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a few shots from around the pond (Original Post) Gato Moteado Apr 28 OP
All the photos are awesome, but I love the second photo! HeartsCanHope Apr 28 #1
thank you! Gato Moteado Apr 30 #5
Nice shots Gato! How'd you get the black background? Thanks. George McGovern Apr 28 #2
thank you.... Gato Moteado Apr 30 #6
I may experiment on my own, thanks. But your technique makes for dramatic photographs. George McGovern Apr 30 #11
Great shots, my dear Gato! Each one very distinctive and fascinating. Thank you! CaliforniaPeggy Apr 28 #3
thank you my dear Peggy!!!! Gato Moteado Apr 30 #7
I'm not sure either why this is happening. People's tastes change and they might comment less. CaliforniaPeggy Apr 30 #9
yes, this place still doesn't feel the same without him Gato Moteado Apr 30 #10
### CaliforniaPeggy Apr 30 #12
I love your frogs! HAB911 Apr 29 #4
thank you.... Gato Moteado Apr 30 #8

HeartsCanHope

(1,741 posts)
1. All the photos are awesome, but I love the second photo!
Tue Apr 28, 2026, 11:13 PM
Apr 28

Perfectly hidden froggie taking a snooze.

Gato Moteado

(10,198 posts)
6. thank you....
Thu Apr 30, 2026, 11:15 AM
Apr 30

....when shooting close-up with a flash, you set the aperture to give you ample or desired depth of field (I'm usually shooting at f/16 or even smaller for these types of close-up shots) and enough flash strength to expose your subject. when there is nothing in the near background to reflect back the light from the flash, the background will be way underexposed and rendered black. if you want to learn more detail about how to do this, including which types of diffusers to consider buying, which type of on-camera flash I prefer, and how to set everything up in manual mode on the camera, PM me and I'll walk you thru everything.

Gato Moteado

(10,198 posts)
7. thank you my dear Peggy!!!!
Thu Apr 30, 2026, 11:19 AM
Apr 30

I'm so glad you are recovering and getting back into shooting!

I noticed I don't get much engagement on my posts here anymore. I'm wondering if people are getting tired of monkey, frog, and snake shots. or maybe I need to go back to click-bait titles on my posts. or maybe I need to improve my photos.

CaliforniaPeggy

(156,826 posts)
9. I'm not sure either why this is happening. People's tastes change and they might comment less.
Thu Apr 30, 2026, 11:30 AM
Apr 30

I always enjoy seeing your work! Losing Andy was a huge thing. I think we lost a lot at that time. He was pivotal and important.



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