Nikon F3, 55 micro, exposure not recorded. 7-8 am St. Marks NWR.

-- Mike Green (mgprod@mindspring.com), September 15, 1998

Answers

I like how the hopper and stamen are both in sharp focus. However, my eye is having a difficult time distinguishing the hopper from the background (would that by cryptic coloration, perhaps?) near the hopper's shoulder. It is in an awkward position between being framed by the flower and blending in with the background. I would love this picture if the hopper were completely framed by the flower.

-ccm

-- Carl Coryell-Martin (ccoryell@hmc.edu), September 15, 1998.

I'd crop it in a lot tighter to the flower to help bring out the hopper.

-- Paul Lenson (lenson@pci.on.ca), September 15, 1998.

Yes, that one leg that merges with the green background is awkward. Also the blurred-out antenna-tip is a significant error as it may be an important aspect of scientific identification.

Visually, the image is excellent. Great color contrast and lighting for this subject. There's an awful lot of unnecessary stuff around the edges. I'd prefer it framed as a vertical (cut as close to the insect as possible) in the original image: that gives the elongated insect shape a perfect border and dramatizes the strong diagonal composition.

Frank

-- Frank Kolwicz (bb389@lafn.org), September 15, 1998.

I have different angle shot that's cropped closer at this location: http://www.mindspring.com/~mgprod/hopperspiderwort.jpg Mike Green

-- Mike Green (mgprod@mindspring.com), September 15, 1998.

The focus is wonderful though I agree a little closer could have helped though you might not have got the whole body in the photo.

-- Tait Stangl (taits@usa.net), September 18, 1998.