Macro A damselfly in distress

mfdesalas · 12-07-2010, 08:11 PM

I was working on a botanical survey and a damselfly stuck in a sundew caught my eye. If you look on the bottom-most leaf, a sundew bug (green and black) is waiting to feed on other insects unfortunate enough to get caught.

Sorry about the watermark, I had a similar picture plagiarised once before.

Please let me know how the shot could be improved.

imtheguy · 12-07-2010, 09:00 PM

A unique shot and I like it but wish more of the damsel was in focus. Much more interesting than just a shot of the fly itself. Guess thats what the "experts" mean by having a story with the pic. As far as the watermark.....you don't really think for a second that could slowdown anyone who wanted to clip the pic and clone out your mark?

**Ash** · 12-07-2010, 11:41 PM

Indeed the shallow depth of field hasn't worked for this image.
Nice setting for the image, but otherwise the out of focus areas are too much of a distraction in the shot.

mfdesalas · 12-08-2010, 02:11 AM

I agree, and I expected this when I took the shot. I was wary of using a higher ISO setting and no access to a tripod. Hence I had to use f5.6 when f11-16 would have achieved a much better DoF. Given a choice of razor-thin planes of focus I went for the eye to make it as interesting as I could... What annoys me the most is the foreground bokeh making the damselfly's abdomen make you think you're having double vision...
As to the watermark stopping someone, I also agree, but it's easier for me to produce the larger, uncropped version in a dispute, to prove it was mine.
Thanks guys!

12-07-2010, 08:11 PM	#1
mfdesalas New Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Hobart, TAS Posts: 10	A damselfly in distress Lens: Pentax D-FA 100mm F2.8 WR Camera: K-m Photo Location: Northern Midlands, Tasmania, Australia ISO: 400 Shutter Speed: 1/350s Aperture: F5.6 I was working on a botanical survey and a damselfly stuck in a sundew caught my eye. If you look on the bottom-most leaf, a sundew bug (green and black) is waiting to feed on other insects unfortunate enough to get caught. Sorry about the watermark, I had a similar picture plagiarised once before. Please let me know how the shot could be improved.

12-07-2010, 09:00 PM	#2
imtheguy Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Virginia Beach Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,950	A unique shot and I like it but wish more of the damsel was in focus. Much more interesting than just a shot of the fly itself. Guess thats what the "experts" mean by having a story with the pic. As far as the watermark.....you don't really think for a second that could slowdown anyone who wanted to clip the pic and clone out your mark? Last edited by imtheguy; 12-08-2010 at 05:46 AM.

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12-07-2010, 11:41 PM	#3
Ash Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toowoomba, Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,920	Indeed the shallow depth of field hasn't worked for this image. Nice setting for the image, but otherwise the out of focus areas are too much of a distraction in the shot.

12-08-2010, 02:11 AM	#4
mfdesalas New Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Hobart, TAS Posts: 10 Original Poster	I agree, and I expected this when I took the shot. I was wary of using a higher ISO setting and no access to a tripod. Hence I had to use f5.6 when f11-16 would have achieved a much better DoF. Given a choice of razor-thin planes of focus I went for the eye to make it as interesting as I could... What annoys me the most is the foreground bokeh making the damselfly's abdomen make you think you're having double vision... As to the watermark stopping someone, I also agree, but it's easier for me to produce the larger, uncropped version in a dispute, to prove it was mine. Thanks guys!