Wasp mimic

[Ian Cassell]

I think it's a hoverfly -- Pseudodoros clavatus

Canon 7D
Canon 100mm f/2.8 Macro
Canon 430 EX + Diffuser

1/100sec f/10 ISO 500

[Steve Maxson]

Hi Ian. Yup - this is a fly - the single pair of wings, halteres (the vestigial second pair of wings), and head shape are definitive. Good sharpness and I like the diagonal comp. Nice job on the lighting too, as it doesn't have that "flashed" look.

[Dave Mills]

Hi Ian, agree with Steve's comments. The subject is sharp where it needs to be and the backround is blurred enough so not to be distracting. Well handled....

[Ken Childs]

Ian, I really like the shot but I think there are a couple of minor editing changes you could make that might bring this up a notch or 2. There's a sort of soft, dreamy look to this which is great for the BG but doesn't seem to fit the bug. Try selecting just the head, thorax and abdomen and boosting the contrast. Also a slice off the right would get the head away from the center of the image and closer to a ROT position.

I just checked on BugGuide and your ID looks spot on. I didn't know there were predatory hoverflies. :)

[Ian Cassell]

Thanks Dave and Ken. I'll try that contrast adjustment and crop and see how they look.

Yes, I spent some time on BugGuide and figured it out and then posted it there and it was confirmed. I had never seen one of these before. I guess I'll leave them in my garden :)

[Julie Kenward]

Very cool image, Ian! Gosh, Ken nailed my critique. Although I like the almost "HDR" look to the insect it does make him appear less "real." I'd give it a boost and see if you can't get it to look more natural. I also like his crop suggestions. Nice even BG - good diagonals...a very strong image overall.

[Ian Cassell]

OK .... I tried those suggestions. I added some contrast to the bug and cropped to bring his head more to ROT territory. Thoughts?

[Julie Kenward]

Very nice, Ian! That really works well.

[Ken Childs]

Lookin' good! :cheers:

[Ian Cassell]

Thanks :)

[Roman Kurywczak]

Hey Ian,
Home for the day before heading out.....just wnated to say....great job following the excellent suggestions and the repost was definitely the way to go!