Marbled White

50D, 180/3.5, Tripod + BH-1 Head.
ISO400, 1/100 @ f7.1
RAW in ACR5.3, resize & sharpen CS4
Full frame.

Hi,

One from a very pleasant Saturday, and one of a handfull of images that I am amazed to have got sharp given the almost non stop breeze and gusts we are suffering at the moment...

Composition was a nightmare here and after trying several different crops I stayed with the image as shot (always has to be the best way, make the decision at the taking stage)

All the best

Beautiful light on this one Phil, know what you mean about the wind/breeze, not so sure on the composition, looks like it should be vertical to me, but there again I like vertical images so probably not nice one though

Great detail and tecqnique Phil but I have to agree it seems to be asking to be rotated upright .
Cheers
John

it is a lovely image but looked wrong as soon as it appeared think it would look better upright

After a discussion with you about this image Phil, I am very undecided still . Excellent detail and nicely taken but by the same token I like it on the upright, but the horizontal grasses in the b/g on the portrait image look out of place. I fully understand your point of view too with regard to the light as well...so I think I shall sit on the fence with this one, and maybe come back to it later after another think.....ouch.

Fran x

Interesting.... seriously here is a rotated version, does the light and the background look right?

I don't think so.... but as I said I had a nightmare trying different comps, the only one that worked equally well (for me) was a square crop, however I am not a fan of that format... would love other opinions here...

given the vertical grasses in the background I think your original looks best Phil. I think this is a very nice shot.

Matt

Looking at your second post it is almost as tight as my Hf I recently posted but no-one has said so.. also interesting..! I think the first for the Bg but I wish the Bf was up the other way Damn that was difficult afternoon of photography..! I haven't even looked at mine yet..

Changed my mind having seen it vertical looks better horizontal, youre right about background

Phil, sometimes you just have say today's not the day - I go out sometimes and not pressed the shutter once. This shot just doesn't work for me - the light looks harsh and the comp awkward. Sorry . Good thing is, we still have at least a good couple of months for insect macros yet.

Regards,

Des

Your lucky you've got a blasted Marbled White to pontificate about !!
John

Hi,

Really appreciating the honesty... ta.

Des... The light is not that harsh... probably my processing, as I have a virus on my main computer, it is a little hit and miss.... would be great if you could explain why you find the comp awkward if possible, would really be valuable.....

All the best

The position and posture of the butterfly just don't look right to me Phil. It's also vey tight in the frame, specifically the tip of the wings at the top. Strangely in the vertical shot the space at the top makes sense but somehow not in the landscape format.

They are all minor points on their own to be fair but collectively I feel they impacted the shot quite a bit. All subjective of course, i.e. only my opinion, feel free to ignore.

Regards,

Des

Hi Phil, this is a peculiar one indeed. I too thought 'vertical' as soon as it opened but you are correct that vertical doesn't suit because of the bckground and horizontal is the natural position. I think it is the straightness of the stem where it enters from the left that throws the eye into thinking it should be upright. Perhaps if you cropped the left hand side closer to the flower and thus make more of a square format it wouldn't be so confusing? I don't mind the wing tip being close to the top edge as I feel the important space is below the butterfly and there is plenty there.

For me its the Portrait version ........

The tiny flowers still show shadow underneath each one and the bunch shows shadow under also. Beneath the Butterfly has shadow on the plant and body.
The Bg also works you cannot tell what makes up the background its to diffused the lines could be anything.
As for the light looks good on my monitor ..

Now if you had put the portrait version on first how many people would have said that looks wrong it should be landscape .................... None !!!!

Portrait ........Portrait ........Portrait ........Portrait ........

The first looks best to me but if a portrait had been on the cards in camera then this would have been the best solution to give the butterfly some more space and leave out the stem which competes a little bit. Lovely detail and lighting for me though

Nice Marbled White

Ian

Looks all white to me. Marbleous.

Very nice original post for me Phil.

David

Hello Phil.

Its the second post for me by a mile the composition just looks so much better. I do see where your coming from with the background but that could be sorted out and I think this image is worth the effort. I would also increase the canvas a little as the butterfly is a little tight.

Its a beautiful butterfly and you have caught it in some beautiful light and the perch is also very nice. I would put the work in on this one as I think it could be a cracker.