View allAll Photos Tagged 3step
This is a twin spot centurion, a soldier fly (Sargus bipunctatus - Herfstmetaalwapenvlieg, Stratiomyidae, Diptera). Found it dead under the glass of our greenhouse (Boom, 25sept2016).
Studio work with a staged specimen. Focus stack based on 84 images, assembled in Zerene Stacker. Sony A6300 + Metabones adapter + Canon EF 100mm 1:2.8L IS USM, ISO-100, f/7.1, 1/20s, -0.3step, tracing paper diffused mix of daylight and ledlight.
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Some sort of mayfly (Ephemeroptera), found close to the river Luapula in Upper-Katanga (DR Congo, 2 February 2018).
Live specimen. Backlit fieldstack based on 65 images (fast method, Zerene Stacker, Dmap & Pmax). Sony A6500, FE 2.8/90 Macro G OSS; ISO-200, f/3.2, 1/500s, -0.3step, all natural light. A bit rotated and cropped.
For explanations on gear and methods see image in first comment or follow this link:
www.flickr.com/photos/andredekesel/8086137225/in/dateposted/
A rather unusual longhorn combining shiny and hairy-matted patches on the elytra (ca 21mm long, Acronia sp. or Mimacronia sp., Cerambycidae, collection specimen, Phillipines, Mindanao).
Studio work; the dried specimen was rehydrated, cleaned, prepared and staged in a greenhouse.
Focus stack based on 130 images, assembled in Zerene Stacker (Dmap & Pmax), not cropped. Canon 5Dmkii, Canon MP-E 65mm at approx. 1.1x, ISO-100, f/4, -0.3step, 1/8s, tracing paper diffused daylight combined with a powerfull daylight led (see tags).
Large Syrphid fly found at the Botanic Garden (Witte reus, Ivoorzweefvlieg, 16mm long, Volucella cf. pellucens sp., Syrphidae, Diptera; Meise, 10 June 2016).
Studio work (greenhouse). Focus stack based on 47 images, assembled in Zerene Stacker, slightly cropped.
So far my most preferred combination: Sony A6300 + Metabones adapter + Canon EF 100mm 1:2.8L IS USM.
Specs: ISO-100, f/5.6, -0.3step, 1/10s, natural light.
Found this moth dead on a windowsill (ID ..., Lepidoptera). Meise (Botanic Garden, November 2016).
Studio work; the specimen was prepared and staged in a greenhouse. Focus stack based on 90 images, assembled in Zerene Stacker (Dmap & Pmax), slightly cropped.
Sony A6300 + Metabones adapter + Canon EF 100mm 1:2.8L IS USM; ISO-100, f/4.5, 1/200s,-0.3step, diffused natural light and ledlight.
Found this old fly (ca. 1cm, id: ...., Tachinidae, Diptera) basking on the bark of an old willow (Boom, Belgium, 5 November 2016).
Handheld fieldstack based on 45 exposures assembled in Zerene Stacker (Pmax & Dmap). Rotated and cropped. Sony A6300 + Metabones adapter + Canon EF 100mm 1:2.8L IS USM; ISO-200, f/4, 1/200s,-0.3step, natural diffused light.
Gear and methods used, see: www.flickr.com/photos/andredekesel/8004355391/
A male Pseudophilotes vicrama (Oostelijk tijmblauwtje, Lepidoptera, ID-credit Omer Van de Kerckhove) found on Geranium sylvaticum. At the same time having a tiny crabspider (Misumena sp.) that just caught a thrips (Thysanoptera). Found it in a forest clearing, with lots of Thymus, near Valmiera (Latvia, 27 July 2016).
It's a fast fieldstack (<2 sec), handheld, 16 exposures taken in continuous shooting and by approaching the camera towards the subjects. Got very lucky it worked out.
Sony A6300 + Metabones adapter + Canon EF 100mm 1:2.8L IS USM; ISO-200, f/6.3, 1/200s,-0.3step, natural light (slightly cloudy). Seriously cropped.
Found this Tachinid fly (ca 11mm, ID ...., Tachinidae, Diptera) on the beach of the Baltic sea near Upesgriva (Latvia, 57°22.560'N - 23°2.856'E, 10 August 2016).
Handheld fieldstack based on 37 exposures. Images assembled in Zerene Stacker (Pmax & Dmap). Sony A6300 + Metabones adapter + Canon EF 100mm 1:2.8L IS USM; ISO-200, f/2.8, 1/250s,-0.3step, natural light, slightly cloudy, a bit windy.
Gear and methods used, see: www.flickr.com/photos/andredekesel/8004355391/
Found this Polyommatus icarus (Common blue, Lycaenidae, Lepidoptera) in Terhagen (Natuurpunt reserve, July 2017).
Handheld fieldstack (fast method, 45 exp.); assembled in Zerene Stacker (Pmax & Dmap), slightly turned & cropped. Sony A6500 + Metabones adapter + Canon EF 100mm macro 1:2.8L IS USM; ISO-200, f/5.6, 1/160s,-0.3step, natural light.
Explanations on gear and methods used, see: www.flickr.com/photos/andredekesel/8004355391/
Spotted this 30-35 mm long moth thanks to its orange-red antenna (Afroplitis sp. (Notodontidae); ID-credit : [https://www.flickr.com/photos/franziskabauer]). It was immobile on bark of an older Brachystegia spiciformis (DR Congo, miombo forest, Katanga, 35km NE of Lubumbashi, January 2015).
Fieldstack based on 118 images, assembled in Zerene Stacker (Dmap). Canon 5D mkii, EF 100mm macro 1:2.8 USM, ISO-100, f/5, -0.3step, 1/60s, natural light. Magnification a bit under 1x (on ff).
