Fire Ant

[Samir Begovic]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3181/3056484313_fd8897f9eb_o.jpg

Very tricky to get this guy in focus. He was running like crazy up and down.

Canon 30D
EF 180mm f3.5 L macro
1/250
F/11
ISO 200
Flash Fired
Hand held

[Julie Kenward]

Samir, it's an interesting image but the flash spots are pretty distracting. I'd suggest either backing down on the amount of flash or learn to clone them out.

I can see how this must have been difficult to capture...I think you got a good start but need a little more practice to get more DOF and a little better BG. Good try!

[Samir Begovic]

Thanks for the suggestions. I cloned the flash spots and I think it looks better now. For the dof; My position to the subject was very odd. Difficult to explain, but I couldn't make better angle if you meant that by suggesting "more dof" . And what you don't like about the bg?
Thanks.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3021/3056409712_c2e45d025f_o.jpg

[Julie Kenward]

Samir, for me personally, I don't care for the lighter streak on the left side - it really pulls my focus away from the ant and seed it is on. Also, I tend not to like black in a BG unless it is pretty solid. If you lightened the parts where the darkest areas are that might even the BG out a bit more and give less pull from the main subject.

[Mike Moats]

Hey Samir, nice image, good details on the head and I like the DOF. I agree with Jules on the white streaks on the left, any high contrast in light and dark objects in the BG will pull your eye, consistent shading in BG works better.

[Samir Begovic]

Thank you guys. Very constructive critiques here on BPN.