Hi Everyone,

I just got the news that I was a finalist in the Sigma Photo Contest last month. Didn't get 1st, 2nd, or 3rd, but got an Honorable mention.

Dale

FACES IN NATURE
http://www.sigmaphoto.com/contest/winners_facesinnature.asp

Congratulations! I'd be happy with an honorable mention, for sure. You know what they say - "Recognition; babies cry for it, grown men die for it."

In addition to the congratulations on the accomodation, congrats on the shot. It is great - I really like the rich greens. It is a great idea for a photo.

James

Congratulations and well deserved! This is the best frog photo I've ever seen, I love this! Very original.

Thanks everyone for your kind words.

This photo just seems to grab everyone that sees it. Especially in person. I have it in my Gallery at work in a 48 inch wide frame. It really jumps out at you.

This was one of those lucky shots. I was walking my dog one night around midnight and noticed that one of my Koi ponds was completely covered with duckweed. This guy popped up through the surface and was staring right at me. I went back inside and got my equipment..returned and got this shot. I was using my Fuji S2pro with a Sigma 28mm lens. With this lens I can get as close as 9 inches from the subject. Holding the flashlight to freeze his motion, I was able to get a great shot. The highlight in his eye is from the on camera flash.

When they show it on the Sigma website though, they cropped the right side of the image so I think it loses its effect when it's cropped like that.

Glad to be in the top 6 images of the Sigma contest though.

Thanks again
Dale

Dale - I followed the contest link you provided and would have to agree with their 1st place choice (the snake). However, IMHO your frog would've been a very credible 2nd place choice. (Jeez, that little grasshopper is scary!) Also, thanks for the tip about using the flashlight to get the frog to stay put while you did your thing.

This may seem silly but... I wonder - if you took your original file, zoomed the frog eye on the left, brightened up the area under the reflected flash - you might be able to see yourself!