Butterflies (already posted but hack them up)

[Scottes]

I've posted these in Share but I'm quite happy with these two. Since my self-happiness is rare, I figure that I missing things. Please hack them up and let me know what works or doesn't, what could be better, etc.

http://www.itsanadventure.com/postimages/butterfly5.jpg
http://www.itsanadventure.com/postimages/butterfly6.jpg

[ryuwulf]

i like the top one off center.

and the second one is my favorite.

I think it reminds me of MOTHRA!!!!!

very nice. maybe a little more color??? seems like flat light???

[jim monroe]

I prefer the first shot over the second. The off center nature of the first for me gives it more interest. Perhaps part of it is I find the butterfly in the first shot a little more interesting than that in the second shot. More contrasting colors etc.
The butterfly in the first shot looks like a Painted Lady, I think it is called, the one in the second I've never seen. Found around Boston? I doubt it.
I looked at many butterfly shots on this site as well as others can't seem to put my finger on what really makes or breaks a shot.
Would say the background is important and in both even more blur would draw attention the the butterflies.

[Scottes]

I've been told that the first is a Red Admiral, and the second a Clipper - which is a native of the Philippines so it's not a natice of Boston. These are from a local Butterfly house so that makes more sense. :lol:

Ryuwulf - yes the color is flat. Direct flash from the 420EX on top of the camera. I'm in the middle of making a bracket to get it off-center for the next trip. And most people have asked for a bit more color, so you're not alone there.

Jim - I'l play a bit more with DoF next time. I thought this was shallow enough now but I can see what you mean. I generally like off-center also, but I really liked the V of the flowers in the second. I think I'm the only who notices that V though. :)

Thanks for the comments and suggestions.

[jim monroe]

Right, red admiral not painted lady. I always get them mixed up.

I didn't notice the V shape in the second photograph.

DOF is always a challenge. I have taken a number of shots lately where I want good depth of field to get a flower sharp but then want the background a complete blur. Can't get both simultaneously. Always problems, makes it interesting I guess.

Nice thing about butterflies is that in many shots, including the two above, they are a relatively flat surface and don't need much DOF

[TechKnowBabble]

Personally I think in the first one the flowers in the background to the left are distracting from the butterfly, if those could be cropped out or maybe cloned out. The second one I think is totally perfect. I love it. Nice work!

Nikki

[JZaun]

#2 for me Scottes. I really like that one. Can't find anything wrong with it.

Would like to know what you took it with? :D

JZ

[Scottes]

Thanks Jerry.

The first was with a 70-200 f/2.8 with a 20mm tube. The second was with a Sigma 105mm f/2.8 Macro - the 70-200 got heavy after an hour and a half. :)