Found these beautifully colored & fragile Bolbitius titubans (= B. vitellinus, Bolbitiaceae, Agaricales) on mulch and wood clippings in De Schorre (Tomorrowland site, Boom, Belgium). Cap of the biggest one measures 3.5cm diameter.
Focus stack based on 59 images, assembled in Zerene Stacker (Dmap & Pmax), treated in GIMP and Lightroom, not cropped.
Canon 5D mkii, EF 100mm macro 1:2.8 USM, ISO-100, f/4.5, 1/20s, -0.3step, natural light (only very slightly cloudy).
Gear: instead of using the macro rail (Manfrotto 454), I used Aputure's V-Control to make the steps. While in live view, this follow focus USB remote (set in still mode) can very precisely steer the focus of the lens by simply turning a wheel. I have used it for a couple of times now and I'm convinced it's very easy, quick and precise for stacking with my old Canon Eos EF100mm macro lens (set in manual focus).
These small whitish mushrooms always grow in dense little clusters. Notice the tiny 'pin-heads' arising from the substrate. Although they seem to decompose dead wood or litter, they actually grow as saprotrophs (decomposers) on old blackened fruit-bodies of other mushrooms like Lactarius and Russula. Some fungi just decompose fungi :-)
Focus stack based on 28 exposures (ISO100, f/4.0, 1/10sec, -0.3step, natural light), assembled in ZS (Dmap & several Pmax), uncropped image, 32mm high (1.1x on ff).
Small green frog (20mm long; Hyperolius nasutus - Long Reedfrog; ID credit: zimbart) with pointed nose, semi-transparent skin with blackish star-shaped dots (zoom in) and yellow fingers (can't see here). Found it resting on a tall grass, in miombo woodland, close to a pond (DR Congo, Katanga, January 2015).
Early morning fieldstack based on 31 images, assembled in Zerene Stacker (Dmap). Canon 5D mkii, EF 100mm macro 1:2.8 USM, ISO-100, f/5, -0.3step, 1/80s, natural light. Magnification 1x (on ff).
Found these hairy blister beetles (ca. 25mm long, Epicauta sp., Meloidae) near camp lights, clinging to grasses. The next morning they were still there and hardly moving.
Field stack taken at the camp site of Mikembo sanctuary, near the lake (DR Congo, Katanga, 35km NE of Lubumbashi, January 2015).
The leaf was blocked with a small clamp, just under the frame. Image based on 44 exposures, assembled in Zerene Stacker (Dmap & Pmax). Canon 5D mkii, EF 100mm macro 1:2.8 USM, ISO-100, f/6.3, -0.3step, 1/30s, natural light, early morning. Slightly cropped, magnification 1.2 x (on ff).
Boxwood moth (Buxusmot, Cydalima perspectalis, or Glyphodes, Crambidae, Lepidoptera), found in our garden - Belgium, Boom, 28 August 2016. Found very few moths last year, now it's abundant and causing damage.
Fieldstack: camera on tripod & slide (Manfrotto 454), rose branch blocked (magic arm), almost no wind. Image based on 56 exposures, assembled in Zerene Stacker. Sony A6300 + Metabones adapter + Canon EF 100mm 1:2.8L IS USM; ISO-100, f/4, 1/160s,-0.3step, natural light.
Find an extreme macro of this moth in the first comment line.
This is a second fieldstack of a hairy blister beetle (ca. 25mm long, Epicauta sp., Meloidae). Attracted to camp lights and clinging to grasses. Photographed the next morning and not really moving a lot.
Field stack taken at the camp site of Mikembo sanctuary, near the lake (DR Congo, Katanga, 35km NE of Lubumbashi, January 2015).
The leaf was blocked with small clamps, left and right of the frame. Image based on 88 exposures, taken with an Aputure V-control remote. Images assembled in Zerene Stacker (Dmap & Pmax). Canon 5D mkii, 21mm extension ring, EF 100mm macro 1:2.8 USM, ISO-100, f/5, -0.3step, 1/40s, natural light.
Well, movement is unavoidable, so it did take a lot of retouching (in Zerene Stacker and GIMP) to reconstruct moved antenna and legs.
Find a previous post of this beetle in the first comment line.
Thanks for visiting and Merry X-mas to you all !
Found this cute little drain fly (Psychoda, Psychodinae, Diptera) on our kitchen window (Belgium, December 23, 2017).
Stack of a live specimen using tripod, Newport 430 plate and Starret micrometer. Image based on 38 shots compiled in Zerene Stacker (Dmap & Pmax). Sony A6500 + Metabones adapter + Canon MP-E 65mm at 3x; ISO-100, f/4, 1/2s, -0.3step. All natural light.
A male Xyphosia miliaria (Akkerdistelboorvlieg, 6mm, Tephritidae, Diptera) on Creeping thistle (Cirsium arvense, June 2016).
Sony A6300 + Metabones adapter + Canon MP-E 65mm at 2x, ISO-100, f/6.2, 1/3, -0.3step, tracing paper diffused daylight led. Staged specimen, focus stack based on 120 images, assembled in Zerene Stacker.
This West African buthid scorpion (ID: ...; Buthidae) comes from the woodlands near Monts-Kouffé in Bénin (West-Africa, Wari-Maro village, June 1997). Found it in a pitfall trap (open arid area). Preserved it in ethanol for a month, then for about 18 years in a dry collection.
Studio work. Cleaned, rehydrated and staged specimen, illustrating defensive posture.
Focus stack based on 137 images, assembled in Zerene Stacker (Pmax). Canon 5D mkii, EF 100mm macro 1:2.8 USM, ISO-100, f/4, -0.3step, 1/160s, natural light combined with strong daylight led, diffused with tracing paper.
