Photography Task of the Week(?)!

[thegnome54]

Alright, I don't know how much interest this thread will generate, but I thought it was pretty cool when everyone took pictures of their eyes, and it gave me this idea - a thread where every week (I'm not sure about the time interval, it might be too long or too short... we can play it by ear) a new photography task is given out. Anyone interested can try their hand at it and show us their results! Okay, here goes... your first task... You must take a picture of a fly. If your camera doesn't have a macro function or something, a picture of any bug will do. Anyone up for it? Here's my submission.

[Seeker]

Cool idea. Too bad my network nanny is blocking your picture Please keep it clean and tasteful, OK? No nudity or roadkill.

[thegnome54]

Cool idea. Too bad my network nanny is blocking your picture Please keep it clean and tasteful, OK? No nudity or roadkill. No problem, as long as you're alright with nude flies :p You might be able to see my picture here http://photos-c.ak.facebook.com/phot...87442_8750.jpg if you want to.

[Twoshadows]

I totally love this idea. I have a couple of old pictures of flies that I can post. But I will also take up the challenge of getting a new one, too. I'll edit this in a few minutes with my fly pics. Okay...here is one. I will find the other in a bit. TS

[thegnome54]

Wow, that's fascinating! I've noticed a stunning diversity in the flies around my place (I live in Rhode Island), but I've never seen an entirely black one like that! Where do you live, geographically speaking? (If you don't mind saying) Most flies around here have these beautiful ruby eyes, and they're shiny yellow-green-orange on their bodies. This is a typical fuzzbutt- And these are typical fuzzbutt eyes- But there are also those black-and-white striped flies like the first picture I put up. Those are just the biggest varieties, too - no telling what the tiniest ones look like. I wish I had a microscope attachment, haha. Anyways, I'm glad to see interest, I think this could be a fun thread, especially if I don't already have pictures for a particular challenge. Your picture is beautiful, I can't wait to see some more new flies

[Twoshadows]

Well, thank you. I think there will be interest in this thread because there are quite a few people here who love to take pictures. And anyway, even if it's just you and me, we can have a great time... I am totally impressed with the close up of that flies face in that last picture. That's amazing. . I haven't been able to get a really good fly picture because they move to fast or fly away..and I consider myself pretty good at sneaking up on things. Oh, I live in Arizona. So that's some kind of desert fly. Here is another fly picture that I had already taken. Not quite as impressive as yours, but here is is.... Edit: Here are two more.... TS

[Adam]

I cant remember the last time I saw a fly... How the hell am I supposed to capture one on camera lol

[thegnome54]

I cant remember the last time I saw a fly... How the hell am I supposed to capture one on camera lol You'd be surprised how many there are out there, actually. If you don't mind looking retarded in front of your neighbors (I spend a lot of time bent over flowers and I think my neighbors have suspicions about me ) I recommend going over to a brushy area with lots of random plants/weeds. All you have to do is sit relatively still for a few seconds (literally) and you should start to see things crawling/buzzing about. Flies usually stop to preen themselves on leaves, and you can sneak up on them. If flies are too flitty, there might be ants, bumblebees (but those are VERY hard to capture), caterpillars, etc. - all potential pictures. I also recommend that as soon as you see something interesting, take a picture. Then, if it flies away/leaves when you try to get close, at least you have something. Here's one of those occasions for me - You don't have to do it, but you might get a new appreciation for the tinier things in life :p

[RooJ]

Really good idea! I just gotta ask, what camera and what lens are you using gnome? Those pictures are awesome... And ill also add that if any fly earns the right to be called ninja its twoshadows: Thats the most ninja like fly ever... Ill see what i can do tomorow

[thegnome54]

Really good idea! I just gotta ask, what camera and what lens are you using gnome? Those pictures are awesome... I have a Canon Powershot A610, with the lens that came with it - it has 4x optical, 4x digital zoom, and an awesome macro function. The rest of it is mostly luck, and very lazy flies :p

[Twoshadows]

Just took this one: TS

[Clairity]

I don't take pictures so I admire those who do and these pictures are fantastic! I am really looking forward to following this thread! .

[Seeker]

Please be warned, the lighting really sucked this morning when I shot these, I'll try again when the light is better: This guy was out this morning, I love these little metallic beetles

[RooJ]

Anyone know what this is?:

[Adam]

Some excellent pictures there. I lack greenery out here in the City!! Need to find somewhere I can get out and get some pictures!!

[thegnome54]

Excellent shots, everyone! I think Rooj has a case of the fuzzbutts over there, I love the eyes on those flies! Here's my ultimate fuzzbutt macro - Strange creatures, flies! AdamA, I don't know what the wildlife is like the in city, but out here I've noticed that flies love to sit on mulch when it's hot out. Maybe if you find one of those trees they sometimes grow on the sidewalks, there might be some interesting insects taking refuge in the substrate. Good luck if you try!

[RooJ]

I think Rooj has a case of the fuzzbutts over there , luckily they dont seem to make it into the house too often, just the outerhouse/shed/conservatory.... place.

[Twoshadows]

Yay...I'm glad that more people posted pictures. Seeker...great fly pics....and that beetle is gorgeous! RooJ...Also great pictures. (That last one looks like a kind of wasp. But more specifically, I don't know....) Gnome...another excellent fly face. I wish I could get one that good. My flies are just too fast. I'll need to wait until it cools down a bit and the flies hold still a bit. AdamA...Keep trying. I would love to see the pictures you could take!

[Jdeadevil]

I love all ur camaras!!!!!!

[Adam]

AdamA...Keep trying. I would love to see the pictures you could take! There are no bugs here in the City lol - But I will go look anyway :p I am going away again friday so will make sure I get plenty of cool shots whilst away

[indescribable]

Wow, I like your idea! Some of those photos are really cool. Unfortunately I can't join in though because my camera sucks, but I'll come back here and look at all the great photos you guys take.

[Karillion]

Here is my attempt. Still very new to photography so you will have to forgive the blurriness. If the sun comes out tomorrow I might try and take another one using a higher shutter speed this time.

[Clairity]

Here is my attempt. Still very new to photography so you will have to forgive the blurriness. Karillion, I think it's a beautiful photo! (I'd never have guessed that you were still "very new" to photography!) .

[Ynot]

How big is that thing?....in feet?

[Lord Toaster]

Awesome idea, I'd take part if I owned a camera... still, I can comment on the others Love your 'fuzzbutts', Gnome, and also love Seeker's beetle. TS, I like the little green fly the most, and RooJ, I like the flies on the wood. Karillion, that's a great picture, what's that bee carrying? Too bad about the blurriness This thread inspires me to go buy a camera