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Photo of the Month 07/10
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Photo of the Month 07/10

by Wayne Jones

Gallery: Macro & Close-upPosted June 22, 20102,422 views40 comments
“Winking” Luna

I was looking for the drooping flowers that hide under May Apple leaves when I found this Luna Moth. As always, I try to photograph a scene without disturbing it. To do that in a tight spot, I used my little Sigma 17-70mm. f/2.8 zoom, and found that it makes a very sharp macro! Neither the moth nor the plant were disturbed, but the moth did move its wings a bit, producing the uneven “wink” here, with one of the eye-spots covered by a forewing. At first, I was disappointed, but the more I look at this asymmetrical pose, the more I like it. I think it emphasizes the natural, wild and live situation.

Canon 50D
Sigma 17-70mm. f/2.8
1/10 sec. @ f/8; ISO 100
Camera on Super-clamp attached to tripod foot.


P.S. Sorry I have not been on NPN for a long time. Medical issues have kept me totally busy for weeks. Just yesterday, I returned from my first stay at the Dartmouth Cancer Center in New Hampshire, where I am starting some promising new chemotherapy for lymphoma, which snuck up on me again last month. It will keep me either hospitalized or in isolation much or the time for months, so I am not sure how much I will be posting or commenting, but I’ll check in to NPN whenever I can for inspiration. Thanks so much for your encouragement and friendship!

Comments

40 comments
Comment posted by Luke Ormand on June 22, 2010 at 9:02 PM
Wayne,

First and foremost - sorry to hear about the health issues, keep your spirits high.

Secondly, this is a really great image. I would love to find one of these and the "wink" makes it unique.

- Luke
Registered on February 4, 2009, 1093 Posts, 7035 Comments
Comment posted by BorgesiusBeckles on June 22, 2010 at 9:50 PM
Nice to have you back Wayne,don't rush things allright.Tack sharp image and sweet soft lighting ,I hope that one day i can take a image of one of these moth.Welcome back Wayne. :toast:
Registered on November 25, 2003, 253 Posts, 434 Comments
Comment posted by Gary Yeoh on June 22, 2010 at 10:36 PM
Wayne:
Nice to see your post again. Having chemotherapy can really knock you around a bit so hang in there and keep your spirit high.

I really like this image. It is great that you spotted this moth; it is so well camouflaged and the eyelets do look like they are winking. Tack sharp and beautifully captured. :toast:
Registered on September 1, 2009, 588 Posts, 8184 Comments
Comment posted by Mauro Pasquero on June 23, 2010 at 3:02 AM
Sorry to hear about your health issues, Wayne. My best wishes for your treatement. I do hope to see your photos on NPN very soon!

This one is very nice, I love it.
Mauro
Registered on January 21, 2010, 650 Posts, 2500 Comments
Comment posted by Doug Benner on June 23, 2010 at 1:55 PM
Welcome back, Wayne. Sorry to learn of you medical problems. Nice to see you posting and commenting again. This is a beauty of a shot. Love how you have composed the diagonal line. Wonderful color and clarity.
Registered on December 8, 2003, 482 Posts, 1868 Comments
Comment posted by Charles Younger on June 23, 2010 at 3:33 PM
Excellent image, Wayne. Good luck.
Registered on January 15, 2010, 151 Posts, 269 Comments
Comment posted by Cheryl Molennor on June 23, 2010 at 6:05 PM
I love these and have only seen one. Your comp and dof are great Wayne and detail is perfect
Registered on June 30, 2009, 300 Posts, 5051 Comments
Comment posted by Sam Rua on June 23, 2010 at 11:47 PM
Awesome detail, Wayne. Best wishes for a speedy and full recovery. :toast:
Registered on September 9, 2006, 130 Posts, 2281 Comments
Comment posted by Stan Rose on June 24, 2010 at 1:02 AM
Awesome shot, Wayne, you're a macro genius! Im pulling for you to make a full recovery--take care! :toast:
Registered on September 15, 2005, 836 Posts, 17099 Comments
Comment posted by Mike Moats on June 25, 2010 at 5:29 PM
Hey Wayne, awesome details and like the diagonal positioning on the body.

