Canon 50D Canon 180mm macro tripod & Mongoose head, ISO 320-0.33 1/320 sec f11
I am sorry to say I have not ID'd the caterpillar yet but my guess it is a moth of some description. I found it feeding on the seed head of a sedge, I snapped the sedge and mounted it in a clip which was mounted on a very small lightweight tripod, this enabled me to have some flexibility in positioning the subject. After photographing I replaced the sedge with the caterpillar none the worse for wear.
All C & C welcome.
Hi Jonathan. Looks like you had a very cooperative subject. I like your description of how you set up the photo in the field. The caterpillar is giving you a nice pose, you have good overall sharpness, and I like the diagonal comp and clean background. I think the image would be even stronger if the brightest areas of the plant were toned down a little. In the field, use of a diffusion screen would likely accomplish this - if you run out of hands, you could use something like a "plamp" to hold it in place. Just something for you to consider next time you're in the field. Overall, this is very well done.
Thanks for the C&C everyone, I appreciate your taking time.
Steve - yes the number of times I have intended to buy some white curtain net material or a diffuser - it doesn't bare thinking about. I did paint over some of the highlights with green to tone them down a bit.
wonderful composition and BG Jonathan! I agree that the highlights on the stem compete a bit with the caterpillar. Can't help you with the species ID, though. There are many microlepidoptera and moths that feed on sedges and rushes (I believe this is a rush, not a sedge).