Found this lovely pink and yellow patterned moth (ca. 2cm long; Polytelodes florifera, Noctuidae, Lepidoptera, ID credit: Terathopius) in the miombos of Katanga (DR Congo, 35km NE of Lubumbashi, January 2015). Attracted to lights and sitting on grasses under our camp light ... still there the next morning.
Field stack taken with the Aputure V-control instead of a macrorail. Allows very precise control of the focus.
The leaf was blocked with a small clamp, just above and under the frame. Image based on 48 exposures, assembled in Zerene Stacker (Dmap & Pmax). Canon 5D mkii, 21mm extension tube, EF 100mm macro 1:2.8 USM, ISO-100, f/5, -0.3step, 1/40s, natural light, early morning.
Black and red longhorn beetle (ca 35mm long; Ceroplesis sp., Cerambicidae, Lamiinae). Found it frequently on Acacias (DR Congo, Katanga, 31 January 2015). Cooperative specimen ;-) resting on a twig. The latter blocked with a plant clamp.
Fieldstack based on 12 usable images, assembled in Zerene Stacker (Pmax & Dmap) and fixed/retouched in GIMP. Canon 5Dmkii, EF100mm macro 1:2.8L IS USM, ISO-100, f/7.1, -0.3step, 1/50s, natural light.
Went for a last fieldstack this weekend and found only a few flowering stems of Tanacetum vulgare, visited by male syrphids (Sphaerophoria scripta; ID credit: Gilles San Martin) and a Common blue (Polyommatus icarus, Icarusblauwtje, Lycaenidae; wasteland, 5 November 2016, Boom, Belgium)
Handheld fieldstack, camera in burst mode (11fr/sec), used the focusing ring for focus bracketing. Image based on 49 exposures assembled in Zerene Stacker (Pmax & Dmap). Post processed in GIMP to re-assemble some parts, not cropped.
Sony A6300 + Metabones adapter + Canon EF 100mm 1:2.8L IS USM; ISO-200, f/4.5, 1/250s, -0.3step, natural diffused light, wind still.
A little fat-tailed gekko (6-7cm long, Pachydactylus oshaughnessyi or P. katanganus, Gekkonidae) found on bark of a dead tree in the miombo forests of Mikembo (Upper-Katanga, DR Congo, 27 January 2018).
Live specimen. Fieldstack based on 13 images (focus ring bracketing, Zerene Stacker, Dmap & Pmax). Sony A6500, FE 2.8/90 Macro G OSS; ISO-200, f/6.3, 1/50s, -0.3step, all natural light.
It's the season of the builder bees (Osmia cornuta, Megachilidae, Hymenoptera). Our garden bee hotel is full of them. Some enter the greenhouse, but can't find the way out and die from exhaustion.
Studio work with a dead female specimen, cleaned and staged on a young flower buds of Syringa meyeri. Focus stack based on 126 images, assembled in Zerene Stacker (Dmap & Pmax). Canon 5Dmkii, MP-E 65mm at 1.2x, ISO-100, f/3.2, 1/125-1/160s, -0.3step, natural light (in a greenhouse).
Find a previous post of this bee in the first comment line.
A gekko (up to 10cm long, id?, Gekkonidae) commonly found on wooden beams of our shelter at Mikembo (Upper-Katanga, DR Congo, taken 30 January 2018).
Live specimen. Fieldstack based on 22 not fully overlapping images (focus ring bracketing, Zerene Stacker, Dmap & Pmax). Sony A6500, FE 2.8/90 Macro G OSS; ISO-100, f/6.3, 1/40s, -0.3step, natural light.
Weird flowers of Ceropegia (maybe C. papillata, Apocynaceae). Found in the miombo forests of Mikembo (DR Congo, Katanga, 31 January 2018). Flowers are about 25mm high.
Fieldstack based on 27 images (fast method, Zerene Stacker, Dmap & Pmax). Sony A6500, FE 2.8/90 Macro G OSS; ISO-200, f/3.2, 1/200s, -0.3step, all natural light.
For explanations on gear and methods follow link below:
www.flickr.com/photos/andredekesel/8086137225/in/dateposted/
Early morning stack of a syrphid fly (ca. 11mm, Episyrphus balteatus male, Syrphidae, Diptera; ID credit: www.flickr.com/photos/marcelloconsolo/). When treating the stack I noticed it has a compression in its right eye.
Tripod fieldstack based on 74 exposures, assembled in Zerene Stacker (Dmap & Pmax), reconstructed in GIMP. Canon 5Dmkii, MP-E 65mm at approx. 3x, ISO-200, f/5.6, 1/20sec, -0.3step, non-diffused natural light, no clouds, almost no wind and cool 6°C. Background are willows and sky.
Find an animated gif of the images in the first comment line.
Found this male African Emperor Moth (probably Pseudobunaea irius, Saturniidae) in a denser type of miombo forest at Mikembo sanctuary (DR Congo, Katanga, 35km NE of Lubumbashi, January 2015).
Almost immobile specimen, near completing inflating its wings. The supporting plant was blocked with a small clamp, just under the frame. Image based on 86 exposures, assembled in Zerene Stacker (Dmap & Pmax). Canon 5D mkii, EF 100mm macro f/2.8L IS USM, ISO-100, f/5, -0.3step, 1/8s, natural light, morning. Magnification close to 1x (on ff).
General habit of this large moth in the first comment
Male African Emperor Moth (probably Pseudobunaea irius, Saturniidae), found in a denser type of miombo forest at Mikembo sanctuary (DR Congo, Katanga, 35km NE of Lubumbashi, January 2015).
Wingspan close to 130mm.
Single shot; Canon 5D mkii, EF 100mm macro f/2.8L IS USM, ISO-100, f/5, -0.3step, 1/30s, natural light under canopy.
