I used my Olympus OMD1, along with my Zuiko 60mm macro lens on the 1:1 ratio setting. The ISO was 1200, the aperture was 2.8, and the shutter speed was 1/80. All this because the light was terrible with our clouds and the little tiny frog, about the size of a dime, was hiding out under a bag of rocks.
I focus stacked with 15 images, differential of 5/10. This was handheld and I lay laying flat on the ground to try to get on the same level as the frog. I focus stacked in PS2024 and then I did something I normally don't do--I cropped it closely and then used the canvas generative expand. This was the first choice.
There are a couple of variations, and I can always go back and work on the rock front ledge, but I am really hoping for suggestions--the crop made it too long and narrow to suit me.
6 comments posted
Margaret West
Very sharp and the hiding frog is cute. Well done! Might look nice as a 1 x 1 Posted: 04/04/2025 03:56:40
Cheryl Diermyer
Carol, I would not have guessed this creature to be so small as you mention in your description. It's color and texture is beautiful! I like Margaret's suggestion of a 1 x 1, but then, I'm partial to square framing. As beautiful as this little creature is, what first caught my eye is the blurred overhang. If in your 15 images of focus staking you have a clear focus on the overhang I think my eye would go directly to the frog. I love that you got to the frog's level by laying on the ground. The things we do to get the shot! Posted: 04/08/2025 13:57:14
Carol Sheppard
Thanks, Cheryl. I'm not as spry as I once was, so getting off the ground was definitely difficult! Posted: 04/10/2025 19:30:16
Stuart Ord
I found a similar one yesterday when gardening, but the little blighter hopped off! They are very cute. I do think that the blurred rock distracts because it is closer and blurred, so I'd agree with Cheryl's comments. I think I'd crop hard and reduce the overhanging rock to a sliver only, but in contrast to the ladies above, I'd leave it as a letterbox format, then it looks like he's looking out. Posted: 04/10/2025 08:34:38
Carol Sheppard
Thank you for your input...I think you are right about reducing it to a sliver!
Posted: 04/10/2025 19:28:56
Gloria Grandolini
Carol, such a great example of true 1:1 macro - would not have guessed the frog was so small! The colors are so intense, and the sharpness is amazing. I also like the way it is positioned. I agree with Stuart's suggestions on composition. Posted: 04/19/2025 21:24:45
