Posted by Aaron Szabo on April 28, 2009 at 5:05 PM
I too enjoyed the gathering as much as everyone else. This butterfly shot was taken at Steele Creek after chasing these guys all over the field for an hour or two. Thank you to everyone that help organize and provide for the gathering, and it was nice meeting everyone!
I will have a video to show from the gathering in a week or two.
Posted by Aaron Szabo on April 28, 2009 at 5:07 PM
Here is another one I took when everyone was waiting for me to finish up at Lost Valley.
Aaron, great colors in your first shot and the leaf detail is striking. I am looking forward to seeing you video. Let me know what the link is to the video editing software that you mentioned.
I was about to say "great colors" and very crisp on the butterfly, then I scroll down and you've blown me away with a b/w. The leaf is perfect! I like the raindroplets. Must have been higher shutter speed. Did you try to shoot lower shutter speed to blur the water and get a "dreamy" look to it?
Aaron the butterfly image is great. Just love it!! That's one of the reasons I bought my 300mm. I just haven't devoted any time to shooting them yet. Can't wait to see your video.
Both of these shots are beautiful. I really enjoy the color in the butterfly image, but a tighter comp might improve the image as the background is a little busy. Still a great shot, though.
I also like the second shot. To me this shot is about contrasts between the sharply rendered leaf and the blurred submerged rocks. This shot definitely has a 3D look.
Two great shots, Aaron! I do think a tighter crop on the butterfly would be an improvement, but would definitely keep the red-flowered plants to the left.
Posted by Daniel Loomis on April 29, 2009 at 11:08 AM
Aaron - nice colors on the butterfly. I am afraid the shadow on the wings detracts some from the perfection of the image. Did you shoot any from a slightly different angle?
The b/w leaf, on the other hand, is lighted perfectly. Is it natural light?
Posted by Aaron Szabo on April 29, 2009 at 12:08 PM
Mike- I did shoot some longer exposures, but the smooth water didn't show up very well for some reason...
Daniel- Yes, it is natural lighting (I don't even own a flash).
I guess I'll try a tighter crop on the butterfly. Thanks!
Posted by Bryan Simpson on April 29, 2009 at 4:09 PM
Love the colors in the butterfy shot, but I really like the leaf pic. Composition, B&W conversion, lighting -- all spot on. Great job, Aaron!
Posted by Wayne Rhodus on April 29, 2009 at 5:27 PM
Aaron, congratulations on your persistence ... it paid off handsomely on the butterfly image! A beautiful specimen and a very good exposure.
The leaf image really challenges me, I like the fluidity of the water, wide contrast range and abundant detail. The leaf being perfectly vertical really seems to stop my eye but the tension it adds commands a lot of attention from the viewer.
Aaron..Great to meet you this weekend...I personally like the way you cropped the butterfly shot...Looking at the picture, I don't see a comfortable crop without destroying the integrity of the surrounding atmoshpere. The color is great....Love, love the BW...It is great in everyway!
Discussion
14 repliesI will have a video to show from the gathering in a week or two.
The concept on the B/W leaf is also great. I like good too.
I also like the second shot. To me this shot is about contrasts between the sharply rendered leaf and the blurred submerged rocks. This shot definitely has a 3D look.
Great work all the way around.
The b/w leaf, on the other hand, is lighted perfectly. Is it natural light?
Daniel- Yes, it is natural lighting (I don't even own a flash).
I guess I'll try a tighter crop on the butterfly. Thanks!
The leaf image really challenges me, I like the fluidity of the water, wide contrast range and abundant detail. The leaf being perfectly vertical really seems to stop my eye but the tension it adds commands a lot of attention from the viewer.
Well done on both counts!