Critique Style Requested: Standard
The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.
Description
Costa Rica Rainforest.; They also are in Colombia.
It’s SO frustrating to me that CR and other places have such vibrant birds and insects, while ours in the US are usually much more drab.
A number of these little critters were flitting about, and I was torn between shooting the birds or the butterflies.
The difference between butterflies and skippers:
Butterflies have thread-like antennae that are thickened or knobbed at the end. Skippers have thread-like, knobbed antennae as well, but the knobs are tipped with distinct hooks.
Specific Feedback
comments welcome
There was a big red OOF flower at the lower edge that added some nice colour, but in the end, I elected to remove it to focus on this stunning skipper. These skippers are almost fluorescent; I was lucky to catch some of that here.
Technical Details
Sony A1
90 mm 2.8 macro
Software: DxO PureRAW 5 + PS 2025
Exposure Time: 1/320
ISO Speed Ratings: ISO 200
Exposure Program: Aperture priority
Metering Mode: Multi-segment
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
Flash: No flash
This is NOT over-saturated - they are exactly this stunning colour
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1 Like
Sandy. This image lit up my Lap Top. I don’t understand how you shot it or edit. BUT WOW !!! No Words. Really Cool. !!!
@Gill_Vanderlip
Thank you!
Here are MY basics :
- Find a butterfly and watch it for a bit to see it’s pattern of flight and if it lands regularly on any one flower. I’m not adverse to using a spray bottle of diluted organic honey water to entice them sometimes.
- . Set your F stop, SS, and ISO for the conditions (FAST SS, 2.8 aperture, ISO as per your highlights, “blinkies” or whatever your camera uses ) - it’s always changing
- wait..wait..wait…wait. Be Still if possible! wait some more..
- Take as many shots as is practical
- Cull all those shots to the best 5 or so (for me)
- Start to Edit - I run it through DxO Pure Raw first. Be sure to keep the original unchanged
- In PS, I use “select subject” to isolate the subject and then adjust colours only for the subject IF needed
- I often brighten only the “selected” subject to make it pop a little
- Invert the “subject” so you have now selected only the BG
- . I often darken the BG only - just a little so the shades don’t change much. Adjust BG colours if needed
- Clean up any junk you don’t want
- Crop - if you haven’t cropped earlier. Try several crops
- Leave it alone for awhile . Come back with fresh eyes and take another look. I almost always find something I missed. Look at every square inch on the monitor.
- If you’re happy, save the original, the final copy, and re-size it for NPN
- Post
3 Likes
Thanks for the tips and information. I’m really reading and listening to everyone and how they do photography. It’s like playing guitar. You see someone play this idea really cool idea and you have to learn it. Then use it someway in your playing. That’s how I do photography. How can I use someone’s ideas and skills to help my image. To complete my vision. And keep it all No Rules. It brings out the creativity in our Art.
Thanks again. I’m thinking of changing some techniques and see what happens.
Peace to our Planet. 
Hi Sandy. What a good catch! Most of the skippers in my neighborhood are pretty drab, so it’s great to see an eye-catching species.
I might mention one small point. Formerly, skippers were placed in their own “superfamily.” Now they have been placed in the same superfamily as most butterflies (Papillionoidea).
@Gill_Vanderlip
Gil, if you’d share what camera you use, there woud be more specific tips re settings. There is surely someone else here with the same camera that could pipe up.
Sandy: OW!!! I hurt my jaw on the table top viewing this. Major nirvana for the color junkie that I am. The contrast between the bright colors and the soft presentation is very pleasing. Most excellent in every way.>=))>
A beautiful Skipper and that perch is just plain awesome for the critter. Very well photographed and processed, Sandy.
I use the Nikon D7500. Really like this camera. Easy to use in getting to the ISO settings. F stops and manual focus.
I edit real simple in Photoshop. I love the old film look. A little noise doesn’t bother me. Edward Weston is the guy that shook my world. His images and lifestyle. His vision. Never perfect but honest. And keep it fun. Look forward to hearing comments and reply’s.
Peace to our Planet.
Wow, Sandy, he is just beautiful. Yes, I am sure from what I have seen photographically, Costa Rica and places like that have more colorful butterflies and bees. I have never seen one this colorful and beautiful. His perch is perfect for him, and that smoot BG just makes it an excellent image.
I can’t add anything to the response on this incredible image of this wonderful little butterfly Sandy. Nice job on the perch, the colors, the details, it is hitting on all cylinders for me.
Incredibly vibrant colors, Sandy. I like the creamy OOF background as well. Interesting idea to entice them with some honey water.
Sandy ..how better can that be …that bg vs the subject …out of a fine art painting …
Balan Vinod
Oh yes! You brought out the best in this butterfly, Sandy - I love how the leaf emerges from the right BG. No-brainer EP if ever there was one.
@Bill_Fach @Mike_Friel @Allen_Brooks @russ_carpenter @Dennis_Plank @Shirley_Freeman @Balan_Vinod @Ed_Williams @Gill_Vanderlip
Thanks, everyone, for the kind comments and - Bill - thank you for the EP.
These should be called NEON butterflies
1 Like
