Butterfly series 3 (2 imgs, serious opinions only)

Butterfly series 3 (EDITED, updated) · 04:18 PM

These shots were taken in late afternoon (around 5:30pm CST). Just your average ol' Monarchs shot with kit lens in aperture priority.

Thanks for looking!

incitatus · 10-10-2007, 04:30 PM

I don't usually go for bug shots.
but it's unusual to see a back lit butterfly I really really like.
looks a bit oversharpened though, not much but a bit, the highlights have those little sharpening halos especially on the first.

**Marc Langille** · 10-10-2007, 05:02 PM

Have you ever considered using a flash to create a fill light on the subject?

Same concept as sports photographers shooting athletes in bright sunny conditions - the subject's back is to the sun, and the photographer uses roughly half power flash to fill the subject's face nicely. Of course, bugs don't squint when they face the sun...

Two examples of fill flash in less than ideal conditions - both butterflies:

http://www.marclangille.com/coppermine/albums/userpics/10001/IMGP5473_resized_copy.jpg

http://www.marclangille.com/coppermine/albums/userpics/10001/IMGP3298_resized_copy.jpg

Where your images shot in JPEG? Personally I prefer RAW, especially for macro work, especially if the subject has any dark/black areas on it, due to it's better dynamic range. For outdoor events, etc. JPEG is fine in my books.

That all being said, I am looking for a certain level of detail in my images. You've done well with the captures, and I think it's on the right track, although the sharpening artifacts show up a bit in those images.

Cheers,
Marc

HowLowCanYaGo · 10-11-2007, 01:57 PM

Hi.

I purposely tried to get some backlit shots of these guys. I prefer not to use flash outdoors. I only mainly use it in portaiture... I always shoot raw.

Now that it is said, I do think these were oversharpened. Thanks for pointing that out!

Tom Lusk · 10-11-2007, 02:29 PM

I'd suggest leaving a bit more room around the butterfly - as shown, the crops look a little tight.

I like the backlighting, and, like you, I don't like to use flash outdoors (unless it's as a fill-flash for portraits).

HowLowCanYaGo · 10-12-2007, 03:22 PM

Thanks to all who'ev replied. Here are some edits, unsharpened and more loosely cropped. Let me know how these are:

weatherwise2 · 10-12-2007, 05:44 PM

I like the backlighting. I was trying to get some earlier this fall. The new pictures I like the first better because the more open cropping has made some interesting flowers. the second picture the crop should still stay tight, the background is not additive. The lower sharpening is better.

thanks for the great pictures.

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10-10-2007, 05:02 PM	#3
Marc Langille Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: NW Arkansas, USA Posts: 4,710	the idea is right... Have you ever considered using a flash to create a fill light on the subject? Same concept as sports photographers shooting athletes in bright sunny conditions - the subject's back is to the sun, and the photographer uses roughly half power flash to fill the subject's face nicely. Of course, bugs don't squint when they face the sun... Two examples of fill flash in less than ideal conditions - both butterflies: http://www.marclangille.com/coppermine/albums/userpics/10001/IMGP5473_resized_copy.jpg http://www.marclangille.com/coppermine/albums/userpics/10001/IMGP3298_resized_copy.jpg Where your images shot in JPEG? Personally I prefer RAW, especially for macro work, especially if the subject has any dark/black areas on it, due to it's better dynamic range. For outdoor events, etc. JPEG is fine in my books. That all being said, I am looking for a certain level of detail in my images. You've done well with the captures, and I think it's on the right track, although the sharpening artifacts show up a bit in those images. Cheers, Marc

10-11-2007, 02:29 PM	#5
Tom Lusk Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Photos: Gallery Posts: 973	One suggestion... I'd suggest leaving a bit more room around the butterfly - as shown, the crops look a little tight. I like the backlighting, and, like you, I don't like to use flash outdoors (unless it's as a fill-flash for portraits).

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10-10-2007, 04:30 PM	#2
incitatus Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 47	I don't usually go for bug shots. but it's unusual to see a back lit butterfly I really really like. looks a bit oversharpened though, not much but a bit, the highlights have those little sharpening halos especially on the first.

10-11-2007, 01:57 PM	#4
HowLowCanYaGo Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 243 Original Poster	Hi. I purposely tried to get some backlit shots of these guys. I prefer not to use flash outdoors. I only mainly use it in portaiture... I always shoot raw. Now that it is said, I do think these were oversharpened. Thanks for pointing that out!

10-12-2007, 03:22 PM	#6
HowLowCanYaGo Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 243 Original Poster	Thanks to all who'ev replied. Here are some edits, unsharpened and more loosely cropped. Let me know how these are:

10-12-2007, 05:44 PM	#7
weatherwise2 Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Warwick, RI Photos: Gallery Posts: 740	I like the backlighting. I was trying to get some earlier this fall. The new pictures I like the first better because the more open cropping has made some interesting flowers. the second picture the crop should still stay tight, the background is not additive. The lower sharpening is better. thanks for the great pictures.