Photo Techniques - David Mathre Photography

Saturday (30-July-2011) — New Jersey

Backyard Summertime Sky Over New Jersey. Solar Disk and Sunspots.

One of the websites that I follow for sunspot and auroral (northern light) activity is SpaceWeather.com. I noticed yesterday and today that there are three new sets of active sunspots (1260, 1261, and 1263). My telescopes have solar filters to allow safe viewing of the solar disk. The following images were taken with a 3.5″ and 7″ Questar telescope and clearly show the sunspots. The third image has some clouds passing in front of the solar disk. The solar filter for the 3.5″ telescope is darker (lets through less light) than the filter for the 7″ telescope. This required increasing the ISO and decreasing the shutter speed for the smaller telescope. Another issue with the smaller telescope is that it is much more sensitive to mirror slap and shutter motion. In order to get a sharp image, I used the mirror-up feature and waited 30 seconds to let the entire system stabilize. With the larger telescope this is still a problem, but attenuated due to the overall extra weight of the telescope relative to the Nikon D3s camera. The higher magnification of the larger telescope however, increases the effect of vibration. Focusing was done viewing the image through the camera using LiveView — and using a HoodMan to be able to view the LCD screen. After shooting images (and videos) for about 30 minutes, I did get a sensor over heating warning (which then turned LiveView off).

Sun with Sunspots. Image taken with a Nikon D3s and Questar 3.5 inch telescope with solar filter (ISO 640, ~1500 mm, f/16, 1/250 sec). Raw image processed with Capture One Pro 6, Nik Define 2, and Photoshop CS5. (David J Mathre) — Sun with Sunspots. Image taken with a Nikon D3s and Questar 3.5 inch telescope with solar filter (ISO 640, ~1500 mm, f/16, 1/250 sec). Raw image processed with Capture One Pro 6, Nik Define 2, and Photoshop CS5.

Sun with Sunspots. Image taken with a Nikon D3s and Questar 7 inch telescope with solar filter (ISO 200, ~2500 mm, f/16, 1/2000 sec). Raw image processed with Capture One Pro 6, Nik Define 2, and Photoshop CS5. (David J Mathre) — Sun with Sunspots. Image taken with a Nikon D3s and Questar 7 inch telescope with solar filter (ISO 200, ~2500 mm, f/16, 1/2000 sec). Raw image processed with Capture One Pro 6, Nik Define 2, and Photoshop CS5.

Sun with Sunspots and Clouds Passing in Front. Image taken with a Nikon D3s and Questar 7 inch telescope with solar filter (ISO 200, ~2500 mm, f/16, 1/2000 sec). Raw image processed with Capture One Pro 6, Nik Define 2, and Photoshop CS5. (David J Mathre) — Sun with Sunspots and Clouds Passing in Front. Image taken with a Nikon D3s and Questar 7 inch telescope with solar filter (ISO 200, ~2500 mm, f/16, 1/2000 sec). Raw image processed with Capture One Pro 6, Nik Define 2, and Photoshop CS5.

One-Year Ago (24-July-2010) — New Jersey

Backyard Summertime Nature in New Jersey. Bald Faced Hornet Hive Video.

A year ago I recorded this DSLR video of the entrance to a Bald Faced Hornet Hive. It was recorded with a Nikon D3s camera and a Questar 3.5″ Birder Telescope. I needed the telescope so I could be at least 30 feet away from the basketball sized nest/hive. I understand that the bald faced hornet is easily upset, and unlike a honey bee is able to inflict multiple stings.

Question regarding the video. Should it be shorter and only show when the hornets swarm out? Should I include background music and/or bee swarming sound effects? Is the title sequence too long? Leave a comment to let me know.

Saturday (23-July-2011) — New Jersey

Backyard Summertime Nature in New Jersey.

Bald Faced Hornets Are Back. I thought I saw a Bald Faced Hornet yesterday, but by the time I got back out with a macro lens it was gone. I went out again today and found one on a cedar tree trunk. It looked to be collecting wood fiber for its nest. I walked the yard looking for the hornet nest/hive, but have not found it yet.

It was a year ago that I discovered a basket ball sized Bald Faced Hornet Nest/Hive. At that time I set up a telescope so I could take a movie of the nest from a safe distance.

Bald Faced Hornet Harvesting Fiber from a Cedar Tree Trunk. Summer in New Jersey. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 105 mm f/2.8 VR macro lens and TC-E III 20 teleconverter (ISO 200, 210 mm, f/6, 1/60 sec) and SB-900 flash. Raw image processed with Capture One Pro and Photoshop CS5. (David J Mathre) — Bald Faced Hornet Harvesting Fiber from a Cedar Tree Trunk. Summer in New Jersey. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 105 mm f/2.8 VR macro lens and TC-E III 20 teleconverter (ISO 200, 210 mm, f/6, 1/60 sec) and SB-900 flash. Raw image processed with Capture One Pro and Photoshop CS5.

