CMunzel

Cute spider. #4 photo works well. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a jumping spider. 

Yes it was a lovely surprise. I often find unnoticeable tiny creatures on plants when I look at the photos but usually they’re not in focus. 

2 hours ago, Paul said:

That's wonderfully camouflaged - a crab spider perhaps?

Paul.

Yes I think it is, Paul

I thought this was a cocoon but upon closer inspection then realised it was a spider very well camouflaged in the box thorn bush. 

It was only when I looked at this flower in the large monitor that I saw the tiny spider on one of the flowers of the garlic chives. 

Thanks for the feedback everyone. I have converted it monotone as suggested. 

What an interesting discussion! Thank you everyone.

It reminds me of an experience I had with a photography completion. I entered a photo of a flower that I’d “abstracted” with desaturation and soft focus. The judge criticised its lack of a focal point which got me thinking about abstraction in photography. Some, maybe all judges use a set of rules that includes the need for a focal point and visual elements that lead the viewer’s eyes around the photo etc. I agree with this…. but wonder if it’s different for abstracted images. I’m not sure.
 I think there’s a difference between an image that is purely abstracted that it is NOT representing any recognisable subject and an image that is “semi” abstracted depicting a subject that is clearly recognisable but where the focus is on colour, line, shapes etc. The latter is more likely to be judged by the conventional rules. 

Thanks Dierdre. You would loved the exhibition, I think. Nostalgic & thought provoking. I could have stayed all day taking photos but only took my iPhone and was with friends so time was limited. 

I converted it to mono first which made Cecil disappear so I used selective colour to give him his colour back. 

Thanks, Ryewolf. Have you photographed your Remington? 

Thanks clicker. I love photographing derelict buildings as well as derelict industrial sites. The wine bottle was there and I didn’t touch a thing. Didn’t need to. It was an old farm house in the bush and the sheep had moved in.
Reminds me of the art installation I visited a couple of weeks ago. I’ll post a couple of iPhone pics in a separate post. 

Thanks so much, Paul. You're my inspiration when it comes to macro so I'm thrilled you like my Kaytdid. They are such comical looking creatures.

I posted the colour version of this photo a couple of years ago, so you think it looks familiar, you're right. I reprocessed it and converted it to mono for our recent Easter photography exhibition. 

I really like this photo, Clicker. Very evocative with the depth of field and low camera angle.

I love seeing the Bluebells, Clickers. Lovely photo. Your garden is wonderful too.

Thanks so much for the feedback. I gave it a bit more punch and it looks great printed. 

Interesting how opinions vary. I would have chosen #2 also then agreed to try a third in between the #1 and #2.

Thanks Fogey. Yes apparently also called a bush cricket. I heard that they are called that because they sound like they are saying “Katy did” when they run their legs together. I wouldn’t know. Both the katydids I have met were mute with no need to make a sound in my company. 

These are all beautiful. Love the colours and tones. Esp  #1. 

One of the strange creatures we share the planet with.

A colleague brought this praying mantis to me to photograph having captured it when it was hunting for bugs attracted to her bug zapper. Unlike the other Praying Mantises I have photographed which are green, this one is brown.