Nature Damselfly photobomb

**MossyRocks** · 10-14-2019, 10:30 AM - **1 Like**

This was a happy surprise image I captured a couple of months back and while I like it, it does seem like there are 2 competing subjects and am looking for other's thoughts on that and on the image in general. I had intended to just capture the flower but the damselfly landed a fraction of a second before I pressed the shutter button and had already committed to the pressing.

Last edited by MossyRocks; 10-14-2019 at 07:33 PM. Reason: looked like the linking didn't work

**othar** · 10-14-2019, 03:54 PM

It might be my browser but I can't see the image

dan.a.nesheim · 10-14-2019, 06:11 PM

Originally posted by othar

It might be my browser but I can't see the image

Me neither.

**MossyRocks** · 10-14-2019, 07:34 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by othar

It might be my browser but I can't see the image

Originally posted by dan.a.nesheim

Me neither.

I'm not sure what happened with the image. Even when I tried to view it in the album it didn't show anything but there was the tiny thumbnail to click on. I deleted it and re-uploaded it and it appears to be working now so give it a the critique it deserves.

**OldPentaxFan** · 10-14-2019, 07:52 PM

Really nice capture!

Love the vibrancy and the perfect, accidental, placement of the damsel fly.

**MossyRocks** · 10-14-2019, 08:02 PM

Originally posted by OldPentaxFan

Love the vibrancy

Golden hour shooting with the sun low under the clouds after one of the many days of rain I've had this year here so everything outside has been super vibrant when shooting it seems

Originally posted by OldPentaxFan

and the perfect, accidental, placement of the damsel fly.

As Bob Ross would say a "Happy Accident".

**OldPentaxFan** · 10-14-2019, 08:06 PM

Originally posted by MossyRocks

Golden hour shooting with the sun low under the clouds after one of the many days of rain I've had this year here so everything outside has been super vibrant when shooting it seems

As Bob Ross would say a "Happy Accident".

Both combining for an excellent image!

DeadJohn · 10-14-2019, 08:42 PM

Originally posted by MossyRocks

This was a happy surprise image I captured a couple of months back and while I like it, it does seem like there are 2 competing subjects and am looking for other's thoughts on that and on the image in general. I had intended to just capture the flower but the damselfly landed a fraction of a second before I pressed the shutter button and had already committed to the pressing.

I don't think there are competing subjects. For me, this is an insect photo; much of the flower is out of focus which is okay.

The green bud or other plant cut off at the left edge is a tiny distraction. Maybe crop a little off the left edge of the photo.

The tiny dark speck on the central flower is another distraction. It's a little below and left of center. It interrupts the smooth yellow and maybe clone out the speck.

HoutHans · 10-15-2019, 07:41 AM

A very nice picture of a damselfly (so I agree wth DeadJohn about the primary subject) and I also find the dark speck distracting. Then again, how do we feel about cloning such things out? is that OK to do? The colours are great.

DeadJohn · 10-15-2019, 08:03 AM

Originally posted by HoutHans

A very nice picture of a damselfly (so I agree wth DeadJohn about the primary subject) and I also find the dark speck distracting. Then again, how do we feel about cloning such things out? is that OK to do? The colours are great.

My $0.02 since I suggested removing the speck: IMO it's okay to do for "artistic" usage (as I think the OP intended), but not for "scientific" or "journalism" purposes.

Edit, but be open about your edits. I hate when people post images with the moon and claim that's how the scene looked, yet the moon is in front of background clouds, or seeing a full moon next to the sunset (full moon can only occur 180 degrees away from the sun) . It's more a problem on the big social media sites than it is on PF.

wstruth · 10-15-2019, 08:44 AM - **1 Like**

I clone things out when I feel they distract from the intent of my image. To remove this spec would fall in that category. It is a great image none the less and that damsel fly landing there is a wonderful catch!

The Squirrel Mafia · 10-15-2019, 08:47 AM

Very nice.

**Archimedes the Dog** · 10-15-2019, 09:19 AM

I agree with all the comments, removing the speck would improve the already top-notch image.

bladerunner6 · 10-15-2019, 09:26 AM

It works pretty well. I don’t have an issue with competing subjects.

