The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.
Description
Cephonodes hylas is often the most approachable of our humming hawkmoths. Yesterday this one let me get very close as it was totally focused on the zinnia. They usually rest their front legs like this while feeding, to save some of the energy needed to keep that long body balanced. You can see from its proboscis that it will play its part in pollination.
Specific Feedback
The background was busy and bright so I did my best to tame it. Did I do enough?
Technical Details
OM1 + 60mm macro 1/6400 f11 ISO 6400
Tonalities in LR, Denoise, further tonal treatment in PS. Then back to LR for lowering Highlights and Contrast on the BG with the Adjustment Brush. In PS, selected moth and flower, inverted and applied a Field Blur to the BG. Final Smart Sharpen in PS, and small crop.
Critique Template
Use of the template is optional, but it can help spark ideas.
What a gorgeous capture!! Stellar focus and detail, and I see what you mean about pollination! The work on the BG looks good but I wonder if the color could be bent a little, which can be better than (or can augment) desaturation – maybe away from cyan to start with. I like to go for something analogous to the subject more than complementary, and here it is complementary to the flower petals.. Had to give it a quick play. Did Select > Subject, Inverse and Selective Color. Went to Yellows and took the sliders a little toward red, magenta and blue. I think now I could have played with a little darkening, too. Just a quick idea, FWIW.
I think you did a fine job on the background, Mike. Detail in the moth is excellent as is the action. If you want to play with the background tones, I’d suggest masking out the yellow center of the flower, the stem and just the body of the moth so you get the right tones through the transparent wings.
Mike - this is really exceptional! Great flower, exquisite detail, perfect angle.
The BG is quite bright and might be toned down, though
Diane’s edit seems “off” to me, and unnatural - an odd colour, from here., and the area through the wings betrays the editing.
Maybe something else will work to tone down the yellows.
Stunning!
Thanks so much @Dennis_Plank@Diane_Miller@Sandy_Richards-Brown . Diane, I agree the BG needs those changes. So following Dennis’s advice about selection, I’ve altered the BG color with the color sliders, plus a very small reduction in exposure and brightness. I think the color is more complementary and less distracting now.
Mike: Your refinements elevated an already spectacular capture to a higher level yet. What a marvelous critter on a wonderful perch. Most excellent. >=))>
Mike, great catch on this Moth. I’m amazed by the detail in it’s eye…definitely eye catching… Your extra work on the background adds well to the “sunny day” feeling.
Your extra work on the background adds well to the “sunny day” feeling.