What changed: I looked through the images I took with a bright background and found one that had better detail in the wings. I also modified the processing to try to retain fine detail. Here’s what I came up with. This was all of two images later.
Added after receiving feedback from the community.
Original Version
Repost of Dark Version: Thanks to @Don_Peters for the suggested method and @Kris_Smith for the idea of modifying the mask.
The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.
Description
My wife spotted this critter on the outside of the kitchen window yesterday afternoon. Given the off and on torrential rain, I shot it from the inside through two layers of glass. The first used the sky as background and I took it to white in processing. The second used the distant Douglas Firs as background and I took it to black, though I couldn’t figure out ow to make the clear areas of the wings go black.
Specific Feedback
Which one appeals to you the most (if either). If you can, please elucidate. If anyone knows of a technique for taking the interior of those wings black, please let me know.
Technical Details
Sony A7Rv, FE 70-200 f/4 Macro (0.5 magnification) @ 200 mm, f/10, 1/125, iso 3200, handheld for both images. Both are pretty significant crops with a final size around 3000x3750 pixels. Noise reduction with Dxo PureRaw 5, processed in LR & PS CC.
Hi Dennis! Both images are very good, with good detain and lighting. My choice is the black background as it really makes the details pop. There are some details that aren’t easily seen in the white image, like the individual hairs on the ends of the wings. The leg structures also show better with the black background. Sorry I can’t help you with the black through the wings. It’s interesting seeing the lacewing from the underside. Not the normal perspective.
Well, you know me. You say which one, I say diptych. I do like both, and without the black to compare, I would not have missed the detail. I like the springy, white, linens on the line feel of the white version. But the details in the black version give it an edge. I don’t think making the clear areas of the wings go totally black would add to this, just my opinion. I like seeing the black through the “filter” of the wings.
I agree with the choice of the black version, and with Marylynne’s comment on the question of blackening the see-through areas of the wings. Even if you could blacken those areas, I think the result might look pretty unnatural, as there is diaphanous membrane (?) stretched between all the struts, and my eye likes to see this. You probably have reflected light from indoors on the membranes, which would be lost in a full black version. Anyway, out of interest, I expect someone will fill you in on how to fill it in!
Dennis, both shots are very cool. I also prefer the black one. As for making the interior of the wings black, I took it to Lightroom and went into masking. I selected luminance range and clicked on a dark area of the interior. It selected the interior perfectly and I darkened the area to taste. Whether it’s an improvement is a different question. I think I prefer your version.
Dennis: @Don_Peters beat me to the punch on dealing with the black within the wings. One thing that I found fascinating was that at the normal viewing size I preferred the dark version like the others but when I enlarged them to full size the fine details in the high key version were more visible and I liked its consistency. Don’s adjustment evens the choice for me now. Great job of taking advantage of the opportunity. >=))>
Oooh this is so striking! My husband does the same thing if he sees something I’d probably like to photograph. Great to have that kind of understanding with one’s spouse.
About the masking, I think Don is on the right track, but it looks a little heavy with the selection in the bug’s body - you could subtract that from the mask with a brush or with object selection, and see if that improves things. Years ago I nearly went out of my mind trying to do something similar with dragonfly wings.
Thanks, @Marylynne_Diggs@Mike_Friel@Bill_Fach@Steve_Kennedy@Kris_Smith. And a special thanks to @Don_Peters for the idea on the wings. I probably will leave some indication of the membrane, but I’ll experiment with the technique. Now that Don has come up with the idea, masking out the body and legs, a luminosity mask in PS might do the trick as well.
Dennis, I also like the black best, but would be thrilled to have captured either of them. It is an unusual (to me) looking critter but you did a fine job shooting through 2 layers of glass. Well done!
Both BG versions are nice, but black provides better viewing of the subject. Darkening the cells of the wings works well and it is best to not darken them as much as the BG. The wings’ membrane is close to, but not as transparent as glass. This one was a fun one to examine. Well done…Jim
