Milkweed Beetle

Just great. Looks like it sits right on my monitor.

The work you put into this photo really makes the beetle leap off the frame.

Sharp, good colors, well-framed, nicely composed.

One of your better shots. The contrast between the dark background and the razoe sharp subject is fabulous.

A great macro!

great color and detail, where you find these nice critters? :)

One of the problems with macros of tiny subjects is limited DOF. I

tried using a composite of two images (taken a second apart) to

increase the DOF in this macro of a 1/2 inch long milkweed beetle.

The two right front legs and the front of the blade of grass were

from the second image. Since I took as many as a dozen images in as

many seconds, I am considering replacing the antenna with more in

focus versions as well. Should I?

Wonderful beetle bug thingy! This is a remarkably clear and saturated close image of an insect that is endearing to look at (unlike fleas or flies). "Cute" comes to mind. Personally, I like a little DOF issues at times...so, leave the antennae fuzzed a bit. You can always address that if you wish.

Great Color! I like the detail and framing.

Mark: I think this creature and its uniform is quite nice. Up to your usual standards.

Perfect macro. The framing is great, saturation, DOF. I can't imagine how you could have done better. Nice job.

No. Don't replace it. It seems to give more depth to the photo, with the antenna out of focus and faded into the background. To me at any rate.

I am shooting with a Canon Powershot A50 digital. Have wondered how you get such great macros of your bugs (not a favourite subject to me, but terrific examples of macros) Looks like I will have to learn to layer, now, for sure. I wonder if you would care to give me your opinion on my bee? http://www.photo.net/photodb/photo?topic_id=1481&msg_id=003ob7&photo_id=1030872&photo_sel_index=0

Thanks for the help and suggestions on my bee.

 

Getting to really like this little critter. He is so cute. Great colors too.

love the fuzz -- good work as usual!

Isnt it weird how 90% of the comments dont mention your original question?? :) I think you should replace the antennae and right eye ball with the other composites. The clarity of the hairs on this animal are so crisp, and I would love to see this whole bug in focus- it would give this shot a clarity one sees in glossy magazine pages from National Geographic. This image really stands apart from your other shots, although most of your insect pictures that have some sort of focused background of leaves or twigs are all excellent! Great idea about the composite too. Its like a digital focus filter.

Mark, Very nice article in Photolife. I really like this one. Congrats.