Well, I’m not sure if they were so happy, as I’d just transferred them from a secluded spot beside the light trap to these attractive Gaillardias. After posing they moved to safer spots in the garden. They are both Clanis bilineata, two-lined velvet hawkmoths.
Specific Feedback Requested
I’m not sure if using both Topaz Denoise and Topaz Sharpen causes any problems, but I can’t spot any here. When using both plug-ins, I dialed down the sharpening and noise reduction respectively, using one at the start and one at the end of post-processing.
Technical Details
Is this a composite: No
D500 + 105mm macro lens f20 1/200 ISO 1000
After ACR, applied Topaz Denoise, then selected the two moths and applied a little Highlight reduction and adjusted Curves slightly in PS. Finished with Topaz Sharpen.
That’s a really neat idea to get them on matching flowers! Really neat looking moths! Are they about 6 inches wingspan? I looked them up and that’s about what I found! Really nice studio portrait!
Very accommodating moths you’ve got there, Mike. I rarely get anything with wings to hold still for a second. The symmetrical composition fit well with the flowers and the moths. I also don’t see any issues with your processing, even when I zoom in, it looks good on my monitor. Great idea and nicely done.
Nice capture of these twins, Mike - flowers AND moths. I don’t see any irregularities from using the Topaz products. BTW, Gaillardia is the state flower of Oklahoma. Here, it’s usually called ‘Indian Blanket Flower’.
I didn’t know that, Terry - but then I live 24 hours from Tulsa (by plane)! I guess the bright colours are used in the making of blankets. Interesting info. Thanks for your comments.
Thanks, Bill. With the larger hawk-moths, I encourage them gently onto a stick and move them to a suitable site for the photo. Then I make sure they are left in a safe secluded spot after the shot.
