The photographer is looking for thoughtful feedback on the image as a whole, especially around the areas noted below.
Feedback Focus: Artistic + Technical
About This Image
Still getting to grips with the new 90mm macro so now and then I do a turn in the yard. A patch of wildflowers attracted my attention because of the bumblebees, but then I noticed this one that didn’t move off this flower for quite a long time. I’m not sure what species of bee it is, but it is tiny - about 5mm long. It was clinging to the anthers of this Virginia Waterleaf and seemed quite happy to be there. So cute.
Feedback Requested
Because I was using a flash, the bg was naturally dark and I made it darker still so the little darling would stand out. Too dramatic? Also I think I need to try using burst mode with this kind of thing to up my chances of a decent pose with the right focus. This really was a fluke considering how narrow the focus area is with this lens. Any thoughts there would be useful. Is there enough detail here?
Tripod/handheld: handheld
Focus method: auto w/focus peaking
Filters: none
Technique: TTL flash w/diffuser
Conditions: breezy, of course
Processing software: Lr & Ps
Major adjustments: cropping (a big one), color & wb, texture & sharpening, nr and distraction removal in Ps, a few masks to further separate our girl from the bg.
Kris, I’m glad you stayed with him to get this shot. I haven’t tried burst shooting with a flash. Not sure Canon offers that. My flash has to have a few seconds to build up for the next flash. I like how his face is turned towards the camera, which really brings my eye straight to his. We make a connection. That dark BG makes him stand out nicely. He is pretty tiny if only 5 mm. You did a fine job capturing this. He is really cute hanging on like that.
Thanks @Shirley_Freeman - glad this one made you feel close to the subject. I love tiny bees and look for them often on flowers. I think if my flash power was low enough it might keep up some of the time. Not sure until I try.
Kris: Good eye to spot this and really good technique with your new lens and flash. I don’t do much with flash so I can’t provide insight but I do use burst just about anytime I’m handholding on a moving insect or just about any other time I’m firing away. I find the pressure of the shutter makes the placement in the frame inconsistent. When I’m on my tripod I have my remote attached to it and fire the shutter with it 905 of the time. I bet Jim Z would have some great insights regarding flash. >=))>
What an absolutely cute little bee – snuggled in a blanket of pollen and hugging a teddy bear! The lighting looks natural – good job there!
@Shirley_Freeman , you can! I can shoot at 20 fps for maybe 5-6 frames at full power and more at reduced power. I’m always in M power so don’t know if the pre-flashes of TTL would be a problem, but M works very well after dialing in the right power. Here’s the secret. The cables (sold separately) are made for a number of flashes. The power bank comes with a strap or you can clip it to a belt. You still need batteries in the flash but this provides the super-fast recharge, and saves tons of batteries. Canon also makes a compact battery pack that holds 8 AAs, but it doesn’t have the power of this thing and you are still eating batteries, which only die at the worst possible time.
Thanks @Bill_Fach & @Diane_Miller - looks like I’ll have to mess around with burst flash. It’s a chilly day today so possibly the insects will be a bit less lively and I’ll have a chance of success. First I have to start packing for my kayak trip to the Apostle islands next week. Not sure how much photography I’ll get done, but some for sure as we’ll be right on the lake and plan to do some hiking as well as messing around in town.
