Butterfly C&C please

Hi everyone,

I took this shot a while ago in France. On the one hand I like it, but on the other I feel like there's something wrong...

What do you think of this one?

Canon 400D with 100mm f/2.8 USM
1/160sec.
f/5.6
ISO 200
No flash nor tripod

HTTP response: NOT FOUND | MIME changed to 'image/png'

Beautiful blues in the butterfly. The leaf texture is quite compelling. Some would say that it takes away from the butterfly, but I love it. I think the image would have been stronger if you stopped down the lens to get more depth of field. You got the most important part in focus, but I'd like to see more detail in the thorax and wings.

I'm a newbie to photography, but here are my 2 cents.....

This is a beautiful shot-- love the colors and the soft blur of the grass.

I think the problem might be that the dof is too shallow and/or that the focal point is a little off. The grass head and strands on the right seem more in focus than the butterfly, so that grabs my attention. I don't see a strong anchor-point of focus on the butterfly to catch the eye (maybe if it's eyes weren't solid black). I feel my attention being pulled toward the grass on the right and away from the butterfly.

I love everything about it. Great Job!

Michille

Hi all!

Thanks for the replies! Appreciate it!

I agree with joe... a little more DOF.

Looks great great color but I would crop some off the bottom so the head is dead center.

I think its a great capture. A keeper indeed. The image really goes a long way to debunk the common claim that an image with a centralized subject doesn't work.

Thanks for the replies!

There are a lot of great pictures which prove that a centralized subject isn't necessary needed.

mdw wrote in post #6104791
Thanks for the replies!

There are a lot of great pictures which prove that a centralized subject isn't necessary needed.

Oppps meant to say ISN'T dead center as it almost is now. To much on the bottom and its not helping the visual statement.

For me, the only "something wrong" is the odd pose of the butterfly itself, particularly the legs. It looks like it has a leg growing out of the right side of its head. Tough to get them to pose, I know!

I like the colors a lot! But I too would like more DOF on the body, I think the texture of the butterfly would better draw your attention away from the plant.