**MossyRocks** · 10-15-2019, 10:16 AM

Originally posted by DeadJohn

My $0.02 since I suggested removing the speck: IMO it's okay to do for "artistic" usage (as I think the OP intended), but not for "scientific" or "journalism" purposes

Originally posted by wstruth

I clone things out when I feel they distract from the intent of my image. To remove this spec would fall in that category.

I feel the same and will do so with other blemishes. I didn't do it here, or really with any images I'm seeking a critique on as I want that type of feedback.

Originally posted by DeadJohn

I hate when people post images with the moon and claim that's how the scene looked, yet the moon is in front of background clouds, or seeing a full moon next to the sunset (full moon can only occur 180 degrees away from the sun) . It's more a problem on the big social media sites than it is on PF.

I view that the same way. The contrived images where it is physically impossible for it to occur but everyone fawns over them. In those situations never dissect the image on the site as the cognitive dissonance of those who think it is the greatest capture ever will just try to tear you to pieces so if you want to stir the pot it can be fun. My personal favorites are the ones with the foreground shot with an ultrawide lens near sunset or dusk that have a huge full moon high in the sky where the moon was shot with a 200-300mm telephoto. I will however create composite images, especially some of the nightscape images I've shot but there it is because one will need to stack things in the night sky to get the detail but that results in the foreground being blurred as you end up taking 10s of minutes worth of shots. Then I take a separate stack of images for the foreground to get the exposure and noise down to where I would like it. Finally I will merge the sky shot with the foreground shot for the final image but it is representative of what it looked like with things placed correctly and correctly sized. The human eye has a fantastic dynamic range and it is difficult to capture it in trying situations.

10-14-2019, 10:30 AM - 1 Like	#1
MossyRocks Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Minnesota Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,982	Damselfly photobomb Lens: Sigma 300mm f/4 APO Macro Camera: K-3 Photo Location: Apple Valley, MN ISO: 100 Shutter Speed: 1/90s Aperture: F8 This was a happy surprise image I captured a couple of months back and while I like it, it does seem like there are 2 competing subjects and am looking for other's thoughts on that and on the image in general. I had intended to just capture the flower but the damselfly landed a fraction of a second before I pressed the shutter button and had already committed to the pressing. Last edited by MossyRocks; 10-14-2019 at 07:33 PM. Reason: looked like the linking didn't work

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10-14-2019, 03:54 PM	#2
othar Site Supporter Join Date: May 2014 Location: Linz Photos: Albums Posts: 3,098	It might be my browser but I can't see the image

10-14-2019, 06:11 PM	#3
dan.a.nesheim Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2019 Photos: Gallery Posts: 167	Originally posted by othar It might be my browser but I can't see the image Me neither.

10-14-2019, 07:34 PM - 1 Like	#4
MossyRocks Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Minnesota Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,982 Original Poster	Originally posted by othar It might be my browser but I can't see the image Originally posted by dan.a.nesheim Me neither. I'm not sure what happened with the image. Even when I tried to view it in the album it didn't show anything but there was the tiny thumbnail to click on. I deleted it and re-uploaded it and it appears to be working now so give it a the critique it deserves.

10-14-2019, 07:52 PM	#5
OldPentaxFan Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Independence, MO via North Carolina Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 371	Really nice capture! Love the vibrancy and the perfect, accidental, placement of the damsel fly.

10-14-2019, 08:02 PM	#6
MossyRocks Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Minnesota Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,982 Original Poster	Originally posted by OldPentaxFan Love the vibrancy Golden hour shooting with the sun low under the clouds after one of the many days of rain I've had this year here so everything outside has been super vibrant when shooting it seems Originally posted by OldPentaxFan and the perfect, accidental, placement of the damsel fly. As Bob Ross would say a "Happy Accident".

10-14-2019, 08:06 PM	#7
OldPentaxFan Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Independence, MO via North Carolina Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 371	Originally posted by MossyRocks Golden hour shooting with the sun low under the clouds after one of the many days of rain I've had this year here so everything outside has been super vibrant when shooting it seems As Bob Ross would say a "Happy Accident". Both combining for an excellent image!

