I got lucky!

[kenmil]

Had the macro lens out to take some shots of my lillies and a butterfly showed up for the photo shoot! Problem - I had the camera on the tripod so I couldn't really move to match the butterfly's movement.

I like the photo attached but I'd like to know how more experienced photographers would've handled the situation. I'm still learning my SLR (no classes, just reading & experimenting) so I'm not very quick on adjustments.

Canon EOS Rebel XSi w/ macro lens
ISO = 200
Exposure = 1/800
Aperature = f/5
No Flash

[Doug Sundseth]

Dappled sunlight is almost impossible to work with unless it's a primary part of the composition. For either the flower shots you intended to take or the butterfly shot you got, you would probably do better if you used a diffuser between the sun and your subject.

For the situation you found yourself in, you handled the exposure pretty well. There's plenty of detail in the shadows.

But you clipped the top corner of the butterfly's wing, which is a bit distracting, and you left the butterfly in the center of the image, which doesn't work as well as another subject placement.

Always try to look at the edges of the frame and the background when you shoot, and try not to place the subject in the center of the frame unless you are trying to get a specific effect.

[NotQuite]

Beautiful capture. With the butterfly it both compliments and contrasts. Without it it would still be a very nice Lilly shot. I disagree with the previous comment, the butterfly being to the centre isn't too bad. Although it doesn't follow the rule of thirds it breaks the rule well as there is much in the frame that is pleasing to the eyes. I like how there is a good ratio of foreground and back, however the 'softened' dry grass background does the picture no justice it needs to be greener!! So water your grass!!!

[kenmil]

Here's another shot. If I remember correctly, I moved and the butterfly came back. The butterfly is not centered and the background has more color. As far as the diffuser, I have a large lists of wants for my hobby. =)

(The grass was not my fault! We watered and watered and it still died. Our remedy was to buy a different house!)

ISO 200
Exposure 1/640
Aprerature f/5
No Flash

[loons49]

Soooo much better than the first shot! The real trick with butterflies is to be patient ..... If this is a JPEG straight out of camera I would sugggest some PP adjustments such as increasing clarity and sharpening a bit and a bit of adjustment in the highlights, shadows and blacks. But even w/o PP it is a great capture!!

[kenmil]

Thanks for the feedback! I started to post both pics to start with but the rules say "one".

Both pics are as I took them other than some cropping. I'll try out some of your recommendations and see what I come up with!