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A Butterfly of Shade and Shine


A Butterfly of Shade and Shine
Photo Information
Copyright: Ivan Kruys (Argus) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5038 W: 260 N: 15594] (50626)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-04-23
Categories: Insects
Camera: Canon 400D, Canon EF 300 f4L + Canon 1.4 converter
Exposure: f/5.6, 1/800 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version, Workshop
Theme(s): Bayram's Favorites-1 [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2008-05-01 4:01
Viewed: 4752
Points: 58
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
This is the nominate form of the Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria aegeria). The WORKSHOP shows a more conventional view of this Satyrid butterfly, the orange ground colour distinguishing it from the N. European subspecies P. aegeria tircis that has a creamy yellow ground colour.

It is certainly one of the most common species of butterfly that occur in Mallorca, one or two appearing in most of the more lush sheltered sites. They bask in the sunshine but like to fly in the shade of trees and bushes.

This was taken in the herb garden of the Lluc Monastery in the Tramuntana Mts. in the north of the island.

I was struck by how the light shone through the wings as this individual was taking nectar from the flowers of this ornamental lily, which is what inspired me to take the shot. I had to underexpose a little to cope with the white of the flowers.

This was taken with the camera hand-held at a distance of about 2 meters and after moderate cropping and size reduction the image was selectively sharpened.
haraprasan, Amadeo, goldyrs, ellis49, marhowie, eqshannon, Jamesp, jaycee, matatur, peter_stoeckl, nglen, boreocypriensis, gerbilratz, CeltickRanger, ramthakur, gracious, gannu, rousettus, anel has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Hi Ivan,
A lovely capture of this beautiful speckle wood butterfly. Excellent composition and sharp details. Thanks a lot for sharing.

Hola Ivan, muy bonita la composición, con buenos colores y una luz adecuada. Un saludo

A lovely shot, Ivan.THe light and shade effect is awesome.
Cheers!
Goldy

Hej Ivan,
a beautiful catch, the butterfly is wonderful.
Lovely colours, well exposed and fine detail's, the BG is dark
but not black and that is nice.
You did find lovley subject even in the stormy weather:-)
Well done.
Snart är det väl dax att kolla lite på fjärilsvägen,
vi har haft ett fint och ganska varmt den senaste veckan.
Mvh
Gert

Hi Ivan

Great backlighting on the wings. It really adds that extra to the picture. Composition is nice having the b'fly in the upper left.

TFS
Emma

hello ivan,
very beautiful capture, i loved the effect of light and the dark backgrounf, well composed shot,
tfs & regards
pankaj

Hi Ivan,
The light here makes the shot a great one..
Just enough DOF to bring in most of the B-fly, helping it to stand out well..Along with the dark BG.
Well focused with nice details, colors, and even though the insects head is partially hidden, a great POV/comp.
Howard

Ivan...of course you know this image is both natural and so basic in its art form! It is a flower and a creature which would decorate th e top of a nice spring wedding cake....top notch and one which more than likely will go into your top drawer eh?
Bob

  • Great 
  • Jamesp Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1369 W: 9 N: 6334] (18906)
  • [2008-05-01 8:13]

Hi Ivan

A great shot - Superb composition and POV with wonderful use of colour and superb detail. Well observed and captured.

James

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2454 W: 10 N: 8044] (25460)
  • [2008-05-01 9:26]

Hi Ivan,

I like this "unconventional" view of the Speckled Wood. A wonderful position as he dives into the pretty flower. Beautiful colors and details of the markings. The dark background sets it off very well.

Jane

A fine specimen, from both upperwing and underwing aspects Ivan, obviously the creator had a good time creating or designing this b.fly, and it is so nice to watch a beautifully illuminated individual against a dark background. Expertly captures, both of them!
Cheers,
Mehmet

  • Great 
  • mariki Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 838 W: 60 N: 2307] (9477)
  • [2008-05-01 11:36]

Hello Ivan,

Superb composition. Excellent exposure and sharpness. The patterns on the wings of the butterfly lightened by the sun are beautiful.
Cheers,
Mariki

Dear Ivan,
a wonderful presentation of the orange-coloured P. aegeria aegeria, with wings half opened, its its colours gleaming in the strong backlight, and very nicely composed in its visit on shiningly white blossoms. A very enjoyable documentation of mediterranean spring.
Thank you! With best regards,
Peter

  • Great 
  • Ishi Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 298 W: 21 N: 1943] (13387)
  • [2008-05-01 11:51]

Beautiful light effect, Ivan. Well done!