Good luck with your health issue, and hope the new chemo work out well.
Registered on October 20, 2004, 892 Posts, 6324 Comments
Comment posted by Paul Breitkreuz on June 29, 2010 at 1:35 PM
Congratulations Wayne on this image being selected for an EP this week. Truly amazing camouflage taking place here, nature and one of it's many wonders. :toast:
Registered on February 25, 2006, 525 Posts, 8448 Comments
Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on June 29, 2010 at 1:40 PM
Wayne, this is just exquisite!
Congrats on the EP!
The textures and greens are just lovely, and the moth is beautiful.
Please know our thoughts and prayers are with you - and I hope you'll continue to post and work on old files and PS skills when you can. Your work is just exceptional.

Sandy r
Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments
Comment posted by Monica Siri on June 29, 2010 at 1:53 PM
Wayne,
congrats on the EP. A really beautiful image. I hope to see your extraordinary works and have your good news soon. :wavey: :toast:
Registered on September 20, 2009, 132 Posts, 3764 Comments
Comment posted by Christine Adams on June 29, 2010 at 5:39 PM
Stunning image Wayne! Takes one's breathe away! Congrats on your EP!!! Praying for your recovery! Take care. Do what you can when you can and keep a good positive attitude!
Registered on January 24, 2006, 119 Posts, 1871 Comments
Comment posted by mark cillo on June 30, 2010 at 12:23 AM
Wow! This is a real stunner. Great macro inspiration! Hope for a speedy recovery too! :wavey:
Registered on July 27, 2008, 143 Posts, 1483 Comments
Comment posted by Nate Chappell on June 30, 2010 at 3:30 PM
Congrats Wayne! A beautiful shot!! :toast: :toast:
Registered on February 1, 2006, 1158 Posts, 19528 Comments
Comment posted by Angela McCain on July 4, 2010 at 4:34 PM
I'm just seeing this today...and it MADE my day. Awesome.
Registered on April 19, 2009, 367 Posts, 3589 Comments
Comment posted by Eva McDermott on July 5, 2010 at 8:14 AM
Congratulations on Photo of The Month Wayne! This image is magnificent.

You are in my thoughts and prayers Wayne.
Registered on January 4, 2009, 1015 Posts, 13229 Comments
Comment posted by Mike Gallo on July 5, 2010 at 8:46 AM
Spectacular image Wayne............congrats on the image of the month......well deserved :toast: :toast:
Registered on September 14, 2005, 182 Posts, 1471 Comments
Comment posted by Neil Rossmiller on July 5, 2010 at 10:29 AM
Congratulations on your Monthly Pick, Wayne.
You will be in my thoughts regularly.
Get Well soon.
Neil
Registered on October 30, 2009, 156 Posts, 749 Comments
Comment posted by Ron Pullen on July 5, 2010 at 11:13 AM
Great capture, Wayne. Beautiful in many ways. Remember nature will help to heal you, stay out there. :toast: Ron
Registered on December 18, 2005, 74 Posts, 1413 Comments
Comment posted by Anne Jutras on July 5, 2010 at 12:59 PM
Wow! Amazing shot! Love the composition and the details, well done!
Anne Jutras :wavey:
Registered on April 30, 2010, 0 Posts, 1 Comments
Comment posted by Benjamin Glatt on July 5, 2010 at 2:01 PM
Absolutely stunning! Gorgeous creature and image. :toast: :toast:
Registered on July 15, 2007, 171 Posts, 3566 Comments
Comment posted by Kory Lidstrom on July 5, 2010 at 4:05 PM
Hell of a capture there, Wayne! :toast:

