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
After several years of frustration I found a new dragonfly pond. This one has its own frustrations with boulders and slopes that are difficult to plant a tripod on, and handholding with my heavy rig is getting harder every year. I need to learn the patience to sit and wait.
Feedback Requested
All comments welcome!
Technical Details
Camera: Canon EOS R5
Lens: RF100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM + EXTENDER RF2x
Focal length: 648mm
Shutter speed: 1/500s
Aperture: f/13
ISO: 800
Processing software: LR and PS.
Major adjustments: Global tonal tweaks in LR. Denoise in PS after stack. Crop from the sides.
Blending/stacking: About 10 frames in Zerene, DMap.
Other notes: Tripod.
Diane: Jaw dropping awesome IMO. We do have these guys around here but they are relatively uncommon. I have a great dragonfly haunt near me and got a few shots last year. I have stopped chasing and now I observe where they perch and set up and wait. I actually think that takes less time than chasing and I’m better prepared. I do envy your ability to capture stacking frames automatically and quickly. I’m coveting the new Sony but the $$$ make me wince. Oh well, it’s only money . Exceptionally good capture here. >=))>
Diane, you’ve got great colors and details here. As @Bill_Fach says, some dragonflies have a few favorite perches, so sitting and waiting is often fruitful.
Thanks, @Bill_Fach and @Mark_Seaver ! These guys are pretty common here. I do use the sit and wait strategy sometimes, but I’m always looking for a better spot to sit and wait.
Details and DOF look good. The stacking results are excellent too. What I do to increase the odds of getting a dragonfly to perch in an optimal fashion for photography is to provide them with a good perch in their territory. Then I sit and wait for the elusive critter. Awesome shot!
Congratulations on a great capture. I have tried to get a good photo for the past two years, so I appreciate your patience and technique. These guys don’t stay put very long, as you know!
Thanks, @Jim_Zablotny , @Shirley_Freeman and @joyce ! Jim, I often put out perches for birds, but never thought to try it for dragonflies! I think I’ll give it a try – the ones they choose are often not pretty.
. Exceptionally good capture here. >=))>