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At it like silver-washed fritillaries.

Discussion

8 replies
Posted by eric weight on July 20, 2008 at 11:43 AM
At it like silver-washed fritillaries.
What enormous and beautiful butterflies these are. I found this couple resting among some reeds in a woodland ride. Of course, I didn't have a macro lens with me or a tripod and the wind was rattling through the trees as usual, so I was just glad to get this shot. I tried a greater depth of field, but being unable to clear the bg very much, I had to settle for a wider aperture than I wanted.
400D 24-105is @ 105
iso 200; f/5.6; 1/30 H/H
Av
C&C welcome
:wavey: Eric
Posted by Matt Cole on July 20, 2008 at 2:27 PM
that's a nice shot Eric, showing interesting behaviour. Given your circumstances (wind, no tripod), I think you've done well to get this as good as you have. Crucially, both pairs of eyes look sharp. They're nice looking butterflies.

Matt
Posted by Guy Rogers on July 20, 2008 at 6:50 PM
Hello Eric.

I also think you have done a good job under the circumstances. The top butterfly is very nice and captured in a nice pose. The second butterfly as gone a bit soft but thats going to happen at F 5.6. Background works ok on this one for me, the grass blades are out of focus enouth not to compete with the subject, and add a nice feel to the image.

1/30 HH your a better bloke than me. :wavey: :wavey: :wavey:
Posted by eric weight on July 21, 2008 at 12:59 AM
Probably not as hard as you think Guy, this lens has image stabiliser. I did take shots at all apertures up to f/11. I haven't got it straight in my head yet, but with this lens, f11 appeared to give a much greater DoF than it does on my sig 180 macro; presumably because the focal length is shorter? Sadly they weren't completely flat, so they all have something Oof. I chose this one because both insects' eyes were reasonably sharp. Thanks for the comment.
Posted by Robert Lawrence on July 21, 2008 at 6:10 AM
Well it's a damn sight better than any butterfly images I've taken Eric. I like the composition and the setting.
Robert.
Posted by Andy Astbury on July 22, 2008 at 3:35 AM
That's absolutely right Eric - because the FL is shorter the lens has more natural DoF.

It's a nice comp matey :wavey:
Posted by Kim Connolly on July 22, 2008 at 5:16 AM
I cannot comment technically - but this seems super sharp to me where it matters, a lovely composition which I like very much.
Besh wishes
Kim
Posted by David Kjaer on July 22, 2008 at 6:34 PM
Hi Eric

Very very nice - you must have steady hands!

David
:toast:
Posted by Magnus Hird on July 24, 2008 at 4:01 PM
Great result with the conditions and what you had available :smile: