Masked Tree Frog


Posted by ThomasBarbin on Mon Jan 22, 2018 2:24 pm

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A Masked Tree Frog (Smilisca phaeota) peering over a folded leaf in La Fortuna, Costa Rica. The frog was photographed where it was found and was not moved or handled in any way.

I would love to hear your thoughts on the photo and any suggestions are welcomed.

Canon 7D
Canon 70-200mm f/4L (at 100mm)
20mm extension tube
Canon 430ex II with a DIY diffuser
1/160 | f/8.0 | ISO 400

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by Craig Lipski on Mon Jan 22, 2018 3:06 pm
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Nice, no, great shot. I think your use of flash is spot-on. I’m curious as to how a hair more DOF, to get the other eye sharp, would work, but this is great with such a clearly defined focal point to grab the viewer’s eye.
 

by Tom Whelan on Mon Jan 22, 2018 8:32 pm
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Fine image of a handsome frog.
The 70-200/4 is a great lens, but the minimum focal distance is a handicap - a 100/2.8 macro or a 300/4 (with or without extension) might be better.
Tom

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by ThomasBarbin on Mon Jan 22, 2018 10:22 pm
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Craig Lipski wrote:Nice, no, great shot.  I think your use of flash is spot-on.  I’m curious as to how a hair more DOF, to get the other eye sharp, would work, but this is great with such a clearly defined focal point to grab the viewer’s eye.

Thank you Craig! I would have loved to get both eyes sharp. It was a bit awkward to get into the right position to get this photo so I wasn't stable enough to do any focus stacking.
 

by ThomasBarbin on Mon Jan 22, 2018 10:26 pm
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Tom Whelan wrote:Fine image of a handsome frog.
The 70-200/4 is a great lens, but the minimum focal distance is a handicap - a 100/2.8 macro or a 300/4 (with or without extension) might be better.


Thanks Tom! I actually had a 100mm macro for a short period of time before it was run over by a few cars  :(

Since then I've been using my 70-200 with extension tubes in place of the 100mm. It's not quite as practical as a dedicated macro lens, but still works pretty well!
 

by Ed Cordes on Tue Jan 23, 2018 9:08 am
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I love this shot. Having experienced trying to get good position on these little ones in the dark, staying on the trail I can appreciate the effort you went through to make this outstanding image. I really like the peek a boo pose and the tack sharp eye. Frankly, the slightly out of focus left eye (frog's left) adds a bit of extra mystery of the overall presentation. Great job.
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by Matthew Pugh on Tue Jan 23, 2018 9:23 am
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Hi

An excellent shot - I think the flash work looks very accomplished and has a pleasingly un-intrusive appearance / look. I like the suggestion about some more DOF, but handholding I suspect you would struggle, although yes a little more frontal DOF (rather then second eye) would have helped out. But seriously you have to be happy with this - its a wee treat

All the best
Matthew
 

by ThomasBarbin on Wed Jan 24, 2018 2:13 pm
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Ed Cordes wrote:I love this shot.  Having experienced trying to get good position on these little ones in the dark, staying on the trail I can appreciate the effort you went through to make this outstanding image.  I really like the peek a boo pose and the tack sharp eye.  Frankly, the slightly out of focus left eye (frog's left) adds a bit of extra mystery of the overall presentation.  Great job.
Thank you Ed!
 

by ThomasBarbin on Wed Jan 24, 2018 2:18 pm
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Matthew Pugh wrote:Hi

An excellent shot - I think the flash work looks very accomplished and has a pleasingly  un-intrusive appearance / look. I like the suggestion about some more DOF, but handholding I suspect you would struggle, although yes a little more frontal DOF (rather then second eye) would have helped out. But seriously you have to be happy with this - its a wee treat

All the best
Matthew


The out of focus snout bothers me a bit the more I look at it. Unfortunately I was in the same situation as I was with the eye for depth of field. I appreciate your input!
 

by Cynthia Crawford on Fri Feb 02, 2018 6:34 am
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Although the "one eye" focus has been critically remarked on, I rather like it- I get the feeling of the frog just peeping out for a brief glimpse. I'm expecting a wink next! ;)
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