chocolate coloured butterfly C&C I was trying for a deep photo

[JBW]

[ClaudioG]

Hi Brian..I really like the contrast of the brown butterfly and the green leaf, and I think you have the exposure spot on.. I've looked at a few of your images..have you tried moving closer to the subject? You want the insect to be your subject..and quite a few seem to be more about the leaves, if your lens doesn't allow you to get closer maybe try cropping in a bit. Also..I noticed a lot of your images are from above..maybe try some different techniques..like from side.. Or maybe just its eyes looking straight at you. I'm not saying from above is wrong, I just think it will broaden your experience. By changing your angle, you might start to see that your insect will now become your main subject.

[JBW]

Hi Brian..I really like the contrast of the brown butterfly and the green leaf, and I think you have the exposure spot on.. I've looked at a few of your images..have you tried moving closer to the subject? You want the insect to be your subject..and quite a few seem to be more about the leaves, if your lens doesn't allow you to get closer maybe try cropping in a bit. Also..I noticed a lot of your images are from above..maybe try some different techniques..like from side.. Or maybe just its eyes looking straight at you. I'm not saying from above is wrong, I just think it will broaden your experience. By changing your angle, you might start to see that your insect will now become your main subject.

Thanks for the reply. In the garden i am restricted to the angle by what the wee beasts are sitting on. This fellow was on a hedge and I may have been able to get a side view but head on was not possible. Sadly she flew away after my second shot which explains why there are no closeups.

I am trying to improve my hunting skills and I am beginning to get some nice head-on shots with some of the less flighty beasts.

[jcuknz]

You cannot win with the critics Brian Awhile back you were shooting face on and we suggested top shots to get more of the creature in focus ... now it is the reverse.

I think you are doing pretty good these days from where you were when I first saw your postings, not that long ago.

With your camera I do not think that you will get much difference in the results with the small range of apertures available to you. The theory tells us that we go wide open for limited DoF and close down for max DoF but that really applies to the SLR/DSLR and much less so with the short lens of the bridge camera. I tried it a couple of times and realised it didn't really make a marked difference and settled on a mid point from the other theory of 'sweet spots' of lenses. You say a 'deep shot' and to achieve that after the fellow flew away would have been to take a shot of the lower leaves and use them to replace the soft leaves in the butterfly shot.

Done on the spur of the moment as it seemed the answer rather than trying to imagine depth of field in the light drizzle at the time they did lend themselves to the treatment as the sharp leaf edge in your shot would have done.

[pnodrog]

I still disagree with the cropping and still think the lighting is a fraction harsh (sheen on leaf could be toned down a bit and I would like to see the darker tones on the wing lifted slightly). But I am just being very very fussy because overall it is a good shot. You are certainly progressing, the lighting is much more even than some of your other posts and if you like your crops stick with them. After all you are the photographer and it is your choice.

[JBW]

Well yes it is hard to please everyone. But there is a consensus developing. As for head on or top that sort of depends on how i can get into position. As was pointed out on macro I have exactly two options for F/. There are just enough options on this camera for it to be an excellent teaching tool. (at leas for me)

here is an insect shot that I tried to apply the critiques to. it is closely cropped, as gentle with the light as i could get with a flash, not head on but from the side, and I think close to properly exposed. It was in the morning and it was raining so super sharp focus was not an option.

[Geoff F]

Not sure if that is a cranefly or a similar looking long-legged fly, but an expert should be able to fully identify it from that photo; or at least get close to full identification. All the relevant areas are covered.

If it was a UK species I would have a go at identification.

[JBW]

Not sure if that is a cranefly or a similar looking long-legged fly, but an expert should be able to fully identify it from that photo; or at least get close to full identification. All the relevant areas are covered.

If it was a UK species I would have a go at identification.

And now you touch upon another area of my ignorance. Would you happen to know of a good online resource for tropical Beasties? from my limited research I think it is one phase in the life cycle of this;

[Geoff F]

I wonder if that is some form of larvae that covers itself in debris as a form of camouflage?

In the UK, I find the larvae of a Tortoise Beetle (Cassida murrae) which covers itself in general rubbish including its own cast off skin and excrement!

There are a number of species which do something similar; plus some who hide like this while waiting for unsuspecting prey to come too close!

For UK identification I use the Wild About Britain site, plus a few other specialised sites.

There is a Wild About the World website which tries to cover everything. Sometimes this is a bit of a challenge but there are some very knowledgeable people there.