Cicada

[Ironwood]

Found this Cicada on the kitchen floor this morning. I took plenty of shots of it on the floor, then I put it on my iPad screen and took some shots ( about 80 shots all up )
It would have been a good candidate for focus stacking if I was set up for it.

Here is the first one I processed, this one is on the iPad screen.
3 versions of the same image, sharpened differently, Let me know of any preferences.

#1 - sharpened in Apple Aperture


#2 - sharpened in Affinity Photo with the clarity mask


#3 - sharpened on Affinity Photo with the unsharp mask


I will post some of the other shots later.

[Grumpy John]

All good images Brad, for me #2 just edges out #1.

[Toddyh]

Great thinking with the ipad and agree #2 for me.

[Ironwood]

Cheers Todd. I use the iPad for a background for photographing my pens sometimes , it gives a nice subtle reflection.

[Ironwood]

Thanks for your thoughts John and Todd. That sort of confirms what I was thinking, on my iPad, #2 looks the sharper image, but on the 27” Mac screen, it looks a little bit overdone.
Will post some of the other shots later this arvo or tonight.

[Ironwood]

I have gone through the Cicada images and picked the best of them for focus and composition.
Here they are, first lot is on the kitchen floor.

#2


#3


#4


#5

[Isac]

#2 in the first 3 is sharpest. Lovely image BTW. #3 in the 2nd lot, mainly for the POV.

[Ironwood]

Thanks Isac, I am still a bit undecided which is my favourite.

[Ironwood]

And a couple more on the iPad screen.

#6


#7

[Isac]

I think the last one is pretty good Ironwood - nice POV and seeing the total reflection. The cicada has been very cooperative while you pose him!

[Ironwood]

Cheers Isac. #7 is one that I like too. He was a docile little fella when I was moving him around inside the house, but as soon as I took him out the front door, he took off towards the bush. To join his mates making a racket this afternoon no doubt

[eaglem]

Good detail and lovely colours, we only seem to get the black or dark brown ones here.

[Ironwood]

We seem to get the brown ones as well as these ones here.

[wigz]

All very good shots, it's hard to pick between them. Did you get any in a more natural environment? Those on the iPad screen are surprisingly effective.

[Ironwood]

Thanks Alan.
I regret not going outside and getting a nice leaf to put it on, for a more natural background. Didn't think of it at the time.