Male Slaty Skimmer by Leeco
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Description
Nikon 7900 image.
This image and a few others are the result of some recent experiments.
I often get good shots of Dragonflies except for backgrounds that are too busy. I have not found an easy effective way to replace these backgrounds with something less distracting (primarily because Dragonfly wings are transparent). I have tried de-saturating the image (especially the greens), then layering the full colored Dragonfly onto that de-saturated image. That works somewhat but is time consuming and is still not what I want.
I decided to hold various materials behind my Dragonfly subjects as I shot them. In this case, the material was a piece of foil backed foam insulation board called "celotex". It provided an essentially uniform backdrop but there was some shimmer of colors reflected off it and I kind of liked that. I did still have to do some selective softening and layering but the final result was more effecive than my previous method.
It will be interesting to see what reaction this image receives.
Thanks to those who take the time to comment.
Lee
Comments (14)
MrsLubner
So delicate and Lee, I love the postwork. The effects are fabulous. I like the way the insect pops out yet still blends with the background. Excellent shot and fabulous end result.
kimariehere
i just dont know how you find so many dragonflys...!! you do amazing macros( i personally think the nikon 7900 is at its best in macro mode ( lol i sometimes even will use that mode in landscapes ;o)shhh hehe) awesome capture!!
BibbyBear
Well I think you did a great job on this - how do you get them to stay still long enough to be able to place the backdrop in shot and then compose, focus and shoot?? Amazing details shown here again and the subtle tones of the background really work well. Hugs. xx
mbz2662
I like the way you did the background. Very inventive. great capture!
MaydaMason
how may you manage the background too? are your dragons sleepin'? beautiful composition of colours and clarity!
lizzibell
Great capture...
erskogly
That background looks very good to me:) Don't understand how you can bustle around them first placing a backdrop and then going round to shoot without scaring them off! Beautiful blue skimmer, and a very nice detailed macro.
JeffG7BRJ
Great background, the pastel shades work really well with the colours of the Dragonfly. Another top notch image.
tizjezzme
Fantastic dragonfly shot Lee. My friend walked in here just as it loaded onto my screen (I'm at work, morning break), and she went nuts over it lol So, count this as 2 comments ;)
Xoterik
I like the background. It accents and does not detract. Excellent work.
RobyHermida
Nice work!
redchilicat
Love the whole composition, very nice!
bpclarke
Love the way this brings out the colors. I would have thought it would wash out the colors instead of bringing them out instead. Excellent results from this experiment. Bunny
mamabobbijo
A gorgeous shot. I don't mind the backgrounds so much, but if you can get them to wait while you set up the shot, it does make them easier to see.