Neal R. Thompson, M.D.
May 2025 - Praying Mantis
About the Image(s)
This praying mantis was in our garden, upside down, devouring a bee. I took many images of him but could not get the bee to present clearly. Here I used my Canon Mark II (what model?) with a 100 mm macro lens (1/640 sec, f/8; ISO 1,000).
2 comments posted
Hi Neal,
This is a very nice capture. In close-up and macro photography, sometimes it is possible to modify the orientation of the image, but in this case, one need to respect the orientation of the flowers.
On my screen, the black/dark tones on the bee look completely black without any detail. If possible, I would suggest to decrease the "black" and "shadow" parameters to see if you can recuperate these details (globally or selectively). Posted: 05/08/2025 21:01:05
This is a very nice capture. In close-up and macro photography, sometimes it is possible to modify the orientation of the image, but in this case, one need to respect the orientation of the flowers.
On my screen, the black/dark tones on the bee look completely black without any detail. If possible, I would suggest to decrease the "black" and "shadow" parameters to see if you can recuperate these details (globally or selectively). Posted: 05/08/2025 21:01:05
Hi Neal: You have tried your very best to record the Mantis in a very difficult photography situation. You have managed good sharpness on the Mantis however you have background distractions. The top of the flower stalk is out of focus to the point of becoming a distraction.
If you wanted you could improve the background and other distractions with some careful post processing work and it would improve an interesting image of the Mantis. Posted: 05/10/2025 06:03:55
If you wanted you could improve the background and other distractions with some careful post processing work and it would improve an interesting image of the Mantis. Posted: 05/10/2025 06:03:55