What does it say, in a nutshell?

Threesome.

Previous quote from a learned forum member on the monthly competition:

"A triptych should just be one upload, not three. All three images should be on the same canvas, otherwise it's not a triptych."

I'm happy with the term three images. I think I know what it means. It means three images. Things can be overthunk.

I've already shot 6 images for this competition so I'd like to do a diptych triptych. Is this allowed?

The bee is a nice pose but the focus is not on the eye, there is sharpness there but in the wrong place. Likewise with the shield bug, but less so - the focus seems to be on the upper leg. The butterfly is the most successful. 4 looks too soft. 5 the focus is not in the best place and the subject doesn't do much for me.

Try confirming the lens focus tripod mounted against a a chart. Tricky stuff this, dof is so shallow but smaller apertures will reduce the shutter speed too much for many handheld shots. And then the slightest breeze messes it up too. You could try a flash diffuser (the Pringles tube method seems successful for a cheap start). I don't like using flash so I have to wait for still conditions (luckily we do get these in Central France) and use as slow a shutter speed I can get away with, with tripod, mirror up and cable if possible. Otherwise bracing and good breathing. Early and late is good when bugs are less active too. Focus stacking is a possibility to experiment with.

Above all it's practice, practice, practice and patience to find what suits you best

Results in.

Given that we are heading into the close season for bugs and the best times for landscape I'd say go shorter to maximise the use of the lens over the next six months. 35mm is not ideal for bugs but still very usable. However, it is very useful indeed for many other subjects. Maybe you could get a 90/100macro for your next birthday.

Congratulations JudithAnn, a really lovely series of shots, and Iqbal too. I did intend to enter but I kind of ran out of inspiration - I don't get to get out much in Summer. I'll do something next time to help carry on the comp.

Beaubreuil




A run down area of Limoges
This morning
K5
K35mm f3.5
ISO100, 1/250th f can't remember

Nice, particularly that first image which is real nice. I wonder how Topaz BW compares with SilverEfex.