Butterfly

This butterfly was not placed there. This is where it landed and stayed for about 20 minutes. I wish it would have been in better shape though. Cant decide on which white balance I prefer. Would look great with all the background replaced with black, but not sure if I have the time to do that.

The top WB is much better looking. Amazing shot!

Miraculous. The full color shot is much better. You have such huge butterflies. Was it sick or is the child very sweet?

Great shot! I like the first version better - looks more natural

The warmer one is certainly too saturated. Even the first one is a bit warm. Nice catch. Amazing how these guys sometimes land and stick around. - G

Love the first one best! That is one big butterfly and its condition isn't a hindrance to my eyes. How did the baby react or did it just not notice?.
Enter it in a contest!

All other butterfly pictures no longer count!.....:)

The first and a great image, you might get a few $$ from a Company for adds; with that.

After looking at the photo many times and comparing it to the not altered one I definitely agree that the first one it best. I will post another that I just had printed for wallets that has a little more pp work done. Although not as much as I would like. I have been told to enter it into contests, but don't really know where to look!!

This photo was taken at our state fair (one of the largest in the states) Texas is the biggest. They have a butterfly house where you can go in for $3 a person and they have a hundred or so of different butterflies so this wasn't exactly a chance occasion, although the fact that it landed there and opened it's wings were pretty amazing!!! I don't think she had a clue that it was there. The most amazing thing I think is that the butterfly didn't move until I physically moved it.

two more with more pp work.

The last one is definitly the sharpest. I do think you would like it if you warmed her skin a bit more.
Try the National Geographic one.

Great shot! amazing. I like the last one you posted as far as the colour goes.

the national geographic one as far as I know had a deadline of June 30 2009. Also, do you feel it is safe to submit photos to a web based contest without a stamp/watermark??

Also for a contest do you suggest removing the vignetting??

Okay, I will give this thread a break for the night. I think this is my final image (minus copyright) that I will print for the family. What do you think??

cool photo
beautyfull child:)

Great shot, I definitely think this last version is the winner, Jeff

Beautiful photograph, Shawn. I like the last version best. The only thing that irks me a bit is the halo around the child. Was that something from the background?
Not a big deal though and it seems to add something perhaps.
The whole moment was right and you caught it well. I think the vignette is fine.
Nice work.

The halo is indeed something that was in the background. We can't seem to figure out what it is though. Maybe someones blonde hair, not really sure.

Shawn,

First, congratulations on such a wondeful photograph. Absolutely worth the time you have dedicated to finding just the right color, feel, texture. Second, and because of all this, congratulations on the sticky. I think a no doubter.

My choice of all exposures is the very first if viewing from the top down.

Congratulations, again.

David

Thanks for all the wonderful comments. Makes me feel as if I know what I am doing. But honestly have learned most of what I know from this great site. With enough practice I will someday be able to make most of my shots this awesome. Helps to have such a beautiful daughter!!

Sorry I am late - but congratulations on such a wonderful photo. It has that WOW factor.

Roger R.