One of Man's Best Friends - (view larger)

Many hives are 'dying' and it is often the case that bees are brought in. I did not see may of the 'BumbleBee' Variety this year either.

many thanks for your very kind words, they do encourage and inspire!

Amazing detail and vivid color - outstanding macro work.

My best,

michael

Hi Gail,

Fantastic capture.......Best Regards, KA

Thankyou both so  much  for  those encouraging  words of  critique. I appreciate very  much your visits and input. Kind regards, Gail

You are a wonderful photographer and artist and if I am truthful, this is not one of your best but still good. The colors are very natural, certain portions of the flower are very sharp. The background is superbly neutral allowing the viewer to concentrate on the flower and the bee.

Instead of seeing the back of the bee, I would prefer to see the front and I would prefer not to have the flower chopped on the left. A good effort with room for improvement. I know that you have the ability to get better since I have seen your progression as a photographer.

Thank you very much for that critique Joscelyn. Valuable information that I have read and looked back at my original and I can see your valid points. Unfortunately that day, this 'thistle' bush was near the edge of a Canal, so close that when I tried to get a 'head's on view' I was dangerously close to the edge. At one point I got into the 'thick' of the bush, only to have the Bee fly off. It was almost 'frantic' as it gathered more pollen. One problem I do have is deciding just 'where to crop'. What information do I want in the image. What is the 'story' or is there a 'story'? If I could have I would have gotten closer to the Bee so I didn't have to crop. I've been reading on and off, Vincent Versace's book 'Welcome to OZ 2.0'. His Cinematic approach to Digital Still Photography with Photoshop. He says 'Compose your images, do not crop them. You are responsible for every millimeter of every image frame you create. Fill it!' Also reading Bryan Peterson's 'Understanding Close-Up Photography'. He discusses the difference between Cose-Up Photography and true Macro. I struggle with the fact that is my Photograph really a Macro just because I am using my Macro lens? And in order to enter my image in the Macro category, how close to I have to be to the insect?

Your thoughts surely will help me. I am still studying 'composition' and hopefully I will arrive at an understanding of just what is right. I will add the original below and I can see where I could have included more of the flower rather than crop it the way I did. Thankyou so much for your input.

Most sincerely, Gail

Gail: WOW, Love this photo.  Tom

I just saw your lovely comment now, and I have to thank you for taking the time to browse through my work (seeing as you were not able to be as active before your retirement).

With sincere appreciation, Gail