Search found 611 matches

by bgorum
February 11th, 2013, 2:35 pm
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: thoughts on the AF MICRO NIKKOR 105mm 1:2.8 D Macro Lens
Replies: 12
Views: 6642

Re: thoughts on the AF MICRO NIKKOR 105mm 1:2.8 D Macro Lens

I think the decision between the 60 and the 105 comes down to how you like to shoot. If you like taking posed pictures of herps you may find the 105 requires you to be more than a comfortable arms length away from larger species, which can make manipulating them more difficult. If you prefer shootin...
by bgorum
February 11th, 2013, 8:39 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Great angle head lizard with mosquitoes
Replies: 1
Views: 983

Re: Great angle head lizard with mosquitoes

Very nice! The mosquito full of blood makes the shot, (and makes me itch)!
by bgorum
February 9th, 2013, 12:16 pm
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: thoughts on the AF MICRO NIKKOR 105mm 1:2.8 D Macro Lens
Replies: 12
Views: 6642

Re: thoughts on the AF MICRO NIKKOR 105mm 1:2.8 D Macro Lens

Its a good lens. I haven't owned one since back when I shot film though. When I first got mine the first thing I noticed about it was how much sharper it was than my old manual focus 105 f4 micro was, up until about f11. Past f11 there is a noticable drop in sharpness. I still think the AF lens was ...
by bgorum
February 9th, 2013, 5:58 am
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: Priorities for a new DSLR with a $1000 budget
Replies: 3
Views: 2222

Re: Priorities for a new DSLR with a $1000 budget

I'm going to reiterate a couple points that Antonsrkn made. For wildlife buffer size and the quality of the auto-focus system are both super important. My current camera can shoot at 6 frames/second, but its buffer only holds 10 raw images, so I can only shoot at that rate for about a second and a h...
by bgorum
February 7th, 2013, 7:21 pm
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: Non herp photo advice+tips
Replies: 10
Views: 5020

Re: Non herp photo advice+tips

I use HDR a lot for landscapes and sometimes for herps. If you search my post any of my pictures that have a filename ending in "tonemapped" or "fused" are HDR. I also use Photomatix software. The trick in my opinion is to only use the technique to increase dynamic range. I don't...
by bgorum
February 6th, 2013, 7:20 am
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: Non herp photo advice+tips
Replies: 10
Views: 5020

Re: Non herp photo advice+tips

Just went back and looked at the shots again and you do have some detail in the foreground. I'm using my ipad now and didn't see that the first time through. I think some lightly cooked HDR would have worked well on these.
by bgorum
February 6th, 2013, 7:17 am
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: Non herp photo advice+tips
Replies: 10
Views: 5020

Re: Non herp photo advice+tips

I think it's great that you are experimenting. As far as critique goes I personally don't like all of the blackness in the foreground. Negative space is one of those things that can be difficult to use well. I think I would probably crop all the shots a little from the bottom. Another option would b...
by bgorum
January 23rd, 2013, 4:27 am
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: REVIEW - Graslon Spark 4500 Flash Diffuser
Replies: 6
Views: 5120

Re: REVIEW - Graslon Spark 4500 Flash Diffuser

Why did you use f3.2 without diffuser on one photo and f1.8 with diffuser on the other? Seems like an inconsistent comparison. They both need to be shot the same constants (same camera, same lens, same shutter speed, same aperature, same iso, same focal length, same subject, everything the same exc...
by bgorum
January 20th, 2013, 7:42 am
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: Photoshop CS2 is free
Replies: 11
Views: 4296

Re: Photoshop CS2 is free

You know, I didn't even think about going this route to get the current version. Download the "free" CS2 then buy the CS6 upgrade for $199. I wonder if it would work? I'm not trying it since I use Lightroom and find Photoshop to be overkill for 99.9% of what I do. I’m guessing the upgrade...
by bgorum
January 18th, 2013, 7:18 pm
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: Photoshop CS2 is free
Replies: 11
Views: 4296

