Butterfly on flower

[miasmommy]

How could this shot be better? I wonder if the butterfly is too high and competes with the flower for which thing to look at... or maybe they are a pair and you just see them as one in which case should it be centered? Still not sure what I'm doing...

[suzannebe]

I like this shot, lovely pink colour of the flower/leaves,

[tattoodjay]

I am no expert, but I like this shot, I think the pink of the flower highlights the butterfly

[corona_drinker72]

I think the colors are awesome in this picture. If I had to change something though I would probably crop some of the background out by getting in closer. I think even if you clipped some of the edges of the flower off, it might be ok. i definitely would not center the butterfly. To me the butterfly is the subject although the flower serves as an excellent setting for it. Both are equally important.
Of course, all this is my two little cents worth... as I'm a beginner as well.

[jiminyClickit]

miasmommy,

If you saw suzannebe's zoo animal thread and read clockdoc's suggestion, you might find flipping your photo would also change it for the better. For an overall balanced look, the butterfly's coloring could be saturated and contrasted just a little bit, giving it a better chance of equal attention and bringing it away from upper background, too.

After flipping, you could level the playing field by cropping left side (original above) into flower, leaving same room behind butterfly as is above it. Crop right side (original above) just before greenest whole leaf, which also get rid of distracting blooms. Then take as much off bottom as you need to return to the aspect ratio you want (size).

That would keep most of the flower vibrance, give the butterfly more prominence and size, and still save the scene while lessening distractions. Setting the butterfly in the upper right third area, facing left, will give it flying room, and a pleasing position. If you want to see this, I'll do it, but you'll get more out of trying things yourself.

[miasmommy]

So I think I have done what you suggested (attached). If so though, part of what I liked before was that I got the whole flower. So part 2 of the question is what could I have done differently when taking the original so that I got the whole flower with butterfly and a better composition?

Originally Posted by jiminyClickit

miasmommy,

If you saw suzannebe's zoo animal thread and read clockdoc's suggestion, you might find flipping your photo would also change it for the better. For an overall baanced look, the butterfly's coloring could be saturated and contrasted just a little bit, giving it a better chance of equal attention and bringing it away from upper background, too.

After flipping, you could level the playing field by cropping left side (original above) into flower, leaving same room behind butterfly as is above it. Crop right side (original above) just before greenest whole leaf, which also get rid of distracting blooms. Then take as much off bottom as you need to return to the aspect ratio you want (size).

That would keep most of the flower vibrance, give the butterfly more prominence and size, and still save the scene while lessening distractions. Setting the butterfly in the upper right third area, facing left, will give it flying room, and a pleasing position. If you want to see this, I'll do it, but you'll get more out of trying things yourself.

[rehan]

The cropping and flipping works for my eyes. the butterfly is more prominent and lead my eyes to the flower. it is a wonderful shot. i like the crisp focus and colors.

[jiminyClickit]

miasmommy,

Hover. If you found a good angle higher up, waiting for butterfly to do that open-close thing, you could get entire bloom face with a little greenery, and butterfly diagonally aligned thereon. I really like your edit, giving a balance to both subjects. To match a large bright object with a much smaller muted-tone one is possible, just unlikely the butterfly will get equal attention.

[miasmommy]

Ok turns out there is a part 3 to the question... compare and contrast, this is another one from the same day.

[jiminyClickit]

miasmommy,

So if you took a really good full shot of the bloom, you'd have both subjects, each presented in its best light (and size). Sometimes that's an answer, separate your subjects. Very nice butterfly shot.