Tom Brott
October 2025 - Caught on the Web
Original
About the Image(s)
This image was taken on the Babcock - Webb Nature Preserve. What caught my eye was the Dragon Fly just sort of dangling in mid-air. Closer investigation resulted in this image.
Processed in Camera Raw by adjusting a few of the sliders. In Photoshop, I lessened the shadows and added some highlights. I then went to levels and used the dark and light option to help enhance the colors and saturation. Denoised, cropped and flipped horizontally to try and create a diagonal with the thick web strands.
Canon R5, 100 - 500 lens, manual focus at 6 feet with a gentle breeze moving the dragon fly and web back and forth, f/10, 1/3200 sec, ISO 800, shot at 500mm.
6 comments posted
This incredible catch tells a powerful story. I hope that dragonfly wiggled loose. The detail is amazing given the breeze and insect's struggles. The colors look a bit oversaturated. The subtle tones in the original highlight the plight of that poor fellow; in the processed version the bold colors demand the attention. Posted: 10/05/2025 20:56:43
To me this image looks technically sharp and propoerly exposed. I think it has a clear nature story. In my opinion, it is somewhat oversaturated, plarticularly the sky. My suggestion would be to reduce both saturation and luminance of blue (maybe check to see if it is more cyan that blue...I can't tell), and dodge the face a bit to bring out some more detail. You were very observant...nice catch. Posted: 10/11/2025 15:58:57
Worked with your suggestions but seem to be getting a little ghosting around the wings. Posted: 10/23/2025 21:35:15
This makes me want to help the dragonfly get free. Great eye to find this subject and nice capture. To me everything looks sharp. I agree that the sky and yellow/orange in the dragonfly look a bit oversaturated. I find the composition more pleasing with the dragonfly looking to the right. Well done. Posted: 10/18/2025 22:13:33
I like the detailed veining and color of the dragonfly's wings. I suspect that it is dead, because there seems to be dislocated leg segments in the webbing. This is nature. I agree with others that toning down the blue sky background would be beneficial but I personally the bright color of the insect. Posted: 10/20/2025 17:19:22
You nailed the subject which I find difficult to get completely in focus. I'm not bothered by the sky and wouldn't change a thing. Posted: 10/23/2025 21:41:36