Re: Photoshop CS2 is free

That is kind of cool, especially if you have an older camera. However, if you have a recent camera and you shoot raw the version of ACR in cs-2 won't open the files. You'll have to convert them to DNG using Adobe's DNG converter, (also free). I had to do that when I bought my D-7000 and was still u...
by bgorum
January 16th, 2013, 8:36 pm
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: Pentax K-r and a ticket to Indonesia... now what? (advise?)
Replies: 7
Views: 2887

Re: Pentax K-r and a ticket to Indonesia... now what? (advis

I'm going to kind of second what Robert said, you don't need a Pentax specific book. You just need something to teach you good technique, which will apply to any camera. When I was first getting serious about photography I was really helped by John Shaw's books. One of them had a title like "Co...
by bgorum
January 9th, 2013, 8:40 pm
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: just another one
Replies: 4
Views: 1968

Re: just another one

I think its fine like it is. Maybe just a little tighter composition. Take off a third to a half of the empty space on the top and on the right. I think that would still leave enough to give a sense of the habitat you found the snake in and would give a little larger image of the snake itself. It wo...
by bgorum
January 8th, 2013, 7:59 pm
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: Photoshop CS2 is free
Replies: 11
Views: 4296

Re: Photoshop CS2 is free

That is kind of cool, especially if you have an older camera. However, if you have a recent camera and you shoot raw the version of ACR in cs-2 won't open the files. You'll have to convert them to DNG using Adobe's DNG converter, (also free). I had to do that when I bought my D-7000 and was still us...
by bgorum
January 7th, 2013, 5:22 am
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: Herp Lens
Replies: 15
Views: 5932

Re: Herp Lens

I dont know anything about that lens, but if you’re thinking of replacing your 18-55 and 55-250 with it consider that 24mm is not very wide on a dx format camera. I would really miss the 18mm.
by bgorum
December 31st, 2012, 5:57 am
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: nikon 400mm 3.5 any input?
Replies: 9
Views: 4025

Re: nikon 400mm 3.5 any input?

Pete, As you are considering your options you might want to look as this- http://www.fieldherpforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=10960 if you haven’t already. Will auto-focus on your D60, is plenty sharp for 10 megapixels (plenty sharp for 16 megapixels too), and is reputed to perform well on ...
by bgorum
December 30th, 2012, 12:32 pm
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: nikon 400mm 3.5 any input?
Replies: 9
Views: 4025

Re: nikon 400mm 3.5 any input?

Kevin, I have no doubt that you can hand hold your 70-400, but remember it is roughly half the weight and much smaller than the Nikon 400 f3.5 and I’m guessing you probably have a camera with VR or whatever Sony calls it. I’ve also seen people hand holding longer lenses. I was just down at Bosque de...
by bgorum
December 30th, 2012, 10:01 am
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: nikon 400mm 3.5 any input?
Replies: 9
Views: 4025

Re: nikon 400mm 3.5 any input?

Hey Pete, I owned one of these for many, many years. I bought it way back in the film days and used it with both the TC14b and TC300 teleconverters. On film it was phenomenal even with teleconverters. I never used any other lens that took a converter as well as the 400 f3.5, (even the 2x!). Alas tho...
by bgorum
December 29th, 2012, 8:05 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: 2012 in the carolinas
Replies: 24
Views: 8277

Re: 2012 in the carolinas

Really enjoyable photographs! I love it when somebody puts some thought into their pictures. Keep it up!
by bgorum
December 25th, 2012, 9:38 am
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: hey guys
Replies: 17
Views: 4751

Re: hey guys

what % settings do you guys use for contrast/brightness/green/red/blue on your computer monitors. -ben ben, I don’t use the contrast or brightness controls. Instead I use the levels control. I’m not familiar with gimp, but I’ll bet it has a levels control. With levels you’ll see a histogram and thr...
by bgorum
December 25th, 2012, 7:25 am
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: hey guys
Replies: 17
Views: 4751

Re: hey guys

What a blurry pic. I think you should get a canon powershot. They're affordable, make great pics, and simple. The picture has really shallow depth of field, which ben said he liked. I think the issue with dery seeing it as “blurry” has to do with the placement of the focus. Unless your goal was to ...
by bgorum
December 23rd, 2012, 8:15 am
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: PHOTO ESSAY - December 13-31 - Specialized Adaptations
Replies: 45
Views: 13709

