# Little Blue Damselfly **URL:** \ **Category:** Image Critiques\ **Tags:** editors-pick, macro-close-up\ **Created:** [June 22, 2022, 1:41am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/little-blue-damselfly/28768 "2022-06-22T01:41:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Jim\_Zablotny](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/jim_zablotny/32/3919_2.png) [@Jim\_Zablotny](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Jim_Zablotny)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2022, 1:41am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/little-blue-damselfly/28768/1 "2022-06-22T01:41:14Z")
![Damselfly1](https://images.naturephotographers.network/original/3X/a/8/a8c4d004d54fb07e04bface6f10c317ac74be541.jpeg) ### Description: A rainy, breezy morning forced me to stay local and the Duck Pond was hopping with lots of bug activity in dense grass. With heavy cloud cover, I used my flash set in Balanced Light TTL at -2ev bounced off a Rogue Flash Bender. The wind created some bounce in the subjects and trying to get a focus lock was a tough task. But we prevailed and this one turned out tack sharp with some fantastic color. ### Specific Feedback Requested: D850 200mm f4 Micro + flash (1/640 sec at f13, ISO 800) Topaz DeNoise AI, Levels, Shadows & Highlights, Brightness & Contrast, Crop for Comp. Damselfly is around 1.25 inches in length. ### Pertinent technical details or techniques: Is this a composite? (focus stacks or exposure blends are _not_ considered composites) ###### If you would like your image to be eligible for a feature on the NPN Instagram (@NaturePhotoNet), add the tag β€˜ig’ and leave your Instagram username below. ---
**Author:** ![David\_Johnston](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/david_johnston/32/50516_2.png) [@David\_Johnston](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/David_Johnston)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2022, 10:12am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/little-blue-damselfly/28768/2 "2022-06-22T10:12:18Z")
As someone who doesn’t really excel in the macro world, this is great! Clean obvious subject, the composition is put together nicely, and the features are really sharp. If I were to get really picky, the back legs and wing are a little soft which can be fixed with some focus stacking, but I know that it can be nearly impossible to do focus stacking with a subject like this. The emotional response I had was very calming. Greens tend to calm the emotions and I feel that coming through in this photo. ---
**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:** [June 22, 2022, 2:51pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/little-blue-damselfly/28768/3 "2022-06-22T14:51:25Z")
A real beauty, Jim. You did an outstanding job in the wind. That BG is really complimentary for the blues in the Damselfly, while picking up the green in his eyes. So glad you went to the Duck Pond and had the patience to keep shooting till you got this. The lighting is very good. ---
**Author:** ![Allen\_Sparks](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/allen_sparks/32/63507_2.png) [@Allen\_Sparks](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Allen_Sparks)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2022, 3:37am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/little-blue-damselfly/28768/4 "2022-06-27T03:37:18Z")
Very nicely done Jim. Sharpness is great as well as the color. Nice background too. Are those mites on the damselfly? ---
**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:** [June 28, 2022, 2:57pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/little-blue-damselfly/28768/5 "2022-06-28T14:57:38Z")
Jim: As one who finds the challenges of single capture the most satisfying aspect of photography I really like this. I also appreciate how our advanced technology makes that capture easier and more efficient. Exceptionally well done. πŸ‘ πŸ‘\>=))\> ---
**Author:** ![Diane\_Miller](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/diane_miller/32/27391_2.png) [@Diane\_Miller](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Diane_Miller)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2022, 2:53pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/little-blue-damselfly/28768/6 "2022-06-29T14:53:40Z")
I missed this earlier – so well deserving of the EP!! Fantastic detail with perfect DOF, perch and BG – persistence rewarded!