I'm a Troll, Bowdy Roll

Image Critiques Macro/Close-up Critiques
1

I'm a Troll, Bowdy Roll.jpg
I'm a Troll, Bowdy Roll.jpg2000×1831 516 KB

Critique Style Requested: Standard

The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.

Description

Remember the Three Billy Goats Gruff song? No, I thought not. Anyway, it immediately sprang to mind when I saw this character on a recent stroll by our local river (a troll stroll?). It is of course really a caterpillar adopting a defensive pose which looks quite effective to me.

Specific Feedback

Yellows often tend to blur - did I get away with it here?

Technical Details

OM1 + 60mm macro 1/60 f13 ISO 400 diffused flash on camera

Treated in LR for contrast and tones, then Denoise; Highlights lowered in PS. Cropped.

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:
2 Likes
2

Mike, this definitely looks spikey…don’t mess with me… Your crop fits the view very well and the details stand out. (You’re right, I don’t remember the song…) I’d say you got the yellows just right, plus I like the lead-in and out its perch.

1 Like
3

This is such a cool caterpillar and its defensive posture looks great. I like the hairs, but the body looks a bit bright. When I’m shooting yellow subjects in the sun, I used underexpose by about 2/3 stop with a DSLR but now with mirrorless and the overexposure warnings available in the viewfinder I just pay close attention to those warnings and the histogram.

1 Like
4

Yike, this display should defend against EVERYthing !
Magnificent caterpillar in a great pose , nice plant, and tack-sharp detail.
The bright areas do seem a bit bright to me too.
Do you know what kinda 'pillar?

5

Mike, what a find and capture. I never saw a caterpillar that looked like this. He reminds me of a porcupine. I really like this.

6

That is one bright caterpillar that obviously is nobody to mess with with those spiny hairs Mike. The colors on the caterpillar are amazing. You handled the overall colors really well as far as I can tell. The greens look spot on, the white head and body are great, and those bright yellow spikes make for a great warning posture.

7

Thanks all, for kind comments. @SandyR-B, it’s a tussock moth, Calliteara pseudabietis. The adult has very hairy forelegs which make it look a bit like a puppy at rest. If you check out the genus on Wikipedia, there’s another weird one, the larva of Calliteara pudibunda, from Poland. Wonders never cease!

8

Mike: What a cool critter. Might be a tough swallow for a bird :nauseated_face: I’m OK with the colors and the subject carries the day. Well done. >=))>

9

Mike, no doubt at all in my mind that this would be the EP - an amazing shot of an incredible wonder of our world.
Congrats!

10

Thanks Sandy and Bill. And thank you for the EP.

11

Congrats on the EP! I thought the thumbnail was a thistle blossom or something and never managed a closer look. SO glad I did now because it’s both amazing and so very well captured and presented!!

12

Thanks, Diane!