10-14-2019, 08:42 PM	#8
DeadJohn Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: New York Posts: 4,833	Originally posted by MossyRocks This was a happy surprise image I captured a couple of months back and while I like it, it does seem like there are 2 competing subjects and am looking for other's thoughts on that and on the image in general. I had intended to just capture the flower but the damselfly landed a fraction of a second before I pressed the shutter button and had already committed to the pressing. I don't think there are competing subjects. For me, this is an insect photo; much of the flower is out of focus which is okay. The green bud or other plant cut off at the left edge is a tiny distraction. Maybe crop a little off the left edge of the photo. The tiny dark speck on the central flower is another distraction. It's a little below and left of center. It interrupts the smooth yellow and maybe clone out the speck.

10-15-2019, 07:41 AM	#9
HoutHans Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Appingedam Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,119	A very nice picture of a damselfly (so I agree wth DeadJohn about the primary subject) and I also find the dark speck distracting. Then again, how do we feel about cloning such things out? is that OK to do? The colours are great.

10-15-2019, 08:03 AM	#10
DeadJohn Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: New York Posts: 4,833	Originally posted by HoutHans A very nice picture of a damselfly (so I agree wth DeadJohn about the primary subject) and I also find the dark speck distracting. Then again, how do we feel about cloning such things out? is that OK to do? The colours are great. My $0.02 since I suggested removing the speck: IMO it's okay to do for "artistic" usage (as I think the OP intended), but not for "scientific" or "journalism" purposes. Edit, but be open about your edits. I hate when people post images with the moon and claim that's how the scene looked, yet the moon is in front of background clouds, or seeing a full moon next to the sunset (full moon can only occur 180 degrees away from the sun) . It's more a problem on the big social media sites than it is on PF.

10-15-2019, 08:44 AM - 1 Like	#11
wstruth Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: at my kitchen table Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,294	I clone things out when I feel they distract from the intent of my image. To remove this spec would fall in that category. It is a great image none the less and that damsel fly landing there is a wonderful catch!

10-15-2019, 08:47 AM	#12
The Squirrel Mafia Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2015 Posts: 3,054	Very nice.

10-15-2019, 09:19 AM	#13
Archimedes the Dog Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Boise, ID Posts: 1,146	I agree with all the comments, removing the speck would improve the already top-notch image.

10-15-2019, 09:26 AM	#14
bladerunner6 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2014 Photos: Albums Posts: 2,080	It works pretty well. I don’t have an issue with competing subjects.

10-15-2019, 10:16 AM	#15
MossyRocks Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Minnesota Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,982 Original Poster	Originally posted by DeadJohn My $0.02 since I suggested removing the speck: IMO it's okay to do for "artistic" usage (as I think the OP intended), but not for "scientific" or "journalism" purposes Originally posted by wstruth I clone things out when I feel they distract from the intent of my image. To remove this spec would fall in that category. I feel the same and will do so with other blemishes. I didn't do it here, or really with any images I'm seeking a critique on as I want that type of feedback. Originally posted by DeadJohn I hate when people post images with the moon and claim that's how the scene looked, yet the moon is in front of background clouds, or seeing a full moon next to the sunset (full moon can only occur 180 degrees away from the sun) . It's more a problem on the big social media sites than it is on PF. I view that the same way. The contrived images where it is physically impossible for it to occur but everyone fawns over them. In those situations never dissect the image on the site as the cognitive dissonance of those who think it is the greatest capture ever will just try to tear you to pieces so if you want to stir the pot it can be fun. My personal favorites are the ones with the foreground shot with an ultrawide lens near sunset or dusk that have a huge full moon high in the sky where the moon was shot with a 200-300mm telephoto. I will however create composite images, especially some of the nightscape images I've shot but there it is because one will need to stack things in the night sky to get the detail but that results in the foreground being blurred as you end up taking 10s of minutes worth of shots. Then I take a separate stack of images for the foreground to get the exposure and noise down to where I would like it. Finally I will merge the sky shot with the foreground shot for the final image but it is representative of what it looked like with things placed correctly and correctly sized. The human eye has a fantastic dynamic range and it is difficult to capture it in trying situations.