Damselfly 3 in 1

[Fabs Forns]

I wanted to do this beauty with a creamy BG, and I couldn't get enough DOF wide open, so I took three different focus zones, and blended them myself. Next time, I'll probably do at least 6 of them, very precise. Listen to me, it was manual focus, I'm going to give my eyes a workout :)

Date: 5/29/09
Time: 2:01:10 PM
Model: NIKON D300
Lens (mm): 250 Sigma macro 180mm plus 1.4X
ISO: 800
Aperture: 6.3
Shutter: 1/250

[Nancy A Elwood]

Fabs there you go with those lovely pastel colors, lovely! MANUAL focus, OMG!! My eyes are weary enough using AF with this macro world. But, I am really enjoying it!!

[John Lowin]

Hi Fabs, Beautiful crisp image with a wonderful soft pastel BG. The far eye, partially obscured by the reed becomes a tension point for me. I wish it wasn't tangent.

Did you use Helicon Focus to combine your imges? - John

[Fabs Forns]

Did you use Helicon Focus to combine your imges? - John

No John, I did it manually. I'm dying to get my hands on Helicon, but you buy a year license only, which to me is a lease. I don't think I'll use enough, especailly that I can mix them myself.

Thanks guys!

[John Lowin]

Hi again Fabs, Do you have a tutorial on focus merging posted anywhere? I would love to learn how. Thanks. - John

[Charles Wesley]

Fabs,

Love this imagery. Your pastels are so refreshing. I use Combine Z to do my stacking. Your manual technique is awesome....
______________________
Charlie Wesley
St. Augustine Beach, FL

[Fabs Forns]

Hi again Fabs, Do you have a tutorial on focus merging posted anywhere? I would love to learn how. Thanks. - John

I will write one, John.

Thanks everyone :)

[Bob Allen]

Sweeet! BG is especially awesome. I'm impressed that you did this manually. Like John, the right eye, antennae, & clypeus touching the stalk is a point of tension, but livable. Most wing veins are in focus, which I love. It's a little too centered for me. I wonder if it would benefit from cropping 2-3 cm from right & bottom, or would that place the stalk too close to the center of the photo?

[Roman Kurywczak]

Hi Fabs,
Sweet BG but I too wish for the rest of the 2nd eye. Welcome to my world!!! I always manually focus my macros! Just seems to work better for me. Looking forward to the tutorial as it is something I always wanted to try!

[Julie Kenward]

Oh yes, do write a tutorial Fabs! Agree with the other comments - love the BG, wish the eye were clear and in view. Otherwise...it's a whole new world for insects!

[Christopher Miller]

Fabs, Love the soft colors in this! Agree that it would be nice if there was more separation between the stem and the damselfly's head, but it's not a big issue. Can't wait to see your tutorial!

[Gus Cobos]

A work of art Miss Fabs...I remember seeing this one...well composed and executed...good show...:cool: