Machaon butterfly in a field overgrown with wild mustard. As always, this photograph is a search for natural beauty, without artifice, without Photoshop or any other image software. This is the spirit in which I approach my photography. This shot was taken at around 7pm in June, when the light was low. The upper third of the image shows a dark band formed naturally by the edge of a wood of oak and chestnut trees. The colour of the butterfly's wings blends naturally with the shade of the trees and the mustard flowers on which it sits. The yellow background colour is not detailed because of the high compression of the focal length used, a 200mm F2 opened to its full aperture (for photographers).
Painter, musician, instrument maker, photographer for over 50 years
Traditional technical photography, 100% manual, no software retouching except low percentage contrast. Photographic criteria derived from artistic painting. In short, I photograph as I paint, in other words, the first consideration is the background..
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