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Wednesday, February 25, 2009

A great dragon model :)

Dragonflies are normally very skittish and not easy to approach...but once in a while, you'll get lucky, especially if they are busy eating, mating or cleaning itself. Or if you're extremely lucky, you'll find one that will let you shoot all you want, even though he/she is not pre-occupied with any activities :D

IMG_4859 copy

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However, that doesn't mean you should approach your target hastily. There is this "RIH" (rapid incremental habituation) technique i found in a forum. Give it a read and try it out yourself. I am sure you will find it useful! Good luck!

All macro images shot with a 40D, Canon MP-E65 1X-5X Macro Lens and Canon MT-24EX Twin Flash

Canon EOS 40D 10.1MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only)

Canon MP-E 65mm f/2.8 1-5X Macro Lens for Canon SLR Cameras

Canon MT-24EX Macro Twin Lite Flash for Canon Digital SLR Cameras

Thursday, February 19, 2009

EXIF Viewer - why you need to view it!

Exif is very important mainly because it contains the important Camera settings which includes static information such as the camera model and make, and information that varies with each image such as orientation, aperture, shutter speed, focal length, metering mode, and ISO speed information.

Exchangeable image file format (Exif) is a specification for the image file format used by digital cameras. The specification uses the existing JPEG, TIFF Rev. 6.0, and RIFF WAV file formats, with the addition of specific metadata tags. It is not supported in JPEG 2000, PNG, or GIF. (Source: Wikipedia)


2. Why would I want to view the EXIF?

Because it contains a lot of info:

a. Date and time information - Digital cameras will record the current date and time and save this in the metadata.

b. Camera settings - This includes static information such as the camera model and make, and information that varies with each image such as orientation, aperture, shutter speed, focal length, metering mode, and ISO speed information.

c. A thumbnail for previewing the picture on the camera's LCD screen, in file managers, or in photo manipulation software.

d. Descriptions and copyright information.


3. How to view EXIF?

Just use one of the followings:

a. Opanda iExif Viewer - is a free stand-alone application for viewing Exif data, and also a plug-in for MSIE and Firefox on Windows platforms, that allows examination of detailed Exif data online by right clicking on an image.

b. Opera browser - Opera is the only browser that comes with everything you need to be productive, safe and speedy online. It comes with built-in exif viewer and even a free mail client, and mouse guestures :)

Right click on image, then "Image Properties"
opera exif viewer
The Exif will be displayed (works all the time, no bug)

exif opera


c. Exif Viewer Plugin for FF - multi-platform extensions for Firefox that display Exif data in the image properties dialog

Right click on image, then "View Image Exif Data"
FF exif viewer

The exif will be displayed
FF exif

d. Fxif plugin for FF- another are multi-platform extensions for Firefox that display Exif data in the image properties dialog

e. Jeffrey's Exif Viewer - can't install any of these in the office? No sweat. Just copy the image URL, and paste it into the box and off you go!

Right Click on the image, then Properties
imae properties

Copy the image URL
image URL-1
Paste it in the box, then click View Image at URL

jeff exif 2

The exif will be displayed:)
Untitled-11 800 pixel

All macro images shot with a 40D, Canon MP-E65 1X-5X Macro Lens and Canon MT-24EX Twin Flash

Canon EOS 40D 10.1MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only)

Canon MP-E 65mm f/2.8 1-5X Macro Lens for Canon SLR Cameras

Canon MT-24EX Macro Twin Lite Flash for Canon Digital SLR Cameras

Saturday, February 7, 2009

I shot a snake with an MP-E65mm 1X-5X macro lens :D

I've always had this crazy idea of shooting a wild snake with an MP-E65 1X-5X macro lens. Today at FRIM, i saw a small one, about 6-8inches. I was joking with a_manson if i should go ahead and shoot the snake. The next thing i knew, i already snapped two shots of the "almost cute" little snake. The snake got startled..so did I...oh and i screamed too (like a school girl) LMAO..

The working distance at 1X was 4 inches.

MPE65 snake shot (IMG_4318 copy)

I am terrified of snakes LOL...but the little voice in my camera asks me to go ahead and do it. It has made me done so before and it's doing this again! 




asian pit viper DSC_6127 copy

The first snake image was shot with an MPE65.

Edit: my second snake shot with the MPE65:

Dendrelaphis striatus, Cohn's bronze back snake.
MPE65 snake shot Cohn's bronze back snake!!! IMG_4467 copy

My third MPE65 snake portrait: Tropidoleamus subannulatus, formerly a subspecies of wagleri but now has full species status

MPE65 viper portrait.....IMG_8726 copy Tropidoleamus subannulatus

I got a 2x shot of it too:
MPE65 2x pit viper portrait....IMG_8734 copy

Me photographing a mock viper, Psammodynastes pulverulentus
orionmystery aka kurt photographing a mock viper snake IMG-20120801-WA0002 copy

mock viper Psammodynastes pulverulentus portrait IMG_8139 copy

mock viper, Psammodynastes pulverulentus. IMG_8146 copy

Paradise tree snake (Chrysopelea paradisi). 150mm with 1.4x teleconverter.
Paradise tree snake (<i>Chrysopelea paradisi</i>) IMG_9811 copy

Paradise tree snake (<i>Chrysopelea paradisi</i>) IMG_9819 copy

Paradise tree snake (<i>Chrysopelea paradisi</i>)  IMG_9844 copy

Keel-bellied whip snake (Dryophiops rubescens)
Keel-bellied whip snake (<i>Dryophiops rubescens</i>) IMG_4781 copy

Keel-bellied whip snake (<i>Dryophiops rubescens</i>) IMG_4776 copy

Pink Head Reed Snake (Calamaria schlegeli)
IMG_8965 copy Calamaria schlegeli, pink headed reed snake

IMG_8949 copy Pink Headed Reed Snake, Calamaria schlegeli


Tuesday, February 3, 2009

My First Post :)

Here i am, cracking my brain, trying to write my first post, ever, while a friend of mine keeps bugging me on YM. Okay, i am just saying because i couldn't get the creative juice flowing:D

I reckon a good way to start would be to share a few of my personal favorites here so here we go.
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An ant with menacing mandibles, shot with a Canon 40D and MP-E65 macro lens
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Giraffe Weevil, shot with a Nikon D80 and Tamron SP90
mmmmmmuak :D (IMG_3819 copy)
Up close with a fly, shot with a Canon 40D and MP-E65 macro lens
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And lastlly, one of my favorite robberfly image, shot with a Nikon D80 and Tamron SP90.
ciao

All macro images shot with a 40D or D80, Tamron 90mm or Canon MP-E65 1X-5X Macro Lens and Canon MT-24EX Twin Flash

Canon EOS 40D 10.1MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only)

Canon MP-E 65mm f/2.8 1-5X Macro Lens for Canon SLR Cameras

Canon MT-24EX Macro Twin Lite Flash for Canon Digital SLR Cameras