Cantharis (macro)

[alderse]

Hello,

This is two different cantharis.

#1


#2

[MarcusK]

Just for the record, I hate bugs.... had to say it sorry!

Ok... back to the photos:

Photo 1: The second leaf on "the right corner" is an extra that would have been much nicer were it not there! As for the colors... I like them, as well as the DoF....

Photo 2: It would have been nice to have a closer shot since it feels to me so full of expression.... Of course... it already is very expressive and I like it.... I am not so sure how it would have turned out with a closer shot.... And the white seems strong....

These are some nice photos... Tout mes respects!

Marc

[MB1]

Both of them have blown out highlights.

The first image has them on the head of the bug and the focus seems to be on the wings rather on the head. I'm thinking this one is a "close but not quite".

In the second one the blown highlights are in the plant so it isn't much of a problem. What is a problem is that the bug is smack dab center in the frame. I think you should crop from the left and the bottom to remove some of the plant and get the bug out of the dead center. I'll call this one "close but it works".

[GB1]

I think they are very close. The colors are good and I like the subjects, and the composition in # 2 is funny (looks like he's checking you out too!)

Macro photography is challenging because you have two things working against you: very little inherent DOF, and since you need to use a small aperture and slower shutter, even the slightly movement (by the subject or by you) causes blur. Wind causes havoc.

Probably could have used a deeper DOF in them. It seems that it was so narrow that it was near impossible to get it right. # 2 is better and seems like the bug is very close but the plant is just too soft for me personally.

Anyway - that green in the background is amazing, Imo.

GB

[Frog]

For me the softness in the plant of #2 helps to highlight the bug. If they were equally focused, I would be distracted by the plant.