While prowling for mushrooms the other day, I startled this adult spring peeper and it settled on a tree trunk. I can’t believe it was motionless enough for an 11-image stack, but it was. I’d loved to have been able to get one of the babies (they were everywhere and 1/2 the size of the inch-long adults), but they never sat still and I didn’t want to frighten one into a frozen state.
This is rotated 90 degrees from how I shot it and I think it works better this way. Should have used the LED panel, but didn’t want to cause it further stress. They’re so wonderful. You can’t see the distinctive dorsal X, but I like that I could get so much of it in focus from this angle.
Specific Feedback Requested
Anything helpful is welcome…also impressions etc.
Technical Details
Is this a composite: No
Tripod w/CPL removed from lens. Focus bracketing using +4 step & 0/-/+ progression method starting with the forward eye.
Lots of software involved here - Lr for a big crop, the turn and general improvements. Zerene for the stacking w/PMax output, retouched for a smoother background. Photoshop to remove a hemlock needle from the background. Topaz Sharpen with Motion Blur and a mask on the frog’s face and leg only. The tiny creature was moving or vibrating just slightly and the software fixed it pretty well. So much effort for a little frog. Worth it to me.
Thanks ladies. I was surprised it was still for so long. All the others I encountered shot off like they were made of rubber. Have a single image of a wood frog I’ll post in a day or two. It wasn’t much bigger than the peeper and in a very dark morph or possibly it was matching the wet leaf litter.
Beautiful! Love it! These guys are so cute and loud! I used to live in a place where the landlord thought it would be a great idea to have a ‘restful’ pond made in the backyard and these guys loved it and I didn’t get any sleep at night for a month! It’s a good thing they’re so cute! I really like what you did with this image.