Butterflies have arrived

[NeilOffkey75]

Well this is my first post on this site and been annoyed to have taken this long in finding a dedicated Alpha forum. So hello all!!!

Anyway Spring is my fav time of year due to all wonders of nature sprouting into life and not needed to go far to get shots. Like this gorgeous Large White butterfly that I saved from my cats mauling!!!



Hope you like.

[Birma]

Hi NeilOffkey75 - welcome to the forum - I'm sure you'll find it an extremely useful font of Alpha and general photography knowledge, with some great photos to look at, and of course a pretty friendly place to hang out .

A nice opening shot . It looks like the butterfly should be able to handle itelf carrying around that great big stick . I've started to see a few around so I'm hoping to catch some with the camera soon as well.

[NeilOffkey75]

Hi NeilOffkey75 - welcome to the forum - I'm sure you'll find it an extremely useful font of Alpha and general photography knowledge, with some great photos to look at, and of course a pretty friendly place to hang out .

A nice opening shot . It looks like the butterfly should be able to handle itelf carrying around that great big stick . I've started to see a few around so I'm hoping to catch some with the camera soon as well.

Hahaha thanks Birma, it was used to hold the cats at bay and save the little blighter.

I look forward to using the forum as got alot of advice to ask regarding a flash and lenses, as been asked to take some shots at a family members wedding.. AARRGGHHH!!!

[Birma]

Yikes - I appreciate your apprehension . There are a number of people who post regularly that shoot weddings and I hope they will step in with some advice based on your questions.

There is a section of the forum for People techniques and a section for Flash so try a question or questions there. There is also an interesting thread here http://www.photoclubalpha.com/forum/vie ... it=wedding on weddings. Good luck, and of course, let us know how you get on - with pictures .

[Dr. Harout]

Hi NeilOffkey75 and welcome to the forum.
Nice start BTW.

[Greg Beetham]

Very good detail around the head area NeilOffkey75, maybe a shot from the side as well would have been good, so we could get a nice view of the wings too?
Greg

[NeilOffkey75]

Very good detail around the head area NeilOffkey75, maybe a shot from the side as well would have been good, so we could get a nice view of the wings too?
Greg

Thanks Dr and Greg I have one on my PC at home so will try and add later today.

[aster]

Hi NeilOffkey75 and welcome to the forum. : )

You've given a nice start to the butterfly season, with your cute butterfly. Looks quite happy on the stick after what may have been a life-and-death instance in its already short life span... Looks like a conqueror. : )

I like the way you focused on the front elements of the creature and the subtle colour palette. The lens is good-quality also.

Thanks for sharing,

Yildiz

[NeilOffkey75]

Hi NeilOffkey75 and welcome to the forum. : )

You've given a nice start to the butterfly season, with your cute butterfly. Looks quite happy on the stick after what may have been a life-and-death instance in its already short life span... Looks like a conqueror. : )

I like the way you focused on the front elements of the creature and the subtle colour palette. The lens is good-quality also.

Thanks for sharing,

Yildiz

Thank Yildiz, amazing what you can do with a £30 lens sold used to me.

[Dusty]

I look forward to using the forum as got alot of advice to ask regarding a flash and lenses, as been asked to take some shots at a family members wedding.. AARRGGHHH!!!

Sorry I'm so late in replying, Neil, but the tornado's been keeping me busy! My advise for weddings:
Get a shot list of standard wedding shots - and take multiples of all of them! Take them wide and crop to taste, you can never put in what wasn't there, but can always crop out.

Use bounce flash if the ceilings aren't too high and a flash softbox if they are. Use a powerful flash - the average Church is quite large and dark.

Use a good lens, but since you're not doing it as a pro, don't mortgage the farm for one. The kit lens will do in a pinch, just stop it down to 5.6 or better.

When doing the after ceremony poses, arrange then so that the Bride moves the least. She'll be in almost everything, and if the dress is traditional, it's a real pain to have her up and down. Also, get the people who are going to be in the least number of shots done and out the door as quickly as possible. That way you have fewer problems and fewer people asking you when they can go.

Finally, enjoy yourself! Two people are starting a new life together, and they've asked you to document it. You also are probably getting a good meal, on them.

If you need more specifics, PM me or we can take this to another forum.

Dusty

[NeilOffkey75]

I look forward to using the forum as got alot of advice to ask regarding a flash and lenses, as been asked to take some shots at a family members wedding.. AARRGGHHH!!!

Sorry I'm so late in replying, Neil, but the tornado's been keeping me busy! My advise for weddings:
Get a shot list of standard wedding shots - and take multiples of all of them! Take them wide and crop to taste, you can never put in what wasn't there, but can always crop out.

Use bounce flash if the ceilings aren't too high and a flash softbox if they are. Use a powerful flash - the average Church is quite large and dark.

Use a good lens, but since you're not doing it as a pro, don't mortgage the farm for one. The kit lens will do in a pinch, just stop it down to 5.6 or better.

When doing the after ceremony poses, arrange then so that the Bride moves the least. She'll be in almost everything, and if the dress is traditional, it's a real pain to have her up and down. Also, get the people who are going to be in the least number of shots done and out the door as quickly as possible. That way you have fewer problems and fewer people asking you when they can go.

Finally, enjoy yourself! Two people are starting a new life together, and they've asked you to document it. You also are probably getting a good meal, on them.

If you need more specifics, PM me or we can take this to another forum.

Dusty

Wow Dusty thanks for all that advice, since my post I have purchased a Metz AF-48 Flash and a Sigma 24-70mm f2.8 lens so I think I will use these plus my 50mm. Also been reading a book by Scott Kelby which gives some great tips like yourself. Will definitely be hitting you up with some advice soon.

Also, back to the image posted above... I posted this on Amateur Photographers forum and once again it proves to me that THIS forum/site is far superior than the obnoxious idiots on there, it got crucified!!!