Search found 611 matches

by bgorum
February 15th, 2016, 7:34 am
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: Micro Photo Advice
Replies: 8
Views: 14570

Re: Micro Photo Advice

#4 would be my choice on a budget. To use stacked lenses you'll need a male to male filter ring adapter with the appropriate size threads for the two lenses you want to stack. You mount one lens, (say your 90 macro), to the camera and then attach the other lens in reverse position onto the front of ...
by bgorum
February 8th, 2016, 10:37 am
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: Fill flash for daytime shooting
Replies: 12
Views: 10394

Re: Fill flash for daytime shooting

I tend to agree with Chris that this is really a full flash shot, not a fill flash shot. I see from the exif that you are using Nikon. I'm also a Nikon user and one of the best features of the Nikon system is how easy their flash system is to use. Here is exactly how I would have handled the rat sna...
by bgorum
February 4th, 2016, 9:26 am
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: Fill flash for daytime shooting
Replies: 12
Views: 10394

Re: Fill flash for daytime shooting

For the particular photo you posted I really don't see much need for fill flash. You have details in both the highlights and the shadows. The dappled light gives a good "feel" for what it might be like to encounter that animal in the field. Lighting conditions are as much a part of an anim...
by bgorum
January 19th, 2016, 6:23 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Post your 1 best photo from 2015!
Replies: 61
Views: 49373

Re: Post your 1 best photo from 2015!

This is probably my favourite shot for 2015, it was very hard to pick though and there are easy 20 to 30 others that I would be proud to post. A Giant Frog (Cyclorana australis) from North-west Queensland, Australia. These frogs are burrowers and only come out with decent amounts of rain. This was ...
by bgorum
January 18th, 2016, 3:41 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Post your 1 best photo from 2015!
Replies: 61
Views: 49373

Re: Post your 1 best photo from 2015!

Chris, this took some planning in advance, as well as luck of finding the snake on the right night to do it. I had in mind where and how I wanted to do the shot, and on a crystal clear, mostly moonless night I happened to come across a horridus to do it with. I went to the area and took several pra...
by bgorum
January 15th, 2016, 11:08 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Post your 1 best photo from 2015!
Replies: 61
Views: 49373

Re: Post your 1 best photo from 2015!

https://drscdn.500px.org/photo/126420389/m%3D900/4ef351c52ba647c6780bd3efc86d8374 I'm going to put up this one. I have other photos I took last year that were more popular with other people, but that's o.k. The reasons I chose this one are that this is a picture that was a number of years in the ma...
by bgorum
December 26th, 2015, 8:58 am
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: Ideas for low light macro
Replies: 11
Views: 19000

Re: Ideas for low light macro

Does a tripod make that big of a difference vs. me laying on my belly and using my arms as a tripod? Tell me about what settings/setup you (would) use in this situation... A tripod makes all the difference in the world if the subject isn't moving. For an absolutely stationary subject I'd use a trip...
by bgorum
December 23rd, 2015, 8:04 am
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: Nikon 14-24 2.8 anyone??????
Replies: 2
Views: 3780

Re: Nikon 14-24 2.8 anyone??????

So I don't have any personal experience with the 14-24, but I've been toying around with the idea of buying a full frame camera and have researched my wide-angle options. If I were in the market for a wide angle for full frame I think I would buy a used Nikon 14mm f2.8 instead of the zoom. From what...
by bgorum
December 23rd, 2015, 7:47 am
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: RAW vs JPEG back to back samples ?
Replies: 10
Views: 7894

Re: RAW vs JPEG back to back samples ?

What are you going to use for processing your images? If you are using a good raw converter, (like Lightroom), then working with raw files is really no more difficult than working with jpegs. Unless your plan is to just let the camera handle everything and do zero post processing, then jpeg would be...
by bgorum
December 23rd, 2015, 7:34 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Is the Yuma habitat for L.getulus similar to BreakingBad?
Replies: 9
Views: 5503

Re: Is the Yuma habitat for L.getulus similar to BreakingBad

So breaking bad is filmed in New Mexico and honestly the places they find for some of those scenes are so desolate that I don't even recognize them. I think they did most of their filming during the height of our drought here and I think they looked for the most overgrazed, hammered spots they could...
by bgorum
December 23rd, 2015, 7:26 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: 2016 Calendar and some pretty photos from this year
Replies: 7
Views: 6760

Re: 2016 Calendar and some pretty photos from this year

Awesome stuff Marissa!
by bgorum
December 9th, 2015, 1:51 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Where do snakes winter if there isn't a rocky den place?
Replies: 35
Views: 17215

Re: Where do snakes winter if there isn't a rocky den place?

