Dark paper wasp

[dan_beaudreau (Daniel Beaudreau)]

Critique Style Requested: Standard

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

Description

Followed this guy flying around the garden until he finally stopped for a few minutes to get some shots. He’s munching on some sort of larvae.
Dark Paper wasp on a coreopsis.

Specific Feedback

Is enough of the larva in focus as not to detract from the wasp?
I wish I had more space between tail and edge, would it be worth adding some in photoshop? Or does the focus trail off enough and maybe cropping out the tiny BG area would be better?
Any feedback appreciated, still practicing and learning!

Technical Details

Sony A7ii with Laowa 100mm 2x Macro handheld. Natural lighting. 4 shot focus stack. Obviously not enough shots to get every part in focus, but I think the head, most of thorax, and most of the larva are well in focus without zooming in close.

[Shirley_Freeman]

Daniel, I don’t think I have ever seen a Dark Paper Wasp here in NC. We have the Red Paper Wasp here, and I have had the chance to photograph them on occasion. I haven’t ever tried stacking, so kudos to you for accomplishing that HH on a moving target.

I think I am okay with the oof tail end being that close to the edge. I couldn’t tell what the wasp was eating on, so I am glad you provided that info. It would have been nice if that had been better in focus, but hey, macro is shallow on DOF. We get what we get. To me, the head and face is sharp, and that is what counts. I could see opening up the shadows on the lower part of his face and eyes. Otherwise, I think you nailed it pretty good.

[Allen_Sparks]

Hi Daniel, I think you got the focus right where it really mattered. I pretty much stay locked onto the wasp’s face and feeding behavior. The wasp contrasts nicely with the rest of the image. Well done.