photo.net Elves , Sep 14, 2004; 02:17 a.m.
Isn't this a most amazing capture? I
think the very first comment by Ben S.
sums it up pretty well: "colors,
sharpness, moment, bokeh. the real
thing". One might complain about the
clipped wings, but surely that's only a
minor distraction?
Photograph by ettan ettan
Yogesh Kshirsagar , Sep 14, 2004; 04:25 a.m.
No words to express!!!!!!! Excellent, just excellent. Contrasting colors of hunter and the prey are just nice. Moreover DOF is just enough to throw out the background. Keep it up ettan
Marco P , Sep 14, 2004; 05:37 a.m.
Well, the aestetic result is really stunning, it's all perfect: the act, the colours, the lighting, the background, the plant under the mantis - it even has flowers on it... Dare I say... it's too perfect? I mean: this wonderful shot in my opinion does not qualify as a nature shot, it's a still life of a natural subject. Very well done, indeed, but looks too unnatural to my eyes. The mantis relies on also mimetism to take its prays by surprise, but not on a red plant. I have never seen a mantis feeding on dragonflies, always smaller prays, and the lighting and background shows the shot was taken under heavily controlled conditions (terrarium?). Hope you wont take my observation as too much criticism, just my thoughts, and I have already said this is a perfect photo. I looked at your portfolio and like really very much 'mid air refuelling'. Congrats, Marco
Marc G. 
, Sep 14, 2004; 05:55 a.m.
Superb, and unique. And no, the clipped wings don't really bother me. I find the colors wonderful as well, and interestingly, the background almost looks like a studio background...:-) Congrats for such a successful take. Regards.
Mario Spalla , Sep 14, 2004; 06:24 a.m.
Fantastic shoot and excellent timing of shoot!
I think that the colors help to make this photo very great!
Congrats!
Wes Lee , Sep 14, 2004; 11:25 a.m.
It's great to see stuff like this because It shows us a whole other world that is happening benith our feet. And the photo itself is nearly perfect.
Greg S , Sep 14, 2004; 02:18 p.m.
Natural, or staged ?
It's a nice photo for sure. Just as a point of clarification though, was the mantis found on the flower and did it ambush a dragonfly... or is this a staged photo? (i.e. mantis placed on flower, dragonfly fed to mantis)
Purely an academic question, but just curious. Thanks, and congrats on POW selection. -Greg-
Ben Plewes , Sep 14, 2004; 06:10 p.m.
This is amazing. I don't think it matters one noodle whether this is staged or not -
fantastic capture.
Harry Eggens 
, Sep 14, 2004; 06:17 p.m.
Fantastic macro/nature capture. Most wonderful lighting and details and stunning colors. An image to be really proud off Ettan....Best regards, Harry
Miguel Garcia-Guzman , Sep 14, 2004; 10:52 p.m.
Great capture. You have combined perfect technique for an strong moment ...
Congratulations.
Miguel
