Dragonfly

Still keeping a low profile and doing my best to implement the advice given.

Not sure of the species and my first full frame effort.

Canon 1D3 canon 180mm f/3.5L macro handheld.

ISO 400 180mm f/11 1/180sec AV

Critique Advice Comments most welcome and thanks for looking.

Well it's better than any I have Barry. It's a shame the perch is so bright and the bright oof parts of the background are very obvious. The light looks as if it was quite harsh so perhaps next time wait until a cloud gives some shade and softens the light? Of course, as I know only too well, as soon as you wait your subject dissapears!!! Great fun this wildlife photography

dragonflies do seem to have a habit of landing on the brightest possible perches don't they. The light does look a bit harsh and the background is a bit distracting. Your best bet is to search for these early in the morning Barry - if you can find one (not always easy) it will be far more approachable allowing you to get a better angle and perhaps lean its perch slightly away from the background foliage. The light also tends to be softer early in the morning.

I take it this is a US species?

Matt

Robert & Matt

Thanks for taking the time to comment. My efforts are just for record shots but none the less I'm trying to improve technique and finish with a pleasing result. I tend to take all I can when I can thess are not the easy subjects they just don't stay long.

I'm back in the USA for five weeks and I really should have declared that in the post no shortage of species at the moment seasons are running about six weeks behind this year. I'm learning every day so all the tips are a great help.

Could be a female Twelve-spotted Skimmer (Libellula pulchella).

http://bugguide.net/node/view/243122/bgimage

And great image too, I don't have any problems with the light or the bg

Looks OK to me Barry.
You can't help the perch (unless you give it a new one !!! )
Cheers
JohnR