Fly on leaf by Patrick Mertens aka Pat Probleme

About "Fly on leaf"

by Patrick Mertens aka Pat Probleme

About the artwork

This photo is a vertical macro shot of a fly brought into view frontally, resting on a green leaf. The fly is central and very sharp, while the rest of the photo, including the leaf and background, is out of focus. This creates an intrusive portrait of the insect.

The fly has a robust, hairy body with a greyish pattern. Its prominent, facet eyes are dark red and shiny, giving them a striking look. The fly's mouthparts are also clearly visible, as two protruding, reddish dots. The wings are widely spread and appear translucent, with a distinct vein. They are placed on the sides of the body, creating a kind of heart-shaped silhouette when viewed from above. The fine hairs on the fly's body and legs are sharply captured, emphasising texture and detail.

The fly is on a green leaf, whose edges are in focus on the right and left sides. The edges of the leaf are slightly indented or damaged, adding natural and organic detail. The background is a soft, blurred mix of green and dark tones, which further isolates and brings out the subject. The light is soft and diffuse, which minimises shadows and highlights the fly's details well.

The picture has a high level of detail and shows an animal that is often considered mundane, but is shown here in all its complexity. The vertical composition emphasises the height of the fly and the leaves, creating a sense of depth.