Your critiques are appreciated-Butterfly Picture

[edikici]

First time posting in this forum. Commands and critiques are welcome. I would appreciate the possible ID as well. It was in a butterfly sanctuary so I can't give you any location of a different angle.

Shot with Nikon D500 + Nikkor 300 mm PF f/4 +TC-14E III Teleconverter 1/200, f5.6, ISO 320

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[Icarus]

Beautiful butterfly photographed well. I find the red flower in immediate foreground somewhat distracting, but overall really like the image.

 

[edikici]

Beautiful butterfly photographed well. I find the red flower in immediate foreground somewhat distracting, but overall really like the image.

Thank you. I appreciate it. I will try one without the flower. I had left it there on purpose to get some red-color balance to the image.

 

[Deleted member 115]

I think it is a nice photo. Sorry I can't help with ID on this one. The only kind of problem I have is the bright background but what can ya do sometimes it can't be avoided with fast moving buttferflies.
It is very nicely detailed, would probably be good for a field guide photo no doubt.
Edit- looking again I think maybe the wide crop is bringing too much bright background into it. Maybe a 4;3 or ? would take out some of the bright upper left that doesn't add anything.

 

[Gottshotz]

Hi Edikici, and welcome to the forum.
I am pretty positive this is one of the Polydamas Swallowtails (Battus polydamas), but nailing it down to the actual species is very hard as there are several contenders and your specimen is slightly worn--eg there is a white rim going around the outside indented edge of the hind wing, only traces of it are apparent here. The red dots on the thorax and abdomen are distinctive as are the red chevrons on the indented hind wing, but where I can't find a matching image is of the inner line of red dots. If you are really keen to get the ID better than a Polydamas Swallowtail, I could ask a world authority I know --- but I'm not sure of his exact whereabouts at this point in time !
As to the butterfly itself -- its very good, crisp and clean and well focused. Both Icarus and Hut are right IMO, the out of focus RH leaf and flower are distracting, and the background is too white although I'm not certain you can do a lot with about that -- maybe fiddle around with the shadows and dehaze in LR develop ? Hope this helps.

 

[Flyboy]

It is marvelous just the way it is!

 

[Irap]

Very nice, great detail in the darks.

 

[Laurent Dieu]

Hello,

Nice shot.
I agree with Icarus, the red flower is a bit distracting.
On my side, I see "Out Of Focus" on the eye of the butterfly, and a lack of sharpness on the wings.
I assume that with your 300 f/' with TC, you've turned the AF on? If yes, put the AF point on the eyes, f/5.6 should be good to have a lot in focus.
Otherwise it's a good shot. You've have details in the black tones.

Laurent.

 

[jhallettbc]

I just got the 300 PF and a TC14ii and had no idea you could capture close ups like this. It allows for a greater distance to not frighten off such insects. Thanks for the inspiration. Wonderful photo.

 

[Woodyg3]

Great job getting the whole butterfly in the focus plane. The bright background offers a great contrast to the black butterfly. The red flower does not bother me, and in fact I think it complimants the red in the butterfly. You could always clone it out if it really bothers you. Nice job, this is a wonderful shot.

 

[Deleted member 115]

Hello,

Nice shot.
I agree with Icarus, the red flower is a bit distracting.
On my side, I see "Out Of Focus" on the eye of the butterfly, and a lack of sharpness on the wings.
I assume that with your 300 f/' with TC, you've turned the AF on? If yes, put the AF point on the eyes, f/5.6 should be good to have a lot in focus.
Otherwise it's a good shot. You've have details in the black tones.

Laurent.

Honestly, difficult to be that critical of an image that has been resized and reduced for upload to this forum.