I had just bought my first macro lens. After unboxing it, I rushed out to the backyard flower garden to experiment on anything I could find. As I was shooting, a bee flew into the frame, and I captured it hovering over a Rudbeckia hirta (Black-Eyed Susan).
Composition and color processing.
Nikon D200
Lens: 105mm f2/8
1/125 sec @ f 3.5
ISO 100
Stephen: Luck happens to the skilled and well prepared. I love moments like this and think this is a superbly artistic rendition. Typically we want to see the head of the insect sharp but this works for me as the head seems to be absorbed into the “rising sun”. Nicely conceived, captured and presented.>=))>
Stephen, I agree with Bill about this being a nicely artistic look at this bee and it’s “sunny” environment.
A very dynamic capture! I like the composition but I’d be interested to see a version with just a bit lower exposure on the highlights, which might bring more emphasis to the bee. The shallow DOF of a macro lens at close focus can be very cool.
Oh, somehow, I missed this one, Stephen. Very nice. Congratulations on Editor’s Pick!
Thank you, @Bill_Fach, @Mark_Seaver, @Diane_Miller, and @Shirley_Freeman, for the compliments and thoughtful feedback—and a big thank you for choosing this photograph as an Editor’s Pick!
Diane, I did try the adjustment you suggested, but it didn’t have an impact on the bee. I also attempted to isolate it further, though I wasn’t able to pull out more detail.
For what it’s worth, this image won a Silver Award (2nd Place) at the 2025 PX3 – Prix de la Photographie, Paris and a Bronze Award (3rd Place) at the 2025 Tokyo Foto Awards, both in Macro categories.
OK – and it sounds like the image did quite well without any suggestions! Congratulations on hte awards and the EP!
