# Focussed **URL:** \ **Category:** Image Critiques\ **Tags:** macro-close-up\ **Created:** [August 28, 2023, 6:58am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/focussed/36816 "2023-08-28T06:58:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Mike\_Friel](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/mike_friel/32/28003_2.png) [@Mike\_Friel](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Mike_Friel)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2023, 6:58am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/focussed/36816/1 "2023-08-28T06:58:00Z")
![DSC_6711.jpg](https://images.naturephotographers.network/original/3X/4/8/48ec24c560470ef0d6f6cd3db7182e172b60ddc0.jpeg) ![DSC_3852](https://images.naturephotographers.network/original/3X/b/2/b26ad3d110f6890f609eb9b847c49317f6702690.jpeg) > **Critique Style Requested:** _Standard_ > > The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image. ### Description The Pellucid Hawk Moth sucks nectar through its proboscis like a straw. Holding on to the flower with its front legs, it visits each disk floret in turn, while keeping its wings hovering all the time. Its beautiful - if slightly intimidating - eyes ensure full focus on the job. However, it sometimes fail to see a waiting praying mantis. Today the hummer in the second photo later lost a lot of its tail to a mantis, but luckily lived to see another day out. That tongue is also ideal for pollination, as it is so sticky. ### Specific Feedback The first shot (from 4 years ago) is hugely cropped, so is not as sharp or noise-free as I would like. For the second, taken today, I used a Helios vintage lens; the DOF could be better. All comments welcome. ### Technical Details 1: D7100 + 105mm macro 1/400 f13 ISO 640 Heavily cropped and run through both Topaz Denoise and Imagenomic Noiseware (which improved on Topaz’s job). Highlights and Curves in PS. 2: D500 + Helios 58mm f2 1/5000 ISO 5000 (f stop not recorded) Denoise, Shadows and Highlights, reduced Vibrance a little, Smart Sharpen - all in PS ---
**Author:** ![Dennis\_Plank](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/dennis_plank/32/27033_2.png) [@Dennis\_Plank](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Dennis_Plank)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2023, 1:46pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/focussed/36816/2 "2023-08-28T13:46:22Z")
Holy cats, Mike. You must have been within a few inches for that second shot! Both are really cool. Both are excellent images and it worked well to put them together. Very nice work. ---
**Author:** ![Steve\_Kennedy](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/steve_kennedy/32/55050_2.png) [@Steve\_Kennedy](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Steve_Kennedy)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2023, 2:54pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/focussed/36816/3 "2023-08-28T14:54:59Z")
Cool images Mike! The detail on the face and body are excellent, and the background works very well. The eyes are both intimidating and mesmerizing! Well done! ---
**Author:** ![Mark\_Seaver](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/mark_seaver/32/231_2.png) [@Mark\_Seaver](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Mark_Seaver)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2023, 3:16pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/focussed/36816/4 "2023-08-28T15:16:28Z")
Mike, that’s definitely an “in your face” look at this moth in post #1…boy does it look mad at your intrusion… The reflected glow on it’s abdomen from the flower is a neat extra. The noise looks fine to me. ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Freeman](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/shirley_freeman/32/11361_2.png) [@Shirley\_Freeman](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Shirley_Freeman)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2023, 4:16pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/focussed/36816/5 "2023-08-28T16:16:38Z")
Mike, that is an “in your face” look in that first shot. These guys are very fast and they don’t seem to like my company, so very impressive to get these shots. ---
**Author:** ![Bill\_Fach](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/bill_fach/32/78290_2.png) [@Bill\_Fach](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Bill_Fach)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2023, 6:10pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/focussed/36816/6 "2023-08-28T18:10:21Z")
Mike: Wonderful subject and spectacular captures. Most excellent in every way x 2. \>=))\> ---
**Author:** ![J\_Fritz\_Rumpf](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/j_fritz_rumpf/32/25805_2.png) [@J\_Fritz\_Rumpf](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/J_Fritz_Rumpf)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2023, 9:25pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/focussed/36816/7 "2023-08-28T21:25:55Z")
Fantastic images, Mike! ---
**Author:** ![Balan\_Vinod](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/b/e68b1a/32.png) [@Balan\_Vinod](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Balan_Vinod)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2023, 7:40am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/focussed/36816/8 "2023-09-10T07:40:25Z")
Thats an attitude look …beautiful work again from you Mike no nits Balan Vinod