Pale Blue

A few entries back I posted a blurred photo. That one was accidental. Today's were intended, at least in so much as I was manually focusing through the dense grasses to bring the small blue butterfly (probably a holly blue, but I can't be certain) into focus. The out of focus foreground softens the whole image, but the simplicity of the final image seems to work. All that has been done in the way of post-processing is a little noise reduction and sharpening, and a small increase in colour saturation.

And if you are curious about a clear shot (much less interesting on this occasion), this last one was taken when the butterfly finally settled in clear space.

Nature Blog Network
Camera note: all shots taken with the Canon 40D and EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L USM IS lens.

This entry was posted in Butterfly and tagged .

8 Comments

  1. gdare September 1, 2010 at 5:09 am #

    There is no butterfly that would let me come that close and make a photo :awww: One exception was in Vienna, in Butterfly House, but they are used to people there.

  2. SittingFox September 1, 2010 at 4:09 pm #

    It is a nice effect 🙂

    I found a speckled wood that allowed me to photograph it with my 55mm lens today :eyes: Mostly, I have to use my 300mm Sigma at least!

  3. Words September 2, 2010 at 10:09 pm #

    Adele, thanks. I'm trying to think whether I've managed to get close to a speckled wood. A lot of my butterfly shots are with the 400mm lens (apart from painted ladies, which seem oblivious to everything).

  4. Words September 2, 2010 at 10:09 pm #

    Erwin, thanks!

  5. Words September 2, 2010 at 10:09 pm #

    Darko, I was using a long lens, but the trick is to make sure your shadow doesn't cross them. It usually works 😉

  6. Cynthia23 September 4, 2010 at 10:09 am #

    Awesome!

  7. Words September 4, 2010 at 10:09 am #

    Thanks Cynthia!

  8. Wulpen October 19, 2012 at 8:10 pm #

    Nice This effect