I made this photograph 14 years ago when a local garden (Brookside Gardens) had a “room of butterflies.” Although most of the time, the room was fairly crowded with a number of small children running around, the gardens also offered (for a reasonable price) an opportunity for up to six photographers to come without others permitted. I took this image during one of those times. Then, for the next nine years, there was no butterfly exhibit. HOWEVER, this year it is returning! I’ll be going on its opening day.
My editing on this image was done with Camera Raw and Topaz for Denoising. The adjustments were subtle, but fairly extensive, including lighting and color modifications. Unfortunately, the original isn’t available.
Data: Canon 5D Mark III; 100mm Macro lens; 1/800 sec; f/2.8; ISO 1600.
10 comments posted
Richard Siersma
Lovely image, Pete. Your final version is sharp and well?exposed, and the bokeh complements the subject's colors beautifully. I don't have any recommendations-enjoy this year's activity. Posted: 04/02/2026 16:24:34
Oliver Morton
Gee, Richard. I don't know how to respond to a "no recommendations" critique. lol
Wait! I know... "Thank you!" Posted: 04/06/2026 01:20:49
Suzanne Wacker
Hi Pete. I really like the composition. The butterfly is sitting just on the edge of the flower. The eye and antennae are very sharp. There is a little loss of depth of field out towards the edge of the wings and in particular the top wing. Now that the exhibit is back, maybe it's worth experimenting with some different settings? The background is lovely and soft. Have fun at the opening day! Posted: 04/03/2026 00:47:37
Oliver Morton
Suzanne, thank you. I attended the opening day and was a bit disappointed. It turns out it's Spring Break, so the schools were closed. That meant "hordes" of kids... not good for photography. My photographs were marginal at best. However, it turns out that they have a monthly "photographers only" session. I'm signed up for May 21st. Smiles... Posted: 04/06/2026 01:23:43
Mark Burgess
HI Pete, there is something really charming about this. Its simple and something we feel we have seen before but its so well done it does stand out. The bokeh is beautiful and the background seems to integrate the colours of the subjects very nicely. Posted: 04/09/2026 04:26:55
Oliver Morton
Thank you, Mark. It's one of my favorite butterfly images... mostly because of the simplicity. Posted: 04/10/2026 16:24:38
Ed Palaszynski
(Group 11)
Pete! Nice image and yes, I shot the Brookside Butterfly exhibit YEARS AGO! And now it is open again. Just for informations sake, there is also a famous Butterfly Exhibit in Key West Florida that is comparable to Brookside. Thanks for sharing this image-well done! Posted: 04/13/2026 21:36:45
Oliver Morton
Thank you, Ed. I've signed up for the six-photographers-only offering on May 21st. Hopefully, it won't be too terribly hot since it's 7:30 - 9:00 am. The Key West exhibit is interesting. (I love Key West.) Posted: 04/17/2026 13:02:55
Ed Palaszynski
(Group 11)
Outstanding! The Brookside exhibit was well done years ago. Let me know how it is when you visit! Posted: 04/17/2026 23:32:41
Natalia Mamaeva
Hi Pete!
This is one of the best macro photographs of a butterfly and a flower! Everything is perfect. I have nothing to add :-) Posted: 04/17/2026 07:24:05