Found this well camouflaged Owlet moth again (Calophasia lunula, Noctuidae), same spot (Boom, 1 July 2018, fallow).
Handheld fieldstack (fast method, 50 exp.); assembled in Zerene Stacker (Pmax & Dmap), Sony A6500, FE 2.8/90 Macro G OSS; ISO-100, f/3.5, 1/160s, -0.3step, diffused natural light. Not cropped.
Explanations on gear and methods used, see: www.flickr.com/photos/andredekesel/8004355391/
Find a previous post with this species in the first comment line
There's a darkness living deep in my soul
I still got a purpose to serve
So let your light shine, deep into my home
God, don't let me lose my nerve
Put Your lights on - by Santana.
Watch the Video Here (opens in new window)
Here is some facts about the song
[Everlast wrote this and sang lead. The term "Put Your Lights On" basically means "Watch Out," and is frequently addressed to the "sinners." When Everlast (Erik Schrody) left House Of Pain, he gave up alcohol and nicotine, then converted to Islam. The song has a religious meaning to him, and even includes the Muslim prayer "La Ilaha Il Allah," which translates to "There is only Allah." Everlast wasn't sure if he should leave that part in, but Santana, who is a very spiritual being, wanted it in there.]
Shot from Nikon D300. Shutter Speed 1/13 sec. VR on Aperture F/3.2. Lens 105mm. ISO 400. Metering Mode: Matrix. Exposure Compensation +0.3step.
Software Used: Adobe Photoshop for Cropping and to reduce file size.
Small locust (20mm long; ID: ?; possibly in the Pamphagidae) extremely well camouflaged and commonly seen on soil of recently burnt miombo forest (DR Congo, Katanga, January 2015).
Staged specimen. Image based on 62 exposures, assembled in Zerene Stacker (Dmap & Pmax). Canon 5D mkii, 21mm extension tube, EF 100mm macro 1:2.8 USM, ISO-100, f/4, -0.3step, 1/8s, natural light.
A crab spider (Misumena vatia, Arachnida) found in Latvia (Valmiera, 12 August 2017).
Live specimen. Fieldstack (fast method) based on 71 images (Zerene Stacker, Dmap & Pmax). Sony A6500, fitted with a Canon EF 100mm 1:2.8L IS USM; ISO-400, f/3.2, 1/320s,-0.3step, natural diffused light.
For explanations on gear and methods follow link below:
www.flickr.com/photos/andredekesel/8086137225/in/dateposted/
Found these two millipedes in the miombo forest of Mikembo (DR Congo, Katanga, January 2014). They are about 5cm long (stretched). I found them rolled up under a piece of rotten wood. Placed them on the cap of a polypore and made a quick stack (on tripod). I wanted a shot like this for a friend's 66th anniversary (happy birthday Michel !)
Fieldstack based on 36 images assembled in Zerene Stacker, uncropped.
Canon 5D mkii, EF 100mm macro 1:2.8 USM, ISO100, f/4, 1/8s, -0.3step, natural light (cloudy day).
When one sees a fly (Sarcophaga carnaria) hanging under a flower, then it very often is a victim of a crab spider (Misumena vatia, Thomisidae, Arachnida). Found in Latvia (Valmiera, near Gauja, August 2017).
Fieldstack (fast method, 48 im.); assembled in Zerene Stacker (Pmax & Dmap). Sony A6500 + Metabones adapter + Canon EF 100mm macro 1:2.8L IS USM; ISO-400, f/5, 1/500s,-0.3step, natural light.
For explanations on gear and methods see: www.flickr.com/photos/andredekesel/8004355391/
Asian orchid, grown under glass for years (map).
Studio work with a staged specimen. Focus stack, 80 images; assembled in Zerene Stacker (Dmap & Pmax). Sony A7Rm2, FE 2.8/90 Macro G OSS; ISO-100, f/3.2, 1/20s, -0.3step, natural light.
Uncropped, flower = 22 mm high.
There's just three steps between you and the new you.
You too can be like me.
But not me, you! A new you, a you that's just like me in every single perceivable way, but still being you without needing to give up on being you to be exactly like me - if you see what I mean. Like me, but you, without losing you in the beauty of a frame like me. Meyou if you like. Or maybe Youme - rhymes with tomb. Catchy.
Anyway... I digress.
You too can be like me!
It's a simple three step program with just four easy to follow steps.
Step 2: Keep repeating step one four times every 17 minutes.
Step 3: Get yourself a new black book - you're gonna need it gorgeous!
step 4: Go back to step two you lazy good for nothing parasite that comes here trying to steal my three step body beautification program without even asking for my phone number or asking me out on a date and it's been a long time since I had a date with anyone except that last guy that tried to lick my ear after I accidentally got mayonnaise in it and I learnt that he actually just wanted to steal my beatification program that is going to make me rich and make the world a more beautiful place where kittens will have to fight hard to keep their (undeserved) position as the leaders in the beauty thing that I rightly am destined to be the leader of and people will invite me to all of their important parties and all of the beautiful people shall say how beautiful I am and I shall nod politely but in my secret bedroom behind my fake bedroom I shall laugh and laugh and mock how sad it must be to be beautiful but not quite as beautiful as I because I have been crowned to be the most beautiful in the whole widest world of the word and they are just a hollow shell that makes a dull empty thud of a noise if you were to strike it with the silver spoon that they were raised sucking.
Yes.
I may have digressed.
Er...
Might need to work on the steps... but er... follow my beautification program! Deep down, you know beauty is the new you! Unless, of course, you're already beautiful, in which case you probably might want to look at the refund policy carefully, and then Ha! Surprise... I win!
