just start snapping the shutter.
sorry it's so wordy...
Love your photos~Spectacular entry for the theme!
#8812671
Michael Kelly August 07, 2010
Both shots are a real find Carla. I find big congregations of bugs occasionally but have never seen a mass of Lady bugs like this. Nicely done. I think you can go with them as is too.Remember that most professionals shoot in either shutter priority or most frequently aperture priority mode. Manual is fine for specific types of shots but not as convenient or as accurate on most modern digital cameras. This includes at least 3 of the instructors at BP because I asked them at the conference. I don't want to discourage you from using manual if you really want to, but it is not the preferred method of most photographers so don't fall into the trap of needing to do it fully manual thinking that this is the method of the professional. There is a definite time and place for it though so it it good to know how to do it. #8812699
Susan M. Reynolds August 07, 2010
Interesting response Mike...Now I'll have to learn what needs SP and what needs AP -sigh!Susan M. Reynolds August 07, 2010
During the Pioneer days, if a family found a Ladybug in their log cabinIn Norway, if a man and a woman spot a Ladybug at the same time, there will be a romance between them.
#8812734
Debbie E. Payne August 07, 2010
Great image, Carla and wonderful thread from all of you. I think the light is beautiful in the first image . Once upon a time I had a wonderful book on photography, I think it was by Michael Freeman and I can't find it anywhere but I remember reading about 'chiaroscuro". As for the issue about to use or not to use manual -- it is good to know how to shoot in manual but it isn't necessary all the time and SP and AP do a great job most of the time!I LOVE all the "Ladybug Lore" you've all come up with! #8812781
Teresa H. Hunt August 08, 2010
Wonderful image Carla. I love the play of light!If I saw this many bugs in one place I'd probably turn the other way and run! :)
Susan, the ladybug lore is very interesting!! :) #8813638
Peter W. Marks August 08, 2010
In Britain these are known as 'ladybirds', here as 'ladybugs' but without using the full scientific appellation they are 'lady beetles' and as Susan tells us there are several hundred variations in N.America. Not sure where you got your info from Aimee but these really are lady bug/birds/beetles and they truly are the farmers and gardeners friends. They feed on many of the insect pests and as any keen rose grower will tell youCarla Capra Anderson August 08, 2010
Hi all!Thanks Susan, the play of light was deliberate and very intentional. I appreciate knowing the term for it.
Greatly appreciate your research on lady bugs. Whew....glad they were the real thing, lol. But, thank you all the same. I'm love'n the Lore.
Michael, thank you for the compliments.
Of course, you are right about the Manual mode shooting. It is just my goal for the year and was for self learning purposes only. I have learned sooooo much as I've traveled down this path. The journey is one I wouldn't trade.
Thanks for you wonderful comments Debbie.
Hi Teresa and thanks!
Thanks for your visit, Peter, and for the additional info on the lady bugs.
I greatly appreciate all your comments, interest, research, lore, poems and good fun.
CC
#8814094
Aimee C. Eisaman August 08, 2010
Here is a link to what I was thinking these are http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asian_beetleAnd here is the wikipedia page on Ladybugs http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coccinellidae
But now I'm confused because they don't say anything about what distinguishes the two...they seem the same to me. Here is a question and answer page from wikipedia that pretty much says flip a coin http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Difference_between_ladybugs_and_asian_beetles #8814380
Peter W. Marks August 08, 2010
Where I think there is some confusion is that there are approx 5000 different sub-species of ladybug, ladybird,lady beetles and another is the asian bettle. All of them, by whatever name and the 4896 others are ladybugs to use USA terminology.Debbie E. Payne August 08, 2010
Asian Ladybeetles have longer bodies and are generally more orange than red. And some of them can stink and like to get into your houses. We had an invasion of them last summer. None this year to report! But then no ladybugs either. #8814467Jeff E Jensen August 08, 2010
Just four you Peter:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xr8vUTm64h0 #8814508
Peter W. Marks August 09, 2010
Hey Jeff, it is 5.20 AM, yes AM and here I am laughing like a loony as I replay the 'ladybug picnic'. This is something I shall save and play whenever I find myself getting too serious about life.Jeff E Jensen September 15, 2010
Congrats Carla! #8904471Carla Capra Anderson September 15, 2010
Hi Jeff.Dale Hardin September 15, 2010
Excellent Carla. Congratulations on the finalist. #8904989Carla Capra Anderson September 15, 2010
Thanks so much, Dale!Michael Kelly September 15, 2010
Congratulations Carla - a wonderful finalist! #8905142Carla Capra Anderson September 15, 2010
Michael, I'm so thrilled.Teresa H. Hunt September 15, 2010
Congratulations Carla!! #8905230Carla Capra Anderson September 15, 2010
Thanks so much, Teresa.Susan M. Reynolds September 16, 2010
Kudos on the Finalist Carla! #8906898Linda Blair September 16, 2010
Congratulations!!!! #8908228Carla Capra Anderson September 16, 2010
G'morning Susan and Linda.Carla Capra Anderson September 16, 2010
From: "Merna Nobile"I am so fortunate to be able to spend this special time with you. Thank you and Congratulations on a job very well done.....My best to you always, Merna
Thank you, Merna. This is so lovely and greatly appreciated.
;) Carla #8908720
Aimee C. Eisaman September 16, 2010
Awesome Carla...congrats on your Phinalist! :~) #8909492Carla Capra Anderson September 16, 2010
Thank you, Aimee!Merna L. Nobile September 16, 2010
Dear Carla: I would like to personally congratulate you on your Finalist Award. #8911342Rita K. Connell September 17, 2010
congrats this is an awesome picture. best luck for getting to the top. #8912061Carla Capra Anderson September 17, 2010
G'morning Merna and Rita;Carol Eade September 26, 2010
Incredible, Carla, warm congratulations! #8930529Carla Capra Anderson September 26, 2010
Thank you, Carol.Emile Abbott October 14, 2010
I have one very critical comment Carla. Do not change a thing. Fantastic in every respect. Congrats on well deserved award. #8967346Carla Capra Anderson October 14, 2010
Whew Who, time for a happy dance...Rockdoc! Love the nick name!Patricia A. Stalter October 15, 2010
Fantastic! WTG. Good luck in the next round! #8968957Karen Celella October 19, 2010
Congratulations on your awesome finalist, Carla and I really enjoyed reading the whole story! #8982399Carla Capra Anderson October 19, 2010
Hi Patricia and Karen;Christine Lobsinger December 02, 2010
WOwoW Carla, this shot is Beautiful!!!!!Carla Capra Anderson December 02, 2010
Hi Chris;Maria A. Gonzalez December 11, 2010
A beautiful capture in their natural setting and habitat,Carla..Carla Capra Anderson December 12, 2010
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