I'm pullin' for ya' -- keep your head up!
Registered on November 19, 2008, 49 Posts, 1035 Comments
Comment posted by Anthony Vincent on July 5, 2010 at 6:00 PM
Just gorgeous Wayne, congrats on a well deserved pic of the month. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Registered on February 5, 2009, 199 Posts, 2775 Comments
Comment posted by Stan Rose on July 5, 2010 at 6:29 PM
Awesome photo of the month! Get well, Wayne!
Registered on September 15, 2005, 836 Posts, 17099 Comments
Comment posted by Barbara Zarrella on July 5, 2010 at 8:30 PM
The detail is amazing. I can see how easy it would be to miss seeing this moth.
You take care... lots of people are thinking of you, me included.
Registered on March 16, 2006, 207 Posts, 743 Comments
Comment posted by Loulou Beavers on July 6, 2010 at 3:34 AM
Congrats with this photo and the MP.
Wish you a full and speedy recovery!!!
Registered on June 21, 2008, 73 Posts, 205 Comments
Comment posted by Patricia Brundage on July 6, 2010 at 11:11 AM
Hi Wayne. Congratulations on the cover photo for the month!!!! What a great image and an honor well deserved. :wavey:
Registered on March 23, 2006, 1111 Posts, 6531 Comments
Comment posted by jamie pringle on July 6, 2010 at 3:04 PM
Wayne, I wish you the best in a difficult situation. Congratulations on being on the front cover. This was a great find and an excellent capture :toast: :toast:
Registered on August 10, 2005, 323 Posts, 1216 Comments
Comment posted by Eric Mannino on July 6, 2010 at 6:13 PM
Congrats on the Photo of the Month. Great detail and agree with the "wild and live" nature of the shot.

Best wishes and prayers for a full and speedy recovery. :toast:
Registered on November 16, 2009, 22 Posts, 65 Comments
Comment posted by Winnie Ho on July 7, 2010 at 9:06 AM
Dear Wayne,
Congratulations on Photo of the Month! Stunning image. :toast: I wish you all the best, and look forward to seeing more of your images
Winnie
Registered on January 6, 2008, 93 Posts, 1788 Comments
Comment posted by Giuseppe Guadagno on July 8, 2010 at 3:52 PM
Wayne, I have so many times stopped admiring this splendid photo and now I realize that I have never written to you how beautiful it is. So, BEAUTIFUL!
Cheers.
Registered on February 3, 2007, 827 Posts, 5052 Comments
Comment posted by Bill Fach on July 8, 2010 at 9:51 PM
Wayne: I'm woefully late to this party but congrats on an awesome image and the cover pick. Fantastic capture. >=))>
Registered on November 1, 2003, 1805 Posts, 26981 Comments
Comment posted by Cheryl Molennor on July 9, 2010 at 6:44 PM
Wow Wayne, How cool POTM Congratulations to you! :toast:
Registered on June 30, 2009, 300 Posts, 5051 Comments
Comment posted by Paul Bratescu on July 10, 2010 at 1:20 PM
Quality of the ambient lighting throughout the entirety of the image, and the details and color are fantastic! Well done on this magnificant capture.
Registered on December 1, 2008, 0 Posts, 8 Comments
Comment posted by Bruce King on July 10, 2010 at 7:45 PM
Sorry for the late arrival Wayne, I haven't been tuned into the macro gallery lately. Congrats on POTM, and well deserved it is. :toast:

Details and dof control are fantastic. Have always enjoyed yout macros. You generously schooled me when I first got my Sigma 150 Macro and I appreciate that.

I'm predicting a full recovery and I'm looking forward to seeing more from you in the future.
Hang in there, my thoughts are with you.

Registered on January 14, 2010, 276 Posts, 2212 Comments
Comment posted by Paul Duval on July 11, 2010 at 12:49 PM
No further accolades needed on this image, obvious pick for photo of the month. Best wishes with your health issues hang in there Wayne,

Paul
Registered on June 30, 2009, 508 Posts, 1907 Comments
Comment posted by Daniel & Loana on July 18, 2010 at 5:27 PM
Very nice shot! Congrats on the POTM!

Congrats

Our best wishes for your health.

D&L
Registered on October 7, 2008, 166 Posts, 3044 Comments
Comment posted by Muhammad Zaid Wani on August 5, 2010 at 4:47 AM
What an amazing shot! :eek: :eek: :eek: Very nicely done! I will pray for your good health. :smile:
Registered on August 18, 2005, 23 Posts, 1406 Comments