Sphinx Moth

I know I struggle at best but I really enjoy the challenge and I do appreciate the comments and advice even the flack.

Now this species really caught me on the hop so I didn't want to miss the chance having tried humming birds this was even smaller and I dare say faster.

Canon 1D3 Canon 35mm-350mm handheld and a chance encounter.

Comments Advice Critique or maybe how would you do it?

Thanks for looking

Hi Barry,

given it was a chance encounter I might have tried upping the ISO to obtain a faster shutter speed. ( I cannot read the exif data as I am using Chrome and cannot find an exif viewer that works with it )

Other than that not too bad an effort

Hi Barry,

Just needs a faster shutter speed and maybe a little more DOF.

Andy...

need to see the image details really Barrie, as I also can't read the EXIF on my browser. Not an easy subject these by any means. It's difficult to see whether the focus is on the moth or not or whether it's just soft due to motion blur. Getting the moth a bit larger in the frame would help the image and might also help to lock the AF on the moth, assuming you were using AF. A good try though.

Matt

Sorry, I failed to state the settings on the image 135mm ISO800 f/5.0 1/1000sec.

These moths are never still, so they provide a challenge from every direction. Just a second or so at each flower.

Attached from another direction ISO 800 270mm f/5.0 1/1000 sec

Thanks for looking

Sorry Barry but in my books this would be one for the bin. Background too fussy, subject lost in the background, subject soft. At least you are trying and it's good that you are willing to ask for advice. I find that grab shots like this are very difficult and mostly unproductive but it is always worth taking the chance and hoping for the best because sometimes they do come off. I have taken loads of pictures just like this so don't take it personally.
Robert

Strange the naming differences in different countries - we call this the Hummingbird moth in GB, as it flies in daylight and hovers lie a hummingbird....., yet in USA where they have Hummingbirds its called a Sphinx moth

Mike

Just to confuse the situation further I took it in Brittany last week so I guess yet another French name maybe. Back home for four months in the UK now.

Robert I take your point, and yes its one for the bin, but first I want to learn why when and how. I see little value in dwelling on success its the failures that have the value in lessons to be learnt. Just my opinion.

we call this the Hummingbird moth in GB, as it flies in daylight and hovers lie a hummingbird....., yet in USA where they have Hummingbirds its called a Sphinx moth

As you say, the Hummingbird Hawkmoth in the UK but I think you'll find that most Hawkmoths are called Sphinx's in the US (also Hornworms which is really confusing - an allusion to the 'tail horn' on Hawkmoth larvae)

I am afraid I have to agree that from an aesthetic or technical aspect, it doesn't hit the spot but as a memory of a great encounter, well that's a different matter

Barrie

In saw my first yanky one the other day whilst in a garden centre-agree with whats been said-not an easy subject

Dave

I had a fleeting glimpse of one in my front garden this week. The first time ever. By the time I went for my camera it had gone. Probably never to be seen again.
I would have been pleased to have taken this image as it is much better than having none.