TFS,

Ishi

  • Great 
  • nglen Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2883 W: 30 N: 9683] (36145)
  • [2008-05-01 12:27]

Hello Ivan. Not an easy one to take with the bright sun light and the white flower But your notes tell us how you have done it. i like the way the light shine on the wings and gives them a silver edge to them. good detail and colours.Shows up well against the dark BG. well done TFS.
Nick..

Hi Ivan,

Will be back later...

Pekka

Wowww my friend Ivan! What a beautiful and superb capture? All are perfect!
Many thanks for sharing this beauty my friend!
Cheers,

Bayram

Hi Ivan, splendid butterfly on a lovely white flower with fantastic light and great colors, very well done, ciao Silvio

  • Great 
  • joey Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1739 W: 224 N: 6872] (24909)
  • [2008-05-01 14:36]

Hello Ivan,
this Speckled Wood sure is enjoying that nectar :-)
Superb back-light giving this shot a unique twist.
Sharp and crisp.
Excellent composition.
Well done,

Joe

Hi Ivan, excellent image, the details are superb, DOF and POV, excellent. The light shining through the wings is very impressive, it gives so much detail. regards h

hello Ivan

excellent shot of this buttefly witht the lovely flowers,
fine POV, DOF and framing, i love the hard density
of the shadows and mid-tones colours,
great contrast, sharpness and details, TFS

Asbed

The light plays a vital role in this fine capture of a Speckled Wood, Ivan.
The light filtering through the wings makes them look ethereal but beautiful.
I have seen the Workshop too where the upper wings are beautifully presented.
However, I like this image for its original POV you have mentioned in your note.
The camera settings have enabled you to make the butterfly and the white flowers stand apart from the dark BG.
Fantastic job!
TFS
Ram

Hello Ivan,
very delighted to see your wonderful posting of butterfly!
the lighting in this shot truly beautiful against a dark bg!
good sharpness, nice colour and superb details
well done
my best regards
Tony

  • Great 
  • gannu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 988 W: 4 N: 3277] (14761)
  • [2008-05-02 5:31]

Hello Ivan, Lovely shot of this superb butterfly. The composition is perfect and also the details are pretty sharp. Lovely picture and thanks a lot for sharing. Ganesh

  • Great 
  • PaulH Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1137 W: 26 N: 3879] (13882)
  • [2008-05-02 7:04]

Hi Ivan,
superblu composed and a good job oin the exposure in what looks like tricky bright condition. The light passing though the wings is lovely.
tfs and have a great weekend.
Paul

  • Great 
  • Mana Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1772 W: 36 N: 5597] (18598)
  • [2008-05-02 7:54]

Hi Ivan,
Splendid shot of this great looking Speckled Wood butterfly and you have used the lighting very skillfully. The glow on the wings looks majestic and you have captured a fine pose on the charming white flowers. the black BG works well here. Excellent POV and composition. Kudos.
TFS.
Sumon

merhaba Ivan,
This is excellent macro with its colors, BG, sharpness, focus and lighting. white and dark colors contrast each other greatly. Thanks for sharing and have a nice weekend to you and Ulla, my friends
Ahmet

  • Great 
  • anel Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 3053 W: 3 N: 8715] (40574)
  • [2008-05-04 4:32]

Hello Ivan,
Very pleasant composition,interesting colour-combination green/white/brown and nice subject. This butterfliy is also quite common in my country, mostly seen in woody regions. Not so easy to catch them well.
Best regards
Anne

Bonsoir Ivan
J'aime beaucoup les photos prisent avec une certaine transparence, cela donne un autre point de vue.
Merci, amicalement
Laurent

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