# Praying Mantis II (+revised) **URL:** \ **Category:** Image Critiques\ **Tags:** macro-close-up\ **Created:** [July 22, 2026, 6:00am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/praying-mantis-ii-revised/51597 "2026-07-22T06:00:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**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:** [July 22, 2026, 6:00am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/praying-mantis-ii-revised/51597/1 "2026-07-22T06:00:44Z")
## Revised Version ### Revision 1 (latest) ![Revision 1 - Praying Mantis 1 - less shadow.jpg](https://images.naturephotographers.network/original/3X/b/b/bb53daf3b1be5cd2feef2a4bed323465484a45f0.jpeg) **What changed:** I decided to create a new version of this image reducing shadowing under the mantis caused from the flash. _Added after receiving feedback from the community._ * * * ## Original Version ![Original - Praying Mantis 1.jpg](https://images.naturephotographers.network/original/3X/0/9/099d8e274ebddfbe2ac45594e63d6aeba94f53c7.jpeg) **Critique Style:** Standard The photographer is looking for thoughtful feedback on the image as a whole, especially around the areas noted below. **Feedback Focus:** Artistic + Technical ### About This Image Another praying mantis image from our garden. This guy has been hanging out on the honeysuckle plant the last few days. ### Feedback Requested This is a single shot using a speedlight in the hot shoe with an Angler 100 diffuser. Handheld. Any comments appreciated. ### Technical Details Camera: Canon EOS 90D Lens: 210.0 mm Focal length: 210mm Shutter speed: 1/250s Aperture: f/32 ISO: 200 Flash: Fired ---
**Author:** ![Kris\_Smith](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/kris_smith/32/59826_2.png) [@Kris\_Smith](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Kris_Smith)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2026, 1:11pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/praying-mantis-ii-revised/51597/2 "2026-07-22T13:11:30Z")
Do I have to issue another Cease and Desist order to you young man?? 🤣 I have never seen a mantid IRL and so I’m going that same lovely shade of green again. What an ideal pose and perch - totally focused on that face and, no doubt, predatory intentions. The opposite curves of the insect and the leaf works really well and the background is terrific. Great execution. ---
**Author:** ![Dennis\_Plank](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/dennis_plank/32/27033_2.png) [@Dennis\_Plank](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Dennis_Plank)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2026, 3:59pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/praying-mantis-ii-revised/51597/3 "2026-07-22T15:59:12Z")
Lovely job getting the entire length of the mantis in the focal plane, Allen. I really like the background in this one that matches the antennae so well. It’s also cool when they give you a head turn like this. I’ve seen a couple this year, but they’re still quite small out here. ---
**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:** [July 22, 2026, 7:14pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/praying-mantis-ii-revised/51597/4 "2026-07-22T19:14:46Z")
Another nice image of a mantis, Allen. You caught him just right. The face of them reminds me of ET. Just so cute, but I know their prey out there doesn’t see it that way. Really nice capture and I like it as presented. ---
**Author:** ![Mark\_Seaver](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/mark_seaver/32/231_2.png) [@Mark\_Seaver](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Mark_Seaver)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2026, 11:41am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/praying-mantis-ii-revised/51597/5 "2026-07-23T11:41:14Z")
Allen, this is an excellent look at this young mantid (note the small wings). It and it’s perch stand out well from the suroundings, which is often hard to get with mantids, as they like to “lurk” in the vegetation. Having the length of it’s body, with head and arms nicely sharp is great. ---
**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:** [July 23, 2026, 8:32pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/praying-mantis-ii-revised/51597/6 "2026-07-23T20:32:44Z")
Allen: Classic mantis shot. That look seems so innocent but I suspect what it’s really doing is trying to figure out how to capture and eat you. Really well crafted image. \>=))\> ---
**Author:** ![system](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/system/32/86481_2.png) [@system](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/system)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2026, 6:30pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/praying-mantis-ii-revised/51597/7 "2026-07-25T18:30:54Z")
The original poster added a [revised version](#post_1) of their image. ---
**Author:** ![Mike\_Friel](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/mike_friel/32/28003_2.png) [@Mike\_Friel](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Mike_Friel)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2026, 7:56am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/praying-mantis-ii-revised/51597/8 "2026-07-31T07:56:48Z")
I really like this, Allen, especially the angle at which the leaf and its occupant are presented to us viewers. It sort of adds to the entirely deceptive feeling of cuteness and harmlessness we get. Great color of BG too. ---
**Author:** ![David\_Schoen](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/david_schoen/32/368_2.png) [@David\_Schoen](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/David_Schoen)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2026, 11:22pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/praying-mantis-ii-revised/51597/9 "2026-09-17T23:22:21Z")
Revision works well for me. Good job with the flash and good job with the exposure in removing the shadows. ---
**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:** [September 18, 2026, 2:07am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/praying-mantis-ii-revised/51597/10 "2026-09-18T02:07:26Z")
Flash gave you some nice soft light for the exposure. Pose is fine and like the brown BG which makes the mantid stand out. Very nice as presented and cannot throw a single nit your way. Well done…Jim