I would assume that those corn fields were once prairie and I know that here in New Mexico species that occur out on the flat, rockless plains often utilize rodent burrows for brumation. I imagine that there are still rodents in those agricultural areas, (though perhaps different species than would ...
by bgorum
December 3rd, 2015, 11:09 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: "Pick one thing"
Replies: 115
Views: 51029

Re: "Pick one thing"

Exhale less, but somehow I don't think that will really work out all that well. I already herp mostly close to home. I wouldn't mind switching out more night hiking instead of road cruising.
by bgorum
November 16th, 2015, 1:32 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Costa Rica '15, surfing crocs, bunches of Bothrops and more
Replies: 13
Views: 11176

Re: Costa Rica '15, surfing crocs, bunches of Bothrops and m

Beautiful stuff! I especially loved the gracefulness of the macaws hanging beneath the branches and the first split level seal shot was uniquely amazing!
by bgorum
November 7th, 2015, 7:16 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Second half of 2015
Replies: 9
Views: 6734

Second half of 2015

This morning when I went to start my truck for work I had to scape frost off of my windshield, which brought me to the realization that the 2015 herp season is pretty much over for me. I posted the first half of 2015 here- http://www.fieldherpforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=22182 and here- h...
by bgorum
November 7th, 2015, 6:40 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: 2015 Photos
Replies: 10
Views: 6586

Re: 2015 Photos

Nice variety of animals. Some really nice photos in there too! Only down side is it makes me long for the warm weather even more than I do already!
by bgorum
October 4th, 2015, 11:33 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Who on the forum would you most like to meet in person...
Replies: 44
Views: 65244

Re: Who on the forum would you most like to meet in person..

To those who put me on the list - I'm very flattered to think anyone would want to meet me, and I thank you, seriously, for making my day. I have already had the honor of meeting and herping with quite a few forum members, in Taiwan as well as here in Borneo. And I would love to meet more. Dick Bar...
by bgorum
September 23rd, 2015, 9:40 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Lizard ID request
Replies: 6
Views: 2906

Re: Lizard ID request

Its definitely not uniparens. Its one of the exaguis group, probably sonorae, but you'll need to consult a field guide. I always forget the difference between the members of that group and have to check my field guide as well. Pay attention to where the spots are, (in only the dark fields, invading ...
by bgorum
September 19th, 2015, 7:34 am
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: Question: Preferred DOF with reasonable working distance?
Replies: 15
Views: 8077

Re: Question: Preferred DOF with reasonable working distance

Stohlgren and Chrish have really summed up the situation with depth of field quite well. The only other thing I can think of to add is if you really want that deep depth of field look, you could consider moving to a smaller format camera. 4/3 will provide more depth of field than dx, which will prov...
by bgorum
September 14th, 2015, 1:16 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Southeastern Arizona Trip... snakes and toads
Replies: 5
Views: 3371

Re: Southeastern Arizona Trip... snakes and toads

looks like a fun trip. Your variable sand snake looks like the tail of a gopher snake and your female couch spadefoot is actually a great plains toad though.
by bgorum
September 12th, 2015, 7:49 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Your all-time best rattlesnake shots
Replies: 37
Views: 18833

Re: Your all-time best rattlesnake shots

Image

Something I worked on a little after witnessing a diamondback get hit on the road this summer. My second effort at trying to portray the dangers snakes face on our highways.
by bgorum
September 10th, 2015, 11:04 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Highlights from 2014-15 Canada (updated Bigger Images)
Replies: 16
Views: 5093

Re: Highlights from 2014-15 Canada

No need to apologize. Some very nice images here! I just wish the photos were a little larger.
by bgorum
September 4th, 2015, 11:09 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Your all-time best rattlesnake shots
Replies: 37
Views: 18833

Re: Your all-time best rattlesnake shots

One from this past spring. Western Diamond-back coiled in ambush west of Albuquerque.
ImageGorum_150421_1095_1_2_3_4 by Bill Gorum, on Flickr
by bgorum
August 30th, 2015, 7:31 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Recent AZ trip with some ID requests
Replies: 3
Views: 2155

Re: Recent AZ trip with some ID requests

Looks like a good trip. I'll agree one of the biggest mistakes you make on a trip like that is trying to do too much. Was that first atrox as found? Chris Anderson and I found one coiled in ambush on the shoulder of that same road many years back and had one of the best nights road cruising I've eve...
by bgorum
August 23rd, 2015, 10:14 am
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: Question for the Sony guys - flashes
Replies: 5
Views: 5736

Re: Question for the Sony guys - flashes

So I'm not a Sony guy, but I've got a small flashlight, (actually a head lamp I took the strap off of). that I attach to the top of one of my flashes to help aim the flash and focus. If I'm hand holding the camera I don't bother to turn the flashlight off. The light from the electronic flash overpow...
by bgorum
August 21st, 2015, 9:51 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Southwest Summer + MT and CA!
Replies: 3
Views: 2817

Re: Southwest Summer + MT and CA!

