The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.
Description
I captured this honey bee in a garden near my home. I am attempting to create a simple image that capture the flight of the bee and its intended target. Minimal editing.
Specific Feedback
I am looking for feedback on composition and processing, especially with respect to the movement of the bee.
Technical Details
Sony a7RV, Sony 90mm Macro Lens, f/5.6, 1/250 with Cygnustech diffused Godox V1 Pro flash at 1/4 power in M mode.
Critique Template
Use of the template is optional, but it can help spark ideas.
I like this a lot, Charles. I’ve spent some time trying to photograph bees this summer and this is better than I’ve managed thus far, particularly for a flight shot. The flash worked beautifully in this image to highlight the flower and the bee. I’m a bit surprised it didn’t stop the wings more at 1/4 power, but the blurred arc works even better to convey a sense of motion. I don’t know if you cropped this at all, but if the surroundings aren’t too ugly, it feels like a little more room particularly on the top and the left would be more comfortable.
A very good image. I’m looking forward to seeing more and getting your input on other people’s images.
Really nice catch of this bee in flight, head-on!
The wing action/arcs are excellent.
Beautiful flower, and very nicely-presented.
I agree with Dennis that a little more room on the left would balance this a bit better.
We’re often tempted to crop as tightly as possible; I have to remind myself to back off a bit sometimes.
This is really a nice action shot Charles. I like the blurred wings and the color of the flower is really nice. I like the space you’ve given this in your second crop, but you probably want to crop up just a bit to take out the fuzzy little stem down on the bottom.
Oh darn that’s cool. Nicely done and the final version is really getting there. I like the sharpness and the action. Quite spatial and has nice depth and modeling. Colors look a bit heavy and lacking nuance to me. Sometimes I will lift the overall saturation and vibrance and work either in the Point Color space to lift specific tonalities in terms of luminance. Or you could do this in Photoshop with the TK9 panel and color masking.
Charles, you snagged the shot I have been trying to get, with the bee in flight heading for a flower. You even got the flower in the same plain of focus. Well done. I think you have got some good advice so far, and the repost improved the shot. I will add that to your title so others will know that you have posted some edits. You can do this yourself by clicking on the pencil next to the title and adding some like + Edit or + Repost, and then click on the checkmark below the title.
Hi Charles. I like your last revision. There is one trick I use sometimes to improve a composition like this. Since there’s little in the image except the honeybee to create a level, you can rotate the image to put the flower and bee at a bit more of a diagonal. I downloaded your image and did it to show the effect. In this case, since the posted image didn’t have much on the right, I had to add some canvas and after rotation I needed to add some to the top. In both cases I used content aware fill in PS. Take a look at it and you can see if you like the idea. With the full frame available, you can probably do a better job.
I am presently trying to find a quick tutorial/course for setting up a professional photography focused Instagram account? I have paying clients for my commercial drone photography and videography, but I would like to create an account focused on my creative output.
My aerial work is construction focused — different audience.
