Male Blue Dasher

[Jim Bridges]

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The Exif should be in the photo but for those who don't use a reader. Made with my D80, Nikkor AF 75-300/4.5-5.6 with a Kenko 20 mm extension tube, ISO 100, spot meter, manual exp., 300 mm 1/200@5.6, AF single, Gitzo 1227 CF BH-3 ballhead. Post Processed with Capture NX2 software. I did a little cropping (I already think it needs a little more room on the left) USM and some noise reduction.



http://www.texasphotoforum.com/forum/attachments/macro/131883d1280064267-blue-dasher-dragon-flies-bd-3.jpg
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[Roman Kurywczak]

Hey Jim,
Welcome to the forum! Well....your self assesment for more room on the left is right on! Tight on the wing even for me! I might go a bit tighter on the top to the center of the w...and try to keep that leaf edge in on the left if you have it too! You may want to try to push the camera in the future....ISO 200-400....just to get more DOF or SS on a windy day. Add the space back in....and you've got a nice one!

[Allen Sparks]

I like the pose of the Dasher and focus is on the critical point even though more DOF would be nice. Agree on upping the ISO and aperture to help with that. Also agree on adding more space to the left. Nice first post.

[Jim Bridges]

Hey Jim,
Welcome to the forum! Well....your self assesment for more room on the left is right on! Tight on the wing even for me! I might go a bit tighter on the top to the center of the w...and try to keep that leaf edge in on the left if you have it too! You may want to try to push the camera in the future....ISO 200-400....just to get more DOF or SS on a windy day. Add the space back in....and you've got a nice one!


I like the pose of the Dasher and focus is on the critical point even though more DOF would be nice. Agree on upping the ISO and aperture to help with that. Also agree on adding more space to the left. Nice first post.

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[Julie Kenward]

Jim, I think it's an outstanding first post! Good for you for coming out of the shadows and getting into the thick of it. You will be surprised how much you can learn from seeing your images through the eyes of others. It can be both humbling and exciting at the same time!

I totally agree with more room on the left and, yes, going a bit higher on the ISO is also a nice way to add a bit more DOF. I really like the position of the leaf in the frame and the fact that the weight of the image is in the bottom third. Very nice eye you have. Now keep them coming! Check out some of the older posts by Ken Childs, Allen Sparks, Don Lacy, etc. and you'll see their secrets for getting excellent results with insects.