Re: PHOTO ESSAY - December 13-31 - Specialized Adaptations

Image
Skin toxin of New Mexico Spadefoot. This stuff really makes my eyes burn! It smells like peanuts and makes some people sneeze as well. I certainly wouldn’t want to eat one!
by bgorum
December 22nd, 2012, 6:46 am
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: PHOTO ESSAY - December 13-31 - Specialized Adaptations
Replies: 45
Views: 13709

Re: PHOTO ESSAY - December 13-31 - Specialized Adaptations

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8501/8296264687_2a95f3b3cf_b.jpg Gorum_110806_4629 by bgorum , on Flickr I cant believe nobody has taken this one yet, so I will. The spines of horned lizards not only deter some predators from eating them, but also help break up the outline of the lizard’s body. The f...
by bgorum
December 21st, 2012, 11:55 am
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: PHOTO ESSAY - December 13-31 - Specialized Adaptations
Replies: 45
Views: 13709

Re: PHOTO ESSAY - December 13-31 - Specialized Adaptations

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8497/8294944370_c19f70361a_b.jpg Gorum_120604_2136 by bgorum , on Flickr This is a two for one adaptation shot. First is the faded out color of this bleached earless lizard, an obvious adaptation to the white gypsum sand it lives on. The second are the bright colors th...
by bgorum
December 18th, 2012, 5:42 pm
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: PHOTO ESSAY - December 13-31 - Specialized Adaptations
Replies: 45
Views: 13709

Re: PHOTO ESSAY - December 13-31 - Specialized Adaptations

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8206/8286361572_fc82712455_b.jpg Gorum_120618_2504 by bgorum , on Flickr How about the big, beautiful, bug eyes of trans-pecos ratsnakes. No doubt an adaptation to drinking in what little light there is in the Chihuahuan desert night. I love how looking into there eyes...
by bgorum
December 16th, 2012, 6:40 pm
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: PHOTO ESSAY - December 13-31 - Specialized Adaptations
Replies: 45
Views: 13709

Re: PHOTO ESSAY - December 13-31 - Specialized Adaptations

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8009/7684739210_662289e3b0_b.jpg Gorum_120726_3603 by bgorum , on Flickr Zebra-tailed Lizard. Free ranging on the grounds of the Arizona-Sonoran Desert Museum/ Zebra-tailed and Greater Earless Lizards have both evolved these black and white bands on the underside of th...
by bgorum
December 16th, 2012, 6:06 pm
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: How do you deal with rain?
Replies: 4
Views: 2351

Re: How do you deal with rain?

It depends on how hard it is raining. A lot of the newer SLRs like my D7000 are sealed to some extent. Some of the newer lenses are also gasketed where they mount to the camera. I was shooting in the rain this past Friday morning and had no problems with the camera or lens, though my cloths were com...
by bgorum
December 8th, 2012, 1:58 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Film, gasp!: Slide Scans From the Past
Replies: 15
Views: 4315

Re: Film, gasp!: Slide Scans From the Past

Hey I remember film! Cant say that I miss it much, but I remember it. Thanks for sharing!
by bgorum
December 5th, 2012, 7:31 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: 2012 Rattlesnake Recap
Replies: 58
Views: 13844

Re: 2012 Recap

Beautiful work Brendan! I didn’t know tiger rattlesnakes could be such heavy drinkers though.
by bgorum
December 3rd, 2012, 3:57 pm
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: Random thoughts on lenses and herp photography...
Replies: 12
Views: 4449

Re: Random thoughts on lenses and herp photography...

My 10-24 and my 300, but I use the macro a lot also.
by bgorum
December 3rd, 2012, 3:55 pm
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: Lens filters?
Replies: 11
Views: 3611

Re: Lens filters?

