I'm Warning You! (Phyllobates terribilis)

Image Critiques Macro/Close-up Critiques
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Phylobatesterribilis.jpg
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Critique Style Requested: Standard

The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.

Description

The golden poison dart frog is one of the most toxic amphibians found on planet earth. The bright orange coloration warns predators that they are not good to eat. I photographed this little frog at a local pet shop and used a big flash diffuser to tame down most of the highlights and soften shadows. I also set my flash with manual settings to avoid TTL preflash that can frighten and cause the frogs to jump away.

Specific Feedback

How do you like the comp? These frogs live in shaded areas of the rain forest and canopy and decided to use the flash to darken the surroundings. How do you like the lighting?

Technical Details

Z9 105mm f2.8 Micro + Diffused flash Manual at 1/4 power (1/200 sec at f16, ISO 200) DeNoise, Levels, bumped up shadow brightness and lowered strength of highlights, burned in bright spots in BG, slight crop for comp.

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1 Like
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Jim: This is so well done. The comp is great with the frog seeming to be leaning into the shot. I also like that your flash didn’t render the BG pure black. A fine effort rewarded with a terrific final result. >=))>

3

How cool, and beautifully photographed! It does have a menacing look and the BG has just the right amount of mystery. The orange color has wonderful detail.

I’m surprised something this poisonous would be in a pet store. NFS, I hope!

4

Very well done, Jim. You handled the lighting issues beautifully. They did a nice job of providing a suitable perch for the frog as well.

5

Well, Jim, I have never seen a poisonous frog in a pet store (or anywhere else in the world) nor have I ever seen a frog looking cranky!

I love the orange colour and that priceless look. Composition looks good to me. Background and “perch” is nice. The frog looks like he’s going to spring into action at any second.

Do you always take your camera to the pet store ?

6

I never thought of taking my camera to a pet store. I too am surprised that they had a poisonous frog in there. You handled everything perfectly, and one would have never known that it was in a pet store and not in the wild.