Nature Photographers Network
This is the preserved archive of the original Nature Photographers Network. The community continues at naturephotographers.network.
Praying Mantis
‹ PreviousMacro & Close-up GalleryNext ›

Praying Mantis

by Carolyn Derstine

Gallery: Macro & Close-upPosted September 6, 2011116 views9 comments
We seem to have quite a few mantids around right now so I had a photo shot one day with this guy. He cooperated surprisingly well!

Canon Rebel T1i. 90mm macro lens. F/7.1 for 1/20 sec. ISO 100.

Comments

9 comments
Comment posted by Charlie Baugh on September 6, 2011 at 5:51 PM
You did a lot better than me. Now if you can just get those antenae to stop twitching. :biggrin:

I had a Mantis about ready to go and think I'll forget it. :wink:

Charlie
Registered on April 18, 2011, 329 Posts, 1985 Comments
Comment posted by Chris O'Donoghue on September 6, 2011 at 6:42 PM
A stunning shot that jumps off the page. Nice clean background and the out of focus body draws all attention to the face, yet the body is clear enough to leave no doubt as to what the creature is. I really like this.
Registered on January 1, 2011, 11 Posts, 37 Comments
Comment posted by Mike Moats on September 6, 2011 at 8:03 PM
Hey Carolyn, great in your face shot.
Registered on October 20, 2004, 892 Posts, 6324 Comments
Comment posted by Ron Pullen on September 6, 2011 at 10:10 PM
Very nice, Carolyn. They are a joy to work with and have the cutest look about them. Ron :toast:
Registered on December 18, 2005, 74 Posts, 1413 Comments
Comment posted by Roger Leekam on September 7, 2011 at 8:29 AM
Excellent portrait, Caroline! I like the composition & pose. Probably impossible to get the antennae in focus as well, but that would be terrific if you could.
Registered on May 28, 2009, 83 Posts, 646 Comments
Comment posted by S Govindarajan on September 7, 2011 at 3:48 PM
Perfect DOF and comp for the mantis, Carolyn. Just the right background. :toast:
Registered on April 19, 2008, 115 Posts, 1921 Comments
Comment posted by Howard Cheek on September 8, 2011 at 6:25 AM
Love this portrait Carolyn, excellent POV and eye contact.
Great color, sharpness, exposure, and DOF isolating the head/face in your frame.
I especially like the colors of the BG here :toast:
Registered on July 24, 2008, 1201 Posts, 10758 Comments
Comment posted by Varina Patel on September 9, 2011 at 11:02 AM
Well, hello Mr. Mantis! Wow! This photo definitely has impact - I love that! I might consider cropping just a bit at the bottom of the image. The legs are just starting to come into focus there, and my eye keeps sliding in that direction. Not for long, though. That gorgeous mug just keeps me coming back. What a great image!
Registered on August 22, 2008, 45 Posts, 1578 Comments
Comment posted by Roger Leekam on September 16, 2011 at 5:05 PM
I never knew that these insects had such expressive features. I agree with the suggestion of cropping at about the level of the elbows(?) Excellent shot!
Registered on May 28, 2009, 83 Posts, 646 Comments