13-year cicada

[William Majoros]

99355
Aperture Value: 4.970854
Color Space: sRGB
Contrast: Normal
Custom Rendered: Normal process
Date Time Digitized: 2011:05:08 18:49:40
Date Time Original: 2011:05:08 18:49:40
Exif Version: 2.2.1
Exposure Bias Value: 0
Exposure Mode: Manual exposure
Exposure Program: Manual
Exposure Time: 1 / 300
Flash: Flash fired, compulsory flash mode
FNumber: 5.6
Focal Length: 50
Focal Plane Resolution Unit: inches
Focal Plane X Resolution: 3512.195
Focal Plane Y Resolution: 3521.739
ISO Speed Ratings: 1250
Max Aperture Value: 3
Metering Mode: Pattern
Pixel X Dimension: 648
Pixel Y Dimension: 763
Saturation: Normal
Scene Capture Type: Standard
Sharpness: 69
Shutter Speed Value: 8.228819
Sub-second Time: 00
Sub-second Time Digitized: 00
Sub-second Time Original: 00
White Balance: Auto white balance
Firmware: 1.2.5
Flash Compensation: 0
Image Number: 0
Lens Info: 50, 50, 0, 0
Lens Model: EF50mm f/2.5 Compact Macro
Serial Number: 557231

[Dave Leroy]

They almost look like a pretty bug, but I can only imagine what a nuisance they must be. Photo is nice and sharp where it needs to be and well exposed in tough conditions. It would be nice to not have the one prominent blade of grass as well as being able to see the full length of body.
I like the habitat aspect of the photo. It would seem to fit well with an outbreak or big cycle of these insects.

Dave

[John Storjohann]

Good morning William. Nice image...great color, I like the flow of lines created by the stems of grass...good sharpness and detail on the eye, head and wings...I find myself wishing for the rest of the wingtips in the URC, but that's personal preference. Like Dave, I would be tempted to evict that one blurred blade of grass that goes across the body just behind the head, but it's not a deal-breaker. Wonderful capture.

[Steve Maxson]

Hi William and welcome to the Macro forum! You have good sharpness within your DOF and the red eyes really stand out. Good job of getting the subject parallel to the sensor and I like the eye-level shooting angle. Like Dave and John, I would wish that the rest of the wings were included in the frame. I would suggest toning down the white on the grass stem that intersects the cicada's head as the whites are drawing my eye. You might use the brush tool to paint green over that area at about 10% opacity until you achieve results that you like. :S3: I hope to see more of your work.