Ox Eye Daisy

[Jonathan Ashton]

Canon 50D Canon 180mm macro & polariser mounted on monopod. ISO 400 -0.66 EV, 1/640 sec f8

This was taken in the first few hours of daylight, I saw this daisy and the silhouette of the fly, it looked attractive at the time. I have re-cropped to make the daisy less central but having made the image I am not too sure about the composition.

All comments welcome.

[Julie Kenward]

Very nice, Jonathon! The bug is a definite plus here! Love the backlighting and how you've overexposed it to keep the shadows from being too intense.

I think the comp is fine - you could maybe shave a bit off the left side or you could go vertical - either works. I suggest opening up the center of the flower just a little bit more so we can see more detail and maybe try selecting the insect and darkening him just a bit by pulling down the dark tone slider in levels. It might give him a little more emphasis.

What aperture and ss did you use?

[Jonathan Ashton]

Thanks for the feedback Julie - I will try your suggestions.:)

[Dave Leroy]

Interesting composition and I like the idea.

I also like the nice soft muted colours though out the photo.

[Ken Childs]

Jon, I like the backlit petals and the bug silhouette is a real bonus. As Jules mentioned, bringing up the center of the flower would help and if it were mine, I would take a lot off the left and a bit off the top and right. Close to a square but with a bit more on the vertical. If you have more canvas on the bottom, a taller vertical might look good.

[Jackie Schuknecht]

I might trying blending the green streak on the LHS, but otherwise I really like this image.

[Roman Kurywczak]

Hey Jonathan,
Very cool find and Ken's repost makes it shine even more. Perhaps a touch more space top and right.....but definitely direction to explore!

[Paul Lagasi]

I tried not to read any comments..so here goes..I really like the image, only thing I'd change/remove is the yellow area to the left of flower and the dark area in ULC...very nice with the insect on flower

[Mike Moats]

Hey Jonathan, very cool idea and love the critter shadow, have to say Ken repost really made this into a great image.

[Don Lacy]

Hi Jonathan, Love the backlit fly and Ken's repost.

[Mike Fuhr]

I really like this one, especially the repost. Way to go in not only seeing the bug but going for something a little different.:)

[OvidiuCavasdan]

Good eye on this! Very nice backlit and shadows, also the fly! Like it a lot! Ken's repost works wery well.

[Jonathan Ashton]

Thanks very much everyone for your comments and especially you Ken for taking the time to post a modification - much appreciated.