AH Butterfly Park

centrino · 27th February 2005

Taken this morning. Comments are welcome.

1.

2.

3.

centrino · 27th February 2005

Two more.

4.

5.

Fred · 1st March 2005

Good effort there, keep shooting.

MountainMan · 7th March 2005

I like shot #2 very much. Sorry I am not very good at IDing butterflys and hence cannot really name them... but #2 is well composed and balanced.

I noticed that you have put in effort to prevent having a blackish background despite shooting with a flash. Well done.

Hoping to see more of your posts here.

MM

chngpe01 · 7th March 2005

Nice shot there, JJ.

centrino · 9th March 2005

Thanks guys for your comments.

skfoo · 9th March 2005

These images should be posted under the Macros and close-ups where the macro experts are.

MountainMan · 10th March 2005

Originally Posted by skfoo

These images should be posted under the Macros and close-ups where the macro experts are.

It may be more appropriate to start a new thread on this, but since SKFOO brought it up here, I will continue it as of this thread unless the moderators decides that it is inappropriate (if so please transplant this onto a new thread).

I was wondering what the rest of you guys think on this subject of "world of nature" vs "macro nature" photography...

It is quite obvious that the postings on WON is quite slanted towards bird photography, and the occasional zoo (bird park) and pet shots. Well I guess birds seems to be more abundant and hence a relatively "easier" subject to photograph, as compared to others animals like mammals and reptiles. But my point is that insects, frogs, plants are also part of nature right?

In my opinion, macro photography should be as it is... macro... discussing the finer details and techniques of the specialized field of macro photography, and yes to showcase the shots taken using macro techniques. But the butterfly shots in this thread are technically NOT macro (no special macro technique really needed, except maybe knowing flash placements) and is more a showcase of the beauty of nature (in this case butterflies).

This is NOT meant as an attack on SKFOO's comment

, but more for the rest of us on WON to reflect... maybe we should be seeing more of the rest of the natural world here on WON... if not we might as well start a new thread that emphasizes on bird photography only... or posts more on the newly formed AWA forum (compliments of CCLIM and GARION... hope I didn't miss out anyone else). Anyway, I really enjoyed the photos that have been posted so far on WON and I must congratulate everyone as most of the photos are very professionally taken.

PS: not starting any wars here... just something for us all to think about.

Garion · 10th March 2005

Regarding skfoo's comments that these images should be posted in Macro forums instead of here:

MountainMan has brought up some valid points in his post. When one comes across the term "World of Nature", one would think of a wide spectrum of subjects. It can be birds, animals or mammals, frogs, fish, insects, plants, trees, flowers... anything to do with the natural world. Sometimes the boundaries can get blurred....like an artistic closeup shot of a plant or flower...should it be considered macro, nature, or abstract? It is entirely up to the discretion of the owner to post it where he deem fit. We should not be so quick to jump to the conclusion that oh, if it is a nice picture of a flower or butterfly or dragonfly in its natural environment, it strictly belongs under the Macro section. As MountainMan had explained in his post, Macro Photography section should be about "discussing the finer details and techniques of the specialized field of macro photography, and to showcase the shots taken using macro techniques." In this case he is right, the butterfly shots shown here are not technically macro.

No doubt most of the postings here are of birds in the wild, and sometimes other animals like pets and animals in captivity (zoo/birdpark etc), but sometimes it is good to have a little variety once in a while. I feel that butterflies are one of the most recognisable symbols of the wonders of the natural world, with their variety of colours, patterns and beauty. The miracle of metarmophosis (caterpillar -> adult butterfly) has been hailed as one of Nature's greatest wonders. So I feel yes, it is definitely alright to share shots of butterflies in this forum, especially those portraying them in their natural environment as centrino had done here. If it is strictly closeups shots on the wings and other parts of these insects, and discussion on how to obtain them, then yes, those definitely belong to macro section.

I am not against skfoo's comments or anything, no flames intended, just my 2 cts worth on the issue.

Sorry for going so OT centrino, and thanks for sharing the beauty of butterflies with us.

centrino · 10th March 2005

No problem with the OT guys, I posted them here because these pics are not taken with a macro lens, close up filter, etc..

Think skfoo was just suggesting that post it under macro forum will got more comments.

Happy shooting !

chngpe01 · 13th March 2005

The line between the shot of a butterfly in the WON and macro is very thin. After all butterfly are also nature.

It is good to have views from all angles, I think we need not split the line any further and I am fine with butterfly or any insects are nature shot being posted here.

Chng Peng Eik
Moderator WON

Hein · 13th March 2005

Like the last shot.. A little tighter crop would have been good

LeeDan · 15th March 2005

Thanks for sharing these wonderful photos, nice colors and composition on these elusive subjects..

