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.
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.
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
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!!!
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.
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:)
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.