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The Butterfly Keeper
The Butterfly Keeper
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Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: Environmental Portrait III (Advanced Editing VII)
Collection: People (color)
Camera: Sony DSLR-A580
Lens: Konica Minolta 75-300mm f/4.5-5.6
Location: Nebraska
Date: Jan 13, 2014
Aperture: 11.0
ISO: 1600, 1600
Shutter: 1/160
Date Uploaded: Jan 14, 2014
[Jan. 21st, 2014 10:47:02 PM]

I feel a need to explain a bit.

This worker was releasing blue morpho butterflies in a butterfly pavilion. Butterflies do not often open their wings when they are sitting, so it is easy to pick them up this way and that is the way he has been trained to do it, gently lifting them out of the box in which he has transported them from the room where they emerge from their chrysalis and tossing them into the air in their new tropical space. They took flight immediately, seeking a tree or leaf or flower or slice of orange in a feeder and landing.

In the winter, the pavilion is only open for about 20 minutes every hour. I was there the entire time, trying to get some good shots of these and other flying beauties as well as of the worker as he talked to visitors, especially the children, about them. As the last people were leaving, I asked if he would pose. He said sure - most of the shots were, as you might expect, dreadfully stilted and quite disappointing despite his engaging smile. But I had my burst mode on and was lucky enough to catch this one moment of fun - the only time he did this.

I decided to take a chance on it in this challenge, not at all sure how it would be received as knew some would think he was hurting the creature. It’s an hour and a half until roll-over, and I’m very pleased with the score and especially the comments. I’m now hoping for the front page and maybe even an HM in a challenge with many, many excellent environmental portraits.

Oh well, just missed top ten. Still a very satisfying finish in a quality challenge. Thanks again for all the great comments, guys.


Statistics
Place: 11 out of 78
Avg (all users): 6.5044
Avg (commenters): 8.3333
Avg (participants): 6.3235
Avg (non-participants): 6.5823
Views since voting: 1027
Views during voting: 247
Votes: 113
Comments: 17
Favorites: 0

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AuthorThread
Nikon Z7II
Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED
 01/23/2014 12:09:59 PM
Good finish Nikki.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Fujifilm X-Pro2
Fujifilm XF 10-24mm f/4 R IOS
 01/22/2014 11:00:53 PM
This is an excellent shot, Nikki -- one of my favorites of the challenge.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS-40D
Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS
 01/22/2014 10:17:33 AM
Great finish, Nikki!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 Comments Made During the Challenge
OM System OM-5
Olympus 17mm f/1.8 M.Zuiko
01/21/2014 11:21:35 PM
A happy guy..
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon Canon 1d x Mark II
Sigma 85mm f/1.4 FG HSM Art
 01/21/2014 10:03:22 PM
Clever indeed!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS-40D
Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II
 01/21/2014 09:48:46 PM
the strange use of a butterfly is compelling and disturbing. I like it.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon D750
Nikon AF-S Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8D IF-ED
 01/21/2014 08:10:25 PM
LOVE this. My second favorite of the challenge, although the yellows are a bit oversaturated for me
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Fujifilm X-T5
Fujifilm XF 16-80mm f/4 R OIS WR
 01/21/2014 07:49:36 PM
Nicely done in getting his personality to shine through.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon D7200
Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 35mm f/1.8G
 01/21/2014 04:58:57 PM
That's pretty cool.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon D90
Nikon AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 24-120mm f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED VR
 01/20/2014 08:39:37 PM
What a original cool idea and done very well!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon D3100
Nikon AF-S DX Zoom Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR
 01/19/2014 05:16:23 PM
Effective
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS-550D Rebel T2i
Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 II
 01/19/2014 02:10:39 AM
Love it! Creative and well executed. That poor butterfly!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS-550D Rebel T2i
 01/16/2014 05:04:48 PM
excellent idea!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/16/2014 12:25:01 PM
Very fun!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS-5D Mark II
Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8 L USM
 01/15/2014 01:07:51 AM
What fun and perfectly exposed/composed
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS-1100D
Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS
 01/15/2014 12:35:57 AM
Looks like a winner.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS-6D
Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 L Macro IS USM
 01/15/2014 12:09:41 AM
Ha! Wonderful!!

I hope the "don't harm insects for a photo" people don't trash your score.


(commenting only)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
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