Spicebush Swallowtail on Butterfly Weed

[Ken Childs]

http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p193/kjchilds/BPN/IMG_0142.jpg

Canon EOS REBEL XT
Canon 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS @ 400mm
Manual mode
1/500"
F10
ISO: 200
Canon 430EX: On, Fired
LR & PS CS3

I cloned out a leaf from the URC and desaturated the flowers quite a bit.

[Julie Kenward]

Beautiful image, Ken! I think a slice off the right side (even though that's the way the BF is looking) might work better - he feels a little "off" in the frame. I'd suggest going vertical but then you'd lose all those gorgeous orange flowers...

Nice work on desating the colors - they look totally normal yet have real bounce to them.

[Arthur Morris]

I like the flowers and of course, the BKGR, but would rather that the butterfly's near-wing were parallel to the back of the camera. More importantly the butterfly itself if on the ratty side showing lots of wear on the far upper wing surface.

[Christopher Miller]

Gorgeous image, Ken! I love the bright colors of the flowers and BG. I also like how you left space to the left to include more of the flowers. Nice details on the butterfly, and the near wing falling a little OOF isn't a big issue for me. Well done! :)

[Vida van der Walt]

Beautiful image Ken. Excellent detail and lovely colours, bg. I am going to be different from the others as I would compose this with less space on the left even if it leaves you with a more squarish image. It is interesting to see how we all have a different preference.:)

[Ken Childs]

Thanks for all of your comments/suggestions.

It's definitely old and worn but IMHO, it's still beautiful and worth capturing. :)