Shootin' (Butter) Flies

[Coastal Flyer]

I went on a photo shoot today that offered many intersting things to shoot, but I thought the butterflies were the best.

CF

[polarbeardiggers]

gorgeous shots,so clear and well lit,fantastic job,.

[jbaldocchi]

Wow, nice captures. Where were you when you took these images? The second image looks like the saturation has been pushed a bit, I still like it though.

Jim B.

[Coastal Flyer]

Polarbear/jb:

Thanks very much for the comments. These shots were taken at a garden planted specifically to attract butterfiles and humminbirds. I didn't see a single hummingbird, however. The saturation was pushed in the second shot, I was just messing around with it in PS and rather liked how it came out.

Thanks again.

CF

[Frog]

Very nice butterfly shots! Color and dof is great.
How do you get them to stay still?
I can't see any pins.

[Coastal Flyer]

Frog,

Good laugh...pins. It was a pretty warm, lazy day here in southern California yesterday. They were pretty cooperative.

Thanks for the comments.

CF

[Loupey]

Nice shooting, CF. Great clarity and rendition.

1st image: looks like it could be an ornament or decoration. Would have been even better if the butterfly was facing us.

2nd image: lovely pose. The background is a bit distracting to me. As you know, just the slightest of position change can alter the background drastically.

[threelions usa]

i think that they are fantastic. we have a "tropical gardens" here in houston in the museum district and you have inspired me to go there and try my luck.

both are superb. difficult to get them to pose but i find that some ddt (yes i AM that old) works wonders. trouble then is that they are patas arriba !!

[Coastal Flyer]

Three Lions/Loupey:

Thanks very much both for your comments. I really appreciate the feedback and the kind words. I took over 100 shots to get just a couple that are relatively in focus and display the color, mouth, posture, etc. I thought the first image was pretty dramatic to show the terrific color of that butterfly. I have many of this same creature facing the camera but you loose so much of the impact of the color. As for the distracting background, I surely understand but hoped the color would add to the overall image.

Thanks again very much.

CF

[threelions usa]

no professional here, but i think that the background on # 2 shows the wings in contrast to something which perhaps if there wasn't one you couldn't see the incredible detail.

butterflies are absolutely wonderful and i am determined to try my luck here locally. have been there before purely as a "visitor."

oh now i remember they have fruit bats too..

friday week i think that's where i am headed. thanks for provoking images that i forgot i had.. and only about 20 minutes from me.

[LeeIs]

wow CF! Great and very vivid captures. I think the DOF also works really well here as it emphasizes the subjects very well. Great shots, especially the 2nd one!

[Coastal Flyer]

Leels/Threelions:

Thanks so very much for the comments and kinds words. These were taken on a monthly photo shoot; I had a great time.

Thanks again.

CF

[readingr]

Excellent - all else has already been said.

One thing - about #1 is the right part of the tail is missing, otherwise wonderful

Roger

[Coastal Flyer]

Roger,

Thanks very much for taking the time to comment. Regarding the missing tail, I noticed that also. I have gone back through other shots of this same butterfly and it is actually missing the very tip of its tail. I thought the pedal of the flower in this shot was covering it but in fact, it is truly missing.

Thanks again. I appreciate it very much.

CF