Two male black-veined white butterflies [Aporia crataegi] roosting on a Carthusian pink.
Two male black-veined white butterflies [Aporia crataegi] roosting on a Carthusian pink.
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Awards
Runner Up in Small Animals Photo Contest 2024
Ecovision Award
Peer Award
Absolute Masterpiece
Superb Composition
Top Choice
Outstanding Creativity
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Behind The Lens
Location
This photo was taken by me a few years ago in Istria/Croatia - during my vacation there.Time
I usually shoot my small world photos in the early morning - as butterflies are still torpid or slow and you have more time to take photos - and I like the early morning light the most.Lighting
This photo was taken in the early morning and I could use the natural light in the back of the scene which illuminated the wings of the butterflies from behind.Equipment
I've used a Canon EOS 5D Mark IV with a Sigma 180/2,8 Macro lens on a Berlebach Mini tripod.Inspiration
I love to shoot butterflies - and what is better two shoot a photo of a butterfly? Yes - it's two of them on the same flower :). I use an open aperture using my long macro lens to get a decent bokeh so the empty space gets filled with an impressionistic or almost abstract depiction of the surrounding habitat.Editing
I always do some base processing in Lightroom as I always shoot in RAW format. I adjust the white balance there, equalize the histogram a little, do lens corrections and crop the photo. Exported to Photoshop I use the tonal correction, some dodge & burn techniques, probably do some minor adjustments like sharpening or increasing saturation but I avoid altering of image elements in my photos and they are *no* composites - just single exposures.In my camera bag
Canon EOS R5 Canon EOS R6 Mark II Canon 70-200/4 L IS USM Canon RF 135/1.8 Sigma 180/2,8 Macro Sigma 85/1.4 Art Canon 400/2.8 L IS USMFeedback
Shooting butterflies like this needs some experience and determination. Getting up long before sunrise is one of the things needed to do. Finding butterflies then needs experience and knowledge about their nutrition and habits. For taking photographs itself and getting an impression like in my photos: use a longer macro lens (100mm upwards) with an open aperture. Try to shoot on eye-level with the insect, and use the available light for a good looking bokeh.