Halloween Pennant with Saturated Background

[Paul Guris]

I've been shifting to some dragonfly and damselfly photography, and it's been interesting. I took this photo of a Halloween Pennant this summer. I personally really like the light as it seems very different, but then I think it may be oversaturated so I'm here for opinions. Thanks in advance.

Nikon D5300, Nikkor 80-400mm f4.5/f5.6G ED VR
f/11, 1/500, ISO 800, 400mm (600mm effective ... though perhaps not due to lens breathing that close to the subject)

[Warren Spreng]

I think it looks great, but I am new to this site. My focus has been astrophotography, so from a framing and color aspect I would give this high marks and the details are excellent. I live on a pond and have counted 12 different varieties of dragonflies on it and can't wait until summer to try my hand at shooting these beauties as well!

[Diane Miller]

This is gorgeous! I've never seen one like it out here in the wild west.

Normally I'd feel that a BG this saturated and bright overpowers the subject, but the colors are so different that I think you can get away with it. Nonetheless, if it were me, I probably wouldn't go this far.

The sharpness and details re wonderful. You wouldn't be able to get enough DOF to get the wingtips sharp at this magnification, but if a dragonfly will sit still for a few seconds I've had some luck with focus stacking, using a quick manual override to try to catch both wingtips. (Easiest on a tripod.)

[Miguel Palaviccini]

Looking at the tech specs, you did everything right. Stopped down to f/11 to get a nice d.o.f. and nailed the focus on the head -with the tail in the same focal plane.

I love the greens here, although I do think that the reds are a bit too saturated. I might bring those down just a tad to see what it looks like. As you mentioned though, the light here is gorgeous.

[Edward Arthur]

I'm very familiar with these guys and have spent many hours stalking them and their cousins around my local pond. This is a wonderful shot, great light, sharpness, etc., as has been said. Maybe desaturate the BG somewhat and take the reds down a smidge? But your call.

[Paul Guris]

Thanks all for the comments. Here's a version that's a bit desaturated, especially the reds.