David Terao
July 2025 - Great Southern White
Original
About the Image(s)
This was taken at a local butterfly exhibit handheld with a flash and diffuser on my camera. I liked the image of the butterfly, but the background was very distracting. So, I used Photoshop to remove some distracting leaves and to create a white, blurred background. This technique only worked because of the white flower behind the butterfly's head that kept the antennae cleanly separated. With a darker background behind the butterfly's head, it would have been nearly impossible to mask out the antennae. I also used Nik Collection's Color Efex to give the image a high-key look
6 comments posted
So delicate, soft and lovely. I like everything you did in your post processing. This is a work of fine art ready to be printed and hung. Outstanding job! Love it. Posted: 07/02/2025 16:31:49
Thank you, Cindy! With the high-key effect, the subtle details in the head of the butterfly and edge of its wings become the focal point. Posted: 07/06/2025 21:49:40
Cool look, the post process, especially the background, has a water color kind of touch. Nice. Posted: 07/06/2025 20:14:36
Thank you, Charlie! Posted: 07/06/2025 21:50:49
Great post production work with a good shot of the butterfly to start with. I like the slightly mottled background and the patch of green in front of the butterfly which locates it and also emphasizes it. Cindy suggests printing it and I think a lustre, pearl or oyster paper would work well, definitely not gloss. Posted: 07/07/2025 23:33:05
Thank you, Robert. I'm not much of a printer, and I don't fully appreciate the subtleties of the different types of paper. Typically, I print color images on a satin paper and B&W images on matte. I never use glossy paper. Occasionally, I use a metallic paper. Posted: 07/08/2025 00:32:39