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How I got the shotShowcaseShowcase 2022Tips and techniquesWildlife

Showcase 2022 Winner: Kevin Barry

By March 23, 2022April 19th, 2022No Comments

Artist’s statement

This photo is the result of knowledge of subject more than anything else. Whenever I come across thorn bugs, they are almost always on wild tamarind trees. So, whenever I pass one of these trees, I check the branches for them. I found them that morning because I knew where to look and was actively searching for them.

How I got the shot

Arriving just before sunrise, I headed down one of my favorite trails in the pine rocklands of Everglades National Park looking for something interesting to shoot. After walking a short distance, I came upon a group of thorn bugs on a branch of a small wild tamarind tree. I often look for these insects but seldom find any, so I was excited to find them this time. Using a macro lens on my camera and a sturdy tripod, I composed them to run diagonally across the frame.

What I used

I used a Sony A7RIII camera with a Laowa 100mm macro lens on a FLM tripod. I shot at  1/13 second with ISO 320.

Thorn Bugs on Branch of Wild Tamarind, Everglades National Park, Florida, 2022 Showcase Runner-up, Macro/Micro/All Other Wildlife © Kevin Barry

About me

I’ve been shooting pictures for many years, first on 35mm and 4×5” film, and then with digital. Prior to becoming interested in nature photography I was very involved in fishing, so I’ve been around nature pretty much my whole life. I’m based in south Florida and do most of my photography in south and central Florida but have shot throughout much of the United States.

A lot of nature photographers have a specialty, they may shoot only birds, or only landscapes. Me, I like to shoot everything. I enjoy shooting macro, birds, landscapes, even creative stuff on my iPhone. There are so many subjects to shoot in nature photography, it never gets boring.

NANPA and me

I’ve been a NANPA member for many years and have had a number of images make it into the Top 100 or 250 in previous Showcases. I received a Judge’s Choice Award in the 2018 Showcase.

Learn more

My images can be seen at: www.kevinbarryphotos.com