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 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/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 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/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 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/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 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/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. 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.
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.
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 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 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 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.

Sunday (26-December-2010) — Argentina

Gone to See Patagonia 2010/2011. Photography Workshop with Thom Hogan. Day 0: Buenos Aires, Argentina.

I arrived in Buenos Aires Argentina this morning. The overnight flight from Miami was quiet, and I was able to sleep. It took about 2 hours to get the $140 tourist visa (good for 10 years), go though immigration, pick up my baggage, go through customs (luggage and carry on luggage all x-rayed), find my ride, and get to the Melia Hotel in downtown Buenos Aires. I spent a few hours walking around taking some snapshots with my Leica V-Lux20 camera. It is very hot in Buenos Aires (~95 °F).  The final image is a macro shot of a spider I found on my shirt when I got back to my hotel room.

Puente de la Mujer (Puerto Madero) Bridge in Buenos Aries. Images taken with a Leica V-Lux 20 camera (ISO 80, 4.7 mm, f/5.6, 1/500 sec) (David J Mathre)
Puente de la Mujer (Puerto Madero) Bridge in Buenos Aries. Images taken with a Leica V-Lux 20 camera (ISO 80, 4.7 mm, f/5.6, 1/500 sec) Bird on Virgin Mary Statue in Buenos Aries. Images taken with a Leica V-Lux 20 camera (ISO 80, 49 mm, f/5.6, 1/640 sec)
Sunglasses for sale on the street along Laguna de los Coipos in Buenos Aries. Images taken with a Leica V-Lux 20 camera (ISO 80, 6.9 mm, f/5.6, 1/800 sec) (David J Mathre)
Sunglasses for sale on the street along Laguna de los Coipos in Buenos Aries. Images taken with a Leica V-Lux 20 camera (ISO 80, 6.9 mm, f/5.6, 1/800 sec)
Dolls for sale on the street along Laguna de los Coipos in Buenos Aries. Images taken with a Leica V-Lux 20 camera (ISO 80, 11.9 mm, f/5.6, 1/400 sec) (David J Mathre)
Dolls for sale on the street along Laguna de los Coipos in Buenos Aries. Images taken with a Leica V-Lux 20 camera (ISO 80, 11.9 mm, f/5.6, 1/400 sec)
OSX Club sign along Laguna de los Coipos in Buenos Aries. Images taken with a Leica V-Lux 20 camera (ISO 80, 11.9 mm, f/5.6, 1/400 sec) (David J Mathre)
OSX Club sign along Laguna de los Coipos in Buenos Aries. Images taken with a Leica V-Lux 20 camera (ISO 80, 11.9 mm, f/5.6, 1/400 sec)
Red Flower Sculpture in Buenos Aries. Images taken with a Leica V-Lux 20 camera (ISO 80, 4.1 mm, f/5.6, 1/500 sec) (David J Mathre)
Red Flower Sculpture in Buenos Aries. Images taken with a Leica V-Lux 20 camera (ISO 80, 4.1 mm, f/5.6, 1/500 sec) Doorway in Buenos Aries. Images taken with a Leica V-Lux 20 camera (ISO 80, 14.7 mm, f/5. 1/500 sec)
Spider on my shirt after a walk in Buenos Aries. Images taken with a Leica V-Lux 20 camera (ISO 80, 4.1 mm, f/3.3. 1/30 sec, macro mode, flash) (David J Mathre)
Spider on my shirt after a walk in Buenos Aries. Images taken with a Leica V-Lux 20 camera (ISO 80, 4.1 mm, f/3.3. 1/30 sec, macro mode, flash)

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Monday (19-November-2007) — Hawaii

Gone to See Hawaii. Big Island Photography Workshop with Thom Hogan. Day 2: Morning Session.

We were brought out to a lava field and told at mid-morning and told to find something interesting to photograph. The lighting was very bright and harsh. My initial subject was a spider on its spider web. There were many problems including a slight breeze moving the web in and out of focus (I was using a macro lens with a very narrow field in focus) and the background being too bright and distracting for the image. Thom helped by holding a space blanket to provide some shadow for the background. Unfortunately, by this time the spider got tired of being the subject and left. After the spider web, I took an image of a lava bomb and a Hawaiian flower. As we were walking back to the van, I saw this post along the parking lot where the rope or chain had been removed. To me it looked like a horse head with a green eye. This was my best image from the morning session.