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Monarch Pupating
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Monarch Pupating

by Stephanie Weisman

Gallery: WildlifePosted September 12, 201045 views3 comments
I discovered this monarch that had begun pupating hanging over our pond on a stalk of grass. I relocated it to our temporary butterfly habitat so that it would not fall in the water, and we could watch another amazing metamorphosis.

I used a Nikon D3000, with a Nikkor 60 mm lens, shutter 1/500, aperture f/5.6.

I appreciate any feedback-- both negative and positive helps me to learn.

Thanks so much!

Comments

3 comments
Comment posted by Buck Ward on September 12, 2010 at 10:02 PM
It's a terrific natural history photo. When you relocated the caterpillar you could have placed it so the light would have been on the front and the background would have been more uniform. Also the lower blade of grass could have been move out of the way.
Registered on December 8, 2003, 96 Posts, 1917 Comments
Comment posted by Steve Canuel on September 12, 2010 at 11:53 PM
I like the way the light is shining through his rear end. The photo has a nice, peaceful feel to it, like you'd be whispering so as not to disturb him during this process. Since you had to move him anyway, I agree with Buck's suggestions.
Registered on September 12, 2010, 53 Posts, 660 Comments
Comment posted by Vincent Grafhorst on September 13, 2010 at 1:58 PM
You have received some good suggestions already Stephanie. Another thing that could have been applied here is a bit of fill flash combined with dialing in some negative exposure compensation. This would make the BG darker whilst brightening the subject.
Registered on February 24, 2006, 504 Posts, 7203 Comments