Early winter love of a flower

Image Critiques
1

20260121-bees-9939-Edit-Edit-Edit.jpg
20260121-bees-9939-Edit-Edit-Edit.jpg3000×2400 788 KB

Critique Style Requested: Standard

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

Description

We have had a warmer windows in Southeastern AZ and the large Winter Green bush I have in the yard has bloomed welcoming many bees. I wanted to see how this lens worked with this camera r7 with the r5ii. I have a small 18 inch high seat that pops open. I place it in the bush to get as close as I can.

Specific Feedback

I wasn’t sure on the cropping, which was only about 20 percent of full image. The bee is the subject, thoughts? Do I need more DOF being this close?

Technical Details

Canon r7 with RF 100 f/2.8 macro lens. 1/500 f/7.1 iso 1000 on a day with high clouds.

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

Another great bee shot, Dean. It must be nice having bees and flowers this time of year. This shot reminds me of another that you posted last year with the pedal of the flower framing the bee. Looks like the lens did a fine job on the R5ii. The square crop works for me.

3

Dean: Plenty of DOF for my tastes as the focus on the eye and body is spot on. The slightly soft rear leg is a little noticeable since it’s in the FG but small price to pay for the crispness everywhere that matters. Nicely done. >=))>

4

Excellent, Dean. The focus is where it needs to be. If the bee was being cooperative (staying there a few seconds), I could see refocusing on the base of the near wing to get a bit more depth of field with a two image focus stack, but this is still awesome, and while I can talk about that technique in a critique, I almost never remember to do it in the field.