The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.
Description
Thyreus decorus is known in English as The Decorative Cloak-and-dagger Bee. I guess because of its rather spooky topside and its sharp, pointed proboscis. It’s skittish, but I got some shots of it feeding on a tall Chinese Motherwort plant, which grows wild in Korea and is drawing all sorts of insects at the moment.
Specific Feedback
Which of the 2 shots do you prefer?
Technical Details
1: OM1 +60mm macro 1/125 f10 ISO 1600 + diffused flash
2: D500 + 105mm macro 1/250 f16 ISO 2500 no flash
Tonalities adjusted in LR, Denoise, Shadows/Highlights in PS. Cropping.
LR Adjustment Brush for added sharpness of lower body in shot 2.
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:
Wow. How close did you get to this guy to take these images. So sharp and the wings are amazing. I really like the BG and the colors are so rich. Beautiful image !!!
What a cool looking bee, Mike. I’ve never heard of one with that coloration. I much prefer the first image as the second look like you were really pushing the image quality. It is nice to get the side view as well, just to see what it looks like.
Mike: Great images both but I much prefer the first. The leaf that obscures the wing on the second is a major for me which is a shame because the side view shows so much more of the anatomy of this beautiful critter. The only thing I would do with the first image is make the blade of grass coming in from the ULC go away. Because it’s in the plane of focus I find it grabbing my eye and pulling it away from the bee. Kudos to you for taking such good advantage of the opportunity. >=))>
Mike, I definitely vote for the first. Before I realized there was a second shot to look at I was thinking how even though it’s face isn’t visible the back and wings are so unusual and nice to look at. Very sharp. I agree with the other about the quality and the wing obstruction on the second, but I am glad you included it so we could see what he looks like from the side. That is one long proboscis! I suspect he can do some harm with it. Excellent!
Wonderful captures! The top one is also my first choice. I wonder about removing or softening the stem that pulls the eye out the UL corner. Very interesting color, great detail and lovely environment.
Mike, the color and details in the first post are amazing. While the second view shows off the shape, especially the proboscis, well, it feels a bit too tight
Mike, the first one gets my vote. There’s something about the sharpness of the bee, the detail, and the wonderful contrast with the green…although it is possibly a little too green on my screen.
for me which is a shame because the side view shows so much more of the anatomy of this beautiful critter. The only thing I would do with the first image is make the blade of grass coming in from the ULC go away. Because it’s in the plane of focus I find it grabbing my eye and pulling it away from the bee. Kudos to you for taking such good advantage of the opportunity. >=))>