Luminous Landscape Forum

Equipment & Techniques => Landscape & Nature Photography => Topic started by: luxborealis on August 30, 2015, 05:48:39 pm

Title: Monarch on Buddleja
Post by: luxborealis on August 30, 2015, 05:48:39 pm

So I'm out on the deck enjoying the afternoon and my dear wife tells me about a Monarch butterfly on the Buddleja plant (Butterfly Bush). I'm taking my time, as we all know, I no sooner have things set up and the butterfly will be gone. This time, it stayed. The Monarch was at an odd angle, so I ended up lying down on the grass and shooting upwards. I wasn't keen on such a bright background overpowering the butterfly, but with some careful adjustments in LR, I was able to better balance the two. The background is still bright, but it seems to work here.

D800E w/ 300/4; ƒ4 @ 1/640, ISO 800 -1EI
Hand held; 1/640 to help tame the bobbing Buddleja; ISO 800 necessary for the dim light under the maple tree. -1EI to tame the bright background.
LR: Auto-set black and white points; Exposure +1.60; Vibrance -10; Highlights +50, Shadows +30

Title: Re: Monarch on Buddleja
Post by: churly on September 07, 2015, 06:51:21 pm

I missed this one somehow.  It is a fine shot.  Nice colors, nice dof. Good work Terry.

Title: Re: Monarch on Buddleja
Post by: Eric Myrvaagnes on September 07, 2015, 07:47:00 pm

Quote from: churly on September 07, 2015, 06:51:21 pm

I missed this one somehow.  It is a fine shot.  Nice colors, nice dof. Good work Terry.

+1.

Title: Re: Monarch on Buddleja
Post by: francois on September 08, 2015, 03:20:34 am

Great shot with a superb combination of colors. I like how the butterfly & flower fill the frame and the light background.
Well done!

Title: Re: Monarch on Buddleja
Post by: Paulo Bizarro on September 08, 2015, 04:10:18 am

Very good shot. If anything, I would like to have the tips of the wings in focus, but in the field it is always difficult.