Nature Photographers Network
This is the preserved archive of the original Nature Photographers Network. The community continues at naturephotographers.network.
Thread-wasted Wasp
‹ PreviousMacro & Close-up GalleryNext ›

Thread-wasted Wasp

by Wayne Jones

Gallery: Macro & Close-upPosted September 16, 2013116 views6 comments
I'm back online again after spending summer vacation with my grandkids and trying to get my computer running again in my spare time. Over the summer I did take a little time for shooting some of the little critters in the neighborhood. Most of what I do are "documentary" shots, which may not produce many wall-hangers, but it is an important kind of nature photography.

I always enjoy seeing the endless variety of pollinators that frequent the wildflowers around home. Some of my favorites are threat-wasted wasps (Order Hymenoptera; Family Sphecidae; Ammophila spp.) I wonder if the odd body configuration helps them maintain balance when they fly with caterpillars, which they feed their young.

To give you an idea of the wasp's size, it is on goldenrod.

Canon 5D3; Sigma 150 macro
1/500 sec. @ f/11; ISO 1250
Hand-held

Note: I just noticed that this looks extremely sharp online, even though I did not add any extra sharpening in the conversion. I think that's due to the high-contrast scene in full sunlight. I don't think it's objectionable, but I notice that some people are quick to point out when they consider an image "oversharpened." If that's the case, I would not argue with that opinion, but I hope you can tell me what specific image attributes make it "TOO sharp." THANKS

Comments

6 comments
Comment posted by Ian Wolfenden on September 17, 2013 at 4:32 PM
Excellent image, Wayne, of what to me is a quite exotic creature, and one very interesting to learn something about. Perfect exposure allows the fine detail to show up well on the nicely varied bg. ` Documentary ' it may be but beautiful, too, I think. ( and not too sharp in my view ).

Registered on May 18, 2007, 1108 Posts, 7647 Comments
Comment posted by Jim Zablotny on September 17, 2013 at 7:49 PM
Wayne--I like the sharpness and it will make a wonderful print. The yellows are perfect as well :toast: .................Jim
Registered on January 17, 2004, 705 Posts, 3594 Comments
Comment posted by scott lanz on September 17, 2013 at 8:12 PM
Well captured and processed, Wayne. I like the detail in the wasp, the goldenrod perch, and the very nice bg.
Registered on November 14, 2003, 840 Posts, 12902 Comments
Comment posted by Mike Ramy on September 18, 2013 at 4:00 PM
Wayne,
I think this excellent image would be all the buzz as a wall hanger, simply outstanding in all repects. The larger version does appear slightly over sharpened in the main body area of the Wasp on my monitor but not the smaller.
Great post . . . :cool:
Registered on June 16, 2012, 567 Posts, 2809 Comments
Comment posted by Roger Leekam on September 20, 2013 at 1:44 PM
Great shot with excellent detail, Wayne. I don't see it as being too sharp.
Registered on May 28, 2009, 83 Posts, 646 Comments
Comment posted by Dennis Plank on September 22, 2013 at 1:30 PM
This doesn't look oversharpened to my eye, Wayne. Usually, that comes out in exaggerated contrast and details that look just too emphasized. In this case, the light catching the hairs on the wasp could give that impression. Excellent image.

:toast:
Registered on January 28, 2008, 1767 Posts, 23192 Comments