Monarch Migration "three"

powder

I was lucky to find a huge group of monarchs hanging out at the shore yesterday! Today was much windier, and they had moved along. I posted one shot in the challenge, and then was revisiting my other options. I'm wondering if the action of flight might make either of these options a stronger entry...and, just thought I'd share!:D

Migrating


In Flight



thanks, Joy

kdotaylor

I actually like both of these better than the one you entered, as the monarchs are closer together; and of these two, I like the second one a little better. Great capture!

PedalGirl

Haven't checked the entry gallery... but I love these two.

tinamarie52

I like #1. The image is more crisp and the monarchs are in a more typical butterfly position. The funky position of the top monarch kept my eye there a bit longer than you'd want, but it adds some interest.

How funny..... I specifically went in search of monarchs on Sunday. I couldn't get a group of 3 to cooperate. I did shoot a group of 3 Black Swallowtail caterpillars, tho. .

Chris

powder

thanks for the feedback. I appreciate the input.

rainbow

I like the first, including your current entry. Might consider a crop of the bottom -- you can change the aspect ratio to 3:4 or 4:5(thus losing no width of the shot). See if you like that.

travelways

These are nicer than the current entry, in my opinion. Either one you choose I would crop a lot of the bottom to almost square.

powder

Aha! good ideas about the cropping...the green stalks don't really do much. I think I switched the order, but here are different crops of the two:

In Flight Horizontal


Closer to Square Crop Migration


thanks for looking.

travelways

Hard to decide... they are so beautiful!

Maybe the horizontal one would be the best choice?

powder

Nice to see you back here, photo-funtasia...been awhile, right? Thanks, I'm sure either would be fine.

travelways

Thank you powder... yeah, it's been awhile

cbbr

I like the first shot best - fantastic!

rainbow

Of the redos, I like the "closer to square" one because the yellow plant does not distract from the butterflies like it does in the horizontal crop. I also like the positions of the three butterflies slightly more, too. Beautiful shots -- will get a vote from me.

powder

That's a point, rainbow....less of the plant and more of the butterflies. hmmm. thanks.

Werewolf

I'm new to the forum so forgive the intrusion but FWIW...

I think the horiz crop is the way to go but would shift the monarchs to the left 1/3 to 1/2 of the frame. That will remove most of the flower which is competing with the monarch's for the viewer's attention. The visible flower that remains in the composition will complement the butterflies. The green stalk of the flower will be descending out of the frame in a downward diagonal providing a natural way to capture the focus of the viewer at the left and have it move smoothly to the right.

powder

Welcome, werewolf. Thanks for chiming in. Is this the kind of crop you meant? very interesting. I find people here so helpful and generous with their suggestions.
Joy

Werewolf Crop

Werewolf

That's what I meant. thanks for trying it out. But my judgement re: what would work was wrong.

I believe the diagonal flow of the flower is the way to go and a review of the various crops tried so far shows that the vertical one in msg #8 is what I imagined. doing a more thorough review I believe that you got it right the 1st time with the vertical shots in your original post. FWIW in my opinion they're the best of the lot after going back and reviewing all the different versions.

Funny how what one imagines in the minds eye often time doesn't match reality.

Your original shots are great. Thanks for sharing.

travelways

powder wrote: »

That's a point, rainbow....less of the plant and more of the butterflies. hmmm. thanks.

Hey, this is what I meant too - but please don't make the mistake of getting carried away with the idea
of "what may be the best" - best for whom?

I think your "In Flight Horizontal" is wonderful, and I personally will vote for it

tinamarie52

I like the horizontal crop with the monarchs on the right side. It seems more balanced.

Chris

djkraan

Wonderful colors

AndMan

tinamarie52 wrote: »

I like the horizontal crop with the monarchs on the right side. It seems more balanced.

Chris

I agree

AndMan

tinamarie52 wrote: »

I like the horizontal crop with the monarchs on the right side. It seems more balanced.

Chris

I agree

dnie

In Flight Horizontal feels balanced to me and the flower just leads me to to butterflies.