The photographer is looking for thoughtful feedback on the image as a whole, especially around the areas noted below.
Feedback Focus: Artistic + Technical
About This Image
These dragonflies (which get their name from the broad wings and flying style) have been very difficult to find this year in super-hot Korea. I finally came across this one at the arboretum yesterday. Fortunately, it was resting on a leaf with the shadow of a boardwalk in the BG, which set off the insect quite well.
Feedback Requested
I set exposure compensation at -1.3 as the subject was in very bright sun and I had no filter to hand. I also reduced subject brightness in post-processing . Was this the best approach?
Mike: A strikingly beautiful critter made more so by the way you’ve captured it. Love the bold colors and the details in the wings and body. I think your capture and processing choices were very effective. Superbly crafted image.>=))>
Mike, this is a beauty. The blue and magenta tones in the wings show very well, as do the vein details. Getting a black background lets the DF and it’s perch stand out. I’ve shot small critters in the sun against deep shade and used an approach just like yours…you need the negative EV to compensate for the camera wanting to use all of the black to give you a mid-grey result. Years ago, some camera’s came with a built in spot meter. With those cameras, you could meter the subject and ignore all of the darkness.
You were able to get this guy lined up perfectly for an excellent bout of focusing. Body of the dragonfly are nice and sharp and the colors of the wings make the shot a success. The dark BG complements the comp very well. I like this as presented…Jim
