I saw this beautiful moth with one of its wings stuck between slats of the deck so I went outside to (a) rescue it and (b) take its photo (you may guess my priority) for my lensbaby practice today. I imagined I'd rescue it, take a few shots, and then watch it fly away. Sadly, it kept flapping and finally flipped over. When I realized there was nothing I could do to help it, I admit to going back in the house, switching lenses and then returning to take a macro shot of its body. Poor moth...this is my tribute to it.
Technical information: Lensbaby for the two shots that show the moth right side up. 105mm macro for the body which I then flipped.
Thanks all for your lovely comments and suggestions on my first lensbaby shot. It was very encouraging.
@golftragic Thanks Marnie! I appreciate your comment re being a 'true' photographer! Before 365, I would have never even tried to save the moth, much less hung around it as long as I did this evening! BTW, it's Taffy (not Louise)
@taffy Very sorry Taffy, copious apologies. Please forgive me.
I agree with you about the effect this project has on one's behaviour, I now 'see' all sorts of stuff I'd never have noticed before. Don't know much about lensbabies, but I think there are several different ones. Which one are you using.
@golftragic I have the one I think is the cheapest -- The Muse -- which is all hand controlled. I wasn't sure how much I'd want to invest in this so started at the low end. It's fun as it means I control the focus by pushing it in or out (the clarity) and the focal point (the constrained point that will be in focus) by tilting the end of the frame up, down, or side to side.
As photographers, seeing nature close-up as we often do, I think we appreciate the intricacies of these little life forms. To me, even the smallest death is a loss in that community... Just reading this story, I feel sad for that moth so far from here...
@taffy Thanks for all that information Taffy. As you'd know, I take a fair few shots of buildings and other high structures. I've contemplated getting a tilt-shift lens, but they're expensive and cumbersome so abandoned that idea. Lensbaby makes one product that does much the same job, or so I believe. At the moment I'm happy with the way I can fix the various distortions using one or more of several lots of software, but am always interested in other solutions in case I need to change my workflow for some reason/s.
@golftragic Here's an article on lensbaby lenses that I found very useful. Eve posted it on my thread yesterday. It mentions the difference between tilt-shift and lensbaby and that the latter does not fix distortion. You might want to read it.
Poor moth! All is not completely lost, however... memorialized for art's sake. I am enjoying your lensbaby learning curve adventure, by the way, as I venture into the fringes of better photography. Thank you.
Because there is so much beauty in the patterns on the wings, I tend to prefer the macro lens shot for this particular moth (which was so pretty I had to find out what it was!). Here's a little info on your "unfortunate" subject:
Because of the conspicuous eye-spot on each hind wing, this moth is named after Polyphemus, the one-eyed giant of Greek myths. At night adults often fly to artificial lights. The fully grown caterpillars spin tough egg-shaped cocoons, which may remain attached to branches, but usually fall with the leaves in late autumn. There are 2 generations per year in the South and 1 in the North.
Three great shots and wonderfully put together in this collage. Sorry you could not save it but it would not die that easily if it was ok. Love the colors.
@olivetreeann Thanks for the info, Ann! I wondered about what kind of moth it was -- and am sad to know it was the only one of its generation up here in the north. Sort of sadder now.
Just read your reply to me on your chair photo and came to look for the third shot you'd posted. I missed this one and it's definitely my favourite of your lensbaby shots to date. I think the blur really works here. In the left hand lensbaby shot it's given great focus on the antennae and in the right hand one it gives me that focus along with a sense of fragility. I also love the way this one still looks like one of your shots even thought it's taken with the lensbaby. Fav
@rachelwithey Thanks Rachel! What particularly resonates with me is that you could see this as one of 'my' shots, as that's what I'm trying to do -- maintain the voice I have sort of started to feel reflects my style, rather than imitate you or Joey or others who have such skill with this lens and a definitive style. I appreciate your visit and your analysis!
I'm enjoying your lensbaby shots Taffy, I think I will sit back and watch you for a little while longer before taking the plunge (truth is I went and ordered another telephoto lens). I can appreciate how you want to do it with your own style and after seeing so many of Joey's lensbaby shots I think I would end up being drawn to his style and like you I love his photos but would not want to "copy".
I really love the shot on the left. Those antennae (?) we can see in the macro shot are quite amazing.
@bella_ss You've nailed it, I think. It's taken me several days to recognize that the way I'll like lensbaby is when I figure out how I can use it, not comparing what I do to others who have an established style. So, which telephoto did you order?
@taffy I've been eyeing off the Tamron 150-600mm and waiting for it to come into stock locally. I saw that Padlock had used it and loved it so I've ordered it from the US and just pray that it will eventually arrive :)
I have tried to save a possum, and a bat in the past, but they didn't make it either.
I agree with you about the effect this project has on one's behaviour, I now 'see' all sorts of stuff I'd never have noticed before. Don't know much about lensbabies, but I think there are several different ones. Which one are you using.
Because of the conspicuous eye-spot on each hind wing, this moth is named after Polyphemus, the one-eyed giant of Greek myths. At night adults often fly to artificial lights. The fully grown caterpillars spin tough egg-shaped cocoons, which may remain attached to branches, but usually fall with the leaves in late autumn. There are 2 generations per year in the South and 1 in the North.
I really love the shot on the left. Those antennae (?) we can see in the macro shot are quite amazing.