Jennie Wang
October 2025 - Dragonfly Mating
Specs
Original Image
About the Image(s)
Title: Dragonfly Mating
This was taken in a park in Spokane, WA. We were supposed to be on a trip to capture osprey catching Sockey salmon. However, my lens was not long enough for that. A few of us decided to explore Spokane and northern Idaho instead.
Spec:
Original shot:
19 comments posted
(Group 4)
The main subjects are sharp and the background is soft and muted. The blues of the dragonflys and water are nicely contrasting and complimentary. Just looked at the original - good processing. Posted: 10/07/2025 03:00:40
Thank you Vella! Posted: 10/15/2025 05:31:52
Nice a nice image - sharp where is should be. I like the colours - the blue on one insect contrasting with the orange & brown of the lower insect and the stalk of the plant below the water. I like the symmetry formed by the reflection, and how the shape of the plant stalk echoes the body of the insect above it. You've done a great job in processing from the original image.
One point - are these damselflies rather than dragonflies? Posted: 10/09/2025 09:55:57
One point - are these damselflies rather than dragonflies? Posted: 10/09/2025 09:55:57
Brian, you are right, these are damselflies (I just looked it up).
Thank you for your comment/feedback on the photos. It is rather insightful reading your comment - the only thing I paid attention to myself during editing was the symmetry formed by the reflection. I am glad to read about the other analysis of the image from a fellow photographer. When I edit/process my images, I just go with my "feeling" and not really think too much... it is delightful to learn about perspective from others looking at my photos. Thank you! Posted: 10/15/2025 05:41:28
Thank you for your comment/feedback on the photos. It is rather insightful reading your comment - the only thing I paid attention to myself during editing was the symmetry formed by the reflection. I am glad to read about the other analysis of the image from a fellow photographer. When I edit/process my images, I just go with my "feeling" and not really think too much... it is delightful to learn about perspective from others looking at my photos. Thank you! Posted: 10/15/2025 05:41:28
(Groups 21 & 48 & 71)
Jennie, this is a gorgeous image. It is perfectly cropped and has great color, sharpness and definition. You caught this image at the peak of action and your editing is excellent. Well done! Posted: 10/12/2025 14:29:25
Thank you Tom for your kind words; appreciate it. Posted: 10/15/2025 05:42:54
(Groups 58 & 71 & 92)
Jennie, I don't do macro or close up photography so I can't make a proper judgement. However, I can only say I really like the image. It is sharp, has an interesting composition and uses well the negative space of the still blue water.
Best wishes
Michele Posted: 10/16/2025 02:09:48
Best wishes
Michele Posted: 10/16/2025 02:09:48
Thank you Michele for visiting our group! I am new to macro photography (insects). I still have a great deal to learn. Posted: 10/17/2025 05:37:51
This is a crazily interesting image. I spent a lot of time looking at various parts of it and seeing how it all fits together. I was particularly entranced by the fly looking at its own face as well as by the indentation of the water where the fly's tail goes in. Great work. Posted: 10/16/2025 14:29:22
Bollin, thank you for your feedback and comment. I did not really "see" the fly looking at its own reflection and the indentation of the water where the fly's tail landed in the water. I really appreciate the comment; it gave me a different perspective to look at the picture again. Posted: 10/17/2025 05:41:31
Dragonflies and damselflies are a particular interest of mine and I am sure you will see some of mine posted in the future. What I like the most is the transparency of the water surface giving depth to the photo. Looking at the original, you did a really nice job of bringing the image back, and I don't think there is a lot more that editing would do to improve the image. In the future you may want to look at using a little fill flash to get some more light on the subject. The dragonfly pictures of mine that I like the best are shot on cloudy days or early or late in the day to eliminate that harsh light. Posted: 10/16/2025 20:44:09
Jeremy, thank you for the comment and feedback. Thank you for suggesting using fill flash. I am new at insect photography - they move too fast for me. This was an "accidental shot" as I was a a trip to take picture of Osprey catching salmon that did not work out... I look forward to your dragonfly and damselfly photos. Posted: 10/17/2025 05:45:04
Thank you for the "fill flash" suggestion Jeremy. I saw a few recommendations for that in macrophotography. Using flash of any kind is totally foreign to me - I never really "get it" when I took classes in the past. I may try and ask for advice in the future. I would love to learn how to effectively use fill flash to enhance my shots. Posted: 10/23/2025 05:10:20
Very well done. Good composition, color, and sharpness. I especially like the underwater plants which provide an interesting background. I do not do insect photography but Jeremy's suggestion to use a fill flash is interesting, especially if it would brighten the bottom insect. The challenge may be in avoiding glare on the water. Posted: 10/19/2025 15:01:02
Eric, thank you for the fill flash suggestion. I will definitely try it (and learn it). Posted: 10/23/2025 05:11:27
All the comments are very insightful. But what it most remarkable to me is that you were able to get so much out of the original you showed. Your camera skills are amazing, but your "seeing" and your use of Photoshop is truly remarkable. I love this image, for its clarity and sharpness and for the detail. I am especially drawn to the way the curve of the upper fly echoes the curve of the underwater plant Posted: 10/22/2025 22:26:55
Thank you Audrey. With all photography there is always a "luck" element to it. I consider this a lucky shot because I was totally unprepared for mating damselflies. This was 1 of the 10 plus shots I took and the only I see some "potential". Sharpening in LR definitely helped to bring the image out. I also used PS to darken the right side of the image (the water) to provide more contrast.
It is interesting that you pointed out the parallel curving between the upper fly and the underwater plant. I did not "consciously" see it when I was processing the image. It is always to get feedback from fellow photographers to provide a new perspective on our own work. THANK YOU! Posted: 10/23/2025 05:18:13
It is interesting that you pointed out the parallel curving between the upper fly and the underwater plant. I did not "consciously" see it when I was processing the image. It is always to get feedback from fellow photographers to provide a new perspective on our own work. THANK YOU! Posted: 10/23/2025 05:18:13
(Groups 29 & 80)
A very nice image Jennie. You made good use with your osprey time off. I don't have any problem with your image. I do find your posted gear specs to be very helpful. Considering that you have a great camera and lens and had the iso to give you more light, I would of changed the aperture to maybe F7 or F9. That could take care of a slight blurs in the wings. I haven't been a fan of flash anymore now that higher iso can solve more exposure in just a few seconds. The flash could potentially be aimed at the wrong angle creating flare off of the water. But you have a very fine image as it is. Posted: 10/24/2025 00:38:29
Thank you for your suggestion Bob! Appreciate it. Posted: 10/25/2025 19:31:00