The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.
Description
This is one of my first stacked macro shots. I took the stack handheld and then stacked in Helicon Focus. Lastly, edited in lightroom and photoshop.
Specific Feedback
I’m unsure of the crop factor in this, and the color correction I did. For example, I don’t usually saturate colors too much, but it seemed to look good in this shot, so I cranked up both vibrance and saturation. I don’t know if it ended up looking too unrealistic though.
Technical Details
Camera is a Sony A7IV
Lense is a Sony G 90mm f2.8
Flash is Godox V1
Diffuser is AK Diffuser
Taken at ISO 100, f5.6, stack of 179 images (believe it or not )
Critique Template
Use of the template is optional, but it can help spark ideas.
Daniel, first of all I would like to welcome you to NPN. This is an in your face shot of this beetle. I’m not familiar with the Jewel Beetle so I am not sure about the colors to answer your question. I haven’t got into stacking yet, but your sure were very fortunate for him to stay still for you to get 179 images to stack, let alone handheld! I find most insects don’t stay still for me very long and I know for me I couldn’t trust my hand holding the camera, so kudos to you for this accomplishment.
Hi, Daniel, and welcome to NPN. So good to see a new macro shooter! This is a great stack - I love how the beetle emerges from that dark BG. The only suggestion I’d make would be to widen the crop to include more of the second pair of legs; but only if they are well-lit. Otherwise leave as is. It would also be interesting to know a little bit about you, something you can add at any time.
Shirley, thank you so much!! Handheld stacks are definitely tedious, especially with a moving subject. The dirty secret is here that the beetle was dead I found it near a trail and placed it on a leaf, so I could’ve made the stack 500 images without my subject moving haha.
Mike, thanks for the great suggestions! I think a wider crop would look great, I’ll try that.
And yes! I’m a fairly new wildlife photographer based out of Honduras, Central America. I’m 28 years old and, like many here, have a passion for wildlife and conservation. I’m really glad to be in the community!
Welcome to NPN, Daniel. This is an awesome first post. It is much easier to work with a dead subject. I do like the way it faces away into black and I agree with Mike’s comment that a wider frame would work better. Even though it was dead, it’s always nice to create the illusion that the subject has some room to move around. I’m curious about how you managed to tweak the focus in such small increments, especially hand held? Or is this critter bigger than it looks?
Daniel: I’m a little late to the party but this is a marvelous post regardless of it being your first. The only downside I see is that you have set a high bar for yourself! This is probably a testament to the precision of Helicon to find the sharp areas and discard the rest but the skill involved in the capture is considerable. Great to have you aboard and looking forward to more of you work and for your comments on other Member’s images. >=))>
Bill, thank you so much for the feedback! Looking forward to diving more deeply into the community and participating in other members’ posts. Cheers!
Dennis, I appreciate the feedback! I ended up placing the subject on a leaf close to the ground, so wind wouldn’t move it around as much, and sitting next to it, with my arms on my lap to stabilize the camera further. I would then “push” into my lap in very small increments, and would usually take 2 shots per increment, to be sure I had everything in focus. Super unorthodox, but worked in this ocassion!
Excellent stack of this beautiful beetle Daniel. The colors look great to me. We get the lime green and silver lined jewel beetles in SE Arizona on our summer trips. I agree with just a bit more room on the sides, but this is great detail and really powerful up so close.
Welcome aboard. Dead beetle photography can produce excellent results because you do not have worry about the insect moving away. Stack and lighting look great and hope to see more photos from you in the near future…Jim
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