Wasp on Coneflower

[Jackie Schuknecht]

Took this today in overcast conditions.
40D
ISO 400
1/200 s AV Mode Evaluative -2/3
500 mm
f7.1
1.4 TC
2x extender
Full Frame
Comments/Suggestions Appreciated.

[Gus Cobos]

Hi Lady Jackie,
I very happy to see you doing macros...:D I like the capture, but a few points to keep in mind...your base image was a tad under exposed, and your bee was a wee bit on the soft side. I took the liberty in making a few minor adjustments to your base image and composition, to give it a little more punch...I started by cropping from the right side of the frame and a little from the top...I opened up the mid-tones and the shadows in the cone flower and on the stem and petals. I boosted the saturation and contrast just a tad, and selective sharpened the bee...see if this presents best to you...:cool:

[Jackie Schuknecht]

Thanks Gus, I think it has been a long day and I am still getting used to the lens. I didn't do enough sharpening, only one round. In this one I have given it three. I hope this looks better. Plus took some of your other adjustments into account.

[Gus Cobos]

Much better Lady Jackie...:D:cool:

[BillTyler]

I don't exactly know how to achieve this, but I'd like to see a clearer tonal separation between the wasp and the flower. They are so close in tone, especially the eyes, that I have to work a bit to see where the flower stops and the wasp begins. Perhaps if you were to select just the wasp, and lighten it a bit?

Bill

[Alfred Forns]

Last re post did it Jackie I like the changes Gus made with a little less saturation, difficult to judge without seeing the flower.

Local changes will make a difference particularly with the insect. I like the idea Bill brings for having separation with the flower. Lots to this image and gorgeous .... the more I look at it the more I like it !!! Big Congrats !!!

[Oscar Zangroniz]

Great to see some of your macro work Jackie. Congreats on a beautiful composition.
Regards,

[denise ippolito]

Jackie, I like your re-post but with Gus' crop. I think the bud could use a bit more luminance. Really nice details and your black BG is great!!

[Ron Boisvert]

Hi Jackie,
I really like your capture of the wasp on a very healthy coneflower. I agree with Denise's comments about brightening the bud and cropping, and also think that lightening and sharpening the wasp is a good suggestion too. Your repost is still a little flat for my taste. I'd be looking for something in between Gus's mod and your repost. It seems that the -2/3EV wasn't necessary. Very nice image, and if you take the time to work it some more and repost again, I look forward to seeing it. Let's see some more!!

[Dave Mills]

Jackie, IMO Your repost does it for me. Your image is still a bit off center and the light and saturation is not overdone but brighter than the original. The black backround makes the image pop and the wasp adds an important element. Nicely handled...

[Jackie Schuknecht]

Thanks for all the comments/suggestions. I really like the 500 and it seems great as a macro lens. There will be more coming:).

[Adrian David]

I like very much the repost, Jackie! On my monitor, the wasp is very well defined on the flower...Good sharpness of the little wasp on the flower!

[Declan Troy]

I think that wasp may actually be a hoverfly. Nice shot either way.

[Bob Miller]

Hi jacki...I think your repost is right on...it has nice mood and the bug is perfect for my tastes. I think you have handled the saturation perfectly in the repost. I like this image alot!