Monarch Butterfly Santuary

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Critique

#WILDLIFE#MONARCH BUTTERFLY#MOTION MOVEMENT

Jiong Chen PRO

2 years ago

This photo of monarch butterflies is taken in the eucalyptus grove at the Monarch Preserve in Santa Cruz, California. Every fall and winter, thousands of fluttering monarch butterflies migrate thousands of miles from their summer habitats in southern Canada and eatern Unites States to the warm weather in California and Mexico. The minimum temperature a monarch can fly is 55 degrees. When temparature dips below 55, monarch butterflies cluster together hanging like leaves off the eucalyptus trees to keep warm. I was trying to capture this memerizing scene. It was late in the afternoon, about an hour before sunset. Butterflies were flying back to trees for the night.

The white block on the left of the image is an eucalyptus tree trunk. I debated about removing it or keeping it, as it might be a bit distracting. But I thought including it may show a bit of the surroundings of the scene. What do you think?

Some of the flying butterflies were from other shots. I composed them into the image as a montage. One of the butterfly is blurred due to slower shutter speed. I included it to show movement, contrasting with the still butterflies on the branches. Do you agree a blurring butterfly is a good idea?

Would you suggest any improvements on the color tone, contrast, lighting?

Taken at 500mm, f5.6, 1/400s, iso 2000.

Look forward to hearing feedbacks and opinions. Thank you !

Jiong

Daniel Springgay CREW

2 years ago — Senior critic

Ho Jiong welcome to critique. This is just my take on your fine image all these adjustments are done on the quick more time better the detail. Just a few ideas for you to think about. I've gone for a tighter crop as ypou can see. Dehaze +31 to add depth / Nik Tools Tonal contrast to add texture. I also did some cone work on those out of focus green leaves to help the overall look. last Topaz AI Sharpen for that Pro look. Thank you for sharing.

Jiong Chen PRO

2 years ago

Thanks, Daniel for your help and ideas. Your edit makes the butterflies pop out more. I like it. I agree that the out of focus leave on the foreground is distracting and removing it is better. So I tried cropping out the trunk on the left as well, what do you think?

Elizabeth Allen CREW

2 years ago — Senior critic

Hello Jiong

Thank you for sharing your photo of monarch butterflies. I commented on it in the members' critique section and you responded that you had posted an edited version here. Daniel's version is excellent. I have just increased the definition and contrast a little. I tried cropping the trunk on the left, but I felt that it gives more depth to the photo so I have left it. In the end of course, it's your decision.

Good light, Elizabeth

Alberto Biagio Scalia

2 years ago

Hy Jiong:
Just a crop on the line of the other friends to clear the image. I added just a quite of blur in the background to isolate the foreground and a little recover of the shadows in tha apex ao the bottom group of butterfly.

Edited: 2 years ago by Alberto Biagio Scalia

Jiong Chen PRO

2 years ago

Thanks, Elizabeth and Alberto for your valuable opinions. I learned a lot from your edits. Will re-process the image and hopefully get a better review.

Good light, Jiong