Anyway, I know you'd love to:
Strobist:
Bowens Gemini Pro 500 with brilliantly big softbox above camera pointing down at 45 degrees, set on 3.5. Two other Bowens with disappointingly smaller softboxes camera left and right at 45 degrees pointing at the most beautifully beautiful person who ever had a three step program to elevate herself to the most beautiful beauty in the whole wide world, both set on 3.5. Triggered by PC cord cable.
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A CONTEMPLATIVE MOMENT
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Early Spring, at sunrise sat, Angie contemplative at
A life so muddled, all she's done, many tears and so much fun
Reaching middle age so soon, younger men now make her swoon
As frequently the flushes come, turning into, changing from
Past to future all life's plan, reaching for that battery fan
Hormones jangling, feelings too, ditch the old, embrace the new
Husband wandering, children also, crossroads reached, which way to go
Rich lifes tapestry it seems, a heart that yearns, a head that dreams
Sunlight breaking through at last, considering her chequered past
Angie dangles legs in air, sitting on the steps, no cares
As Mother natured smiled upon the child within this woman from
A life of sticks and stones and wind, knock it down and kick it in
So many lost along the journey, illness claiming loved ones early
Strength of character, resolve, adapting as her life evolves
Take the knocks, endure the pain, live to love and fight again
Skin like alligator hide, protective of that child inside
Empty house, just cats as friends, memories of love that ends
With tears and loneliness within, broken vows, contempt for him
As all the happiness she shared went down the pan, he never cared
Mortgage problems, bills to pay whilst her, now ex was making hay
Acrimonious exchanges, how life turns and rearranges
What once was peace doves, joyful touch had turned to dust, the rings now rust
All around the house reminders of the fact that fate, she finds us
Kicking off her dainty shoes, Angie sighed with laden blues
Through the turmoil humour stayed, though at times she felt dismayed
Viewing life through empty glass, the sand grains, time, she rolls so fast
Staring back from bathroom mirror, hairs now grey and lines don't thrill her
Wasn't once a vibrant lass staring back from mirror glass
Losing parents, missing friends, will the sadness ever end
Isn't there supposed to be a balance, order plain to see
For Angie sure could use some luck, a life like lemon, hers to suck
Blushing at those early years, childish thoughts and lack of fear
Boyfriends, lovers, all directions searching for the right affections
Troubles woes and money tight, the tunnel long, where is the light
But smiling inwardly and out, Angie's spirit gave a shout
Never one to dwell on sadness, let's move on, forget the madness
A brand new day and feeling brighter, let the good vibes roam inside her
Sun rays streak across her heart, this contemplation, her jump-start
The weekend beckons, dogs to walk, house to clean and phone calls talk
Invite the kids down supper time, flowing wine and feeling fine
Rob at work, she fancies him, pluck up courage, ring-a ding
Retail therapy won't hurt, Bobbi Brown and brand new skirt
Face the world, don't hide away, life still in this girl today
As rising from the step she feels life's not so bad, it has appeal
The ups and downs are here to test, to make us stronger, stay our best
The battles only halfway won, let's paint the town, this girls not done.
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Written April 15th 2011
Photograph taken on April 14th 2011 at 08:07am in the Gun gardens at Rye, East Sussex, England
Nikon D700 70mm 1/50s f/6.3 iso200 -0.3step EV
Nikkor AF-S 24-70mm f/2.8G ED IF. UV filter. MetaGPS geotag
Latitude: M 50d 56m 59.60s
Longitude: E 0d 44m 8.31s
Altitude: 4m
These long legged spiders are great subjects for field stacking. They so often just remain in place while setting up the camera. This one (Tetragnatha sp., ID credit: John Hallmen, thanks!) allowed me to slightly bend and clamp his stick (magic arm). When I left, it didn't leave the scene (31/7/2013, northern Latvia, Valmiera).
Fieldstack of 44 exposures (ISO200, f/5.6, 1/60sec, -0.3step, cloudy weather). Combined in ZereneStacker (Dmap & Pmax), uncropped image, 36mm wide (1x on ff).
Closeup of an antlion Hagenomyia tristis, Gregarious antlion (Myrmeleontidae, Neuroptera). Found in the miombo forests of DR Congo (Mikembo sanctuary, Upper-Katanga, January - February 2014).
Studio work with an in ethanol preserved specimen. Colors have faded from yellow to brown (see first comment line). Focus stack based on 111 images; assembled in Zerene Stacker (Dmap & Pmax). Sony A7RM5 (cropped) + Metabones adapter + Canon MP-E 65mm at 4.5x; ISO-100, f/3.5, 1/13s, -1.3step, diffused LED light (Nanlite).
With some imagination you can also see a scary face in this one ...
Two longhorn beetles (male & female, 32 & 27mm long, Ancylonotus tribulus, Lamiinae, Cerambycidae; ID credit Bennyboymothman) from the miombo forests of Wari Maro (West-Africa, Bénin Republic, July 1998, on tree trunks, kept since 1998 in dried collection).
Studio work, staged specimens, focus stack based on 120 images, assembled in Zerene Stacker (Dmap & Pmax).
Canon 5D mkii, EF 100mm macro 1:2.8 USM, ISO-100, f/4.5, -0.3step, 1/30s, combination of natural light and a daylight LED, diffused with tracing paper.
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Photograph taken at 11.02am on April 29th 2010 at an altitude of Two hundred and fifty nine metres, off of Island Highway 1, having walked along the almost dry river bed which runs through Goldstream Provincial Park, on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada.
Having walked from Niagara Falls waterfall at Niagara falls Creek, which drops forty seven and a half metres much like it's famous namesake, we are now on an ever steepening trek up to Niagara Canyon Bridge (Cisco Bridge over the Fraser River) and soon to enter private property after which point we are officially trespassing.
