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I've found out over the last couple of days just how difficult it is to photograph Bees.
This is my best attempt after goodness knows how many shots!
I was undecided as to whether this would be better as a square crop, and I'd appreciate any opinions. I'm waiting for the opportunity to get some better shots in brighter light when I can use a faster shutter speed to freeze the movement of the wings.
Please let me know what you think - is this shot any good?
| Brand: | NIKON CORPORATION |
| Camera: | Nikon D3100  Check out Nikon Nation! |
| Lens: | 70.0-300.0 mm f/4.0-5.6 |
| Recording media: | RAW (digital) |
| Date Taken: | 4 Aug 2012 - 5:44 PM |
| Focal Length: | 300mm |
| Lens Max Aperture: | f/5.7 |
| Aperture: | f/5.6 |
| Shutter Speed: | 1/1000sec |
| Exposure Comp: | 0.0 |
| ISO: | 1600 |
| Exposure Mode: | Shutter speed priority AE |
| Metering Mode: | Multi-segment |
| Flash: | No Flash |
| Title: | Busy Bee |
| Username: | 
WeeGeordieLass |
| Uploaded: | 5 Aug 2012 - 2:14 PM |
| Tags: | Wildlife / nature |
| VS Mode Rating |
99 (0% won) These stats show the percentage of wins and the rating score that your photo has achieved. You can go to the VS Mode by clicking on this icon. Signup to e2Signup to e2 to see which photo this has won or lost against in the vs mode |
| Votes: | Voting Disabled |
 | Critique Wanted |
| Modifications Welcome (Upload a Modification) |
Comments
Nothing wrong with this shot, and good advice from PinKK, also I would have cropped it slightly more on the right of the Bee, about half of what is there, one third to two thirds works well, balance it out more and showing the hazy flower in the background, make a copy and try it out see what you think, regards Leon.
I think your image is very good but a crop probably would help focus
on the subject.
I've uploaded a modification which you can judge for yourself.
I've tweaked the levels as histogramwhich didn't cover full tonal range.
A bit of extra contrast, bit of sharpening but it was quite sharp already
so well done.
I'll leave the settings to somebody with more experience than me.
Kate
It's already a good shot and Kate's mod. takes it slightly further. That's the crop that I would have used.
Well done,
Bren.
Yes, that's much better, well done Kate.
You have done well here, Elaine, practice makes perfect, and, as you say, it's not easy.
I am pleased that you already felt it needed a crop. You were right. Just decide where your subject is looking or facing, or about to fly into, and that will be the area that needs the extra space, not behind it. Sometimes it's difficult to decide, so a square crop works best, equal space either side. This makes the shot more compositionally pleasing and it also helps guide the viewer’s eye through the image, in the direction your subject is looking. The space also gives the viewer a chance to wonder what is outside of the frame and where the subject will be headed next.
Understanding the rules helps you get a better picture. But the idea is to get to the stage that you do some of these things instinctively, and that's when you start to move away from the rules and become creative!
Sometimes an image can be improved with a little more consideration to the framing of the main subject, as if there's too much space surrounding it the emphasis can be lost. Try to get the framing right in-camera, especially if you want to produce dramatic photos and make the most of your frame.
You can often produce a more interesting image by placing the main subject somewhere other than the center of the image. Generally, pictures with subjects directly in the center tend to be more static and less interesting than pictures with off-center subject placement.
Pamela.
Hi PinkK,
Yes I had my camera on continuous shooting......wish those damn bees would keep still though!
I'm glad you like the pastel colours - this was my lavender shrub in my front garden.
Thanks for taking the time to comment.
Cheers
Elaine
Hi Leon,
Thanks for taking the time to comment on my shot.
Yes I agree about the crop - it does look better.
Ta very much.
Elaine
Hi Nathan,
Lovely to hear from you.
Thanks for your nice comments - it's great to receive encouragement like this.
Take care Pet.
Cheers
Elaine
Hi Kate,
Thanks very much for your mod - and for helping me to decide on the crop. I'll also look at the histogram and correct the exposure.
Your help is much appreciated - I'm thinking of entering this one in a staff photography competition at work, your advice has helped.
Cheers
Elaine
Hi Bren,
Thanks for your opinion and advice - always appreciated a lot.
Hope you're well.
Cheers
Elaine
Hi Frank,
Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment with your opinion on the crop - I'm going to follow Kate's advice.
Cheers
Elaine
Hi Muhamad,
Thanks for taking the time to look at and leave a comment on my shot - it's good to know others' opinions, I agree with you about the crop - looks much better.
Cheers
Elaine
Hi Pamela,
Hope you're well and still enjoying your yoga. I'm going to India in February - looking forward to practicing yoga and meditation on the banks of the Ganges!
Thanks for your detailed advice, it's great - I didn't know any of this. I'm going to copy it into a Word document, along with all of the other great advice I've received from everyone in the Critique Gallery, so that I can refer to it again and again.
Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti
Elaine
Hi Ryan,
Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment on my shot.
Yes, bees are very frustrating to shoot - especially when the beggars wont stay still!!!
Cheers
Elaine
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