An extremely beautiful image, perfectly composed, and shows the value of getting the plane of focus right. The whole of the dragonfly is pin-sharp, and the attractive subtle bokeh provides a lovely backdrop. The dragonflies wing detail, much like the leaf image elsewhere in my top ten, showcases the amazing intricacy that appears so ubiquitously in the natural world.
This is a masterful example of why bokeh is so important. This isolating of the subject, from it's background, shooting through foliage to provide the beautifully soft foreground, is difficult enough, but to then keep the captivating subject perfectly composed, framed and in sharp focus requires great skill and patience. A truly beautiful shot.
Forgive me for the imagery here, but this image was the one that leapt out at me as I looked through the entries for the first time, and continued to hold my attention every time I looked at it. A fascinating and battle worn subject (at least one missing leg!) Beautifully composed and lit and the wonderful details and dew covered web bokeh just puts it over the top. Fantastic photograph.
741 Images entered
Brief
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Macro photography is one of the most popular forms of photography there is - and deservedly so! For many years, nature photographers have marvelled at the hidden worlds revealed beneath their zoom lens. Studio pros can choose to take photos whilst maintaining total control over lighting, or the adventurous can head out into the wild for something a little more spontaneous. However you decide to go about this contest, the subject's still the same - 'Nature up close'.
346 Photographers
62,540 Ratings
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