Busy, busy bees

[photog1107]

I am looking for any critique--technical or compositional--that would help me enhance this shot if I got a chance to do a similar one again. I have cropped fairly tightly, as it was taken with my 17-55 Tamron with a +4 closeup filter. It was close enough for good detail, but not enough to really capture the bee as the focal point.



Camera: Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi
Exposure: 0.001 sec (1/1000)
Aperture: f/4.0
Focal Length: 40 mm
Exposure: 0.00
ISO Speed: 100
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
Flash: Off, Did not fire

Questions would be... does the cropping feel like the right amount for good composition? Would a dedicated macro lens, which likely would have have enabled me to get this version full screen, have enhanced the technical quality of the shot? I am evaluating whether to invest in the Canon 100mm macro so I am wondering how well this one with the close up filter (certainly a cheap alternative) stacks up.

Also, if anyone has any other critique, I am happy to listen and learn. Thanks!

[mpf777]

To me it looks like your exposure is good and the bee appears to be sharp. I don't do to much close up stuff of insects but I think a tighter crop on the bee would help but in that area you may be limited by your lens. I would think that a good 100mm macro lens would give you the ability to get a tighter cropped image straight out of the camera. I have a 50mm macro I use when I have the chance to do some close up stuff and if I were to get a macro lens today I would definitely go for something more in the 100mm range as with the 50mm I have to get way to close to the subject to get a nice tight crop.

[thenunsofgaborone]

Not quite sure how those +4 Filters work as until just now I didn't know they even existed. I will say that a 100+ Macro lens will allow a closer shot. For me though the depth of field is the limiting factor in this shot at f8+ perhaps the second insect and some of the other flowers would have been more in focus and you would have been generally happier with the shot?

I have a 105mm f2.8 Sigma macro lens and I love it to bits, but because of the depth of field I now use it more at around f8 and above especially in good light.

Nice colours though.

[mike1187]

I'd possibly try for a bit darker backround, and less of the bright flowers. When I first look at the shot, I see the flowers, not the bee. I had the same problem when shooting a big dark bee on some goldenrod in the sun. I just couldnt get the exposure right. Either the bee didnt "pop", or the flowers were overexposed. I tried again with some more difused light, and liked the results much better.

[snapalot]

I agree with those who suggested a closer crop and darker background, or perhaps more contrast. I'd be tempted to crop this portrait with bee at the top. Lose most of the stem and flowers to the left of the bee.

Nice shot

[grounded]

I am not going to criticise but offer you some advice, Cover the surrounding blooms, just leaving one good one, spray this one with water with sugar added with one of those nasal sprays, then have heaps of patience while having your camera ready on a mono pod or something similar, Good luck.