Buckeye in Goldenrod

Image Critiques Weekly Challenge
1

Buckeye in Goldenrod.jpg
Buckeye in Goldenrod.jpg2000×1545 739 KB

Critique Style Requested: Standard

The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.

Description

There’s an Audubon sanctuary near my home in MD that is mostly maintained as grassland. It takes on a lovely golden hue in the fall when the Goldenrod blooms. Buckeye butterflies have a fall hatch so they also tend to be associated with fall. In this case, the Goldenrod was too dense from me to try and sneak up close for a macro shot, so I took a more environmental view, where the color difference lets the butterfly stand out even as I show off the Goldenrod.

Specific Feedback

Cropped to 8.5 x 11 to remove a Goldenrod free (dark green) area on the right and better fill the frame with gold.

Technical Details

R5, 180 mm macro, 1/1600 s, f/10, iso 800. There was a steady breeze so I needed to be sure to freeze any motion on a bright late summer afternoon.

Critique Template

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1 Like
2

Mark, an excellent environmental image. The Buckeye and the goldenrod both are sharp and don’t compete with each other. Placement in the frame is unusual and well-chosen.
Nice to have a out-of-the-box butterfly image!
Well-done.

3

Mark, can’t say I knew what type of butterfly this is but it is truly a stunning specimen in color and mosaic display. The foliage blur is no issue at all as it all looks like it would be in constant motion even in still air… :sunglasses:

4

Mark,
This is a really nice take on a Buckeye in their natural habitat as the goldenrod works really well. I keep hoping that Brookside Gardens will reopen the Flights of Fancy butterfly house. I think it has been closed for at least 3-4 years now. I miss the photography sessions they used to have. Anyway this is beautifully done.