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Thread: Common Blue - Polyommatus icarus

  1. #1
    Macro and Flora Moderator Jonathan Ashton's Avatar
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    Default Common Blue - Polyommatus icarus

    Attached Images Attached Images
     
    Camera Model Canon EOS 7D
    Monopod
    Firmware Firmware Version 1.2.1
    Shooting Mode Aperture-Priority AE
    Tv( Shutter Speed ) 1/320
    Av( Aperture Value ) 11.0
    Metering Mode Evaluative Metering
    Exposure Compensation -1/3
    ISO Speed 400
    Auto ISO Speed OFF
    Lens EF180mm f/3.5L Macro USM
    Image Quality RAW
    Flash Type External E-TTL
    E-TTL II flash metering Evaluative flash metering
    Flash Exposure Compensation -1 2/3
    Shutter curtain sync Hi-speed
    FE lock OFF
    White Balance Mode Auto
    AF Mode AI Servo AF
    AF area select mode Manual selection

    I had a small time space to get a few images, the weather was breezy but there was 30 min sunshine before yet more rain. The tripod was not practicable to day so I went for the monopod which is better than nothing. I think the image is acceptable but there is a loss of detail in the left wing and antennae where I was unable to get good focus partly due to my movement and to that of the butterfly.
    As ever you comments will be much appreciated.
    Last edited by Jonathan Ashton; 08-04-2010 at 05:24 AM.

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    Jon, with a little extra editing you should be able to take this up a another notch. Selectively sharpen those outer fringes on the forewings, the outer area of the left forewing and the antennae and it may not be perfect, but I think it will look better. Maybe also increase the contrast on the antennae. I think I'd also crop a small slice of the left side.

  3. #3
    Matthew Pugh
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    Hi

    I think you have controlled both lighting and DOF issues nicely for this open winged veiw, I doubt that the slight fall off in sharpness upon some of those little areas was movement related, assuming this is full framed, I suspect this is just a normal DOF issue. And one that is highly difficult to overcome since these lovely little fellows hardly ever present a truely parallaled look regardless of how it appears in the image.

    Overall this is indeed a fine shot, perhaps a little central in compositional terms - but lovely none the less

    All the best
    Matthew

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    I have never seen one of these butterflies in my area. The color and detail on the wings are fabulous...it seems to be glowing against the background.

  5. #5
    Roman Kurywczak
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    Hey Jonathan,
    Well....I like tight crops.....but this works just fine for me as presented. I do like Kens tweak ideas.....will be final touches to an absolutely lovely image!!!

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    BPN Member Steve Maxson's Avatar
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    I'm envious, Jonathan - I've never had any luck photographing these little guys. I like the pose, your diagonal comp, and the background. Ken has some good suggestions - I would agree with taking a little off the left. I would also agree with Matthew, that the loss of sharpness in the left wing is likely a DOF issue. Overall, well done.

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    Hi Jonathan, amazing colors and details on this Blue! I'm curious how Ken's suggestions work out.

  8. #8
    Macro and Flora Moderator Jonathan Ashton's Avatar
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    Thanks for the feedback the OOF is due to DOF which arises from the butterfly moving in the breeze along with the fact that I could not keep still enough at this angle. At this aperture I am sure there was sufficient DOF if I only I could have got the camera and butterfly in the correct/same plane - but not to be.
    Ken I will try your suggestions but in my experience if something is not focussed you cannot make it focussed/appear focussed, sometimes it can look a little better but it will not really up to the mark:)

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    As I said, it's not perfect but IMO, it does look better.

  10. #10
    Julie Kenward
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    Beautiful colors and super sharp in areas. I was bothered by the left forewing when I first opened the image but I see why you had some falloff there. It is centrally located but, by putting it on a diagonal, you did a wonderful job of making it interesting to look at. I think your crop is spot on.

  11. #11
    Macro and Flora Moderator Jonathan Ashton's Avatar
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    Thanks for the repost Ken, I agree it is better.

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