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by Mark James Ford

Gallery: Macro & Close-upPosted March 6, 2016120 views5 comments
Here another graphic shot taken from the tour last year in Slovenia. This time a Heath Fritillary (Melitaea athalia) caught early in the morning (when they are not yet active) in its natural surrounding from which it was separated by the use a white reflector and diffuser placed in front and behind the subject. ETTR ensures these blow out to a true white ...

Sigma SD1 Merrill, Sigma 180mm APO Macro, ISO 400, 1/60 sec.

A larger view can be seen HERE.

Cheers, Mark

Comments

5 comments
Comment posted by Jim Zablotny on March 6, 2016 at 5:48 PM
Hi Mark,

I like the high key presentation of this composition. This technique produces illustration-like photographs which are suitable for scientific and artistic viewing. Well donedevil............................Jim
Registered on January 17, 2004, 705 Posts, 3594 Comments
Comment posted by Mark Seaver on March 6, 2016 at 11:02 PM
Mark, as Jim says, the white background really does give this a "scientific presentation quality.  I like the off center placement and the fine details in both the butterfly and it's perch.  I do wonder about getting closer as that would let the bf and it's perch occupy more of the frame, but that would also make getting enough dof more challenging.
Registered on January 23, 2011, 1103 Posts, 17270 Comments
Comment posted by Mark James Ford on March 7, 2016 at 1:11 PM
Hi, Gentlemen, thanks for the comments. I really like producing these and will certainly continue to do so enlightened ... Mark, in terms of size, I can see your point, for me here the dead flower head was as much a part of the subject hence the rather small area devoted to the bf ... In terms of the actual shot itself the bf actually occupies considerably more of the frame - I was 'closer' to the subject than the final image would suggest (F10 btw, sorry forgot to post ... was just about enough).  One of the advantages of the blown out white background is I can then place the subject exactly where I want it in terms of the final 'graphic design' of the shot.  The original dimensions of the shot were 4704x3136 the final dimensions of the finished image are 6000x4000 pixels, so there is a lot of detail in the subject to be seen - it just needs to be 'big on the wall' enlightened 

Cheers, Mark
Registered on January 16, 2015, 60 Posts, 430 Comments
Comment posted by Ed Lowe on March 9, 2016 at 10:24 PM
The high key effect works nicely and makes a clean canvas for the butterfly, Mark.

Ed
Registered on February 7, 2004, 414 Posts, 7115 Comments
Comment posted by Bill Fach on March 13, 2016 at 9:20 AM
Mark: Superbly crafted image. Most excellent. >=))>
Registered on November 1, 2003, 1805 Posts, 26981 Comments