Dragonfly

Here goes my first attempt to post from flickr.
Took this photo this weekend out camping. Before and cropped.
ISO 100, 250mm, f8, 1/40
I used f8 thinking it would maybe turn out sharper and more in focus.
I'm using a Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS II lens.
What do you think.

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …/47016037@N06/7​934622946/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …/47016037@N06/7​934634960/

Just a couple things. If it were me shooting, I would have reduced exposure a bit and filled with an Off camera flash. That would tone down those leaves which always bugs me when they get like that. You may even want to block the sun or shoot this on a cloudy day which will give you a more consistent exposure across the spectrum. Compositionally, the first is better than the second. I try to position any living animals, bugs, etc so that they are closer to the outside of the image traveling IN to the image. I think if gives a better sense of space.

I think it came out pretty well but I'd crop off most of the leaf on the right right up nearly to its tail.

Thanks for the advice. I tried cropping a little more and this is what I came up with.
Also, I never thought of using the flash. There were a lot of them in the shade I could have shot. Well now I know what to try next time.

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …/47016037@N06/7​936625838/

That looks a lot better to me. By all means use a flash next time. It will allow you to get a deeper DOF too.

Yeah. I like that better. I'm always amazed at just how well that 55-250 does at f8. For a $200 lens one cannot go wrong with it. I still have mine just for such shots.
One important thing that is often overlooked in macro work is sticking with the rule of thirds. With bugs it is important to give them a sense of purpose or direction. It can be difficult, I know. That's why I don't shoot much of it. I had a dedicated macro lens for a while and sold it because I don't have the patience. But for those who do have that patience it can really pay off in the end.

Don't be afraid to bump up your ISO too. You could get an even faster shutterspeed and more DOF with a smaller aperture, both of which are helpful up close.

Q

Thanks guys for the critique, it will go a long ways in making my photos better.

Couple comments here. First the crop/composition seems to be an issue. I understand that there are constraints with working with insect, and especially ones like dragonflies that tend to fly off with out warning, but I think moving your camera to the right when you were taking the shot, and then framing with the insect closer to the right edge would have given you more flexibility when cropping later. Given the image you have, I would keep all the negative space you have on the left side and try to crop out the bright leaf as much as possible. I might also try to make it wider, as I hate square-ish crops, but that is my personal opinion.

Next there is the contrast/lighting. It appears to be taken mid day which is ok for finding dragon flies, but not the best for getting smooth lighting. Instead the sun appears to be a little harsh for me. Your post work does not help this I think, as it darkens the shadows underneath the insect and increases the highlights which are already quite strong. I would try to brighten up the areas under the head and thorax before I consider adding contrast to that area. I think this would help with alleviating your lighting conditions after the fact. As was stated, adding flash to fill, or even using a reflector to bounce the sun light would be the ideal solutions next time. Just know if you use a flash, TTL flash WILL make the dragonfly fly away, and manual flash will make it fly away eventually. A reflector might work if you can get it into a good position with out initially disturbing the insect.

In your processed version, I think you might have over sharpened a little bit too. Its hard to tell though, so dont take that as gospel truth.

I am not a fan of the follow up version you posted as well. Over all I like the first version presented here(the one that appears to be less processed). In the future if you would like people to be able to demonstrate what they are talking about with cropping or processing your image, be sure to turn on Image editing OK in your profile settings so people know that you allow for that.

Hope that helps.

TheLostVertex wrote in post #14952875
I am not a fan of the follow up version you posted as well. Over all I like the first version presented here(the one that appears to be less processed). In the future if you would like people to be able to demonstrate what they are talking about with cropping or processing your image, be sure to turn on Image editing OK in your profile settings so people know that you allow for that.

Hope that helps.

Thanks, I just turned that setting on. Didn't even know about it.
I'll have to play around with it some more also.