My first butterfly shot - critique welcome

I shot my first butterfly today with my Canon Pro1. I managed to find one floating around in my backyard. I took lots of shots, but only 2 or 3 turned out decent. It was hard keeping the camera steady, but I held my breath and kept as steady as possible determined to get a good shot.

I appreciate any comments and suggestions you may have about color/contrast, composition, and anything else you feel might help me get better.

Thank you.

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As a newbie to Macro myself, I think it is a good start!!:p

I find it difficult to hold the camera still, too, and I now think that is the most important componant of Macro!!!!! I do not use the AF feature, rather, I use the manual mode, then move forward and back until I get the right sharpness. Your composition looks dead on to me!!!!
Nicely done!!!!
I hope others will comment on your picture, as far as lighting, sharpness, and contrast, because I am certainely no expert on such things, however, (to me) it looks like the prime focus is on the leaf, not the butterfly:
I like what I see, so that is what I will say!!!!

Beautiful. Good composition. Perfect focus. You might increase the contrast just slightly -- tho I don't know if that's the fault of my monitor.

Lovely colour and light- good shot.
I suspect I might have angled the camera to reduce the slope the butterfly is on a bit but not much.
Brian V.

Good first butterfly shot Pete. They are not the easiest of insects to capture. I like it.

looks good to me. love the color.

Bill

LordV wrote in post #3682079
Lovely colour and light- good shot.
I suspect I might have angled the camera to reduce the slope the butterfly is on a bit but not much.
Brian V.

Not bad at all for a 1st!!

For your info that's what is called a Cabbage White.
I got one a week or so ago and the slope I think LordV is refering to is one like I did with mine below?

Good shot. Nice lighting as well.

Thank you for all your comments.

Your first butterfly shot - respect!

Regards
Elke

Hi Pete great shot
agree with Brian only comment I would make is getting a more square on angle but its not always easy
Pete

It's a small white female. Autofocus is fine for such shots; it's only when your subject has a large focussing depth or you're going greater than 1:1 that manual focus can be better. Different people shoot different ways: some hold their breath to ensure a steady hand, others mash the shutter without trying to prefocus and hold to frame. It all depends on what you're happy with. You did well getting down level with the insect to make a nice intimate shot and there's not too much BG clutter. Well done.