Sharing a Few Butterflies -- Part II

[m00nman26]

Sharing some common butterflies

[m00nman26]

[Bluesteel]

Sharing a few shots of the Harlequins raised under the Save the Harlequin Project.

More details of the Project can be found here at Butterflies of Singapore Blog


Male


ISO100 1/4s F/9 , fill flash , Tripod


ISO200 0.3s F/5.6, fill flash , Tripod

Female


ISO100 0.3s F/10 , fill flash , Tripod


ISO200 1s F/18 , fill flash , Tripod

Cheers!

[Photo Nuts]

That first shot seems to have a certain sharpness I've never seen in your butt photos before. Is that because of the faster shutter speed or better focus? All are amazing though.

[Bluesteel]

Hi Photo Nuts,

Thanks for viewing and the comments.

These shots were taken of newly emerged Harlequins raised from eggs in the early morning hour. Being newly eclosed they are relatively docile and the weather was calm when I released them.

The above conditions afforded me the luxury in the control of lighting , aperture and the use of a tripod at very low shutter speed.These are exceptional conditions, as normally you have perhaps a few seconds to take a shot while contending with whatever given lighting condition and the elements.

The opportunity to use a tripod in butterfly shooting is very rare, even if the subject stay still the wind condition might not be so, causing the perch to sway with the slightest breeze, hence 99% of my shots are handheld.

I have appended the exif to each of the shots.

Originally Posted by Photo Nuts That first shot seems to have a certain sharpness I've never seen in your butt photos before. Is that because of the faster shutter speed or better focus? All are amazing though.

[Photo Nuts]

Originally Posted by Bluesteel The above conditions afforded me the luxury in the control of lighting , aperture and the use of a tripod at very low shutter speed.These are exceptional conditions, as normally you have perhaps a few seconds to take a shot while contending with whatever given lighting condition and the elements.

Thanks. That explains a lot.

I've observed the same thing, not just for butts, but for insect macro in general. Those shots taken with tripod and full reliance on natural lighting (with flash as fill-in for shadows ONLY when necessary) turn out the best. Like these here: http://www.juzaphoto.com/eng/galleries1200/macro2.htm

[m00nman26]

Sharing some butts fr the weekend

[m00nman26]

[Bluesteel]

Originally Posted by Photo Nuts Thanks. That explains a lot. I've observed the same thing, not just for butts, but for insect macro in general. Those shots taken with tripod and full reliance on natural lighting (with flash as fill-in for shadows ONLY when necessary) turn out the best. Like these here: http://www.juzaphoto.com/eng/galleries1200/macro2.htm

Photo Nuts,

Yes , Juza is an expert in using natural light in his macro masterpieces, and I do post in his forum occasionally.

His favorite macro hunting ground is Mt. Lesima's Upper Trebbia Valley, Italy. where he is up in the valley in the early morning to catch the magical first light and the docile subjects before they become active, and normally he is done shooting by 7:30 am.

He is also the an advocate in using Teleconverter on macro lens for increase working distance and narrow the FOV to give creamy smooth background. I am a follower of this approach and occasionally I slap on a 2X TC on my Tamron 180 mm when the condition allow it to be used.


Cheers!

[Bluesteel]

James ,

Some very nice shots you've got there! Your are improving by leaps and bounds on you butterfly shots!

My picks go to the Common Tiger, Malayan Plum Judy and the Horsfield Baron.

Keep them pictures coming!


Cheers!

[Bluesteel]

Sharing some shots taken over the weekend of 2 co-operative Male Red Flashes sunning themselves .



Rapala iarbus iarbus (Common Red Flash) Male
#1

ISO800 1/125 F/9 , Handheld

Upper wing

ISO800 1/80s F/9 Handheld

#2

ISO800 1/60s F/9 Handheld

Upper wing

ISO800 1/60 F/9 Handheld


Cheers!

[Culés]

May I ask how you create these black borders around the photos? is there a software program to do it in all your selcted pics, or do you do it one by one in Photoshop? I always feel a border adds to the picture but feel very lazy to create one by one in Photoshop.

Originally Posted by sumball Thanks James. These were taken at one of the waterfall near Ipoh. First one as mentioned by Bluesteel, it is called Clipper. Second one is a common forest species which can be found at Sime Forest, the Cruiser. Thanks, Bluesteel! Just find it too static like being pinned. What do you think of this diagonal composition? Personnally, I prefer this than the first one. Also, posting the close-up shot of this Clipper taken while it was puddling.

[Bluesteel]

Two shots of the Judy at one of the Urban Park today.

Abisara saturata kausambioides (Malayan Plum Judy) Females

#1



#2

[andylausk]

Sharing this Autumn Leaf.
It was feeding under the ceiling of a shelter. Have to shoot upwards.

[turabgene]

Nice series, butterflies are one of the hardest insect to shots a lot of patience is needed to, before you capture a beautiful and fantastic photos like you did guys... keep on posting

[stingrey]

Bluesteel,
Nice series of Butts you have.

[Bluesteel]

Rey ,

Thanks for dropping by and the kind words!

Cheers!

[Bluesteel]

Hi all,

It has been a great pleasure hosting the " Sharing a few Butterflies" thread.

Judging by the views clocked on both " Sharing a few Butterflies Part I " and " Sharing a few Butterflies Part II " the support has been tremendous and it aroused a fair bit of interest in butterfly photography ,its appreciation and conservation.




Part II is also getting too long and tedious and unwieldy to browse and this must have deterred forumers in fully exploring it, hence I am closing the thread it to start " Sharing a Few Butterflies Part III"


Thank You all for the support!




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