Established on June 26, 1958, this 477 hectares park is seventeen kilometres from Downtown Victoria, and is renowned for it's old growth temperate rain forest with 600 year old Douglas firs, and the location for the annual Chum Salmon spawning where Eagles await the returning fish and the cycle of life is played out to a violent, though wondrous climax.
Nikon D90 Focal length: 24mm Shutter speed: 1/100s Aperture: f/5.0 iso200 Exposure compensation EV: -1.3Step NEF FILE SIZE L (4288 X 2848 Pixels) Compressed RAW File 12-Bit Hand held Focus mode: Manual focus AF-Area mode: Single Exposure mode: Programmed Auto Metering mode: Matrix metering White balance: Auto Colour space: Adobe RGB Active D-lighting: Low
Tamron 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5 Di II. Jessops UV filter. Nikon MB-D10 battery grip. Hoodman H-RAV right angle viewfinder. My memory 32GB class 10 20MB/s SDHC. Nikon GP-1 GPS unit
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RAW (TIFF) FILE: 35.10MB NEF FILE: 11.2MB
PROCESSED (JPeg) FILE: 14.80MB
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PROCESSING POWER:
Nikon D90
HP 110-352na Desktop PC with AMD Quad-Core A6-5200 APU 64Bit processor. Radeon HD8400 graphics. 8 GB DDR3 Memory with 1TB Data storage. 64-bit Windows 10. Verbatim USB 2.0 1TB desktop hard drive. WD My Passport Ultra 1tb USB3 Portable hard drive. Nikon ViewNX-1 64bit Version 1.4.1 (18/02/2020). Nikon Capture NX-D 64bit Version 1.6.2 (18/02/2020). Nikon Picture Control Utility 2 (Version 2.4.5 (18/02/2020). Nikon Transfer 2 Version 2.13.5. Adobe photoshop Elements 8 Version 8.0 64bit.
©All photographs on this site are copyright: ©DESPITE STRAIGHT LINES (Paul Williams) 2011 – 2021 & GETTY IMAGES ®
No license is given nor granted in respect of the use of any copyrighted material on this site other than with the express written agreement of ©DESPITE STRAIGHT LINES (Paul Williams). No image may be used as source material for paintings, drawings, sculptures, or any other art form without permission and/or compensation to ©DESPITE STRAIGHT LINES (Paul Williams)
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I would like to say a huge and heartfelt 'THANK YOU' to GETTY IMAGES, and the 39.321+ Million visitors to my FLICKR site.
***** Selected for sale in the GETTY IMAGES COLLECTION on June 29th 2021
CREATIVE RF gty.im/1325898258 MOMENT ROYALTY FREE COLLECTION**
This photograph became my 5,363rd frame to be selected for sale in the Getty Images collection and I am very grateful to them for this wonderful opportunity.
©DESPITE STRAIGHT LINES (Paul Williams)
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Photograph taken at 11.03am on April 29th 2010 at an altitude of Two hundred and fifty nine metres, off of Island Highway 1, having walked along the almost dry river bed which runs through Goldstream Provincial Park, on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada.
Having walked from Niagara Falls waterfall at Niagara falls Creek, which drops forty seven and a half metres much like it's famous namesake, we are now on an ever steepening trek up to Niagara Canyon Bridge (Cisco Bridge over the Fraser River) and soon to enter private property after which point we are officially trespassing.
Established on June 26, 1958, this 477 hectares park is seventeen kilometres from Downtown Victoria, and is renowned for it's old growth temperate rain forest with 600 year old Douglas firs, and the location for the annual Chum Salmon spawning where Eagles await the returning fish and the cycle of life is played out to a violent, though wondrous climax.
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Nikon D90 Focal length: 24mm Shutter speed: 1/100s Aperture: f/5.0 iso200 Exposure compensation EV: -1.3Step NEF FILE SIZE L (4288 X 2848 Pixels) Compressed RAW File 12-Bit Hand held Focus mode: Manual focus AF-Area mode: Single Exposure mode: Programmed Auto Metering mode: Matrix metering White balance: Auto Colour space: Adobe RGB Active D-lighting: Low
Tamron 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5 Di II. Jessops UV filter. Nikon MB-D10 battery grip. Hoodman H-RAV right angle viewfinder. My memory 32GB class 10 20MB/s SDHC. Nikon GP-1 GPS unit
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RAW (TIFF) FILE: 35.10MB NEF FILE: 11.2MB
PROCESSED (JPeg) FILE: 14.80MB
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PROCESSING POWER:
Nikon D90
HP 110-352na Desktop PC with AMD Quad-Core A6-5200 APU 64Bit processor. Radeon HD8400 graphics. 8 GB DDR3 Memory with 1TB Data storage. 64-bit Windows 10. Verbatim USB 2.0 1TB desktop hard drive. WD My Passport Ultra 1tb USB3 Portable hard drive. Nikon ViewNX-1 64bit Version 1.4.1 (18/02/2020). Nikon Capture NX-D 64bit Version 1.6.2 (18/02/2020). Nikon Picture Control Utility 2 (Version 2.4.5 (18/02/2020). Nikon Transfer 2 Version 2.13.5. Adobe photoshop Elements 8 Version 8.0 64bit.
Found this scene underneath a field scabious (Knautia arvensis, Caprifoliaceae; Latvia, Valmiera, 2 August 2017). A white crab spider (Misumena vatia) caught an unfortunate bee, which is also assaulted by a bunch of freeloader flies or jackal flies (Milichiidae, Diptera; ID credit: Hubert Polacek).
Fieldstack (fast method, 43 exp.); assembled in Zerene Stacker (Pmax&Dmap). Sony A6500 + Metabones adapter + Canon EF 100mm macro 1:2.8L IS USM; ISO-400, f/7.1, 1/200s,-0.3step, natural light.
