Amazon - Fly thing / Beetle

[crotermund]

The backdrop in the picture is a huge fungus mound on a tree. I was at a weird angle and my flash wasn't really able to reach this guy, but I kind of liked the silhouette-like effect for some reason. Is it just too dark or does it work? Any thoughts?

I'm not sure what exactly he is, but we saw a lot of them down there.



Just a beetle...

[rjlittlefield]

The backdrop in the picture is a huge fungus mound on a tree. I was at a weird angle and my flash wasn't really able to reach this guy, but I kind of liked the silhouette-like effect for some reason. Is it just too dark or does it work? Any thoughts?

For me, it works GREAT!

The combination of low angle, silhouette, and bright interesting background give me a strong emotional feeling that this fellow is only a little part of some other thing that's much bigger than he is, and that other thing must be really big and really powerful because, um, I think maybe it's because the fly reminds me so much of Darth Vader -- or maybe it's because the background blur triggers my face detectors! I didn't even consciously notice the "face" for several minutes, but now I can't ignore it.

No, the picture is not too dark at all. At least on the monitor I'm using at this moment, I can see lots of detail in the thorax and head, and some on the abdomen.

--Rik

[beetleman]

Wonderful photos craig.....The fly has plenty of detail and like Rik said the angle is really cool. Lots of DOF and sharpness on the cute little beetle also. Those types of flies always seem to have their mouthparts extended (bigger than its` head ) Family Micropezidae - Stilt-legged Flies. Larvae occure in dung

[crotermund]

Thanks for the comments guys and for the id, Doug, I had been wondering what exactly he was.

[Danny]

Love watching what you have done Craig. Been amazing to watch and the results are outstanding IMHO. Fine work and shots sir

Danny.

[crotermund]

Thanks a lot, Danny.