# American snout flyby Updated **URL:** \ **Category:** Image Critiques\ **Tags:** macro-close-up\ **Created:** [October 16, 2026, 5:02pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/american-snout-flyby-updated/52607 "2026-10-16T17:02:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Dean\_Salman](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/dean_salman/32/13291_2.png) [@Dean\_Salman](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Dean_Salman)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2026, 5:02pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/american-snout-flyby-updated/52607/1 "2026-10-16T17:02:24Z")
![american-snot-kitt-8629-Edit-2-Edit-Edit](https://images.naturephotographers.network/original/3X/0/8/085a7d850dce70f3617aad1ad91626e143efd2a5.jpeg) ![Original - american-snot-kitt-8629-Edit-2-Edit.jpg](https://images.naturephotographers.network/original/3X/e/2/e2f938297321ab73fe543bb1a5935ff0521f1c4d.jpeg) **Critique Style:** Standard The photographer is looking for thoughtful feedback on the image as a whole, especially around the areas noted below. **Feedback Focus:** Technical Help ### About This Image This October in southern Arizona we have a ton of these butterflies around this year. I spent some time at the base of Kitt Peak Observatory for a few hours. Lighting was high clouds around 2pm local time. ### Feedback Requested I took out some in focus dead flowers in the LLC. Should the background be a little darker. ### Technical Details Camera: Canon r5 ii Lens: RF 200-800mm Focal length: 500 Shutter speed: 1/3200 Aperture: f/8 ISO: 500 Flash: no ---
**Author:** ![Allen\_Brooks](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/allen_brooks/32/390_2.png) [@Allen\_Brooks](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Allen_Brooks)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2026, 8:18pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/american-snout-flyby-updated/52607/2 "2026-10-16T20:18:12Z")
This is a very striking image, Dean, with both the flower and butterfly showing excellent detail. I could see decreasing the clarity of the BG, warming it up a bit, and making it darker. Maybe remove the elements in the LRC? Great job and patience to get such an image. ---
**Author:** ![Huw\_Thomas](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/huw_thomas/32/87850_2.png) [@Huw\_Thomas](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Huw_Thomas)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2026, 10:41pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/american-snout-flyby-updated/52607/3 "2026-10-16T22:41:10Z")
Lovely image Dean I have darkened the background and removed some distractions in the LLQ I think it is an improvement? obviously its what you think that matters. ![american-snot-kitt-8629-Edit-2-Edit](https://images.naturephotographers.network/original/3X/a/2/a2207dea50b8f5068179ee9cadf8d2a18af224a4.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![Mike\_Friel](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/mike_friel/32/28003_2.png) [@Mike\_Friel](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Mike_Friel)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2026, 12:16am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/american-snout-flyby-updated/52607/4 "2026-10-17T00:16:05Z")
This is a great catch of the snout butterfly, showing off that snout to perfection. I love the sharpness of both flower and in-flight butterfly, not easy to achieve. I agree the BG could be darkened a little bit, at least at the far left, but for my taste most of the BG is fine. The shot is improved with the LRC stuff removed. Well taken! ---
**Author:** ![Dean\_Salman](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/dean_salman/32/13291_2.png) [@Dean\_Salman](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Dean_Salman)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2026, 2:54am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/american-snout-flyby-updated/52607/5 "2026-10-17T02:54:06Z")
Thanks for the feedback, @Mike_Friel , @Allen_Brooks , @Huw_Thomas they were helpful. ---
**Author:** ![Jim\_Zablotny](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/jim_zablotny/32/3919_2.png) [@Jim\_Zablotny](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Jim_Zablotny)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2026, 3:30pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/american-snout-flyby-updated/52607/6 "2026-10-17T15:30:12Z")
A very nice capture with the subject and flower in focus. The slightly darkened BG version has more pop and shows of the snout-bearing subject better. Nice shot…Jim ---
**Author:** ![Diane\_Miller](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/diane_miller/32/27391_2.png) [@Diane\_Miller](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Diane_Miller)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2026, 6:22pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/american-snout-flyby-updated/52607/7 "2026-10-17T18:22:15Z")
Excellent catch – wonderful sharp and detailed subject and flower! I prefer the brighter BG behind the butterfly but do like the removal of the stuff in the LR. You could have it both ways by layering on the newer version and masking it off with an approximate diagonal from LL to UR, only reaching up to about the middle of the flower. ---
**Author:** ![Bill\_Fach](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/bill_fach/32/78290_2.png) [@Bill\_Fach](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Bill_Fach)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2026, 3:54am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/american-snout-flyby-updated/52607/8 "2026-10-18T03:54:41Z")
Dean: I’m late to this party but glad I arrived. Spectacular capture, especially getting subject and flower in the focal plane at f8. I do like the revision which made an already fine image even better. Many kudos.\>=))\>