This Pacific Tree Frog was a terrific subject. So laid back and patient—waited for the photographer to fiddle around with the camera, change to a macro lens and adjust exposure and depth of focus (aperture setting).
The file info tells me when it was shot, but more importantly the camera model and lens—a 100mm macro—for close ups.
The aperture chosen was f/4. So this close to the subject, there would be very little of the image in sharp focus; pretty much just the close half of the frog. Exactly what you want in order to emphasize the subject. Look at the table around the frog to see how shallow the depth of focus is.
Though the eye naturally goes to the frog, the man made lines of the table further help by leading the eye to the frog.
The exposure time was 1/80 of a second, so a very steady hand—or in this case a solid surface to set the camera on— make 1/80 sec just fine. The frog was not moving.
I think my favourite thing about the image is the green of the frog and the delightful, green, out-of-focus background. It really makes the shot!
Could you take a similar photo today? Absolutely. It does take some practice, but you can do that anywhere…even on a kitchen table.
By the way, this image was shot August 26, 2010, at 10:12 am with a Canon EOS 5D Mark II.