A butterfly expert friend led a few of us photographic types on a wander round a butterfly reserve yesterday (Alners Gorse, Dorset). Lots of standard 'from above, wings flat open' or 'from the side, wings raised' shots - not to mention plenty of the 'why doesn't it look my way?' and 'why did it land behind that leaf?' experiences .

Expert friend gets them all as a reward for his time and expertise, this forum gets a few that are a bit different. Enjoy!

K3 + DA*300mm + 1.4TC

Thoughts, comments welcome as usual.

1. Painted Lady (lots of them around)




2. Brimstone




3. Small Copper




Steve

Much better. The eye goes straight to the three pointy bits. The flowers between the houses and rubble heap add something to this version, too.

Which is, of course, an ancient English tradition. When a stone building fell into disuse, it became a quarry for the next generation of buildings. Not so much of that going on now, but distressed bricks and tiles from old buildings seem to have a market value.

Steve

I recognise that attitude in a dog!

Steve

It looked good at first glance and it's been looking even better on subsequent glances. Therefore a very good picture.

And all the better for me because it doesn't scream 'IR'. Most IR pictures leave me luke warm, clever stuff but what does it add to a normal picture? In this case, that texture in the river definitely adds something that I doubt would come over in the same way without IR.

Steve

Thanks. I reckon there's space in the world for random mess and sometimes it can actually look good.

Steve

Definitely the B&W version of No. 5 for me. With the B&W version, my eyes are drawn to the arch, with the colour version my eyes go to the blue sky. And an honourable mention for No. 2, too. The starburst might be a bit of a cliche, but in combination with the shaft of light through the arch it works for me.

The real star, though, is of course your Dogs Trust Dog. Looks like lots of lovable fun ahead !! We're on our 3rd rescued dog (a lurcher) - we're getting older, slower and greyer together...

Steve

Ah, that's where I'm going wrong. It takes longer for me to get going in the morning than a cricket...

Steve

Ah, the sounds and sights of the British countryside...

It's dirty, which shows it's working, and throwing up dust, which gives a sense of movement. I like 'em.

Steve

Hey, you found a bug that not just stayed put but posed for you, too. What's the secret??? (says someone who spent ages yesterday chasing a camera-shy shield bug around a couple of flowers...).

Seriously, though, these are seriously good photos.

Steve

Hanging by a spidery thread, to be precise, and swinging furiously in the breeze. It looked interestingly messy so worth trying a shot (or ten). Focus had to be entirely random, no chance of tracking. Some tweaking of exposure and curves to darken distracting background. It's certainly not science, so it must be art...

Thoughts, comments etc. welcome as usual.

Who needs fireworks??

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Steve