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Climbing Ant/Repost 2
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Climbing Ant/Repost 2

by Randy Runtsch

Gallery: Macro & Close-upPosted November 11, 201365 views9 comments
This photo is the result of a 50% crop, split almost equally between the left and right. I prefer this vertical image to accentuate the climb.

I wish that the antennae was in focus. Please comment and make suggestions on improving the crop or tone.

Pentax K-5 with Tamron 90mm f/2.5 BB, unknown aperture (full manual lens), 1/180 sec, iso 400

Comments

9 comments
Comment posted by Howard Cheek on November 12, 2013 at 9:01 AM
I think the crop/comp works fine for this, I like the ants vertical orientation with head turned upward Randy.
Attractive frame with all the tiny yellow flowers, good sharp focus.
I might suggest just backing off on your contrast a bit to improve the overall 'tones'.
Well done :toast:
Registered on July 24, 2008, 1201 Posts, 10758 Comments
Comment posted by Lucy VanSwearingen on November 12, 2013 at 11:21 AM
Great focus :toast: He doesn't look pleased with you..he seems to be glaring pretty intently.
Registered on May 23, 2009, 800 Posts, 2042 Comments
Comment posted by scott lanz on November 12, 2013 at 3:53 PM
Impressive detail given the comp, Randy, and I like the punchy, contrasting colors. Really good look at the subject and an attractive image overall.
Registered on November 14, 2003, 840 Posts, 12902 Comments
Comment posted by Yun Gao on November 12, 2013 at 8:42 PM
Nice little ant on the yellow flower. Like the color combo here. I saw a tiny dust spot in the URC. That is minor. Lovely work.
Registered on September 11, 2012, 267 Posts, 1621 Comments
Comment posted by Randy Runtsch on November 12, 2013 at 9:39 PM
Thank you for the comments and suggestions, everyone. I see that spot in the URC now, and will clean it out.

I came to enjoy macro photography (while often frustrated) this past summer, so will miss subjects like this one until spring.
Registered on October 30, 2013, 50 Posts, 445 Comments
Comment posted by Randy Runtsch on November 13, 2013 at 7:52 PM
Here is a new version of the image with the spot in the UR removed. I tweaked the tone and presence, and also reduced the yellow saturation in LR4. Please take a look and comment and critique if you wish.

Thanks again, Howard and Yun for your suggestions, and Lucy and Scott for your comments.
Registered on October 30, 2013, 50 Posts, 445 Comments
Comment posted by Howard Cheek on November 13, 2013 at 9:01 PM
In the repost the ants colors look more realistic IMO.
But I can't accurately judge what the color of the ant should be, you were there :wink:
It's true the first post has more 'punch".
So I think it was close as is.. All I suggested was backing off just a BIT on overall tone/contrast.
The yellows were fine, I think de-saturating them was not needed..
And so it goes, round & round, and where it stops, nobody knows :biggrin:
Registered on July 24, 2008, 1201 Posts, 10758 Comments
Comment posted by Howard Cheek on November 13, 2013 at 9:10 PM
In the repost the ants colors look more realistic IMO.
But I can't accurately judge what the color of the ant should be, you were there :wink:
It's true the first post has more 'punch".
So I think it was close as is. All I suggested was backing off just a BIT on overall tone/contrast.
The yellows were fine, I think de-saturating them was not needed.
I did a quick fix simply using the slider for contrast in Adobe PS for comparison..
And so it goes, round & round, and where it stops, nobody knows :biggrin:
Registered on July 24, 2008, 1201 Posts, 10758 Comments
Comment posted by Randy Runtsch on November 13, 2013 at 10:17 PM
Howard, I prefer the original yellows (like what you did in PS, too), too. Also, I have been using only Lightroom to edit, but installed Photoshop CC tonight, so now I have another powerful tool in the bag (with a good learning curve, I'm certain).
Registered on October 30, 2013, 50 Posts, 445 Comments