Butterfly C&C / Photoshop advice needed

TJM · 24-12-2008 12:58am #1

This was shot with a 50mm 1.4, a full stack of extension tubes and off camera flash. I think there might be a decent photo in there waiting to get out, but I'm not sure how to process it. This is a rough crop & curves adjustment but I've attached the original file in case any of the photoshop gurus out there have any suggestions as to how to improve it.

TPD · 24-12-2008 3:07am

Firstly - Ergh! I knew I hated butterflies for a reason!

Secondly - Very nice shot! A level of detail you very rarely see. How close did you have to hold the camera? I wouldnt imagine a shot like that even if the thing was sitting on the lens itself!

djd80 · 24-12-2008 3:33am

Ill second that, butterflys are now manky to me but its a fab shot

TJM · 24-12-2008 3:56pm

How close was the camera? The tip of the lens was about 2cm or so from the head. I had to use f22 to get any useable depth of field, which also eliminated the ambient lighting. Effectively what you see is flash lighting alone.

oshead · 24-12-2008 6:18pm

I don't know if it really improves the image. Any way... this is what i did.

1) I ran it through a Noise Ware professional.
2) Did a bit of spot removal
3) Used the Plugin Focus Magic to sharpen it up slightly
4) I added a bit of contrast using Guy Gowans methods
5) Ran it through Fred Mirandas Velvia Vision to warm up the image and bring the colors up slightly.
All done in PS3. Save to jpg then upload...

Dave OS

TJM · 24-12-2008 8:19pm

That's a distinct improvement Dave. Particularly in the area around the eyes you've brought out more detail with fewer sharpening artifacts.

oshead · 25-12-2008 1:21am

It didn't really need any sharpening. I usually do post noise removal. My main goal was to remove the glare from the front of the little critter.

Dave OS

Anouilh · 10-01-2009 11:33am

This is worth looking at from the point of view of the lens used. I like photographing insects up to a point. Once their large eyes and hairy ears appear I get a bit nervous.

Amazing photo and very impressive, if a bit overwhelming.

PCPhoto · 10-01-2009 11:44am

I know its a little off topic - but where did you get the butterfly ?

would love to know if theres a taxidermist around who could preserve the local insects that I (ahem...catch/find) ...... for photographic purposes, would then be able to do loads of photos of them....and use them as props

TJM · 10-01-2009 1:00pm

I found the butterfly dead on a window sill I'm afraid - I've no idea how you'd go about preserving one.

TJM · 10-01-2009 1:03pm

Dave - Incidentally I've just had a chance to look at your gallery. You've a superb selection of photos there.

Anouilh · 10-01-2009 1:07pm

TJM wrote: »

I found the butterfly dead on a window sill I'm afraid - I've no idea how you'd go about preserving one.

With that I can be very helpful.

You need a "relaxing" fluid. I used collect butterflies when they were very numerous and bought the equipment by post from Deyrolles in Paris. The fluid undoes the effects of rigueur mortis and you can then pin the butterfly into a specially made box, using little bits of paper in contact with the wings so as to not cause damage.

Somehow I became squeamish (adolescent girls are nerveless) and couldn't face the procedure today.

It was as great way to learn species and which plants they favoured for feeding and egg-laying.

Butterfly C&C / Photoshop advice needed

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