Labrador and Blue Flash Mantis(view large)

Here's a pic taken half an hour later at the end of the shoot.

Both shots are really beautiful, Scott!

With best regards,

Ruud.

You always come up with the most unusual photos,very well done

I never know that a praying mantis got the power to hypnotize this lovely dog. Interesting and great captured. Regards :)

Another great Winston shot.As much as the quality of your photos,I admire the kind of patience you must have to wait for that moment when the glitter is in the eye and then to capture it.Bravo!!

Salutations-Laurent

Thank you, everybody.

Composite, right?

No.

No words for this splendid moment caught,I like both capture but in first one the expression is incredible,large view shows deep and calm eyes,I look at this few minutes and still to amaze me,compliments and max.

Great :)

At the risk of parroting what everyone else has already said...this is a great shot.  What I really like about it is that the mantis appears to be looking into the lens.  And your dog seems to have something of a worried facial expression.

I'll add that it's also a bit discouraging for me to look at a photograph like this one, because I look at all the amazing detail and clarity...not to mention the colour work...and wonder what I'm doing wrong.  You know...like why can't I do this...why can't I get depth and clarity like this?  I guess I'll just keep plugging away, though.

Thanks everyone.  Jim - Yeah, he does kind of have a worried look, doesn't he?  In reality, he wasn't paying a bit of attention to the mantis.  I threw a toy to make him look that way.

Not totally sure what you mean, because I've never seen anything wrong with your color work.  The hardest part for me in post-processing is getting the correct color.  A lot of times I just select a duplicate layer, hit auto levels, then slide the blending percentage bar to where it looks the best.  Sharpening partly with a high radius and then again with a normal lower one, I have just discovered helps with depth and clarity.  I don't always do that and not even sure if I did on this one, though.

Fantastic shot, you captured the dog's expression so well. I love the tones and light and texture. Excellent work Scott!

Patrick