Shaka Loc: Brisbane, Australia

Thank you C,Ashbeck1 for taking the time to look at my post it is sincerely appreciated. Brian

Shaka Loc: Brisbane, Australia

Bogyeyeliot since you raise the question I will publish the Private message that I sent to Nikonian72. When you read the PM you can make up your own mind. Nikokian72s action was the catalyst to leave:

MY DISSATISFACTION

Nikonian, Thank you for pointing this out. But on this occasion I've decided that I'll leave uglyhedgehog for good as it is not an easy forum to work in.

1) It is too difficult to get your articles posted under the sections, while others seem to hog the section space day after day. This has been my first attempt at posting on the Hog after two months absence to see if this attitude had changed. Unfortunately they have not. On a previous occasion I was told that there is no discrimination but rather members articles are posted in the Daily Section on a random basis. What a lot of nonsense! Try being on of those [and then] trying to break in to the clique!

2) I posted two articles recently, one being my Leopard Series which did not make the Photo Gallery Section cut and the other being my Dragonfly photos today which also did not make the Truly Macro Section cut. These are just one of many examples that I can give. While I try to post intelligent and interesting articles others get away with publishing absolute nonsense day after day.

Nikonian, While a respect your talents immensely I find it rather difficult to be told to move my macro photos to the Photo Gallery, as if I'm not good enough for you. I was not even given the chance to do so, and it had been moved by admin. In the meantime several people had already looked at my dragonfly photos without any derogatory comments. No comments about my photos not being true macro.

I think that you must agree that I've followed your advise whenever you offered it, and now to be told by you to go somewhere else because I'm not good enough, is a rather tough pill to swallow for me. I feel that the forum has become too arrogant, and that they only want to keep it for the few who are either a mate or are good enough in someones eyes. I've never claimed to be professional macro photographer always emphasising my inexperience.

Since I Joined, I've got about 10 people from Australia to join, and while I was in south Africa over December / January I persuaded another three to do so. Obviously I will no longer solicit members for the Hog but rather for 500px and ViewBug where I'm very happy.

I also think that our admin sensors behave in bad taste so it continues unabated. Quite honestly I am not too sure what contribution the admin people make but it is definitely not in a positive way.

Please accept my resignation with immediate effect. I will not log onto the Hog again so I'll never know what the outcome will be. Should you wish to communicate anything to me then please contact me at: shaka1652@hotmail.com

I wish the Hog all the best for the future and I hope that you can come to grips with members who are willing to try the new art of photography without them being bullied.

Yours sincerely

Brian Basson

P.S. I've replied to your instruction via the Private Mail facility as that is the way that you communicated to me, but I believe that it should be an open letter for all the members to see, instead of being underhanded ! Brian Basson

PIPDYOUNGER Loc: SUNDERLAND NORTH EAST ENGLAND

3 great shots Brian :thumbup: pip

gonate Loc: sacramento,calif

Good shots.

Shaka Loc: Brisbane, Australia

Thank you for looking and your favourable comments with a thumbup PIP, they are much appreciated. Brian

SnapperLady Loc: Pennsylvania

These are great, how did you get the wings to look motionless?
Thank you for sharing
SnapperLady

raysass Loc: Brooklin, On, Canada.

Nikonian72, are you saying that they are not Macro only because they were not taken close enough? Ray.

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

When a macro lens is set to Minimum Focusing Distance (which is also Minimum Working Distance), and subject is in focus, it will capture a true macro, which is 1:1 magnification (life-size). MWD for a 100-mm macro lens is about 6-inches.

Focusing a little farther away, or so, will capture a close-up. The dragonflies were photographed about 12-inches to 18-inches Working Distance. These dragonfly images are approximately 1:3 magnification (1/3x life-size).

Read more here: http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-22447-1.html

Shaka Loc: Brisbane, Australia

Thank you for looking SnapperLady. I simply waited until they were ate rest! Brian

Shaka Loc: Brisbane, Australia

Ray, the Dorsal Dropwing Dragonfly Image # 1 and the Red Veined Dragonfly Image No 2 are both between 36 to 38 mm long, I'm not too sure about the third image but my guess is that it would be a similar length to the other two. All three are found in the KwaZulu Natal province of South Africa. These measurements are according to the publication 'Water Dancers of South Africa's National Botanical Gardens'. So with an APS-C sensor of 22.3 mm the magnification will be 37/22.3 = 1:1.6 magnification not 1:3 magnification.

By the way: The title of this book—water dancers—is a literal translation of the Zulu word ‘jigamanzi’, where jig = dance + amanzi = water, that has been used to describe dragonflies, an apt description as adults swirl about water bodies engaged in their daily business. Brian

raysass Loc: Brooklin, On, Canada.

Thanks for your response Nikonion72. Ray.

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

Your magnification rations would be true if your dragonflies filled the sensor side-to-side. In actuality, they fill about half the sensor width, so half your calculated magnification: 1/2 x 1:1.6 mag = approximately 1:3 magnification. Another calculation: 12 (approx filled sensor width)/37 (your number) = 1:3 mag (1/3 life-size).