The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.
Description
It’s very hard to catch these guys, flitting around so skittishly.
This one cooperated for a second
Specific Feedback
all comments welcome
Technical Details
Sony A1
AF eye tracking
28-200 @ 200
Date Taken: 2024-06-20 11:30:36
Exposure Time: 1/2500 sec
F Number: f/20
ISO Speed Ratings: ISO 5000
Exposure Program: Manual
Metering Mode: Center weighted average
Critique Template
Use of the template is optional, but it can help spark ideas.
Sandy, you are so right, these little guys don’t like their photo taken. They are skittish, and then trying to get them parallel to the lens so all is sharp is another challenge I find. I think you did very well. F20 seemed to do the trick, and the BG was far enough away to be oof nicely. I’m wondering if a little was cropped off the right side and maybe the bottom as well it would improve this very fine image. Just a thought. Well done as is in my book.
This seems to be a great example of knowing one’s gear well - that you’d get good DOF in the subject and still have the background soft because it was so far off. I don’t know that many new photographers would be so confident. It speaks to your long experience. These guys are super flitty and tough to grab so congrats on your reflexes as well. I don’t mind the cropping, but wish the leaf wasn’t there. What can you do? They don’t take direction at all! Did you sit and wait for it or hunt and follow?
Excellent image, Sandy. That’s a handy lens for walking around photography and it worked very well for this image. The leaf doesn’t bother me at all since it has the same texture and about the same tonality as the buds. The background is excellent.
Kris - My son’s patch of milkweed in Trinity Center, Ca was FULL of every kind of bug, bee, and butterfly when we were there recently. I do HUNT, though - walking around following and trying to catch things, sometimes for hours if it is not 106. I have not been able to train them well to come to me, yet.
Still hopeful
Sandy, this is a good look at this Hairstreak. Having the frame filled with subtly coordinating colors adds nicely to the view. On the East coast, this butterfly tends to hang out up in the canopy, only coming to nectar occasionally and when spooked, they return to the canopy. They also can be hard to spot and photograph because when they are nectaring, they move slowly, but constantly around the flowers.
Sandy: Having played tag a number of times with these little guys I appreciate your persistence. Really nice perch and a wonderful BG. Top notch shot. >=))>
Lycaenids in general are tough subjects and its difficult to get them entirely in focus. Good shot and the butterfly is sharp with good details. BG is perfect for this subject. I wonder if you could bump up the microcontrast to further enhance the textures in the image. Not a nit, as this picture is very good as presented…Jim
Have been traveling and missed this. It’s a great capture and I’m just wondering if you’ve noticed whether the AF eye tracking improves your capture rate/quality. Well done!
Hi, Mke - the A 1’s tracking ability for eyes (animal, human, birds) is exceptional., and has absolutely improved my capture rate.
The new Sony A7 whatever-it-is, is supposed to be even a bit better, but at the price of far fewer megapixels. That negates it for me and birds.
I wouldn’t trade the A1 for anything in existence. I think it has been rated first in class consistently since it came out a few years ago, and has the lion’s share, by far, of the market, over Canon and Nikon.
Having said that, of course it’s the photographer behind ANY camera that makes the most difference.