Kris, I think this has been covered, but that might have been pre-crash. I don’t use protective filters because I’m convinced that even the good one degrade the image to some extent, especially when the sun is shining directly on the lens. (I happen to be very fond of backlighting). However, having ...
by bgorum
November 30th, 2012, 8:32 pm
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: What would you do??
Replies: 8
Views: 2623

Re: What would you do??

I'm going to disagree with Kyle's first two points. The color in your photos looks fine, at least on my computer and on my ipad. I also don't have any problem with the pose of the night snake. That particular tight coil with the flattened out head is a common defensive posture of night snakes, and i...
by bgorum
November 30th, 2012, 7:32 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Some Carolina Critters
Replies: 28
Views: 8770

Re: Some Carolina Critters

Beautiful and unique photography!
by bgorum
November 28th, 2012, 6:18 pm
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: PHOTO ESSAY - November 16-30 - Species Profiles
Replies: 82
Views: 20403

Re: PHOTO ESSAY - November 16-30 - Species Profiles

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8015/7316016244_47a1d9e989_b.jpg Gorum_120422_0212 by bgorum , on Flickr Side-blotched Lizard at Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge. This is the most common species of lizard in my area. We can see them 365 days/year and I think a lot of us tend to ignore them....
by bgorum
November 27th, 2012, 10:34 am
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: PHOTO ESSAY - November 16-30 - Species Profiles
Replies: 82
Views: 20403

Re: PHOTO ESSAY - November 16-30 - Species Profiles

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8019/7316003396_582be5b5d5_b.jpg Gorum_120528_1247 by bgorum , on Flickr Big Bend Slider at Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, New Mexico. Just as a little aside to this photograph. The log on which this turtle is basking is located close to a boardwalk going ...
by bgorum
November 25th, 2012, 7:52 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Late season finds- Bosque del Apache and points nearby
Replies: 13
Views: 4397

Re: Winter stinks!

Thanks for the responses everybody. I wonder if I should edit this and choose a different title? Doesn’t seem to be getting many views or responses. And yes Josh, I did buy an annual pass to Bosque del Apache, though I didn’t get it until last month. I could have paid for several annual passes with ...
by bgorum
November 25th, 2012, 11:46 am
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: REVIEW: AF Zoom-Nikkor 80-200mm f/2.8D ED
Replies: 1
Views: 4154

REVIEW: AF Zoom-Nikkor 80-200mm f/2.8D ED

AF Zoom-Nikkor 80-200mm f/2.8D ED, (with comments about the use of achromatic diopters for herp work) I started writing this on black Friday, a ritual that I must admit I do not participate in. However, that doesn’t mean I don’t appreciate a good bargain when I can get one and so I decided to write...
by bgorum
November 24th, 2012, 7:13 am
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: PHOTO ESSAY - November 16-30 - Species Profiles
Replies: 82
Views: 20403

Re: PHOTO ESSAY - November 16-30 - Species Profiles

Image
Gorum_120604_2128 by bgorum, on Flickr
Male Bleached Earless Lizard, White Sands National Monument, New Mexico.
by bgorum
November 21st, 2012, 4:56 pm
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: PHOTO ESSAY - November 16-30 - Species Profiles
Replies: 82
Views: 20403

Re: PHOTO ESSAY - November 16-30 - Species Profiles

Image
Gorum_120618_2479 by bgorum, on Flickr
Mottled Rock Rattlesnake, Juno Road, Texas
by bgorum
November 21st, 2012, 4:09 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: The Ankle Biters Present: A Weekend Trip to Mexico (DUW)
Replies: 42
Views: 18979

Re: The Ankle Biters Present: A Weekend Trip to Mexico (DUW)

That trip looks like it was a blast! Great pictures all around. Erik wins my vote for best watermark that doesn’t detract from the photo though :)
by bgorum
November 20th, 2012, 7:40 pm
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: PHOTO ESSAY - November 16-30 - Species Profiles
Replies: 82
Views: 20403

Re: PHOTO ESSAY - November 16-30 - Species Profiles

Image
Gorum_120708_2665 by bgorum, on Flickr
Wandering Garter Snake, Zuni Mountains, New Mexico.
by bgorum
November 19th, 2012, 8:50 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Late season finds- Bosque del Apache and points nearby
Replies: 13
Views: 4397

