Certainly is 'in your face' with the extreme close up and tight framing.
The detail on the eyes is fascinating, including what are probably tiny abrasions or scuffs.
Minimalistic color palette, pollen? on mandibles.
Great shot Don... beautifully exposed detail... I find that the crop is too tight for my liking... lovely single coloured bg... looks like the subject is not alive, as there seem to be a lot of dirt evident on the subject... otherwise great close up!
Hi Don. Excellent detail within your DOF (and more DOF than I might expect at only f/6.3 at this magnification ). The flash is nicely diffused and has created soft, rather dramatic lighting. If this was mine, I would probably try to clean up some of the miscellaneous bits of debris with careful use of the clone tool. Overall, this is very nicely done.
Well exposed and focused, I find the image very large in the screen and whilst it is impressive I would consider a slightly lower power mag may have conveyed the insect in a slightly more understandable way. Having said that if it is a close up you wanted well you certainly got it and did it very well indeed.