Trying for pictorial as well as ID

[marlunn]

A couple more shots of Hoverflies where I am trying to work it pictorially as well as ID - I think there is a finite limit to this for Hoverflies as you do need to get close for the detail so will need to review my subject matter and try to expand the range to push my 'artistic' eye further. So also a garden flower - not a bug in sight

#1 Episryphus balteatus


#2 also Episryphus balteatus


#3 This however is a Thalictrum grown from seed by my wife, I liked the 'light airiness' of the flowers so wanted a subdued background.

[Shadowman]

Nice captures.

[lovelife65]

Very nice set. 2&3 are my favorites. Great capture of the water drops on #2!
Beautiful colors in #3, with the background complementing the lavendar colors of the flower. I'm not sure, but I may have changed focus on the bloomed flower in the lower corner vs the "still waiting to bloom" closed flower, but a minor detail

[marlunn]

Thanks John, appreciated.
Thank you Sharon, it was a umm err decision point on that when I took it but i felt it was sufficiently 'in' to be the better option - part of the problem with a macro lens hand held. The bud is almost on the lower third so it is the key focal point on the shot so went with that

[Wavelength]

They are all magnetic!!!

[billtils]

For macros of hoverflies - the first for me, but it is the third that I like best of the set. It just has that certain "something".

[Mike Buckley]

The second one is special for me. Perhaps caption it Stepping between the water drops.

[Geoff F]

The second one is special for me. Perhaps caption it Stepping between the water drops.

Yes, sometimes it is difficult to keep your fee dry.

[bnnrcn]

The second image is excellent Mark. I also love the flower shot with beautiful colors

[marlunn]

Thank you Nandakumar,
Cheers Bill, my wife would agree with you
Thanks Mike, yep - good title especoially given the size in regards to the insect !
Thanks Geoff, and I struggle keeping two dry, they have six !
Thank you Binnur, appreciated

[John 2]

If only they would stop, take instruction and pose, being artistic wouldn't be so difficult with these sort of shots. No. 2 is my favourite. The first might not need all of the negative space on the left (change to portrait format perhaps and include a bit more of the base of the seed pod if you have captured it?) but that's being slightly picky. Beautiful subtlety of colour in the third with the perfect colour for the BG. Nice series.

[marlunn]

Thanks John, yep I did take it Portrait but on processing changed it to a crop in landscape - this is the full frame. I think the out of focus aspect of the seed pod is more 'up front' in this and is more annoying than in the landscape version - but happy to hear what others think

[Wavelength]

Nice; i think you may trim from both top and bottom to get more focus on the subject, just a thought

[John 2]

Thanks John, yep I did take it Portrait but on processing changed it to a crop in landscape - this is the full frame. I think the out of focus aspect of the seed pod is more 'up front' in this and is more annoying than in the landscape version - but happy to hear what others think

See what you mean. That OOF area definitely dominates more. Pity, it's a nice comp.

[lovelife65]

Thanks John, appreciated.
Thank you Sharon, it was a umm err decision point on that when I took it but i felt it was sufficiently 'in' to be the better option - part of the problem with a macro lens hand held. The bud is almost on the lower third so it is the key focal point on the shot so went with that

I think your composition and focus is great. I doubt I would have really changed anything, and the lower third focus works . Not sure why I commented as I did, other than that part of the image, with the open flower, is quite beautiful... but really all of it is