These are pretty common, but I've never managed a decent shot of one before so I am pretty pleased with this effort. When they are ready to pupate, they climb up a grass stem and build the cocoon around themselves before turning into a chrysalis inside. You can clearly see the burst chrysalis splayed out of the top of the cocoon. This fellow looks pretty dry but still has one or two wrinkles in his wings.
Another stiff wind meant dozens of blurred shots before this one popped up, even so I have one that is slightly sharper at the head, but of course on that one the wing tips are soft. You can't win can you?
Not sure if I have the comp right on this, but I have no spare canvas on the left or below.
400D, Sig 180 macro, tripod
iso 200, f/11, 1/100
usm and slight crop for comp.
Great shot Eric( even at this late hour ! ) The position in the frame seems a little tight though. Was this a crop or full frame.?
I reckon a bit of space would help.
Cheers
JohnR
I would also add some more space on the left. With the background you have on this it would not be to hard to add some more canvas and clone some in. I would them crop the same amount from the right that you added to the left. This would then give you a nice balanced composition.
Posted by Dawn Monrose on July 30, 2008 at 5:14 AM
Very nice, I agree about it needing extra to the left. Nice background, and those red spots really stand out. I've not seen this before, so a very interesting shot for me!!
Minor nits covered. Still a very nice image with good colours and showing interesting behaviour.
Regards
Rob
Posted by Andy Astbury on July 30, 2008 at 5:08 PM
As per Guys comments Eric - otherwise a well processed image and an excellent capture of a natural process - well done squire
Posted by eric weight on August 1, 2008 at 2:50 AM
Thanks for your comments and advice, they are greatly appreciated. I have added a bit to the left as suggested and it seems better to me, I hope you agree. Eric
Posted by Adam Seward on August 1, 2008 at 5:40 AM
Discussion
12 repliesAnother stiff wind meant dozens of blurred shots before this one popped up, even so I have one that is slightly sharper at the head, but of course on that one the wing tips are soft. You can't win can you?
Not sure if I have the comp right on this, but I have no spare canvas on the left or below.
400D, Sig 180 macro, tripod
iso 200, f/11, 1/100
usm and slight crop for comp.
C&C more than welcome.
I reckon a bit of space would help.
Cheers
JohnR
Nice find and a lovely subject.
I would also add some more space on the left. With the background you have on this it would not be to hard to add some more canvas and clone some in. I would them crop the same amount from the right that you added to the left. This would then give you a nice balanced composition.
David
Fantastic shot, spot on focus and good composition. Agree about extending the canvas to the left.
Rob
Matt
Brett.
Minor nits covered. Still a very nice image with good colours and showing interesting behaviour.
Regards
Rob