Cool stuff Neil! Neat that the Phrynosoma hernandesi from your study area all seem to be what we've come to refer to as the "plains phase". Wish we would have got some of the "upland" phase animals in the Mags. They're pretty different looking.
by bgorum
August 8th, 2015, 9:17 pm
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: Colour rendition - camera settings & editing - help, please.
Replies: 8
Views: 6514

Re: Colour rendition - camera settings & editing - help, ple

While a gray card can help get your colors "correct" in regard to white balance, it doesn't deal well with the green issue. Even if you have the colors correct, certain shades of green seem to be undersaturated by most sensors. It isn't noticeable in most photos, but people who photograph...
by bgorum
August 2nd, 2015, 7:59 am
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: Review- Wimberley F-2 macro flash bracket
Replies: 6
Views: 10759

Re: Review- Wimberley F-2 macro flash bracket

A quick question - as you look upon the use of flash as an necessary evil (which I can understand in some (many really) circumstances. Why are you not using a softbox on your flash to get better diffusion on your light ? It's the artificial look of the light often produced by flash that I see as th...
by bgorum
August 2nd, 2015, 12:23 am
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: Colour rendition - camera settings & editing - help, please.
Replies: 8
Views: 6514

Re: Colour rendition - camera settings & editing - help, ple

Not a serious photographer, by and large I'm happy with my camera, a Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ35. One of the main issues I do have is in regards to color rendition, particularly greens. Most of the time I don't really mind but there is one subject in relation to which it really bugs me, male Lacerta a...
by bgorum
July 30th, 2015, 10:36 am
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: Is any one here selling stock photos?
Replies: 12
Views: 7363

Re: Is any one here selling stock photos?

Nathan- I have to say I disagree with you completely. I'm a teacher and don't make a ton of money, but if you were to figure out my hourly salary it comes out to something in the 30 some odd dollars/hour range. So, if I take this number as the monetary value of my time, then what Getty is often sell...
by bgorum
July 29th, 2015, 10:18 pm
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: Review- Wimberley F-2 macro flash bracket
Replies: 6
Views: 10759

Re: Review- Wimberley F-2 macro flash bracket

Good point about the Wimberley C-12. It is a quick release clamp that you screw onto a normal, non quick release, tripod head. Similar clamps are available from a variety of different manufacturers, including some unbelievably inexpensive ones sold on eBay. I might be a little leery of those, but De...
by bgorum
July 29th, 2015, 1:35 pm
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: Review- Wimberley F-2 macro flash bracket
Replies: 6
Views: 10759

Review- Wimberley F-2 macro flash bracket

For me electronic flash is a sometimes necessary evil in herp photography. I would so much rather use natural lighting, but there are times, (photographing nocturnal species for instance), where you have to use flash. Most digital cameras have a built in flash, but its placement means that the light...
by bgorum
July 29th, 2015, 10:17 am
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: Is any one here selling stock photos?
Replies: 12
Views: 7363

Re: Is any one here selling stock photos?

Well I just did it! I sent Getty my 90 day notice that I wish to end our relationship. I also detailed my reasons for leaving, though I doubt they care. I'm setting up a 500px account, I'll continue to submit images to Alamy, and once my contract with Getty is officially void I'll begin searching fo...
by bgorum
July 26th, 2015, 9:28 am
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: Is any one here selling stock photos?
Replies: 12
Views: 7363

Is any one here selling stock photos?

Is any body here selling their photos through stock agencies? I have images placed with both Alamy and Getty Images, but I've become really disillusioned with Getty. They now pay photographers only 20% commission. They recently sold one of my photos of Albuquerque to Alaska Airlines for $300, for wh...
by bgorum
July 26th, 2015, 8:35 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: A week in the United Arab Emirates
Replies: 26
Views: 17526

Re: A week in the United Arab Emirates

Beautiful!
by bgorum
July 18th, 2015, 8:37 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Which Whiptail ??
Replies: 4
Views: 3320

Re: Which Whiptail ??

Its definitely sexlineata.
by bgorum
July 17th, 2015, 8:41 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Which Sceloporus?
Replies: 4
Views: 2618

Re: Which Sceloporus?

It is what used to be called Sceloporus undulatus. However, that species has now been split into several different species based on DNA evidence with little or no morphological characteristics to help with id. See here- http://faculty.washington.edu/leache/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/2002Sy...
by bgorum
July 17th, 2015, 8:36 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Which Whiptail ??
Replies: 4
Views: 3320

Re: Which Whiptail ??

