Dragon Hunt

Image Critiques
1

Original - Dragon-Hunt-76342A7r3-26.jpg
Original - Dragon-Hunt-76342A7r3-26.jpg2000×1500 1.21 MB

Critique Style: Standard

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

We’ve had very little dragonfly activity around our garden this season so I indulged myself with a dragonfly safari to the Lowe’s Water Gardens. There’s usually a number of different species zooming around among the lotus and water lilies. There are always Blue Dashers, which I’ll get to later, but this day there were a lot of Flame Skimmers cavorting around and this fellow persisted in coming back to this perch. I got a few shots of this variety last year but it was much more hit and miss. This time I was able to set up and pre-focus and just wait quietly for him to show up. Here the light, BG, pose and perch all came together. The deep shade was pretty uniform but I did take down some lighter areas even though the BG is not pure black. There was a mild breeze so no way for a stack but I wanted to get the head, thorax and tail all in the same focal plane. Just goes to prove that if you push a shutter button enough times one is sure to come out. >=))>

Feedback Requested

Are the OOF wings and the tiny bokeh balls too distracting? There was one big bokeh in a bad spot which the AI remove tool did a commendable job on.

Technical Details

Sony A7rIII
Sony FE 70-200 f2.8 GM-II, 2xTC @ 360mm, CPL
ISO 1600, 1/200 @f11

1 Like
2

Apart from the obvious outstanding features (focus, BG) I am drawn to the interesting view through the front right wing of its legs - I think this fully justifies the OOF wings. I’d be tempted to darken the pale patch in the BG on the right. Great catch, Bill, and I look forward to the Blue Dashers!

3

Bill, the sharpness of the body and head are outstanding. Like @Mike_Friel I’m having a good time seeing the legs and perch through the right wings. I think that the dark, oof balls are a valuable to the backgound.

4

Hi Bill, nice colors and sharpness on the dragonfly’s body which make the image for me outright. Background looks fine to me as well as the out of focus wings. Wondering if the dragon might be better a little to the left in the frame.

5

The wing bokeh are fine and I like how the body color stands out from the BG. I agree in that cropping off some from the LH side will strengthen the comp. A nice shot and send some of those flame skimmers my way :wink: …Jim

6

Hi Bill— I’m always amazed by this type of photograph given its detail and striking color. For this type of specimen a black background provides the deep reds and greens to be the hero details. What more can I say? Really a fantastic image!