Luminous Landscape Forum

The Art of Photography => User Critiques => Topic started by: DanPBrown on January 07, 2010, 05:20:30 pm

Title: Moth wings
Post by: DanPBrown on January 07, 2010, 05:20:30 pm
I've been experimenting lately with some moth wing abstractions. I don't know if it works for others, c&c welcomed.
Dan
http://www.danbrownphotography.com (http://www.danbrownphotography.com)
(http://www.danbrownphotography.com/galleries/albums/userpics/Cynthia_Detail.jpg)

(http://www.danbrownphotography.com/galleries/albums/userpics/Polyphemus_Detail.jpg)
Title: Moth wings
Post by: Slobodan Blagojevic on January 07, 2010, 06:41:09 pm
The first one is too busy, muted and slanted for me. The second one, however, I find much more attractive, due to its design simplicity, brighter colors and a recognizable symbol (eye-like pattern).
Title: Moth wings
Post by: francois on January 08, 2010, 07:33:51 am
The second one is my favourite. I agree with Slobodan, the first is a too busy and I wonder if cropping would help.
Title: Moth wings
Post by: Eric Myrvaagnes on January 08, 2010, 10:10:56 am
I, too, prefer the second one. I can see two possible pictures you might get out of the first one that might be a bit stronger:

1.   Crop down from the top to get a square of just the bottom, and

2.   The same from the other end -- a square cropped from the top.

Fascinating subject matter. I hope you'll show more of them.

Eric

Title: Moth wings
Post by: button on January 08, 2010, 11:03:09 am
I like the first one, but your depth of field is too limited.  Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think that the in/out of focus effect was intentional.  If not, I'd recommend a reshoot with focus stacking or maybe a tilt/shift lens.

John
Title: Moth wings
Post by: Eric Myrvaagnes on January 08, 2010, 03:18:52 pm
Quote from: button
I like the first one, but your depth of field is too limited.  Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think that the in/out of focus effect was intentional.  If not, I'd recommend a reshoot with focus stacking or maybe a tilt/shift lens.

John

Or ask the moth to hold really steady while you shoot! 
Title: Moth wings
Post by: DanPBrown on January 08, 2010, 08:48:46 pm
Quote from: button
I like the first one, but your depth of field is too limited.  Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think that the in/out of focus effect was intentional.  If not, I'd recommend a reshoot with focus stacking or maybe a tilt/shift lens.

John
These are intended to be focus blended, I just showed an individual photo from each series. I need to decide which ones to focus stack. Here is another image, before stacking, and a 100% crop. The magnification is about 2:1 at f/5.6, very shallow depth of field but very sharp. If it looks flat its because I just did a quick edit with my laptop.
Dan
http://www.danbrownphotography.com (http://www.danbrownphotography.com)
(http://www.danbrownphotography.com/galleries/albums/userpics/zcyclops.jpg)

(http://www.danbrownphotography.com/galleries/albums/userpics/zCrop.jpg)
Title: Moth wings
Post by: Rob C on January 10, 2010, 05:03:37 am
Quote from: Eric Myrvaagnes
Or ask the moth to hold really steady while you shoot! 



Now that's the kind of helpful advice that people really need in photographing insect life; no silly nonsense about ether, sharp pins or glue. The best technique is for the subject to be conveniently dead, but you can waste a lot of time waiting. Co-operation is always better than compulsion, which just goes to confirm Eric's insight.

Rob C
Title: Moth wings
Post by: Shirley Bracken on January 10, 2010, 07:21:20 am
Hi Dan.  I can't give you any professional advice but I can tell you that they are very interesting.  I love close up shots.  I feel your excitement when you shot these.  They have great possibilities.
Title: Moth wings
Post by: DanPBrown on January 11, 2010, 08:29:04 am
Here is one from a few years ago.
Dan
http://www.danbrownphotography.com (http://www.danbrownphotography.com)
(http://www.danbrownphotography.com/galleries/albums/userpics/Atlas_moth_wing.jpg)
Title: Moth wings
Post by: Derry on January 11, 2010, 10:45:34 am
almost forgot I had cover some moths years ago,, they can be difficult when alive,, I use to photograph them in the early morning as I found their movement or acceptance to my camera being close was the best time,,

nice photos,,

a couple of my aged ones,, Nikon 990 camera taken in 2001,,

Derry
Title: Moth wings
Post by: DanPBrown on January 11, 2010, 04:25:26 pm
Quote from: Derry
almost forgot I had cover some moths years ago,, they can be difficult when alive,, I use to photograph them in the early morning as I found their movement or acceptance to my camera being close was the best time,,

nice photos,,

a couple of my aged ones,, Nikon 990 camera taken in 2001,,

Derry
I had a Nikon 990 in 2001 too, I use to love that camera.
Dan
http://www.danbrownphotography.com (http://www.danbrownphotography.com)