Butterfly at Lunch

[Floris]

I'd like to get some comments on this one.
I took ik in my backyard, on a hot summer day...
I just stood there in the middle of the flowers waiting for this shot..
It took me 30 minutes or so.

now when I look back at the picture I think:
should've placed the butterfly better, on the third of the image maybe.
Also, should've used less high exposure.. because it's overbrightened.

hope to give it a next try next summer.

Any expanding thoughts about this?

[Nicole]

I think that this is a good start, and that you have picked out most of the things that I would suggest fixing here.

I agree that it is a bit over exposed, so next time, speed up the shutter speed a bit (not sure what settings you had your camera on here), and if possibly perhaps try using a polarizing filter to help with the colours as well if you can.

As far as composition, what about trying to tilt your camera so that the flowers run more diagonally across the photo, just for a bit of difference?

[Floris]

hmm.. that's actually an idea!
thnx , i'll try to remember it.

but polarizing filter?
whats that? it that a setting? an object placed in front of my lens?
I don't know.

[Mtik]

Originally Posted by Floris

now when I look back at the picture I think:
should've placed the butterfly better, on the third of the image maybe.
Also, should've used less high exposure.. because it's overbrightened.

I couldn't agree more. The worst part is that it's overexposed. What I would have suggested was to take a few practice shots and see how they exposed before your subject matter appeared. That would have allowed you to check the histogram and preview the image.

I still like the picture though, great try.

-Tim

[Nicole]

Originally Posted by Floris

but polarizing filter?
whats that? it that a setting? an object placed in front of my lens?
I don't know.

Hi Floris-
A polarizing filter is a filter that screws on to the front of a SLR lens, and basically acts like a pair of sunglasses. It helps to make colours pop out even more, and can create some lovely blue skies because it changes how light enters the lens. You can read more about polarizing filters on the DPS Blog. Even if you can't use a polarizing filter on your lens, you may be able to do something with a pair of sunglasses
Hope that helps explain!

[Krimo]

Hi Floris,

I agree, the shot is a bit overexposed. I think that you could have used a wider aperture, in order to really focus on the butterfly. The background is a little bit distracting I think. Let's wait to see what the others have to say about that.
Love the colors by the way, the overexposition created some sort of angelic effect

[Floris]

Nicole, thank you for the exlpaination.
unfortunately i cant use such filter.. i use a "point-and-shoot" camera
(lol i just learned what that is) but i might try sunglasses! thanks a lot.

[SueB]

It is difficult with the type of camera you are using to try and blur the background so my suggestion would be to simplify it if you could. Separate it from the flowers in the background with maybe a piece of coloured paper or fabric. Another thing to try is to just find an angle where the background is simpler, from down low you can use the sky *course it depends on where your subject lands
The reason you want to simplify is so that there is no distraction from your wonderful subject.
I think your already ahead of me in the patience department!

[Lastoadri]

ah, beautiful picture..
however, i don't know how to fix that, but the colors are very bright..
its a bit irritating to my eyes ..

yet, still a great shot..

[Nicole]

Originally Posted by Floris

unfortunately i cant use such filter.. i use a "point-and-shoot" camera
(lol i just learned what that is) but i might try sunglasses! thanks a lot.

Another option is to just hold a normal polarizing filter over your camera's lens even if you can't attach it. Might be useful if you can find a cheap polarizing filter or you know someone you can borrow one from