For explanations on gear and methods see: www.flickr.com/photos/andredekesel/8004355391/
Morning stack of a sawfly (ca. 12mm, Dolerus sp. - Hymenoptera).
Handheld fieldstack based on 14 exposures, assembled in Zerene Stacker (Dmap & Pmax). Canon 5Dmkii in continuous shooting, MP-E 65mm at approx. 1.4x, ISO-200, f/6.3, 1/50sec, -0.3step, non-diffused natural light.
This stack was made in continuous shooting and by moving the subject towards the lens. Camera in the right hand, stick with sawfly in the left. To make sure my hand wouldn't make too many lateral movements i let i slide along a metal rod. The latter was firmly placed under the camera and pointing 30cm forward, i.e. parallel to the lens.
This is not the best way to get pin-sharp images, but it does allow to make a quick stack in just 4 or 5 seconds ..... without need for tripod(s) etcetera.
Find an animated GIF of the image series in the first comment line.
Photographer : Greenboy a.k.a Budakijau
::foto ini telah melalui HDR single exposure melalui photomatic process,segala kritikan tersedia untuk menambah baikkan foto akan datang::
Exif :
Persedo-HDR single RAW
20 Jun 2012/19:24PM
Shot in RAW
Exposure: 1/15sec at f8(handheld)
Filter : GND 0.9
Exposure Program : M
Matering Mode: Pattern
ISO 200
Flash: No
Focal Lenght : 10mm
Exposure Bias : -0.3step
Camera: Nikon D90
Lens : Sigma 10-20mm f4
White Balance : Auto,A1,0
Picture Control : Greenboy Landscape
Tajuk :
Dilarang Puasa Sunat Apabila Tinggal Separuh Bulan Syaaban
Hadith :
Daripada Abu Hurairah r.a. katanya Rasulullah s.a.w. bersabda: “Apabila tinggal separuh bulan Syaaban janganlah kamu semua berpuasa sunat.”
(at-Tirmidzi)
Huraian
Islam adalah agama yang mudah dan tidak membebankan umatnya Oleh itu ia tidak menggalakkan umatnya melakukan sesuatu yang mendatangkan mudarat pada diri atau menimbulkan rasa berat atau malas untuk menjalankan kewajipan yang diperintah. Contohnya, kita tidak digalakkan untuk berpuasa sunat, sama ada sunat hari Isnin atau Khamis dan lainnya selepas 15 Syaaban, kecuali puasa qadha’ dan orang yang sentiasa melakukan amalan puasa sunat yang bertepatan dengan hari berkenaan. Hikmah larangan tersebut adalah untuk mengelak orang-orang yang tidak biasa melakukan puasa sunat daripada merasa terlalu letih apabila mengerjakan puasa fardhu di bulan Ramadhan yang muncul selepas bulan Syaaban itu.
BELIEVE IN MERMAIDS
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I've wrestled with my conscience and declared the bout a draw. I've examined each and every avenue of perception and contemplation with time on my side and a willingness to seek out some pearl of wisdom that I might take with me to the grave. But all this pathetic brain of mine can muster is an awe for Mother nature's brilliance and bounty as those tidal surges have me ever more drenched and clinging onto my last breath, and the realisation that perhaps this is not such a bad day to die.
The thin tubular aluminium legs of my portable fishing chair flex and move under the weight of the water, sinking ever deeper into the soft velvety sand with each successive wave as I flinch under the freezing cold pain of the water now making unwarranted advances upon my ill prepared flesh. I want to cry but won't allow myself such wasteful and unproductive indulgence as I struggle to break free my limbs from the layers of tape that bind me callously to the skimpy chair, itself firmly affixed to the far end of the wooden groyne that for decades many has occupied these sea defences. Despite my best intentions I must concede the simple fact that a mortal of the merest form I am, no God nor king of legend past and bold with powers to halt the progress of the devilish sea. All the same, old Canute's earnest belief in his abilities wouldn't come a miss right now.
The morning breeze stiffens and billows in, buffeting my face along with salty sea spray and foam that floats from the shoreline, stinging my eyes and scalding my parched lips as my brain attempts to calculate and recalibrate a world of mayhem and possibility. And like a mirage in a barren desert land, from time to time there I am, believing that I might actually find salvation amidst the blissful chaos. Where I think there is a sign of movement between tethered hands and unforgiving tape, reality slaps me down as I fail once more to make any ground, the water ever faster, ever deeper as it pools around my submerged feet which are anchored beneath the sand and buried to a point several inches above my ankles, sending an icy chill up and down my spine. I know that he is watching me from a short distance away, I can feel his cold eyes burning into the back of my neck, his contemptuous stare though he'll naturally understand if I don't turn around and give him the satisfaction of the credit he craves. All the same, I wish I could turn and flash him a toothy smile as an 'up yours, pal' salvo across his decks. A three sixty revolving neck like a scene from 'The Exorcist' would be a neat trick right now.
My right eye is partially closed, the swelling smarting like a son of a bitch and congealed blood now dry and crusty around my face where he broke the skin under the impact with fists and wedding ring. Ah yes, that ring. How apt and intrinsically appropriate. Worn out of some sense of dominance and pride I would guess, a mark of allegiance, of ownership in his eyes, to complete my final humiliation and stamp his angry condemnation of my carnal actions and the consequences that have arisen from them. Only a fool such as I could choose to make an enemy of a violent husband with psychopathic tendencies, and a passion for the intricate details of violence drawn from years of watching American gangster movies. Why couldn't he have been a 'philatelist, then the worst fate that might have befallen me was in being licked to death! Or a lepidopterist.... hmm on second thoughts he'd probably have dried me to a husk and pinned me in a glass cabinet with a giant pin through my chest!