Hovering Bald Faced Hornet Harvesting Fiber from a Cedar Tree Trunk. Summer in New Jersey. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 105 mm f/2.8 VR macro lens and TC-E III 20 teleconverter (ISO 200, 210 mm, f/6, 1/60 sec) and SB-900 flash. Raw image processed with Capture One Pro and Photoshop CS5. (David J Mathre) — Hovering Bald Faced Hornet Harvesting Fiber from a Cedar Tree Trunk. Summer in New Jersey. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 105 mm f/2.8 VR macro lens and TC-E III 20 teleconverter (ISO 200, 210 mm, f/6, 1/60 sec) and SB-900 flash. Raw image processed with Capture One Pro and Photoshop CS5.

Friday (22-July-2011) — New Jersey

Backyard Summertime Nature in New Jersey.

A series of images of a black fly with red eyes, and several spiders — including hundreds of newly hatched baby spiders. I may not like spiders, but they are great subjects for practicing macro images.

Macro Image of Black Fly with Red Eyes. Summer Nature in New Jersey. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 105 mm f/2.8 VR macro lens and TC-E III 20 teleconverter (ISO 200, 210 mm, f/8, 1/60 sec) with SB-900 flash. Raw image processed with Capture One Pro 6, Nik Define 2, and Photoshop CS5. (David J Mathre) — Macro Image of Black Fly with Red Eyes. Summer Nature in New Jersey. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 105 mm f/2.8 VR macro lens and TC-E III 20 teleconverter (ISO 200, 210 mm, f/8, 1/60 sec) with SB-900 flash. Raw image processed with Capture One Pro 6, Nik Define 2, and Photoshop CS5.

Macro Image of Spider. Summer Nature in New Jersey. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 105 mm f/2.8 VR macro lens and TC-E III 20 teleconverter (ISO 200, 210 mm, f/16, 1/60 sec) with SB-900 flash. Raw image processed with Capture One Pro 6, Nik Define 2, and Photoshop CS5. (David J Mathre) — Macro Image of Spider. Summer Nature in New Jersey. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 105 mm f/2.8 VR macro lens and TC-E III 20 teleconverter (ISO 200, 210 mm, f/16, 1/60 sec) with SB-900 flash. Raw image processed with Capture One Pro 6, Nik Define 2, and Photoshop CS5.

Baby Spiders Hatching. Summer Nature in New Jersey. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 105 mm f/2.8 VR macro lens and TC-E III 20 teleconverter (ISO 200, 210 mm, f/16, 1/60 sec) with SB-900 flash. Raw image processed with Capture One Pro 6, Nik Define 2, and Photoshop CS5. (David J Mathre) — Baby Spiders Hatching. Summer Nature in New Jersey. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 105 mm f/2.8 VR macro lens and TC-E III 20 teleconverter (ISO 200, 210 mm, f/16, 1/60 sec) with SB-900 flash. Raw image processed with Capture One Pro 6, Nik Define 2, and Photoshop CS5.

Macro Image of a Spider with a Mass of Baby Spiders. Summer Nature in New Jersey. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 105 mm f/2.8 VR macro lens and TC-E III 20 teleconverter (ISO 200, 210 mm, f/16, 1/60 sec) with SB-900 flash. Raw image processed with Capture One Pro 6, Nik Define 2, and Photoshop CS5. (David J Mathre) — Macro Image of a Spider with a Mass of Baby Spiders. Summer Nature in New Jersey. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 105 mm f/2.8 VR macro lens and TC-E III 20 teleconverter (ISO 200, 210 mm, f/16, 1/60 sec) with SB-900 flash. Raw image processed with Capture One Pro 6, Nik Define 2, and Photoshop CS5.

Macro Image of Spider with Prey. Summer Nature in New Jersey. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 105 mm f/2.8 VR macro lens and TC-E III 20 teleconverter (ISO 200, 210 mm, f/16, 1/60 sec) with SB-900 flash. Raw image processed with Capture One Pro 6, Nik Define 2, and Photoshop CS5. (David J Mathre) — Macro Image of Spider with Prey. Summer Nature in New Jersey. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 105 mm f/2.8 VR macro lens and TC-E III 20 teleconverter (ISO 200, 210 mm, f/16, 1/60 sec) with SB-900 flash. Raw image processed with Capture One Pro 6, Nik Define 2, and Photoshop CS5.

Thursday (21-July-2011) — New Jersey

Backyard Summertime Nature in New Jersey.

The heat continues, the fireflies are mostly gone and the cicadas are making noise. I really want to find and photograph the cicadas. I hear them, but have yet to find one. While sitting out on the deck I did get a chance to photograph what I believe is a chipping sparrow. Thom Hogan (and birders) would call it a LBJ (little brown job) — but I need the practice focusing and getting a sharp image with a big telephoto lens as part of my quest to get to 10,000 hours.

Chipping Sparrow. Summer Nature in New Jersey. Image taken with a Nikon D3x and 600 mm f/4 VR lens (ISO 400, 600 mm, f/4, 1/50 sec) on a tripod, VR-ON, Mirror-UP. Raw image processed with Capture One Pro 6, Nik Define 2, and Photoshop CS5. (David J Mathre) — Chipping Sparrow. Summer Nature in New Jersey. Image taken with a Nikon D3x and 600 mm f/4 VR lens (ISO 400, 600 mm, f/4, 1/50 sec) on a tripod, VR-ON, Mirror-UP. Raw image processed with Capture One Pro 6, Nik Define 2, and Photoshop CS5.