You must have spent a considerable amount of time to capture so many different species..

Great Job... btw what's the recommended lens to use for such a subject..
Sure would like to have more opportunity to learn how to shoot them.

centrino · 15th March 2005

Thank all for ur comments.

Actually I am using sigma 70-200 f2.8 with 1.4x sigma TC, mount on a tripod.

Tried to use 70-200 with a extention tube but this setup has more or less a fixed focus distance to the subject which is quite tough to catch the butterfly.

Think the best approach is to use a true macro lens of > 100mm.

Any other expert has any advise/comments? please share. thanks!

27th February 2005	#1
centrino Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 333	AH Butterfly Park Taken this morning. Comments are welcome. 1. 2. 3.

7th March 2005	#5
chngpe01 Moderator Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 7,490	Nice shot there, JJ. __________________ my work I am featured here, in Vol 4

10th March 2005	#9
Garion Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: West side of S'pore Posts: 5,516	Regarding skfoo's comments that these images should be posted in Macro forums instead of here: MountainMan has brought up some valid points in his post. When one comes across the term "World of Nature", one would think of a wide spectrum of subjects. It can be birds, animals or mammals, frogs, fish, insects, plants, trees, flowers... anything to do with the natural world. Sometimes the boundaries can get blurred....like an artistic closeup shot of a plant or flower...should it be considered macro, nature, or abstract? It is entirely up to the discretion of the owner to post it where he deem fit. We should not be so quick to jump to the conclusion that oh, if it is a nice picture of a flower or butterfly or dragonfly in its natural environment, it strictly belongs under the Macro section. As MountainMan had explained in his post, Macro Photography section should be about "discussing the finer details and techniques of the specialized field of macro photography, and to showcase the shots taken using macro techniques." In this case he is right, the butterfly shots shown here are not technically macro. No doubt most of the postings here are of birds in the wild, and sometimes other animals like pets and animals in captivity (zoo/birdpark etc), but sometimes it is good to have a little variety once in a while. I feel that butterflies are one of the most recognisable symbols of the wonders of the natural world, with their variety of colours, patterns and beauty. The miracle of metarmophosis (caterpillar -> adult butterfly) has been hailed as one of Nature's greatest wonders. So I feel yes, it is definitely alright to share shots of butterflies in this forum, especially those portraying them in their natural environment as centrino had done here. If it is strictly closeups shots on the wings and other parts of these insects, and discussion on how to obtain them, then yes, those definitely belong to macro section. I am not against skfoo's comments or anything, no flames intended, just my 2 cts worth on the issue. Sorry for going so OT centrino, and thanks for sharing the beauty of butterflies with us. __________________ [ deviantart selections \| Photoblog ]

13th March 2005	#11
chngpe01 Moderator Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 7,490	The line between the shot of a butterfly in the WON and macro is very thin. After all butterfly are also nature. It is good to have views from all angles, I think we need not split the line any further and I am fine with butterfly or any insects are nature shot being posted here. Chng Peng Eik Moderator WON __________________ my work I am featured here, in Vol 4

13th March 2005	#12
Hein Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Singapore Posts: 711	Like the last shot.. A little tighter crop would have been good __________________ Nikon D700 + Nikkor AF-S 24-70mm f/2.8G ED Gitzo 1530 + Markins Q3

27th February 2005	#2
centrino Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 333	Two more. 4. 5.

1st March 2005	#3
Fred Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,240	Good effort there, keep shooting.

7th March 2005	#4
MountainMan Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Planet Earth Posts: 434	I like shot #2 very much. Sorry I am not very good at IDing butterflys and hence cannot really name them... but #2 is well composed and balanced. I noticed that you have put in effort to prevent having a blackish background despite shooting with a flash. Well done. Hoping to see more of your posts here. MM

9th March 2005	#6
centrino Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 333	Thanks guys for your comments.

9th March 2005	#7
skfoo Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 1,187	These images should be posted under the Macros and close-ups where the macro experts are.

15th March 2005	#13
LeeDan Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: White Sands, Singapore Posts: 148	AH Butterfly Park Thanks for sharing these wonderful photos, nice colors and composition on these elusive subjects.. You must have spent a considerable amount of time to capture so many different species.. Great Job... btw what's the recommended lens to use for such a subject.. Sure would like to have more opportunity to learn how to shoot them.

15th March 2005	#14
centrino Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 333	Thank all for ur comments. Actually I am using sigma 70-200 f2.8 with 1.4x sigma TC, mount on a tripod. Tried to use 70-200 with a extention tube but this setup has more or less a fixed focus distance to the subject which is quite tough to catch the butterfly. Think the best approach is to use a true macro lens of > 100mm. Any other expert has any advise/comments? please share. thanks!