Late season finds- Bosque del Apache and points nearby

I guess it’s that time of year when we all do our year-end post. I’ve already posted finds from earlier in the season here- http://www.fieldherpforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=12878 and here- http://www.fieldherpforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=12111. So this post will sum up August t...
by bgorum
November 17th, 2012, 7:05 am
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: PHOTO ESSAY - November 16-30 - Species Profiles
Replies: 82
Views: 20403

Re: PHOTO ESSAY - November 16-30 - Species Profiles

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8345/8193615244_73bcef6090_b.jpg Gorum_120818_0043 by bgorum , on Flickr I wish it were still warm, so I could go out and purposely shoot some picts for this, since I normally like including habitat with my herps and don't have much with plain backgrounds. I'll have to...
by bgorum
November 11th, 2012, 8:19 pm
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: PHOTO ESSAY - Nov 1 - 15 - SEASONAL HERP PHOTOS
Replies: 25
Views: 9394

Re: PHOTO ESSAY - Nov 1 - 15 - SEASONAL HERP PHOTOS

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7168/6386997883_ee8286df0b_b.jpg Gorum_111120_0492 by bgorum , on Flickr A painted turtle leaving a drying marsh in early winter. We don't get a lot of snow here, so it's the lack of color in the vegetation, the grey light, and the turtle that's been awakened from its ...
by bgorum
November 5th, 2012, 8:01 pm
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: PHOTO ESSAY - Nov 1 - 15 - SEASONAL HERP PHOTOS
Replies: 25
Views: 9394

Re: PHOTO ESSAY - Nov 1 - 15 - SEASONAL HERP PHOTOS

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8432/7684735200_6550eebe54_b.jpg Gorum_120729_3642 by bgorum , on Flickr O.k., this might be a bit of a stretch and only really understandable to people from this area, but the weeds behind this New Mexico Garter Snake are Kochia scoparia which don’t have the common na...
by bgorum
November 4th, 2012, 5:14 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Best place to live for herping and every day life
Replies: 114
Views: 50029

Re: Best place to live for herping and every day life

Just for the record, Albuquerque and the rest of New Mexico suck. The weather is lousy, there are no herps to speak of, hardly any public land, the food is terrible, there is no culture, and the cost of living is sky high. Best just pass through on your way somewhere else :0
by bgorum
November 3rd, 2012, 8:16 pm
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: PHOTO ESSAY - Nov 1 - 15 - SEASONAL HERP PHOTOS
Replies: 25
Views: 9394

Re: PHOTO ESSAY - Nov 1 - 15 - SEASONAL HERP PHOTOS

The lightning was intentional. Here is what I posted to my Facebook page the next day after I took the photo- " I was up until 3 am trying to take this photo. I rarely stop to photograph toads on the road at night, because frankly, if you’ve seen one flashed photo of a toad on a road, you’ve se...
by bgorum
November 2nd, 2012, 3:34 pm
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: PHOTO ESSAY - Nov 1 - 15 - SEASONAL HERP PHOTOS
Replies: 25
Views: 9394

Re: PHOTO ESSAY - Nov 1 - 15 - SEASONAL HERP PHOTOS

Image
Gorum_120819_0006 by bgorum, on Flickr
Here in the southwest the summer monsoons just wouldn’t be the same without spadefoots.
by bgorum
October 22nd, 2012, 8:12 pm
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: Camera Backpacks
Replies: 13
Views: 6208

Re: Camera Backpacks

How long do you usually carry your gear for? If you hike for more than a few hours at a time the F-stop bags are worth every extra cent you pay for them! F-stop bags have an internal frame that does a really good job of distributing the weight of the bag and making it much more comfortable to carry ...
by bgorum
October 22nd, 2012, 3:57 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Lizards and a bunch of other stuff
Replies: 18
Views: 4674

Re: Lizards and a bunch of other stuff

Excellent as usual Will! I’m going to have to return to this when I have some time to really take it all in. Is there anything you didn’t find this year?