Recent findings

As the winter months close in, the wildlife in my garden is becoming more scarce, however the vole population is booming as always.
I still continue to document the same creatures such as the common frog, I find that they vary so much in size and colouration, making each one different from the last.

This southern hawker was a visitor to the newly built pond and also became the first of its species to appear on my field studio.

Southern hawker - Aeshna cyanea

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Smooth newt - Lissotriton vulgaris

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Bank vole (juvenile) - Clethrionomys glareolus

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Common frog - Rana temporaria

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Common shrew

Since starting the study of my garden I have wanted to photograph a shrew with my field studio. Unlike the other mammals in my garden the common shrew is very elusive. I was once fortunate to come across a nest containing a litter of common shrews, but these types of situations are best left undisturbed.

I found this shrew (pictured below) under one the boards that I placed down in the paddock. The image does not show size but I can tell you it was only around 5cm long (body only), so very small.

Its long pointed nose and tiny eyes makes the shrew stand out from other mammals such as voles and mice. Their short life-span means that it is uncommon for them to live for more than 12 months. Their diet consists of mainly insects but they will also eat slugs, snails and earthworms.

The common shrew can be found widespread throughout Britain and comes in at second place in being the most numerous Mammal in Britain.

Common shrew - Sorex araneus

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The white background setup

The white background setup has somewhat become an obsession over the last several months. It really is a great way to show the beauty of the subject without the distraction of anything else in the frame.

At this time of year the ground comes alive with a whole host of fungi. Now a lot of these are unsuitable for the white background approach, as many do not grow to a height that would allow a background.

But this one species that I recently came across did. The common stinkhorn Phallus impudicus grows up to a hight of 20cm, which is perfect for utilizing the white background technique.

Before heading into the woods with my equipment, I recced the location beforehand to find some good spots. Upon finding some good fungi, I returned later with everything I needed to successfully photograph my subjects on white.

 My setup includes: -

Lighting - Elinchrom Ranger Quadra kit with two flash heads

Lighting Stands – 1x boom, 1x regular

Lighting modifiers – 1x softbox, 1 reflector

1x A2 sheet of white perspex

1x small tripod and clamp to hold the perspex

1x backpack

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In the backpack: -

Flash power pack and cables

Canon 5D mk ii

Lenses from 24mm to 200mm

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The setup

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The result

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 70-200mm @130mm - 1/200sec - f14 - ISO 200