Butterflies for a Composition and Perspective Discussion

[Lava Lamp]

Two recent threads touch on overdone subjects and maybe presenting them different ways. I though I'd post some shots I took this week and see which ones you like best and whay and how you would improve them. We might get some interesting discussion.

Here's the first one. This, to me, is an unimaginitive documentary shot. I'm pleased to get it if I don't have one already, and my top objective is shaprness and clarity.

(All shots D&0 with Tamron 90mm macro and Tamron SP 1.4 teleconverter.)

[Lava Lamp]

Here's #2. With this one, the presentation isn't so dead-on, but it may be more confusing (or perhaps more interesting) to the viewer.

This is a gulf fritillary, by the way.

[Lava Lamp]

Here's #3. This one is harder to get and much less common to see - it's almost like a different butterfly, isn't it?

[Lava Lamp]

Here's #4. He/She's almost upside down and we see less of the "flying flower" aspect of butterflies and more of their "insectness:.

[Trevor Ash]

I think you've setup more of a challenge than you realize. If I understand correctly, you're trying to test the idea of common versus unique compositions to see which type people tend to prefer. But the reason why the test you setup is tough for me is because while the compoisitons are all different, so is the lighting and other qualities of each photograph. For example, some could use some pretty good cropping to make things more effective to me.

What I'm going to chose is what I believe to be the best overall photogaph (based heavily on the lighting btw). Just understand that I am unable to choose the best "butterfly" composition because there's more to composition than just the position and angle of butterfly. As example; in the third photo there's no reason why you coudln't have put the butterfly higher or lower in the frame.....or shot it horizontally instead of vertically. I hope I've made clear the problem I have with the poll.

I'm casting my vote now

I chose #2 as my favorite because the lighting is beautiful and the subject stands out.

The lighting in the first and third photos is pretty bad in my opinion. The subject is in the shade and really isn't standing out like I think it should.....not because of composition so much as the lighting. I'd say the only thing that makes these two photos work is the good composition and technical asthetics of them.

The balance in the fourth photo is just "off". It looks "wrong" to me...whatever that means It looks like the butterfly is going to fall backwards. Unique composition? Yes. Pleasing to me? No.