Opinions please + repost

Nikon D7000 105mm f2.8 macro ISO 200 1/250s at f10 sb-400 flash fill tripod

This scotch argus was photograhed just after it had flown up onto a plant stem to warm itself in the first rays of the sun and still had dew on its head. Its wings were held forward so I decided to do a side on shot. I like the pose and the detail of the dew etc but those OOF wing spots seem distracting to me and seem to spoil the image. Obviuosly I cannot clone them out. What do you think?

Nick.

Hi Nick, I like this. The oof wings means your attention is drawn to the super sharp head covered in dew. It's something a bit different, but you can still tell what it is if you see what I mean. I don't find the wing spots distracting - they echo the sparkle of the dew drops. I'm not so keen on the square crop myself, I'd probably go for a portrait.

It's a nice shot that really reminds me of summer - can't wait!

Thanks Dawn I was in two minds about the crop and have a vertical comp too........ which looks better?

Nick.

Hi Nick, I'm not keen on the OOF wing I'm afraid. It dominates the image too much for my liking. Great looking butterfly though

Matt

Hi Nick,

Lovely shot and really good detail on the head.

The purist will not like the oof wing but for me it's no big deal.

Hi Nick, I much prefer the vertical format, it somehow satisfies the eye with the vertical 'perch'. Just my opinion! Perhaps makes it a little tight in the frame? The more I look at this the more I like it.

Just noticed the beautiful metallic coppery sheen in the 'hairs' - lovely!

Thanks for your honesty Matt.............. that is my feeling but it is nice to get other opinions. I did try at f16 but it didn't make too much difference to the wing as the spots were still OOF.

Nick.

I am with Matt, the oof wing is too obvious, maybe better head on! But i suppose thats easier said then done!
Rene de Heer

I have to agree with Matt and as a natural history shot it does'nt work for me. The spots are just too dominant.
JR

Hi Nick. The spots hit me the second the pic loaded up.
Having said that it has grown on me and the dew and hairs are 'spot on'

Bob

Hi Nick,

The portrait repost is better, but needs more space around the SC, room the breath so to speak. I think the BG is perfect with some very complimentary colours and the water droplets look very good. Providing you have the room theres a very nice image to be had from this.

Andy...

Thank you very much for all your honest opinions. It is an image I will never get printed but will keep on my files nevertheless. If nothing else it will remind me of that glorious morning when the field had knee deep mist and a very heavy dew that had me soaked in seconds.

Nick.

I like the detail you have dew spots and background, not so much wings so much out of focus.

Superb detail in this shot Nick. The dew drops especially. But I have to agree the DOF needs work and the OOF wing dominates too much for me. I've not tried focus stacking as yet, but maybe that would be a solution for shots like this? As long as the subject stays still of course!

Thanks Roy & Paul for your comments, greatly appreciated as always. Focus stacking would be tricky as the butterfly started to open its wings as the suns warmth started to take hold. The joys of macro!

Nick.

I'm no macro shooter but from a purely aesthetical point of view the oof spots are too distracting. The dew detail and the background however are excellent.

First image for me its a lovely image with great details, colours and composition and the oof areas does not bother me one bit