Bumblebee Heaven

Image Critiques Macro/Close-up Critiques
1

-20250710-_7R58322-Backyard Flowers-Edit.jpg
-20250710-_7R58322-Backyard Flowers-Edit.jpg2048×2048 1.79 MB

Critique Style Requested: Standard

The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.

Description

We had some nice overcast yesterday so I went out to try to get some shots of a Calla Lily (we can’t figure out where it came from, but it’s in a garden bed). That ended up being an utter failure, but I noticed the number of bees on a milkweed near the porch door so after putting the tripod away I just blasted away at them when they were busy foraging. I ended up with a couple of images I liked. I’m not sure it really qualifies as macro, but it doesn’t fit any other category.

Specific Feedback

Are the out of focus blossom parts from another bloom cluster in the lower right a problem? Any other issues?

Technical Details

Sony A7Rv, FE 70-200 f/4 macro @ 200 mm, hand held, f/8, 1/640, iso 1250. Processed in LR & PS CC. Cropped to 5824 square. Minor adjustments to luminosity and saturation, microcontrast boost to the bee. Taken yesterday at 2:40 p.m. under overcast skies.

Critique Template

Use of the template is optional, but it can help spark ideas.

  • Vision and Purpose:
  • Conceptual:
  • Emotional Impact and Mood:
  • Composition:
  • Balance and Visual Weight:
  • Depth and Dimension:
  • Color:
  • Lighting:
  • Processing:
  • Technical:
2

Sweet! Great look at the bee’s head, eyes, and proboscis. Love the comp and colours. Very well-done.

3

A fine blaze of color with the well-focused bee. Maybe clone out that small white streak on one of the FG blooms? It caught my eye when viewing really large. Blooms in LRC no problem to me, and surely this is a macro. Nice one, Dennis.

4

Thanks, @Mike_Friel. I didn’t see that spot.

5

The bee is nice and sharp and the hairs show up very well. Comp is fine and I agree with @Mike_Friel about cleaning up the single flower in the LLHC…Jim

6

Dennis, this is a fine, colorful look at this bee on the Butterfly Milkweed. The overcast lets the milkweed’s colors and details show at their best. While this may not be macro (which some describe as being 1/2 life size or larger on the sensor, it most definitely is close-up. (My personal definition is 12 inches or less across the long axis for close-up.)

7

Oh, this is really nice, Dennis. I love the lighting and the bee is tact sharp. I could count the hairs if I wanted to. Well done.

8

Dennis: The LRC is a complete non-issue for me. The focus on the bee and the DOF choice is marvelous. Great single capture. :+1: :+1:>=))>