The photographer is looking for thoughtful feedback on the image as a whole, especially around the areas noted below.
Feedback Focus: Artistic / Expressive
About This Image
I spent an afternoon along the Kalamazoo River which was devastated by a major oil spill a few years ago. After environmental remediation and cleaning, the river is starting to get back some of its wildlife. This female ebony jewelwing provided a nice pose and some fill flash brought out details in the dark body and wings. Luckily, the wind was slight and I welcomed the clouds which provided diffused, natural light.
Feedback Requested
The original comp featured more of the grass up to its apex and I felt that the damselfly needed to be more emphasized in the photo. How do you like this crop?
Jim: I like your crop decisions and I like this image. I especially like the separation of the wings from the body. Seems like any time I shoot damsels the wings are up against the body. Nice find and a superb capture and use of flash. >=))>
Jim, I like your choice of close crop. It’s all about the insect. We see enough of the BG and perch to add interesting contrast and angles. No need for change imo. And the orange “epaulettes” are striking. Very good shot.
I think the composition works very well, Jim. That beauty deserves to be pretty large in the frame and the tip of the grass blade is implied in the composition and not really needed. Excellent work.
However long you had to wait for this geometry was worth it. I love the angles and lines as well as how the flash lets us see that dash of bright color. I photographed a bunch of them from the kayak recently and noticed how much more still the females are since they don’t have to charge around after rivals.
