Southern Skimmer

[Bill Nuttall]

Southern Skimmer (Orthetrum brunneum) - male
for reference: Page 256 - Klaas-Douwe B Dijkstra
a really good book for UK and European Dragons and Damsels

SW France
slow running water


D750 + 300mm f4 AF-S
1/200th – f11 - ISO 450
15% Crop

LR/PS

165785

[Jonathan Ashton]

Very nicely exposed and detailed, I like the perch and background. I am not too sure about the crop, I do appreciate you like to present less than predictable images so I can see why you cropped this way but it doesn't seem to make the most of a beautiful subject and highly complimentary background to me.

[Bill Nuttall]

Very nicely exposed and detailed, I like the perch and background. I am not too sure about the crop, I do appreciate you like to present less than predictable images so I can see why you cropped this way but it doesn't seem to make the most of a beautiful subject and highly complimentary background to me.

Thanks Jonathan - I not sure how I would have cropped this other than how I did - what you you recommend

It is a standard constrained vertical crop

[Jonathan Ashton]

Bill I would have looked at 4:3 or 3:4 and added canvas as necessary, then if that didn't work I would have looked to other ratios.

[Bill Nuttall]

Bill I would have looked at 4:3 or 3:4 and added canvas as necessary, then if that didn't work I would have looked to other ratios.

where would you add canvas Jonathan, top, bottom, left, right - I have plenty of canvas as it is a 15% crop - so I have 85% to play with

[Jonathan Ashton]

Bill I don't have a precise answer, I would certainly start with a similar composition but 4:3 then rotate to see how it fits, I think the diagonal you have is a good starting point.

[Bill Nuttall]

Bill I don't have a precise answer, I would certainly start with a similar composition but 4:3 then rotate to see how it fits, I think the diagonal you have is a good starting point.

Thanks J

the crop is a 3 x 2 which I tend to favour

Thanks for the advice - I will give a 4 x 3 a try

[Steve Maxson]

Very nice overall sharpness on your subject plus good light and background. Cropping is always a bit subjective and this image would look good cropped a number of ways. As an alternative, I might suggest cropping some from the top to put the dragonfly's head roughly in the ROT position. :S3: