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95 % of this image is out of focus.The only thing sharp is one leg.
You approached this from completely the wrong angle and focused badly - you need to have your camera on the same plane as the subject for this kind of macro shot.
There will be swarms of theses around soon so you can get a better shot than this.
You approached this from completely the wrong angle and focused badly - you need to have your camera on the same plane as the subject for this kind of macro shot.
There will be swarms of theses around soon so you can get a better shot than this.

Quote:it's the first time I've ever captured one of these beauties and so I'm b*****ed if I'm not uploading it!
Lol!! Isn't it brilliant when you get something you're excited about!!! Yes, I agree with 'bricurtis', most of it is oof - but as he says, soon there will be lots for you to chase around like the rest of us do!!!


Many thanks for the kind words and critiques.
Bri you are absolutely right, though feel I should be allowed to say a few words in mitigation m'lud.
I wasn't at the normal angle for this type of shot, perpendicular to the whole body, mostly because I was already stood in a bush and just couldn't get any further in. I decided to go with the 3/4 shot to get something a bit different of the face.
I was aware that the rest of the body would be oof, but the only way to have done anything about that would have been some crazy sort of stacking. This wouldn't have even been vaguely possible as I was hand holding, and the damsel fly would have wandered off long before I achieved anything, and that is assuming that my PS skills are up to stacking which I fear they are not
Oh and to be fair it's not just one leg that is sharp, I reckon that at least one more foot and a bit of his mouth are too
Thanks for all comments, and I certainly hope that you predictions of more of these guys to come holds true.
Tim
Bri you are absolutely right, though feel I should be allowed to say a few words in mitigation m'lud.
I wasn't at the normal angle for this type of shot, perpendicular to the whole body, mostly because I was already stood in a bush and just couldn't get any further in. I decided to go with the 3/4 shot to get something a bit different of the face.
I was aware that the rest of the body would be oof, but the only way to have done anything about that would have been some crazy sort of stacking. This wouldn't have even been vaguely possible as I was hand holding, and the damsel fly would have wandered off long before I achieved anything, and that is assuming that my PS skills are up to stacking which I fear they are not

Oh and to be fair it's not just one leg that is sharp, I reckon that at least one more foot and a bit of his mouth are too

Thanks for all comments, and I certainly hope that you predictions of more of these guys to come holds true.
Tim

Tim, it's always difficult knowing whether or not to upload shots like this when you know the comments will be coming in from members who are a dab hand a this sort of shot, and there are some very experienced photographers out there. However for your first, it's a good attempt and I wish you luck for when you do the next one. Keep sending em' in, as I'm sure you will get there.
Kind support,
Geoff.
Kind support,
Geoff.

Tim I know what you are saying - these are not easy at the best of times. I love insect images - thats why I looked at it.
I take on board your response of the difficulty it gave you - these Damsels always do - I posted what I thought was a suggestion to help you get a better image.If you go for head shots put some X tubes on camera to get closer.
You should be able to get a good shot without image stacking - I tried that with no success last year.
Come June the countryside will be swarming with Damsels - I have seen 3 species so far but its too windy - thats another problem when shooting these.
Thanks for taking the comment in the manner it was intended - m'lud indeed.
I rest my case
I take on board your response of the difficulty it gave you - these Damsels always do - I posted what I thought was a suggestion to help you get a better image.If you go for head shots put some X tubes on camera to get closer.
You should be able to get a good shot without image stacking - I tried that with no success last year.
Come June the countryside will be swarming with Damsels - I have seen 3 species so far but its too windy - thats another problem when shooting these.
Thanks for taking the comment in the manner it was intended - m'lud indeed.
I rest my case


Eye contact is very important in macro photography and you've go that here, if not 100% perfect, it's close!
The leg is a little sharper than the eye, yes, but there's nothing wrong with the rest of the wing being out of focus, it's more the way you have chosen to keep the whole insect instead of going for more of a study of the head and forelegs.
As you said it's often impossible to get into a position where you're lined up with the plane of the wings and head, so in this case you probably could have approached even closer and changed the presentation.
In the circumstances I think it's an admirable effort!
Keep them coming!
Well done!
Tim
The leg is a little sharper than the eye, yes, but there's nothing wrong with the rest of the wing being out of focus, it's more the way you have chosen to keep the whole insect instead of going for more of a study of the head and forelegs.
As you said it's often impossible to get into a position where you're lined up with the plane of the wings and head, so in this case you probably could have approached even closer and changed the presentation.
In the circumstances I think it's an admirable effort!
Keep them coming!
Well done!
Tim