This photograph was taken new years eve day at Natural Bridges State Beach near Santa Cruz CA at their Monarch Butterfly Refuge using TMX400, a Canonet GIII at 1/30 at about f/2, intentionally allowing the more important natural species to be crisply in focus. I love this photo but my main complaint are the pentagonal highlights in the background caused by the five bladed aperture of the camera...the only major flaw in an otherwise "perfect" camera! Another attempt in "street photography" of total strangers.

-- Todd Frederick (fredrick@hotcity.com), January 21, 2001

Answers

I like everything in the photograph that is at the photographer's head and below. Everything above her seems a bit extra. The focus onto the butterfly works very well. I never thought I'd notice the number of aperture blades in the out-of-focus point light sources like I do with this photograph, but the "Chrysler" shape just kills me -- too prominent. Pointing downward here might have made a more successful photograph. Just love that butterfly, though.

-- Tony Rowlett (rowlett@alaska.net), January 28, 2001.