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Thread: Bumble bee sp.

  1. #1
    Macro and Flora Moderator Jonathan Ashton's Avatar
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    Default Bumble bee sp.

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    Hand held Canon 1DX Canon 100-400L 11 Auto ISO 1600 +1.1, 1/1000 sec f8. I am not entirely sure of the species but I think it is Early bumblebee Bombus pratorum, if anyone knows differently I would appreciate your letting me know. The flower is borage, the image was taken in the back garden.
    I am constantly trying to refine my technique for these in flight shots. I have tried AF using shutter and rear button focus with varying degrees of success. Currently I am using manual focus, focusing on the bee or flower and trying to anticipate the direction it will fly to the next flower, by doing this I can estimate where to focus to catch the bee in flight. I am avoiding flash whenever I can in order to minimise reflections on the wings.
    All C&C welcome

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    Very nicely done! A lot of patience has gone into this image! Great composition and BG. Bumblebee is well in focus and nicely exposed.

    I would crop a slice off the top

    TFS

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    Very nice Jonathan. I like the two opposing flowers, that make a nice compositional element. I would be inclined to crop from the top to reduce the empty space. Your species ID seems correct to me.

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    Nice one Jonathan. I tried the same technique with Hoverflies last summer, I can only use manual focus with the macro lens I have. Anticipation is the thing but I have a lot more failures than successes! Nice and sharp where it counts and the bee nicely balanced by the R/H flower and the insect stands out well from the background. Another vote for a little off the top.

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    Hi Jonathan,
    Wonderfully focused bee and I like the composition as well. Very nice image.

    Allen

  7. #6
    Macro and Flora Moderator Jonathan Ashton's Avatar
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    Thanks for the feedback everyone, I chose this crop because it equates to a potential print and I was anxious to gauge your opinions as presented.

  8. #7
    Ron Conlon
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    Bees love borage! Brings back fond memories. Perhaps a little off the top...

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    I love the sharp detail in the bee and borage, offset by the OOF FG. Lovely composition. I'd be tempted to compare taking a little off the top and sides, which could preserve the aspect ratio.

  10. #9
    Macro and Flora Moderator Jonathan Ashton's Avatar
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    Thanks again I will see if I can make a tighter crop but I think I am on the edge.

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    Great shot and timing. Like the colors and details. Agree with the crop at the top.....

    Cheers,
    Miro

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    A very nice image and I think just enough blur in the wing. You obviously planned it well with the position of the main two flowers.

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