Neil Freeman wrote: ↑Fri Oct 09, 2020 7:06 pm
An interesting thread and some good comments from various perspectives.
As others have quite rightly said, there is no right or wrong here, we all have our own equally valid opinions.
For myself, I like to see all kinds of images from distant shots of the subject in habitat to close up 'butterfly on a stick' shots.
The only thing for me is that when I see too many of the latter together, then they have a sameness that I find gets a bit boring, and this is where I can see where some of the earlier comments are coming from.
I see two different groups here. The one group consists of those who see themselves first and foremost as photographers who see a butterfly as a subject and are usually very technically proficient with their kit. The other group consist of people whose primary interest is the butterflies and taking photos of them is an extension of this. A different kind of expertise is often on display here, for example knowing where to wait on a hot day to get a shot of an active butterfly.
Of course, for many there is an overlap with both groups developing a broader expertise as time goes on. The photographer will get better opportunities the better he understands his subject and the butterfly enthusiast will take better photos as he better understands his kit and develops his skills.
From what I see however, it appears to broadly be the photographers that prefer the 'butterfly on stick' images and those more interested in the butterflies themselves that prefer to see them in context.
Let us just hope that we can all continue to enjoy our interests, however we go about them, for as long as we can in these uncertain times.
Bye now and stay safe,
Neil.
I think Neils comment here, is pretty much spot on.
To be clear, i dont claim to be a "photographer", i dont claim to be an expert on "butterfly behaviour" either. Im just a hobbyist, a part timer. I have an interest in photography, as i have an interest in UK wildlife. Approx 10 years ago, i started to observe several local Adder (Vipera berus) colonies close to home. Whilst observing these snakes, i took along a camera (cheapo bridge camera) an shot some pics of the Adders. When you are out in nature, you see all types of creatures, such as butterflies/dragonflies etc. So it was only natural that i also started to take photos of butterflies......fast forward to here an now. Im still interested in Adders, but my interest in butterflies has grown...im just after some half decent images, with my half decent camera gear. For now, my chosen style of photography is close up/macro, i always have close up filters attached, so i will always go in for that close up shot.
Back to the end of September 2018, i was out early evening, shooting pics of 3rd brood female common blues. In these 3 images, you can see how im drawn into shooting close up macro. Note - because of the sun setting/strong warm light, if i were to edit these pics now, i would have "toned" them down some, they appear over saturated/contrasty to my eye.
Ist pic shows her basking up high on a grass stem. Not quite a Padfield/Guy shot, but unusual for me, to have been this far out (i must have taken the close up filter off) because of the shooting distance?! It does show partial environment (but no lovely mountain regions im affraid). Looks kinda fake too
Common Blue Butterfly (f). At sunset. 3rd brood. (uncropped). 29th-September-2018. by
Testudo Man, on Flickr
2nd pic, an i move in for that close up shot! She is still basking on the same perch.
Common Blue Butterfly (f). At sunset. 3rd brood. (uncropped). 29th-September-2018. by
Testudo Man, on Flickr
3rd pic, an here i go again!! moving right in for a close up/macro shot...i cant seem to help myself, i have to tell myself to back off some, but i will still zoom in close! As you can see, she is still basking on the same perch.
Common Blue Butterfly (f). At sunset. 3rd brood. (uncropped). 29th-September-2018. by
Testudo Man, on Flickr