Outside Looking In -- battle weary wasp resting on a window screen

Gordon: I don't know how much the title influenced me, but you've made me feel sorry for a wasp. That's a helluva feat, since I've been stung too many times to have much compassion for them. In other words -- this a very well made, sensitive image that stretches the normal bounds of insect photography. It has an impact highly unusual for such a shot. Regards, Joe

That's OK Joe, I felt sorry for him too and I'm allergic to the little buggers! Under normal circumstances, if they get anywhere near me, I give them a stiff backhand and then stomp them with my boot. He was on the opposite side of the screen so I was able to get close, I realised he had part of a leg and a piece of his antennae gone. It was raining and this guy was under the eave trying to stay dry. There is a certain anthropomorphic feel to his gaze, he looks sad to me.

Battle weary wasp resting on a window screen. Thanks for your comments

they are always appreciated.

He does look battle scarred and careworn. And, you're right, he does seem to be mournfully seeking sympathy. A damned effective shot.

Gordon, great image of the wasp. You mentioned window screen a short while ago and I'm pleased to see you have shown how well it works. I love the really shallow DOF that has really highlighted the little chaps face! when I first looked I was a bit unsure about the lower part of the window screen being so sharply focussed. I know this has come about because of the angle you took the photograph at, but I wondered if it detracted a bit from the main subject - the wasp. However, the more I look at the picture, the more important the window screen becomes as part of the whole image, and the shallow DOF has enable you to capture both really well.

I like - and I wouldn't change anything.

Pete

I do know what you are saying about the screen. I was fooling around with the illusion of the wasp being inside/outside by tilting the focal plane in relation to the flat plane of the window screen. To get the wasps face in focus meant having the screen sharp at the bottom, but I do think it would look better with the screen a bit softer. This is when those long overdue plans to learn more about PS would come in handy.

The angle you chose for this photo is great. It almost feels like I should be seeing a camera reflection in its eyes.

Pretty great. Our friend does look battle weary--looking for a break already. Seems his antenna is worse for wear.

 

 

Thanks for the comment..yeah he was pretty much looking straight into the lens.

Nice to hear from you. This poor guy was short a few body parts. I suppose in the collective, these foot soldiers are expendable and most likely do not last very long.

There's just no stopping you, is there? Inviting all sorts of wierd and threatening creatures into our orderly little world.

Nope, I've been on the fast track to chaos for some time now.

 

Your world may be well ordered, although your description of your desk would seem to indicate otherwise , however I can assure you my world is anything but orderly.

 

Seriously though: I continue to marvel at how you set the world on its ear with your strange juxtapositions and weird captures of everyday objects.