First attempt at an insect macro

[PhotoDavid78]

Here is my first attempt at an insect using a Tamron 90mm macro on my pentax k10d. Please don't hold back. I am new to the macro world I need advice.

http://dtw78.smugmug.com/photos/590149313_YvaLj-M.jpg

[Miguel Delinquento]

Well, first off I would call this more of a closeup than a macro. A macro would show detailed body parts of that fly like you see on all those forums.

Getting to the shot, I think the color and texture of the leaf look lovely. The mid line may be a tad too blown but that's an easy fix.

This shot has more potential than existing satisfaction. I wish the whole leaf, or at least the bottom was shown--that way we could get a better sense of the whole form. That's a shooting style that I prefer, but this can be very subjective.

More importantly, I just don't find this to be a particularly interesting picture as a whole. A fly on a leaf is not compelling to me at least. If you were shooting closer to 1:1 then maybe those leaf body parts may be interesting to others, but quite honestly I see too many of those shots. They seem like an mundane exercise in macro lens usage rather than an intention to create art.

So my advice is to not let this excellent new tool obscure your vision and reduce your choices.

M

[Mr. Quiet]

I do not think that you need the whole tip of the leaf, but I do think that you cut it off too soon. What MD says about the macro is right too. The fly is a bit too....normal.

[Dwayne Oakes]

I think this is just great David ! I like the colors, black background and
even the blue D in your watermark. The photo has a pro look to it. This
photo whould look good in an office framed. The fly might not sell but it
is a very important insect never the less.

I am not a big fan of center comps but it works here because any
off center comps will cut off the leaf. If it were me I would forget about
the macro look and stay on the path your are on (close ups).

Macro has all been done before and macro flies are a dime a dozen.
By you showing more of the sujects surroundings if gives your work
a more artist flare and will seperate your self from the rest of the field.

Take care,

Dwayne Oakes

[PhotoDavid78]

Thanks everybody, good advice

[amg2833]

I agree with the other comments pretty wholeheartedly, but, I must say, the colors are excellent.

[schmoo]

I'm moving this to Holy Macro because the WP has specific rules about what posts to enter here and it's not a catch-all for threads that need general feedback. Every shots forum is the place for advice, but the WP is for what you feel is your best work. Thanks!

[Lord Vetinari]

Love the colours
Brian v.