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Resting Postman
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Resting Postman

by Ken Henke

Gallery: Macro & Close-upPosted May 14, 201275 views5 comments
Visited the Butterfly Pavilion in Westminster, CO this past Saturday during their tripod allowed session. Being able to use a tripod, I was able to shoot a 10 image stack of the Common Postman butterfly at rest. Never shot insects much before and now I know why...it is not easy!
Although stacking may not be the preferred way to shoot insects, I don't prefer the flash look either. I guess I just need to master better fill flash.
Certainly not an ideal butterfly pose, but I did like to color of the leaf in combination with the butterfly's color.

Comments

5 comments
Comment posted by scott lanz on May 14, 2012 at 9:58 PM
As far as I am concerned, stacking works well for insects provided you have a cooperative subject and no wind. My subjects just don't stay still long enough. Good job taking advantage of the conditions here. The stack looks very good - no artifacts that I can see. I like the blurred BG allowing the colorful leaf and BF to stand out. Good detail in the black wings as well. Thanks for posting.
Registered on November 14, 2003, 840 Posts, 12902 Comments
Comment posted by Miro Susta on May 15, 2012 at 5:50 AM
Not easy task, but you have managed it quite well Ken. I like the nice leaf colors as well as all butterfly details. What a pity you that the part of the butterfly is fighting with the dark BG. IMO more space at the right side would be nice. Well done Ken. :smile:
Registered on August 18, 2006, 719 Posts, 3736 Comments
Comment posted by Rick Turner on May 15, 2012 at 9:52 AM
I agree with Miro on the leaf and wing intersecting causes eye movement disruption. Good capture overall.
Registered on February 18, 2012, 534 Posts, 2755 Comments
Comment posted by Carolyn Derstine on May 15, 2012 at 8:44 PM
Always nice when critters hold still for their picture. :smile: Great job on the stack; makes for nice details in the butterfly and leaf. I like the coloring in this also; the pink in the wings coordinates nicely with the pink in the leaf. As others mentioned, wish the end of the wing didn't get lost in the darkness of the background. In processing, maybe some of the pink blur could have been cloned to form a backdrop for the wing?
Registered on February 16, 2011, 610 Posts, 3684 Comments
Comment posted by Richard Teller on May 16, 2012 at 7:45 AM
Very nice image. The only nit I would have is a little more room on the left of the wing.
Registered on August 23, 2010, 1162 Posts, 6692 Comments