This stretch of coastline lies secluded and unmolested by tourist eyes, towards the outer reaches of the angry shoreline, where ageing wooden groynes pepper the beach and stand guard over my demise like legions of soldiers lined up for the fight. Positioned by the first breaker with three more behind me closer to the sea wall, my eyes survey the degradation and algae adorning the wooden form which tells me that soon I shall taste the salt water and breathe no longer. Everything so meticulously planned, he chose the location so well as into his violent trap I so foolishly wandered. The story of my life one could say, the nearly man, neither Prince nor King of the facets of my life, a head filled with romantic notions and a heart worn so carelessly on my soaking wet sleeves. Romance, you've gotta love it. Look where it got me this time. The sea water rises steadily, my waste now submerged and all attempts to free the legs of the chair thwarted by his use of tent pegs bent over and pinned into the core of the sand. He thought of everything, the cold and calculating bastard! My heart beat races like a charging stallion with every new pulsing surge of water, and perhaps rather curiously, I find myself with the urge to laugh out loud, uncontrollably at the top of my lungs. Am I facing madness as I stare death in the eye? I guess I never got around to reading the book on my bedroom cabinet, 'Etiquette when facing death at the hands of a mad thing'.
My nose is broken, I'm almost certain of the fact as I can hear the fragments moving rather unsettlingly against each other as I breath through the constricted passageway of my blood filled nostrils, mouth agape as I suck in great gulps of air and breath hard as the liquid reaches my chest. It's a suitably impressive show that Mother nature puts on just for me in my final hour, with the golden sand slowly disappearing beneath the advancing crests of the foamy waves, and seagulls overhead seeming to stare down and mock my sad plight as they hover motionless in the breeze above me. Unlike those ancient and fascinating Groynes, for this mere mortal, just one early morning tide is all that is needed to erase me, snuff me out from the existence enjoyed, the future I had planned. I feel almost cheated somehow, relishing the prospect of going out in style at the very least, and yet here I am giving up the fight without so much as a whimper.
Back at the car, Susan's carcass will be rapidly cooling by now. He'll have a hell of a job to hide all evidence of her murder, doesn't he realize that scrubbing the black velvet boot carpet of all traces of blood and bodily fluids will not fool the forensic squad once they get their filthy paws on the Mercedes? I picked that up from reruns of CSI shows on various digital channels over the years. I can still see her lying there as he opened the boot and forced me to survey the extent of the damage that I had caused. Hands taped and blood pouring from my fresh wounds, the baseball bat indentations throbbing on my battered bones as I looked into her still open, though curiously vacant eyes. I guess it's only fair that we both suffered the same fate this day for our unrequited love, the illicit and lurid legacy of our torrid affair, and yet a part of me, a selfish part that lurks deep in the very recesses of my worthless heart, somehow wishes that Susan were still alive to give me a perspective, a reason to make a stand and fight back like a man with all my strength and might. As it is, I am broken, nothing left to care for, the reason for my existence snuffed out before me. I am beaten. I guess there is always Mr Timmins, but no doubt once he realizes that I have not shown up for his on the dot five thirty dinner spread, he'll do what all cats do and find some other sucker to fall for his fluffalicious charms.
A wave pounds me, rushing my nostrils as salt water powers past the restricted passageways, pain searing through my brain as I try to eject the water from my mouth in rapid spits, head flailing with the limited movement my neck has. It's actually quite a buzz, the cold water smacking me in the face, the realization that this is it, I'm facing the reaper any second. I'd like to make a final speech and announce to the world that I enjoyed my short life and lived it to the full, but the world doesn't care much it seems to me, as local residents still fester in the pits of their love nests, leaving just a handful of curious sea gulls to ride the breeze around me. It could have been so perfect, so idyllic, as we two forbidden lovers luxuriated in the moment of our freedom, heading off into the metaphoric sunset on white horses to begin a new life away from that monster. I should have been a man, had some backbone, thought this moment through and offered up at least a valiant defence. But here I sit, bound to a collapsible fishing chair with a broken nose and shattered dreams, the woman I love lying dead just metres from me and his victory complete and final.
The final wave signals her intent from afar, gathering momentum and lifting her skirts as she heads like a Queen on her trusty many hands high white steed with sword held aloft and steel visor firmly down. This is it I guess, as I face my demise, mouth open and screaming as defiantly as my throat will muster, the slit gushing rich ruby red lifeblood from the precise slashing that his serrated diving knife so cordially obliged me with. The water rushes over me and I can hear my scream beneath the wave as I struggle for breath and wait for the water to recede enough for one last gulp of air. But sometimes hopes and dreams are scattered to the winds as is the case right here and now. As my breath falters and water rushes into every orifice, I sense the end is here. Perhaps soon I will be reunited with my love in a better place. Underwater, eyes open, I ponder the existence of Mermaids from ancient legend and live in hope that one will come and rescue me at her leisure.
Ever the optimist.
Believe in mermaids? Right here, right now, never moreso.....
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***** Selected for sale in the GETTY IMAGES COLLECTION on April 7th 2015
CREATIVE RF gty.im/ MOMENT OPEN COLLECTION**
This photograph became my 635th frame to be selected for inclusion and sale in the Getty Images 'Moment' collection and I am very grateful to them for such a wonderful oportunity.
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Rewritten from a piece penned on December 31st 2010 Photograph taken at sunrise on the beach at Camber Sands in East Sussex, England.
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Nikon D700 34mm 1/50s f/3.2 iso200 -0.3step EV
Nikkor AF-S 24-70mm f/2.8G ED IF. UV filter. Manfrotto 055XPro Carbon fibre & Manfrotto 327 RC2 pistol grip. Shutter release and mirror up.