That first picture is great.

Well composed and a good B&W conversion.

The second one doesn't hold my interest though, too much sky for me drawing my eye away from the 'Cleveland' stone. A square crop might help?

Regards
PaulM

Thanks Terje-l, I will have a look at the RAW file again and see what I can do to sharpen. Othe than RAW to JPG conversion I didn't do any PP'ing on them (except the abstract).

I was watching it for days and then on saturday I noticed it was black and I could see the wings through the cocoon, I went in side to see my kids for a second came back out and ARRGGGHH it had hatched.

Never Mind theres always next year !

Regards
PaulM

And a slightly abstract one I forgot to add in the original post

[IMG]http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb113/pnjmcc/butterfly4.jpg[/IMG]

PaulM

Missed it again,

Not by much though this time, as the wings are still all crinkled.

C&Cs as usual
Freash out of the cocoon with crinkled wings
[IMG]http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb113/pnjmcc/butterfly6.jpg[/IMG]
A Wider shot
[IMG]http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb113/pnjmcc/butterfly1.jpg[/IMG]
A close up of the tounge
[IMG]http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb113/pnjmcc/butterfly3.jpg[/IMG]
Almost ready to fly.
[IMG]http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb113/pnjmcc/butterfly2.jpg[/IMG]

Pentax K200D
Samsung 100mm Macro and flash

Regards
PaulM

Ooh,

Good question.

For me looking at other peoples work from the very famous though to us mortals inspires me to try and recreate an image or style.

For instance I have frequently tried to re-create paulyrichards black and white style (it still eludes me through , I have also tried to get a good set of macros that I can stack to emulate a good DoF. I have also used cross processing styles and the Orten effect in processing. None of which I would have been aware of if I hadn't gone looking at exhibitions, books and the web

So yes I am influenced by seeing other images more so with digital than I ever was with film, as I can afford to try to see if it works for me.

Regards
PaulM

Thanks for posting that,

I what sort of flash did you use? Was it the studios one or a pentax one?

Looking at you shutter speed 1/10th thats seems a bit slow especially when your using a flash. Was it hand held or on a tripod?

Regards
PaulM

The colours in those insects are great.

I prefer the composition and the cloours in the first pic to the second(the second looks a little lighter on its nose). But both are good and well focused.

Now wheres my reel of cotton ....

Regards
PaulM

Another vote for the first one,

I like the effect of the sun lighting the walls and the moody sky behind, and I quite like the composition. I do agree with simonkit the front pillar looks a bit out of focus.

The Second pic as Womble and John have already mentioned doesn't work for me.

Regards
PaulM

4, 5 and 6 for me.

4 being my favorite, it looks great and both parents look very relaxed and happy and the booties work well.

Regards
PaulM

Hi Mate,

No1 looks nice and sharp but No 2 (which is my favorite pose/angle) and 3 look a little soft to me.

What settings did you use?

Regards
PaulM