The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.
Description
While waiting for sunset (that was a bust) along the Potomac River, there were multiple of these Powdered Dancer Damselflies hanging about chasing each other. This one let me get close as it perched on the well eaten bit of leaf.
Specific Feedback
View 1 is a single shot from a bit further away, where many of the wing veins are not fully sharp. However, the perch is nicely sharp.
View 2 is a 20 shot stack to get the wings fully sharp, but it needs another 10 shots to get the perch sharp…
Technical Details
R5, 180mm macro, f/5.6, 1/125 s, iso 800, tripod
Critique Template
Use of the template is optional, but it can help spark ideas.
Mark: Beautiful critter and I think you did well with each capture. One has to look close to perceive the differences. The BG and perch are wonderful complements. Well done. >=))>
I’ll confess. I’ve never seen a damselfly I didn’t like. That includes yours.
I got curious about the etymology of the common name, “powdered.” That led to a discovery. The most scientifically correct term is “pruinosity”. Wow-- I think I’ll stick with “powdered” .
One small idea about technique. Tripods and stacking are a lot of fun, but they sure make life complicated in the wilderness. I finally decided I’d be better off with handheld photography, higher shutter speeds, a smaller aperture, and a higher ISO. That worked really well because image stabilization really works, modern sensors are so capable with higher ISOs , and modern post-processing software is brilliant in the way it deals with noise. Just a thought.
Mark, your 2 shots illustrate well the dilemma I often face: should I go for a single shot or a stack? Ideally both, as here, but not too often does the subject stay put for long enough. In a case like this I often end up with the single shot as good in many ways as the stack (in your examples, legs in focus in the first, and the BG behind the insect more uniform). Or even better than the stack. It’s often hit and miss, and I’ll go for the single shot first every time, which I’m sure you do. Interesting duo.
Both versions are excellent and the first one shows the viewer the limits of DOF at macro levels of focusing. I like the brightness of the second image, but the head turn of the first is very nice. You also have slightly better DOF in the first. I wish the legs and perch were included in the stack, but I have a feeling that your subject decided to leave before you were done. Well done…Jim
Wonderful capture, Mark. The details are amazing. I love the almost 90 degree angle that shows how strong this little insects are. The background was a good choice for this photo. I will need to revisit stacking again.
