The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.
Description
We keep stands of milkweed in different locations in our garden to attract Monarch butterflies. This year we went almost the entire summer without any action but now we have a large crop of caterpillars that are munching away. Caught this guy stripping a leaf among the seed pods. I thought the juxtaposed next generation butterfly and host plant made for an interesting scene.
Specific Feedback
It was a little breezy so I focused on the caterpillar and hoped for the best on the seeds which were being tossed around pretty severely. This was the best of the lot.
Technical Details
Sony A7rIII
Sony FE 70-200 f2.8 GM-II @ 173mm
ISO 400, 1/30 @ f11
Critique Template
Use of the template is optional, but it can help spark ideas.
Great detail on the seeds as well as the muncher, Bill; it really tells a tale about its life history. I might be tempted to burn one or two of the brighter patches in the BG, but all in all, it’s a very enjoyable shot.
Love this! I have a bunch of milkweed pods I saved to try my hand at tacking one day, when I’m brave, but nothing will match a shot like this.
Your usual exquisite detail and comp. I agree the left bright spots might be burned a bit.
Just excellent!
(Happy Thanksgiving!)
Hi Bill, I really like this photo! The colors and contrast are spot-on. Love the storytelling as well.
How do you achieve such a shallow DOF with f11? I don’t shoot macro much, is it just because you’re quite close to the subject at a longer focal length? I also shoot crop sensor so I guess that may play a role in my confusion.
Matthew: This is a full frame sensor so that does make a difference but at macro distances with long lenses the DOF is pretty shallow. I’m also using extension tubes with my zoom which doesn’t really have a direct impact on DOF except that the working distance is shorter. I started my macro journey with a 100mm lens but quickly graduated to a 200mm macro which was my go to lens for years. I used to hate using tubes on zooms because you have to refocus every time you change focal length but the AF systems are so good now and the manual focus features of this zoom lens so precise that I’ve almost retired the 200mm. After tens of thousands of shots it has earned its elder statesman status and still comes out for the really close stuff.
Oh, I love this image, Bill. I’m not even bothered by the brighter spots on the left, but darkening them down would probably improve this already excellent shot.
Bill, this is a fine look at this cat. and it’s food. The details in the seeds, the plant and the cat. look great. I do wonder about a bit of dodging on the cat. to let it get a bit more attention. The background looks fine and adds nicely to the story.
