# I Can't Believe . **URL:** \ **Category:** Image Critiques\ **Tags:** macro-close-up\ **Created:** [September 23, 2025, 8:43pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/i-cant-believe/48214 "2025-09-23T20:43:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**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:** [September 23, 2025, 8:43pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/i-cant-believe/48214/1 "2025-09-23T20:43:22Z")
![Cant-Believe-55597A7r3-25.jpg](https://images.naturephotographers.network/original/3X/e/4/e4afe438f288569fad45eca9ef692bd83a3f3321.jpeg) ![Cant-Believe-4172A77-25.jpg](https://images.naturephotographers.network/original/3X/1/5/1547295823409d208abfe7b198fdc93e01d45a0b.jpeg) > **Critique Style Requested:** _Standard_ > > The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image. ### Description **. . . I Ate the Whole Thing!** This must be grasshopper week. On my routine garden patrol this morning I spotted this guy on the same hibiscus I shot yesterday. If this is the same hopper he did get bigger after his meal! \>=))\> ### Specific Feedback Wanted a general environmental shot and a tighter portrait without cropping. Any issues with shadows from the light? ### Technical Details **Image 1** Sony A7rIII Sony FE 70-200 f2.8 GM-II, 2xTC @ 318 mm ISO 400, 1/5 @ f16 - Tried a stack as he seemed to be perfectly still but apparently there was some slight movement and every blending mode rendered pretty bad results. **Image 2** Sony A77 Minolta 200mm macro ISO 400, 1/4 @ f22 Both images with a shoe mounted CLAR LED light. * * * ### Critique Template Use of the template is optional, but it can help spark ideas. Vision and Purpose: Conceptual: Emotional Impact and Mood: Composition: Balance and Visual Weight: Depth and Dimension: Color: Lighting: Processing: Technical: ---
**Author:** ![Russell\_Carpenter](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/russell_carpenter/32/77777_2.png) [@Russell\_Carpenter](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Russell_Carpenter)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2025, 3:26pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/i-cant-believe/48214/2 "2025-09-24T15:26:49Z")
Hi Bill, Wow, this is a beaut. The subtle and nuanced portrait of the grasshopper is really intriguing. And overall, the lighting of this image is a knockout. ---
**Author:** ![Gill\_Vanderlip](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/gill_vanderlip/32/54254_2.png) [@Gill\_Vanderlip](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Gill_Vanderlip)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2025, 6:14pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/i-cant-believe/48214/3 "2025-09-24T18:14:18Z")
WOW !!! You captured this guy perfectly. I really like both images. So Sharp. Amazing detail. Well Done Bill !!! ---
**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:** [September 24, 2025, 8:40pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/i-cant-believe/48214/4 "2025-09-24T20:40:14Z")
Bill, you really got the details in him. I love the pose on the flower. Excellent lighting as well. ---
**Author:** ![Dean\_Salman](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/dean_salman/32/13291_2.png) [@Dean\_Salman](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Dean_Salman)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2025, 1:14am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/i-cant-believe/48214/5 "2025-09-25T01:14:37Z")
I love the details and great contrast with this photo image. The lighting looks great. It’s perfect without any changes ---
**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:** [October 1, 2025, 11:28am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/i-cant-believe/48214/6 "2025-10-01T11:28:56Z")
I told you the hibiscus was done for! I like the first photo very much, all sharp, nice composition and smooth BG. The second could be sharper in the lower half - perhaps because you were closer, or else at a slightly less suitable angle. Also the BG intrudes a little bit. It’s always interesting to see how a different amount (or type) of light affects color, and these two shots illustrate that well. ---
**Author:** ![Kris\_Smith](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/kris_smith/32/59826_2.png) [@Kris\_Smith](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Kris_Smith)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2025, 12:56pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/i-cant-believe/48214/7 "2025-10-01T12:56:57Z")
The use of the LED panel brought out some great sheen on the exoskeleton - nice. I hardly ever see high gloss finish on these guys. Stands out really well. Wonder about removing the dark leaf to the left of the leg joint and the light one going from the flower to the edge. Oh and maybe toning down the blue highlight on the leaf just under the thorax. Other than that this shot has snap and presence and I like the behavior, too. ---
**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:** [October 1, 2025, 4:24pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/i-cant-believe/48214/8 "2025-10-01T16:24:02Z")
Bill, you’ve got amazing detail in both of these and both look very good. I slightly prefer #2 because of how it emphasizes the head, eyes and antennae.