Please criticize this photograph. :)

It's my first time to take a picture of an insect. Well, probably not the first time but the first time to capture a bee and... I just want this photo to be criticize so that I'll learn from my mistakes. :)

Tags: bee, macro, maeda

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Mike Noble on April 22, 2009 at 10:15am

The other day I was out in the garden doing some macro photography. I got a similar image. When I got it on the computer, the first thing that hit was - I should have gotten closer. Since this insect is the subject and focus of the image, it probably would be better if it were larger. Just my opinion.

Mike

Permalink Reply by Maeda on April 22, 2009 at 10:31am

I thought about of getting closer too. Problem is, it's just an 18-55mm kit lens. and... This was captured using my Canon. (What the hell is this picture doing here in the Nikon Groups?!) But anyway, i'm also a Nikon User and I have a 55mm Vivitar Macro lens. But it's a film FM3A. I also didn't want to scan the pictures because it distorts the image for about 10%. But anyway, thanks for the criticism! :D

Permalink Reply by Jack C. Hampton on April 22, 2009 at 11:31am

First of all, it is spendid picture. I am not sure getting closer to a bee is such a good idea!! Been there with not all positive results!!! However, lets look at the purely artistic side. If you squint down visually at the picture you see that the
white petals of the flower become the focal point of the picture. This means that too much light is getting to the film/receiver in the camera (if you have photoshop you might suck this into PS and look at the histagram.) You can lessen the proportional luminosity of the petals.
If you are using a DSLR you can close the aperature a little, increase an f-stop, slow the receiver speed and check the histagrams on the camera as you go to see where you are. But the only criticism I would have is that you want to make the bee the focal point not the flower petals. Otherwise a great photo with a great background.
Jack Hampton

Permalink Reply by Maeda on April 26, 2009 at 10:09pm

Yes, I was looking at the flower petals too and there was a little motion blur that's because it was windy outside and at the same time, sunny. I tried my best to focus it on the bee and I got 6 shots of it but so far this is the best I got considering the contrast and saturation of the picture. Thanks for the comment, Jack! I Appreciate it. :)

Permalink Reply by Al Pettman on May 4, 2009 at 8:57am

That was very interesting reading. Great comments It is always useful to read all the comments.

Permalink Reply by Jonathan on April 22, 2009 at 5:54pm

personally, i dont think it was absolutely necessary to get closer to the subject cause the contrast of the flower/bee to the green grass i think makes attention to the flower/bee.... taking pictures of flying insects is hard, ha, but i love taking pictures of bumble bees. seems like you got a little motion burr on it. i would maybe try next time at 200ISO .... love the photo though. never seen a bee like that

Permalink Reply by Ken chooi on April 22, 2009 at 6:49pm

Hi, Maeda. As you said ,the first time take a picture of an insect. I can imagine the feeling of excitement; the focal point is really good for me though you want it more closer. The 18-55mm kit lenses already did the best . I use Nikon D80 and 18-55mm kit lenses as well. Just want to share with everyone who love bee. Here is my first time to take an insect as well. althought is not really good,but I just love the bee and the momentary.These two picture are original and no editing. Hope I can learn from everyone as well.

Permalink Reply by Maeda on April 26, 2009 at 10:07pm

Those are great pictures of yours! I'll try to go back there and do some bee hunting again! hehe, it's kinda hard though because they fly from one place to another and i had to chase them. It's kind of a shutter chance though. I'd like to learn a lot of techniques to these kind of photography. Thanks for criticizing!

Permalink Reply by Susan Johnson on June 4, 2009 at 3:15pm

This is an EXCELLENT shot of a bee! Great clarity and the vibrance of the flowers is fantastic!

SJ

Permalink Reply by matilda hsu on May 26, 2009 at 7:54am

first sorry for my poor English .
it look like a bee but not a bee
it might be "Amata perixanthia"

Permalink Reply by Maeda on May 28, 2009 at 11:07pm

Thanks for the info, Matilda! :)

Permalink Reply by Mike Davis on May 28, 2009 at 5:23am

From Mike Davis:
Technically, the photo is ok, but the angles seem wrong. They overall blend is the problem. There are color contrast problems where the shot does not "stick out" from a color standpoint. To help this some, I would have cropped this photo a lot, to accentuate the Bee color contrast.