The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.
Description
Scouting the Alabama Hills for springtime image opportunities, I spotted what I thought were hummingbirds feeding on thistle. Turned out to be White Lined Sphinx Moths, which I have seen several times in previous years feeding on different wildflowers – lower elevations in spring, up to 10,000 feet in summer. No doubt these colorful moths are important pollinators in the Eastern Sierra. I spent quite a while trying to capture this symbiotic scene – lots of fun if you don’t fall down in the boulders.
Specific Feedback
I have other versions cropped tight on the insects. Here, I wanted to show more context with the thistle plant in the background. The sharp focus on the moths and thistle, to me, make the shot look like maybe the in-focus subject was dropped into the frame. So would like thoughts on what one should do with something like this. In any case I felt privileged to spend time with the Sphinx Moths, who occasionally buzzed me for interfering with their seasonal cycle.
Technical Details
Nikon Z6II with the Z 100-400 telephoto.
1/3200th, ISO 400, F8, 400MM
Nice capture. You got a couple of cool subjects in an attractive environment. Was it hard to hone in on a small subject like this in the grandeur of the Alabama Hills boulders and mountains?
Thanks Dave!
You better believe that at 75 I take extra care to watch EVERY step when scrambling among the boulders of Alabama Hills – especially considering how distracting it can be to position one’s self for the right shot. As popular as the area is, it is very easy to get into spots where you are alone in the maze of rock. One wrong step …
The thistle patches were all in pockets in the boulders so I had to find those I could approach. Saw the moths the first afternoon, shot them the next day.
While watching for rattlesnakes of course.
I did also get some good wide angle landscapes with thistles as my subject but no moths.
A couple of hours later I realized I had been lost in my photography – perfect!
Excellent, James. I’d cropped this a bit before I read your description, but since you did different shots in the field, I won’t bother with it. I’ve only seen a couple of sphinx moths in the field and it’s always felt like a very special experience.
James getting two Sphinx moths in the same frame (at the same flower) with both sharp seems like a special treat. I like how you’ve framed this, although if you have the space, I’d suggest moving the subjects slightly up and to the right, although this works well as presented. The moths and their flower stand out well and I like the rest of the frame for how it shows context, not just a portrait.
Much appreciated Mark – I’m working on pulling back more in my compositions.
Wish I had been thinking more about background when I was up on the hill chasing the moths! Next time.
I really like the image composition here and I didn’t feel like the in-focus part was just dropped into the scene. I thought I would after reading your description, but I think because the background is made up of thistle plants it blends in rather well. It occurred to me, however, when I am in a situation like this, if possible, I might try to have a transition area where there is subject that is partially in focus. It seems like this could be done by either decreasing the depth of field, i.e. smaller F-stop, to partially blur some of your subject or perhaps by increasing the depth of field, i.e. larger F-stop, to partially blur some of the background.
Thanks Alexander. I replied to another photographer that I wished I’d paid more attention to background while chasing the moths. Midground too. Would be much more interesting and 3D.
I do have some shots where one moth is in focus, others are not. Might see if I can work with any of those.
