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Swallowtail

Discussion

13 replies
Posted by Simon Litten on June 8, 2009 at 5:12 PM
Swallowtail
Hi all

Had a day off today so I had my annual pilgrimage to the local swallowtail site (I'm sure you've all got one!) half a mile up the road. I'm not a big fan of doing macro photography because I find it all a bit fiddly and precise and incredibly frustrating (I greatly admire those who can do it well, of which there are many on this site) so I've given up using a tripod and macro lens and now use a 70-200 with a 1.4x and an extention ring on and shoot on the fly. It's a bit hit or miss - mainly miss! - but does make the experience a lot more enjoyable for me. Which is a good thing.
This is the best effort from the day. It's got it's faults - had to do some major repair work to its left wing as it was a bit tatty - but as there aren't many of these posted on here I thought I'd share it.

Simon
Posted by Maggie Campbell on June 8, 2009 at 5:19 PM
I really like it. Haven't managed to find one yet. I agree with you about macro photography. it is incredibly frustrating but very worthwhile when you get a good shot like this. Well done. :toast:
Posted by Andy Astbury on June 8, 2009 at 5:43 PM
Don't be so sure Simon :frown: :frown: :frown: :eek:

I've never seen one let alone got an image!

You've done an excellent repair job too - perhaps dropping a grid over this and getting it absolutely central may be the icing on the cake - not that I go for centralised images, but this is so nearly there yet looks right side heavy.

Cracker :toast:
Posted by Justin on June 8, 2009 at 6:06 PM
An excellent result with beautiful, bright and vivid colour. :toast:
Posted by Scott Tilley on June 9, 2009 at 2:17 AM
Really nice, and no I've never seen one either :biggrin:

Scott
Posted by Major Gilbert on June 9, 2009 at 2:28 AM
Really excellent result Simon. You must have done a fine job re the repair as ther are no signs to my eyes. :toast:

Major.
Posted by PhilH on June 9, 2009 at 3:23 AM
I've seen one..... but it had a pin through it :biggrin:

Very nicely done.... agree with Andy on the symmetry thing

:toast: :wavey: :toast:
Posted by Tim Munsey on June 9, 2009 at 3:45 AM
I hate tripods, I shoot monopod macro, handheld sounds even better! Great shot

Tim
Posted by Simon Phillpotts on June 9, 2009 at 4:35 AM
Cracking image Simon, very colourful and a species I'd love to see. My only very slight nit would be the symmetry/slight rotation issue as already mentioned. :toast:

Simon
Posted by Matt Cole on June 9, 2009 at 5:37 AM
a stunning butterfly and I'm another who's never seen one. A well taken shot, I would have preferred the butterfly slightly smaller in the frame and at diagonal angle, but I agree that if you're going for a central position it could do with a slight rotation.

Matt
Posted by Anthony House on June 9, 2009 at 8:08 AM
Superb, lovely detail and colours....

Nice work.
Tony
Posted by Guy Rogers on June 9, 2009 at 1:24 PM
Hello Simon.

Just an excellent shot of this butterfly. Never seen one of these but I have always wanted one on file, and would be proud of this one.

:wavey: :wavey: :wavey:
Posted by Danny Green on June 9, 2009 at 2:32 PM
Wow love this let me know where and when and I will meet you next time :wink: really want to do this species so impressive and F%$^&$ Beautiful to look at too.

Danny :toast: :toast: :toast: :cool:
Posted by John Robinson on June 9, 2009 at 7:38 PM
Beautiful Shot Simon
Love it, There's a mark on the right wing and on the lreft too but who cares !!
I'll meet you there too but I can only bring the wife !!
Cheers
John
.