My first grasshopper. Please critique this particular shot angle.

I shot this grasshopper in my backyard with my Pro1. He was on an interesting looking plant and I wanted to get an interesting looking shot.

Is the plant too distracting? I'm trying to go for an artistic look to my pictures rather than an encyclopedia look.

I'm posting two versions. In the second photo I cropped out some of the top and right of the photo. It brings the grasshopper more off center as well. In the cropped version the tip that the grasshopper is sitting on is cut off, does that take away from the photo or pulls it more together?

What else could have I done differently to make the shot better but still make it look unique?

I appreciate your comments.
Thanks.

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The second one by far ...

I think shooting flowers/bugs is difficult because much of it has been done. However I like this one because of all the same color hue -- would make a great presentational image. I am thinking some sort of web print or something about being out in the front of the competition type cover.

jbrow375 wrote in post #3693793
I think shooting flowers/bugs is difficult because much of it has been done.

I agree about shooting flowers, but with bugs, you never know what you're gonna get

I like the second one better but would have liked to see the whole flower bud like this.

Even with the above crop I tend to think there is too much bud and not enough grasshopper. I don't do macro because I do not have the equipment to make the grasshopper fill the frame!

i like the version from Alby better. you don't have to center the grasshopper to make it look interesting. i do like that the grasshopper blend with the bg

Bill

For me, personally, it's number one hands down. If you're going for a look, then that one gets it. Cropping it further seems to make it lose it's surreal qualities - the background is the focus (ironic?). The grasshopper is just a pleasant curiosity surrounded by the three closed flowers... which are very close to a certain ideal.

If you crop at all, I say keep it minimal and play to the buds.

i like number one best. the flowers make the grasshopper stand out more.

taken the picture vertical ?

Think I prefer Alby's crop but it's a very interesting (in a good way) shot.
brian V.