Cloudless Sulphur

[Allen Sparks]

Canon 40D, 300 f4 plus 1.4x teleconverter, monopod
ISO 400, f11, 1/800s

I liked the Green butterfly/red flower with dark background of this shot. Does the leaf cutting into the butterfly kill the shot though?

[Steve Maxson]

Good sharpness on the butterfly and I, too, like the dark (but not black) background here, Allen - it really sets off the pastels of the butterfly and the reds of the flower. The leaf in front of the butterfly does not bother me at all. Well done.

[Julie Kenward]

I agree with Steve's assessment - the BG really does set off the light green of the butterfly and the red flower is a beautiful shock of color. There's a partial OOF stem at the bottom of the frame that I might try to smooth away. I also wouldn't mind seeing the stem enter from the bottom of the frame instead of the side corner - giving it just a little more room on that left edge. Lovely image overall, Allen. Definitely another keeper!

[Ken Childs]

Allen, great detail on the butterfly!
While the leaf doesn't kill the shot, IMO I think having it in front on the butterfly and the one petal does detract from this otherwise very nice shot.

[Roman Kurywczak]

Hey Allen,
I'm with Ken on the leaves......but still a keeper!!!.....just would be that much stronger w/o it.....but overall.....very well done!

[Jonathan Ashton]

Wow it's a cracker! It would have been better if the leaf wasn't there but it doesn't really bother me, i suspect you could clone it and because the butterfly is a such a gem most people wouldn't notice!