Results 1 to 13 of 13

Thread: Dragonfly larva

  1. #1
    Macro and Flora Moderator Jonathan Ashton's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Location
    Cheshire UK
    Posts
    17,016
    Threads
    2,604
    Thank You Posts

    Default Dragonfly larva

    Attached Images Attached Images
     
    Tripod Canon 1DX Canon 180mm macro ISO 800-1.33 1/100 sec f16
    The point of main interest here is that the larva is shedding it's outer skin, a process that may occur 7 times prior to emergence as an adult dragonfly. If you look at the tail end you will see where the old outer shell is being shed.
    This shot posed something of a dilemma. This is conventional incident light the larva is in a small holding tank that I use for dark ground. The water is "clean" but clearly it isn't if you get my drift. I made a very loose mask and feathered it and cleaned up the peripheral background. (I was having trouble tethering my flashes so that is why this is not dark ground illumination).
    All C&C welcome - the more critical the better! Don't worry I won't be offended.
    Last edited by Jonathan Ashton; 06-24-2014 at 02:42 PM.

  2. #2
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Russellville, Arkansas
    Posts
    5,189
    Threads
    674
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    The translucent effect you achieve gives a unique view to these critters. It does look like this is happening in a tiny dust storm but there is no way to eliminate all those specks without running into the fine hairs. How did it look before the mask? Maybe having the entire bkgd with the scattered bits of stuff would actually appear more uniform, and natural enough, without that imaginary line of demarcation you created. Or you still could use the clone stamp over all the little specks that don't run into the fine hairs. It might not take too long.

  3. #3
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Oct 2013
    Location
    Wyre Forest Worcestershire
    Posts
    4,096
    Threads
    557
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Jon
    In Paint Shop pro there is a "de speckle "tool for taking spots out. Itis infinately adjustable . Its very useful.
    get Paint Shop Pro !!
    Cheers
    John.
    Ps Sorry its called salt and pepper. Small brush coneing is the answer if you have the time .
    Last edited by John Robinson; 06-24-2014 at 06:19 PM.

  4. #4
    Macro and Flora Moderator Jonathan Ashton's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Location
    Cheshire UK
    Posts
    17,016
    Threads
    2,604
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    There are a several ways to clean this image up but the question is how clean. If it is completely clean it is unnatural, in my opinion. I did versions where I completely cleaned it and also where I cleaned up most just leaving a few fine bits round the hairs/spines. If you look carefully though some of the fine "hairs" are algae that are attached so I think it is important not to remove them.
    I made a mask using differing techniques e.g. in Photoshop:- Q then B and then painted away as finely or broadly as required. Alternatively I used the Quick Selection or the Pen Tool, to clean the background I used the Eyedropper Tool followed by the Brush Tool, the Spot Healing Brush is also useful.
    The question really is do you think the image is acceptable or should it be cleaned further. My take is that the detritus is not overwhelming the subject, I have left it in the immediate vicinity but removed it more peripherally so the eye is not drawn away. So does this alter your perception is it a "good image" or a "poor messy" image?

  5. #5
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Oct 2013
    Location
    Wyre Forest Worcestershire
    Posts
    4,096
    Threads
    557
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Good question Jon which can't really be answered.
    Its really up to you. This is an intereting one because you have all the detritus in an area around the subject. May be a few bits elsewhere might make it more "natural". the other thing is - whats the pic for???
    For a book etc -take em all out !!
    John

  6. #6
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Location
    Memphis, TN
    Posts
    1,873
    Threads
    320
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Hi Jon, As Nancy mentions the translucent effect here gives a wonderful view of the subject. I'd be interested to see the image without all the cleaning. I think that may be my favorite as a more natural view. A very fine image either way.

    Allen

  7. #7
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Russellville, Arkansas
    Posts
    5,189
    Threads
    674
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    How about a "partial cleaning", for a natural, not too messy look?

  8. #8
    Publisher Arthur Morris's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    Indian Lake Estates, FL
    Posts
    32,506
    Threads
    1,433
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    I love everything about this one esp. the lead-grey background color. Only I want to see it larger. I am guessing that you need that 1-5X macro lens...
    BIRDS AS ART Blog: great info and lessons, lots of images with our legendary BAA educational Captions; we will not sell you junk. 30+ years of long lens experience/e-mail with gear questions.

    BIRDS AS ART Online Store: we will not sell you junk. 35 years of long lens experience. Please e-mail with gear questions.

    Check out the new SONY e-Guide and videos that I did with Patrick Sparkman here. Ten percent discount for BPN members,

    E-mail me at samandmayasgrandpa@att.net.










  9. #9
    Macro and Flora Moderator Jonathan Ashton's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Location
    Cheshire UK
    Posts
    17,016
    Threads
    2,604
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Thanks again everyone, Artie I could have gone closer but I wasn't too confident with the balance of the tripod and you know what it's like when the camera is new!

  10. #10
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Location
    Santa Rosa, CA
    Posts
    9,587
    Threads
    401
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    I love the sharpness and detail in the larva, and I think the idea of this sort of cleaning away from the larva is good, but I can see the border where you left the debris. Better the transition is not so sharp. Put a hue-sat adjustment layer on top and rack up the sat to see it clearly. Part of the issue is the subtle color shift, where the cleaner BG has lost a subtle greenish tone and has less noise.

  11. #11
    Macro and Flora Moderator Jonathan Ashton's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Location
    Cheshire UK
    Posts
    17,016
    Threads
    2,604
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Diane Miller View Post
    I love the sharpness and detail in the larva, and I think the idea of this sort of cleaning away from the larva is good, but I can see the border where you left the debris. Better the transition is not so sharp. Put a hue-sat adjustment layer on top and rack up the sat to see it clearly. Part of the issue is the subtle color shift, where the cleaner BG has lost a subtle greenish tone and has less noise.
    What would you suggest - greater feathering and somehow introduce a slight green hue to the periphery. I need to exploit this image - it could prove of great importance for me.

  12. #12
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Location
    Santa Rosa, CA
    Posts
    9,587
    Threads
    401
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Yes, I'd feather it more and let the debris fall off more gradually. You can spot touch lager or more bothersome ones with the Spot Healing brush, it's a breeze. If the transition is gradual enough, matching colors may not be necessary, as the difference in color and texture could be a vignette, but check it with a hue-sat adjustment layer to better see what you have.

    It's an image well worth it, I think.

  13. #13
    Macro and Flora Moderator Jonathan Ashton's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Location
    Cheshire UK
    Posts
    17,016
    Threads
    2,604
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Thank you Diane I will have a go.

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
Web Analytics