Syed Shakhawat Kamal, APSA, PPSA
April 2026 - Green Praying Mantis 21
Original
About the Image(s)
This is an image captured today on 30th March 2026 from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. I have carried it unintentionally by my helicopter from Pabna to Dhaka. After landing I noticed her and realised she travelled via flower stacks brought from Pabna. I secured her from the cockpit and released her on one of our Dragon fruit plants at the airport. Then I thought she would be a lovely subject and she sure did.
I took this shot with my Samsung S 23 mobile camera. With a f 1.8, 1/4 sec with an ISO of 100, with no flash. A simple crop, light adjustment done by cs6 and there it is, for you to give your feedback.
I hope you enjoy the image and any feedback is welcome.
4 comments posted
Hi Kamal,
Interesting image with a great story. Thanks for sharing.
Best regards,
Greg Posted: 04/11/2026 18:02:38
Interesting image with a great story. Thanks for sharing.
Best regards,
Greg Posted: 04/11/2026 18:02:38
Hi Kamal, a great opportunity presented itself here. It's fun to imagine what the grasshopper must have thought, suddenly flying at a speed and height it had never experienced - and later telling its friends about the easier way of travelling it discovered. The image is handled well, and thanks for sharing it. Posted: 04/12/2026 06:17:43
Hi Kamal - The story makes this image all the more interesting. The Praying Mantis is sharp and well captured. To my eye, I find the texture and vibrant green of the background leaf, created by cropping, to be a bit disorienting - not so much in the original. I am unsure of a remedy to suggest unless it would help to smooth the texture some. What an adventure she had - I'm sure she was thrilled at your kindness and to find herself resting in more flowers after the flight. Best ~ Posted: 04/16/2026 05:45:29
Hi Kamal. What a fun story! I'm sure that a world traveling Praying Mantis is a unique occurrence. I like the placement of the subject in the frame, but agree with Darcy that the reducing the texture of the background would help her to stand out since she is so sharp. I love the shadow and the diagonal composition. Thanks for sharing her adventure! Posted: 04/17/2026 21:44:34