I think it is sexlineata based on the green pigmentation anteriorly. I've never seen velox with any green pigment at all. Also if you have other photos look at the posterior surface of the forelimbs. velox have enlarged scales there, sexlineata does not.
by bgorum
July 15th, 2015, 10:09 pm
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: Blurry and Buggin
Replies: 13
Views: 6588

Re: Blurry and Buggin

This question has come up before in regards to sharp pictures being unsharp on photo hosting sites. The issue is usually that people did not resize their pictures before uploading, but rather tried uploading full resolution photos that the photo hosting site then resized for them. The solution is to...
by bgorum
July 11th, 2015, 8:31 am
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: Aquatic Photography Technique
Replies: 9
Views: 4946

Re: Aquatic Photography Technique

Both the pictures you linked to look like they are are shot in an aquarium, possibly one specially built for that purpose. Even though I live in an arid state I too have some interest in trying to shoot aquatic or semi aquatic herps at their level. Periodically I'll research the current crop of comp...
by bgorum
July 11th, 2015, 8:22 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: 2015 so far in NM, CA, AZ and CO...
Replies: 3
Views: 2157

Re: 2015 so far in NM, CA, AZ and CO...

Very cool! I didn't even know you guys went to Cali. Looks like it was a good trip.
by bgorum
July 5th, 2015, 10:31 pm
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: Another "Which one do you prefer"?
Replies: 15
Views: 7614

Re: Another "Which one do you prefer"?

Same here. I prefer the first because of the catchlight. That's actually a difficult thing to get with many lizards especially desert species. Their eyes are often very effectively shaded by the supraoculars.
by bgorum
June 27th, 2015, 9:47 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Winter and Spring 2014 to 2015: A tale of two seasons
Replies: 3
Views: 1919

Re: Winter and Spring 2014 to 2015: A tale of two seasons

Very enjoyable post! Really liked many of the insitu shots.
by bgorum
June 25th, 2015, 7:30 am
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: New 1:1 wide-angle macro lens
Replies: 4
Views: 4294

Re: New 1:1 wide-angle macro lens

I saw that lens and was kind of intrigued too until I read that it lacks auto focus and it lacks an automatic diaphragm. Seems pretty inconvenient to actually use and I too find few herp in habitat situations where my 10-24 doesn't get close enough. I was also wondering why they didn't show any exam...
by bgorum
June 23rd, 2015, 12:37 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: First Half of 2015- part 2
Replies: 14
Views: 6996

Re: First Half of 2015- part 2

I always look forward to your posts, the content, info and photography is top notch. This one made me miss the prairies, sitting and watching the activity on a p-dog down is one of my favourite ways to pass time. The yellow on those collared lizards in really outstanding. Also really like that box ...
by bgorum
June 19th, 2015, 11:55 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: First Half of 2015- part 2
Replies: 14
Views: 6996

Re: First Half of 2015- part 2

Gorgeous collareds, they're one of my favorites. I guess I'll have to add Oklahoma to my list of places to check out. Are those bison wild, or livestock? As far as I know the Bison herd roams the refuge freely. I do not know if they are allowed to leave the refuge, or how much management of the hea...
by bgorum
June 19th, 2015, 9:55 am
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: Lenses
Replies: 12
Views: 7753

Re: Lenses

I am of the least experience DSLR users in the world but I wanted to throw this out there in the prime vs. zoom debate. While I am sure there are exceptions to this, herp photography is one of the few forms of wildlife photography where there is not much emphasis placed on action shots and where yo...
by bgorum
June 18th, 2015, 10:41 am
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: Lenses
Replies: 12
Views: 7753

Re: Lenses

The main drawback is reduced image quality. A zoom lens will never be as sharp as a prime. But this being one of your first lenses, other factors, e.g., your learning curve, will tend to have a much greater impact on image quality than the lens. You would probably outgrow the Sigma 18-250mm at some...
by bgorum
June 16th, 2015, 11:44 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: First Half of 2015- part 2
Replies: 14
Views: 6996

First Half of 2015- part 2

Welcome back for part 2 of the first half of 2015. (Part 1 is here- http://www.fieldherpforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=22182). I got an offer I could’t refuse from my brother to join him and his family and stay for free at there timeshare in north-eastern Oklahoma where I have family I have...
by bgorum
June 16th, 2015, 11:35 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: First half of 2015- part 1
Replies: 3
Views: 2762

First half of 2015- part 1

Well, actually I’ll start off with the very end of 2014 and a little bit of a warning. I love herps, but I also love mammals, landscapes, and everything that nature has to offer. So its all here. I can’t bring myself to separate out any one group. https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8772/18014937202_238f1...