Macro Which one is better? Butterfly shot

Which one is better? Butterfly shot · 12:35 AM

Which one is better?

1 Available light

2 W/ flash

wlachan · 02-15-2011, 12:36 AM

I like the less distracting background of #2 more.

**eaglem** · 02-15-2011, 01:51 AM

Originally posted by wlachan

I like the less distracting background of #2 more.

I agree and I think you had better focus because the detail is sharper.

**Digitalis** · 02-15-2011, 03:29 AM

The second one is better .

The flash has illuminated the patterns and enhanced the colour on the wings, and from a technical standpoint the second is a superior image due to the fact that the subject is closer to being parallel with the focus plane - which is a frequently used technique in macro photography because DOF can become too shallow to cover subjects with more depth.

A suggestion on how you could improve upon this effort is by using a wireless flash. Using off camera flash is the best way to make interesting images. It will give you more freedom in how your subjects are lit, and lighting macro subjects is actually an enjoyable challenge ( for me at least).

rustynail925 · 02-15-2011, 08:12 AM

Thanks everyone for your input and suggestions!

slowpez · 02-15-2011, 08:44 AM

Congrats on getting that one into the PEG.

rustynail925 · 02-15-2011, 07:11 PM

Thanks Susan!

RobG · 02-15-2011, 07:20 PM

Just to be different I like the first one. The second looks like there was a fill flash and the colours look less natural. The butterfly also looks a little too flat, where it's got a bit more depth in the first image. I also find the plant in the bottom right hand corner too distracting in the second image. It's just unfortunate that in the first image, not all of the wing is in focus, presumably becaue of lower DOF without the flash.

Jewelltrail · 02-16-2011, 12:18 AM

No contest-- 1st one!

altopiet · 02-16-2011, 01:59 AM

+1 for#1

TOUGEFC · 02-16-2011, 02:11 AM

First of all great shot mate and congrats on the PEG acceptance!
Out of the 2 images i have to say i like number 1 more, the colours look more natural and has nicer contrast, in number 2 it lose's that and the light looks too harsh, and the flash has produced an ugly shadow on the inside of that leaf curling over

rustynail925 · 02-16-2011, 08:01 AM

Originally posted by RobG

Just to be different I like the first one. The second looks like there was a fill flash and the colours look less natural. The butterfly also looks a little too flat, where it's got a bit more depth in the first image. I also find the plant in the bottom right hand corner too distracting in the second image. It's just unfortunate that in the first image, not all of the wing is in focus, presumably becaue of lower DOF without the flash.

Thanks for the opinion.
I use f5.6 on the first and f7.1 on the 2nd.. Like Digitalis have said the 2nd is in parallel on the focus plane so the wings in more on focus compared to the first.

rustynail925 · 02-16-2011, 08:02 AM

Originally posted by Jewelltrail

No contest-- 1st one!

Originally posted by altopiet

+1 for#1

Thanks for the input guys!

rustynail925 · 02-16-2011, 08:05 AM

Originally posted by TOUGEFC

First of all great shot mate and congrats on the PEG acceptance!
Out of the 2 images i have to say i like number 1 more, the colours look more natural and has nicer contrast, in number 2 it lose's that and the light looks too harsh, and the flash has produced an ugly shadow on the inside of that leaf curling over

Thanks TOUGEFC! Im glad ive finally made it to the PEG this time.

e-bar · 02-16-2011, 03:07 PM

I'd say #1 as well. It has more natural feel and the butterfly is sligthly in a better pose. When you look at the #2 photo, eyes automatically check those strongly lit leaves a bit too much. Not that it isn't a very good photo as well.

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02-15-2011, 12:36 AM	#2
wlachan Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Canada Photos: Albums Posts: 2,625	I like the less distracting background of #2 more.

02-15-2011, 01:51 AM	#3
eaglem Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Perth Western Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 43,160	Originally posted by wlachan I like the less distracting background of #2 more. I agree and I think you had better focus because the detail is sharper.

02-15-2011, 03:29 AM	#4
Digitalis Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Melbourne, Victoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,694	The second one is better . The flash has illuminated the patterns and enhanced the colour on the wings, and from a technical standpoint the second is a superior image due to the fact that the subject is closer to being parallel with the focus plane - which is a frequently used technique in macro photography because DOF can become too shallow to cover subjects with more depth. A suggestion on how you could improve upon this effort is by using a wireless flash. Using off camera flash is the best way to make interesting images. It will give you more freedom in how your subjects are lit, and lighting macro subjects is actually an enjoyable challenge ( for me at least).

02-15-2011, 08:12 AM	#5
rustynail925 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Philippines Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,551 Original Poster	Thanks everyone for your input and suggestions!

02-15-2011, 08:44 AM	#6
slowpez Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: South Carolina, USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 18,461	Congrats on getting that one into the PEG.

02-15-2011, 07:11 PM	#7
rustynail925 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Philippines Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,551 Original Poster	Thanks Susan!

02-15-2011, 07:20 PM	#8
RobG Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Canberra Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,902	Just to be different I like the first one. The second looks like there was a fill flash and the colours look less natural. The butterfly also looks a little too flat, where it's got a bit more depth in the first image. I also find the plant in the bottom right hand corner too distracting in the second image. It's just unfortunate that in the first image, not all of the wing is in focus, presumably becaue of lower DOF without the flash.

02-16-2011, 12:18 AM	#9
Jewelltrail Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Rhode Island Photos: Albums Posts: 4,180	No contest-- 1st one!

02-16-2011, 01:59 AM	#10
altopiet Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: The Gem of the Karoo, South Africa Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,307	+1 for#1

02-16-2011, 02:11 AM	#11
TOUGEFC Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Brisbane Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,561	First of all great shot mate and congrats on the PEG acceptance! Out of the 2 images i have to say i like number 1 more, the colours look more natural and has nicer contrast, in number 2 it lose's that and the light looks too harsh, and the flash has produced an ugly shadow on the inside of that leaf curling over

02-16-2011, 08:01 AM	#12
rustynail925 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Philippines Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,551 Original Poster	Originally posted by RobG Just to be different I like the first one. The second looks like there was a fill flash and the colours look less natural. The butterfly also looks a little too flat, where it's got a bit more depth in the first image. I also find the plant in the bottom right hand corner too distracting in the second image. It's just unfortunate that in the first image, not all of the wing is in focus, presumably becaue of lower DOF without the flash. Thanks for the opinion. I use f5.6 on the first and f7.1 on the 2nd.. Like Digitalis have said the 2nd is in parallel on the focus plane so the wings in more on focus compared to the first.

02-16-2011, 08:02 AM	#13
rustynail925 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Philippines Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,551 Original Poster	Originally posted by Jewelltrail No contest-- 1st one! Originally posted by altopiet +1 for#1 Thanks for the input guys!

02-16-2011, 08:05 AM	#14
rustynail925 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Philippines Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,551 Original Poster	Originally posted by TOUGEFC First of all great shot mate and congrats on the PEG acceptance! Out of the 2 images i have to say i like number 1 more, the colours look more natural and has nicer contrast, in number 2 it lose's that and the light looks too harsh, and the flash has produced an ugly shadow on the inside of that leaf curling over Thanks TOUGEFC! Im glad ive finally made it to the PEG this time.

02-16-2011, 03:07 PM	#15
e-bar Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 35	I'd say #1 as well. It has more natural feel and the butterfly is sligthly in a better pose. When you look at the #2 photo, eyes automatically check those strongly lit leaves a bit too much. Not that it isn't a very good photo as well.