Caught in the light

[gandini]

I offer this image for critique. I like it, but it is not clear to me why. Perhaps if others comment, I can gain a better sense of my own ideas about it.
It was made at the Penang Butterfly Farm in January.

http://gandini.unm.edu/PGpages/Photography/Nature/Images/5925wing.jpg

cheers

[eland]

Dear Phil
I'm treading on very thin ice being asked to give a crit on one of your fine images.
I too like the image. It is unusual and has very good colors and fine color gradation.
In fact as a vertical abstract without the butterfly it works very well too.

My only negative comment is that for me, the butterfly is rather too centered. I would like to see it moved down onto the dark green, lower right. Not too difficult a task.
Then I would anyway remove the diagonal mark behind the butterfly.

This is a good and out-of-the-ordinary image, Phil.
These days it is very very difficult to make an image that hasn't been done a million times before. This one is refreshing in that respect too.

Kindest regards
eland

[Leighow]

Well I am trying to structure my comment on the now false assumption that I did not have the story behind the iamge.

I that sense I see the black butterfly as an intruision into an otherwise "colored lantern" setting. I like the tones, colors, the red glowing edges on the orange stem, the shadows, and somewhat complememtary shapes and lines, as well as the movement to the right.

But even so, I am not sure that the image delivers sufficient content to win big.

Sorry. But the truth be out.

[gandini]

Already, 2 comments and I'm thinking clearer about the image. Thank you eland, and Leighow!
I think there is too much of the out-of-focus green leaf in the foreground. I might crop it tighter along the lines eland suggests.
Also, I think the image is confused--it would work really well as a study in color and lines *without* the butterfly wing, but the wing is such a distraction to that particular image.
I also find the bright element distracting. I might PS it out just to see what happens.
Unfortunately this is pretty much full frame, so there's not too much to play with. I'll mess with it, and re-post the result, just for fun!

thanks again!

[eland]

Phil
I noticed the bright element but didn't want to get too picky. It's easily removed anyway.
I look forward to seeing your reworked image.

Since computers took over from the wet darkroom, taking the photo is often just the beginning of a long chain reaction in PS.

Regards
eland