Moth wings

[DanPBrown]

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

[Slobodan Blagojevic]

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).

[francois]

The second one is my favourite. I agree with Slobodan, the first is a too busy and I wonder if cropping would help.

[Eric Myrvaagnes]

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

[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

[Eric Myrvaagnes]

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! 

[DanPBrown]

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

[Rob C]

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

[Shirley Bracken]

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.

[DanPBrown]

Here is one from a few years ago.
Dan
http://www.danbrownphotography.com

[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

[DanPBrown]

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