Butterfly - head on.

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Shot under controlled conditions - in a butterfly aviary.



-- Pete Dickson (dickson.pn@pg.com), August 24, 1998

Answers

I so wish that the wings were held up more. The red leaf and the green background are very nicely constrasted, but it needs a bit more of the butterfly's wings IMO to make this a compelling shot of a butterfly. I'm so drawn to the red leaf.

-- Paul Lenson (lenson@pci.on.ca), August 24, 1998.

Wonderful colours and sharpness. I'd like to know what kind of film, and even more importantly, what kind of scanner you used. The detail on the butterfly's left wing (our right) is amazing. I especially like the highlight on the leading edge of the wings.

I agree that I'd like to see more of the butterfly itself. As it is, there's too much that's competing for attention.

-- Steve Leroux (steve@bigadventures.com), August 24, 1998.


I actually like the view angle, it's different from the usual profile shots. The antennae look really look like something Martian. The position of the wings and the front view make it look like a glider or plane ready to take off. The depth of field is commendable, especially the decision to keep the red leaf sharp and have the back of the wings slightly fuzzy, nice effect.

That being said about the butterfly itself, the composition of the butterfly within the frame isn't particularly inspiring. Some room to fly would be nice...

-- Andrew Y. Kim (andy_roo@mit.edu), August 25, 1998.


I suggest that you don't pay much attention to earlier criticisms. It is a superb image and I can't think of any way to improve it. I am curious as to the technical details. What focal length lens? What aperture? Was it by available light or flash?

-- Ed Erkes (EdErkes555@aol.com), August 25, 1998.

I also think that this is a *superb* image. Composition, depth of field, etc. and the didtinctive appeal of a good picture. Perhaps you might call it "A Butterfly and a Leaf".

-- Jana Mullerova (jam@terma.com), August 26, 1998.


Pete, This picture has vivid and saturated colors and is well exposed. The diagonal composition of the butterfly wings are nicely positioned.It has clean and graphic lines and is well composed. The only minor drawback I thought was its overall impact. The picture comes across as a little bit too rigid, the feel that one normally does not associate with the light, colorful and weightless butterfly that glides through the wind. Good luck.

-- Bahman Farzad (bahman_farzad@mindspring.com), August 26, 1998.

I love the perspective and the flat wings. It's like looking eye to eye with the butterfly. Excellent photo!

-- (andreas@physio.unr.edu), August 27, 1998.

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