The 'Wave'

I've never done much macro work, so I'm open to any and all

suggestions on this image. I'd particularly like help with the focus

issues. Thanks!

I don't think you need any help!  I guess you could take multiple shots and "stack" them in Photoshop to get flowers in focus as well, but I don't see where this photo needs anything.  Aloha!

Lot of details here so well seen,is incredible sometime how macro can shows what else we can not see,is a good summer remembering they are now almost frozen,nice work.

BR

Hi Christal,

  Wonderful macro with great details & colors.  Take care, Patsy

I only wonder why so expressed noise at only ISO 1600, I was amazed by this camera at ISO 6400 picture of some concert!

Best regards Christal!

PDE

Hello, i don't see focus issues here, focus seems to be on the head, where it needs to be. My only need nitpick is about noise, like Pierre. There's much of it in the background and the hair look crispy, maybe the sharpness tool ? regards,

Thanks for your comments everyone!  I can't explain why there is so much noise.  Maybe it's something I did in the processing in trying to get it sharp.  I'll take another look at it, and I'll try to back off on the sharpening a tad. 

With regard to ISO.....I actually tried to keep it to only 1600 ISO to avoid noise.  I was shooting into a bush, and it was rather dark, which is hard to tell from this.  I tried so many different shots, trying to get the entire bee in focus.  I experimented with distance and apertures, but try as I might I couldn't get the entire bee in focus......I really wanted all of the legs in focus.  The fact that the flower isn't in focus doesn't bother me...in fact, I view that as a positive thing.

All in all, I still like the shot.   I just try to learn something from every image, and I think there is much I still need to learn about focusing!  :-)

I want to know how you mesmerized this bee into sitting still so long!  A good shot, and a very good learning experience...  Mike

I did have to chase the bee around a bit, which was hard with the tripod.  But there were a few bees on this bush, so that helped!  Thanks!

Its the first peroxide blonde Bee I have ever encountered : - )

I think you have nailed the sharpness in all the right places. You can get programs to remove that noise if so desired, Personally I don't think it detracts from the image in any way that matters.  As for getting the entire bee in focus, maybe experiment with moving back a few paces and then cropping the image accordingly?  Or trying to get the bee in such a posiiton that all of its elements and limbs are on the same focal plane.  Tricky old business isn't it!

Overall I think you have done very well, and I have enjoyed viewing the image. The balance of colour and bee proportions are also spot on! Maybe a touch less sharpening, and / or when sharpening, use the erasor tool afterwards to elminate any sharpening in area's that don't require it, that would also help to minimise noise.

Best Regards

Alf

Alf, yes, peroxide.....what a great way to put it.  It really did look like this.   Based on your comments (and a couple of others), I think I'll try to rework this so it isn't as sharpened, and also try to minimize the noise.  Nevertheless, it's nice to hear your suggestion about using the eraser tool.  I've never used it for anything (don't know how), but I'll check it out.  I appreciate your input on this.....always good to hear from you!

I agree with Dominick,  you are certainly on the right path.  My philosophy is to try to use the lowest ISO possible for the highest quality but that is secondary to obtaining the shot.  So I would have done what you did when exposing the image.  I have no problem with noise if the alternative is no image at all.  It's easy to over sharpen in  Photoshop and perhaps that is where the answer lies for the excessive noise.  Simply use a lighter hand when sharpening!  Though the bright out of focus mass in the foreground does tend to pull the eye it is somewhat counter balanced by the sharpness of your subject.  Not a deal breaker for me though you could try minimizing it by tighter cropping at the bottom.  Keeper!  Best, LM.

I specifically remember that I had to use this high ISO because of the dark bushes.  Although it appears bright, it wasn't.  I don't know why it didn't occur to me to crop some of the flower out.  If I were to do that I'd have to go to a square crop, but that may work well.  When I have the time I'm going to rework this and see if I can reduce the sharpening and noise.  I appreciate your visit and your comments. 

Sharp with a lot of details.  Nice color match.  Very impressive and clear.  Best Regards,

I think you did very well Christal, especially when bees don't often stay still for very long!!! Well done.