A western tussock moth taken with a reversed Canon 50 mm. To control the lighting (and because it was super windy outside) I used an umbrella and flash indoors. The difficult part was focusing with the lens stopped down and low indoor light. Very frustrating shoot, honestly. Didn't help that I dropped my Nikon SB-20 on the floor (but I don't think it is broken).
These caterpillars are all over the place around my work, so finding subjects wasn't hard. But getting them to stay in one place with the right lighting, focus, and background was near impossible. They like light though, they would try to go towards it if they could.
The minimal editing rules makes moving insects very difficult -- you can never get the framing just right when you are worried about getting the focus. Not wild about the composition, I would have loved to be able to crop it again.
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Compositionally, you have helped this shot be stronger by having the two halves of the shot have contrasting light and dark. If the background had been consistent, I think this shot would have a static feeling because of the "centeredness" of the caterpillar. I also like how it looks like he (she?) is looking off of the leave. That makes it seem like there is something interesting down there that we want to see. I agree with your comments that a different crop would be even more effective (though not for the challenge).
Technically, you have nailed the exposure, focus, etc. I also think the shallow dof works on this. This is a very well done shot, especially considering the post processing limitations of the challenge.
Very nicely done, and I'm not sure I can suggest anything to make it 'better.' Good work.
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Not sure if this counts as an insect, but I didn't hold that against you. Excellent depth of field; the bug is very sharp and the blurred areas don't distract me from him.
So that is what I shot! I shot this same little booger last week for this challenge and didn't know what it was! I was afraid to submit it for fear of DNMC votes (I know it will eventually be an insect but you know the voters...) - Mine was a good subject and didn't move any, hope yours was too! - 8
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