I really liked this one when I was lookin through all the shots. I've never seen a butterfly like that, the subject matter is cool enough besides it being a greatly composed shot as well.

Great shot. Perhaps a square crop with less space at the top and bottom, and the addition of a frame in photoshop or similar would improve the impact even further?

>Dave

I could perhaps agree with square crop...it's not hugely different though - can't decide on whether to retain the edge of the leaf in the bottom right or not when cropping...



Definitely not the frame though...tack.

I guess the frame one's a matter of taste. I think some images look good with a simple black or white border. Would agree that the silly frames that lots of programs offer are tacky though.

Over all a great close up picture,good colours

This image makes me go wow, the transparancy in the butterflys wings really draws me in. I also love the colour maybe a good entry for the next round!!!

It's a shame you can't reuse images for more than one round - as each one has to be shot within the dates specified. I think that's a good idea, but it can be a bit frustrating!

Stunning shot and personally I like the composition and the colours are great. I don't think this shot could be much improved upon. The very shallow depth of field really adds to the pin sharp butterfly.

Thank you all very much for the nice comments.
This picture was taken with the 90mm Tamron macro lens, inside a tropical butterfly enclosure. I nearly did not make this shot, because the lens condensation did not want to clear up even after an hour. (I think it is because the lens is set far inside the barrel) I had to use a lens cloth to wipe it in the end.

This shot shows Mother Nature at her absolute beautiful best, the transparency of the wings is simply magical.

I loved this one as soon as I saw it, it's beautiful. It'd make a lovely print on canvas too, if it was a good quality one and didn't lose any of the colour.

To me it shows what nature is, An open book and completely transparent. As long as we take a closer look.
For the Image I would prefer to have seen it in a more traditional crop, little to much space on top. Otherwise the picture both aesthetically and technically is superb.

I know there was talk above of cropping it to a square and Ed VT you would prefer a more traditional crop, well I still think it is perfectly framed. It would feel a bit 'hemmed in' to me if there wasn't the space above - it's almost as if the butterfly has room to fly off and the little bit of room to the left for me makes it a perfect composition (more room the way it is facing).

I voted for this an excellent sharp image of a difficult subject. Being hypercritical I think the stem/twig in the bottom left corner could do with its colour changing to more green rather than yellow or actually make everything under the leaf darker ti=o emphasise the butterfly even more. But that is being hypercritical.

I know what you mean about the condensation these butterfly houses are so difficult to operate in. I often go to the small one at Longleat but you have to pick your time right to avoid the crowds.

If this message is already posted - I messed up my logon - please accept my apologies. Thommo.

I tend to agree with Jacqui Ruddock's comment with the slight proviso of a shift in the photgrapher's physical position. A slight shift to the left to remove the dark - presumably empty space between leaves - out of the shot. This would really empahsise the butterfly's colouring because firstly, no light would be drawn into the 'black hole' and secondly, both the crispness of the butterfly's own black lines and the transluscent colouring drawn from the light and the green background would be enhanced with the 'black hole' out of the camera's eye.
I also think, and this is probably a personal reason, that in this case a shift to the left would centre the wings more (within the picture) whilst opening the face of the butterfly and that might have brought the dark transluscence of the eyes into the picture in juxtaposition to the wings.
Having said all that though, let me state that I think it is a beautiful and fascinating shot as is.

What a brilliant shot and a great close up,as I am petrified of butterflies and moths I have never taken the time to look at them before.I personally like the composition as it looks as if its in the wild and the green gives it atmosphere

Certainly a stunning subject and it posed beautifully. I just felt maybe you could have cropped it a little tighter to eliminate that lighter twig on the bottom and on my computer the butterfly body looks over exposed.:)

I love the shallow depth of field and the saturation.
I think a square crop would be better than the portrait orientation. However, a traditional horizontal layout would also be good, and would leave plenty of room for the butterfly to "look into", and would eliminate a bit of the twig in the bottom left corner and the dark area in the top left corner.
I also agree with a comment above that a shift to the left may have been a better choice, but we cannot see what this might have revealed, you may have seen that this would give a worse backdrop,so perhaps this was the best angle possible.
All this is to be very critical, as overall it is a very good capture. Congratulations.

Thank you all ever so much for your nice comments, and your helpful criticisms.
I like picture forums like these, because it is the only way to see your picture through somebody elses eyes.
I posted this picture in the competition, because it was one of the few close ups I had in the time period required. I thought it was a nice shot.
If however, I had to submit this picture again, I would now definitely look at different crops, (although I don't know if I would crop differently)
I would certainly do something about the light branch in the bottom of the picture.
So, what I am trying to say is, Thank you all for your helpful comments in making me see better, and hopefully improve my Photography. :)