# Blue Dasher **URL:** \ **Category:** Image Critiques\ **Tags:** macro-close-up\ **Created:** [June 7, 2023, 1:53pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/blue-dasher/35483 "2023-06-07T13:53:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**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:** [June 7, 2023, 1:53pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/blue-dasher/35483/1 "2023-06-07T13:53:47Z")
![_49A7656-Edit.jpg](https://images.naturephotographers.network/original/3X/b/4/b479a526d5fcf04cfe1cf72151bd8e72a031d883.jpeg) > **Critique Style Requested:** _Standard_ > > The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image. ### Description Another from last week’s visit to a nearby pond. It was a slow day, with mostly tiny Damselflies, but this guy finally posed. ### Specific Feedback All comments welcome! ### Technical Details ![Screen Shot 2023-06-07 at 6.50.03 AM](https://images.naturephotographers.network/original/3X/e/3/e375480c077dda6a9ce0b90e3835686d31660f1c.png) Highlights and green saturation down a bit in LR, about a 50% crop. Into PS for Topaz Denoise. I had been handholding before this, for Damselflies, but don’t remember if I had gone back to the tripod for this one. Maybe not, judging from the ISO and SS. ---
**Author:** ![Paul\_Breitkreuz](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/paul_breitkreuz/32/400_2.png) [@Paul\_Breitkreuz](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Paul_Breitkreuz)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2023, 2:48pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/blue-dasher/35483/2 "2023-06-07T14:48:36Z")
Diane, a wonderful closeup take on this flying pond traveler. The overall detail is excellent, with the smaller wing details being super… 🕶 ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Freeman](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/shirley_freeman/32/11361_2.png) [@Shirley\_Freeman](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Shirley_Freeman)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2023, 2:52pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/blue-dasher/35483/3 "2023-06-07T14:52:02Z")
A fine look at the DF, Diane. Sharp throughout. I thought a first I didn’t like the two stalks but the more I look at it, the more I kind of like it. They fill the space on the left where you are giving him room to move, and it is a part of his environment. It looks like his perch is about to break from under him, so that adds to the image as well, I think. We are starting to see some DFs here, but not many. Hoping to see them on the creek while we are at the camper. Maybe I can get a shot. ---
**Author:** ![Jens\_Ober](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/jens_ober/32/52374_2.png) [@Jens\_Ober](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Jens_Ober)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2023, 3:57pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/blue-dasher/35483/4 "2023-06-07T15:57:11Z")
Hi Diane, wow, that looks great. I love the details on the wings. Maybe I would darken the perch a bit. I haven’t caught any Damselflies at rest yet. But that’s the next level when I’m done with my bees on the terrace. 🤣 May I ask what experience you have had with the extender? Are you satisfied? I have heard that some people do not like to use them. ---
**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:** [June 7, 2023, 4:21pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/blue-dasher/35483/5 "2023-06-07T16:21:06Z")
Thanks, @Paul_Breitkreuz, @Shirley_Freeman and @Jens_Ober! Jens, I LOVE the extenders on this lens! In the past they were better with prime lenses than with zooms but that has improved, undoubtedly more with some lenses than others. I find either extender is excellent on this lens, and it just about lives with the 2X on it. There is a little more CA with it than without, around very bright areas, but that’s a small price to pay for 1000mm with 3 ft close focus! With full-frame bodies I rarely have the reach I want. If there is any softening it is not noticeable enough to be an issue for me. Microscopic. Either extender physically limits the lower zoom range to the 300mm position, but 600-1000mm keeps me very happy. ---
**Author:** ![Allen\_Sparks](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/allen_sparks/32/63507_2.png) [@Allen\_Sparks](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Allen_Sparks)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2023, 12:40am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/blue-dasher/35483/6 "2023-06-09T00:40:34Z")
Nice capture Diane. I like seeing the top of the thorax with the wing attachments and this shows that area off well. Fine details throughout. I like the broken perch top too. I wonder if there is a western and eastern subspecies of Blue Dashers as yours look rather different from mine especially in the wings. ---
**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:** [June 9, 2023, 12:47am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/blue-dasher/35483/7 "2023-06-09T00:47:46Z")
Excellent details and the light blue areas on the dragonfly have wonderful texture. The blue color is due to a waxy coating on the abdomen in mature males. I always like to have more of the face in view, but I like the touch of yellow at the base of the abdomen along with the details present on the thorax to make this a very good presentation. I am neutral about the OOF vegetation. Maybe more simplicity in the BG, but I understand that some fill provides added interest in the photo…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:** [June 9, 2023, 2:41am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/blue-dasher/35483/8 "2023-06-09T02:41:14Z")
Thanks, @Allen_Sparks and @Jim_Zablotny! I have a lot of keepers of Blue Dashers (they are common here). Showing more of the face is nice but after a while the ones I want to keep need to have some different interest. I liked the pose there that placed the near wings and abdomen in the same plane and I liked the reeds because so often there are so many in the frame that they are more of a distraction than a help. These gave a slightly different balance to the image. I do think I should darken the top of the perch a bit.