Beetle on flower

[leanne]

In the creepy-crawlies on flowers vein, here is my contribution. I am very new to paying attention to what is going on in my photos, and would appreciate all suggestions for improvement. I guess my major questions for this photo are regarding composition - what could improve it - and does the foreground being in focus detract from the main subject.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/97328618@N00/2228178354/" title="beetle on flower by lmnelson01, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2227/2228178354_e3571f94db.jpg" width="500" height="282" alt="beetle on flower" /></a>

[wulf]

I think the biggest weakness of this picture is the lighting - very strong in the foreground, moderately strong in the background but leaving the insect half in shadow. As far as the insect is concerned, this is good, because it leaves it better camouflaged, but I don't think it makes for such a good result.

Often the best solution is to keep watching, observing the light and taking more photos.

Wulf

[Taallyn]

I concur with Wulf. Something as simple as placing a piece of blank white paper or a towel just out as a reflector would have helped fill in the shadows. The shadows would have been softened showing more detail, and the overall impact would be better.

All in all though, it is a nice picture.

[peeperita]

i too agree that the bug should have been a little bit better defined from the background.......wulf has some excellent suggestions as to the light and how it falls to help you with that...

thanks for sharing

peeper

[leanne]

Thanks for your advice everyone. I'll keep the tips in mind when having another try. :)