Imagine - (enlarge plse)

Excellent macro shot and perfect choice of dof.  Also very interesting pp work. Regards,

Pat.

This is a Macro I took of a Bee at Garry's Garden Gallery in Lindsay,

Ontario. I've a few images posted that I took there. (good Ice

Cream !) I decided to use some layers and enter this under Digitally

Altered. I've not yet Mastered Macro as well as many, while I will still

persevere. But I think you can do more with a Macro image. I didn't

let my imaginaiton go 'full rein' but I've been thinking about our

Planet, in regards to co-existance and dependance on other Species

to continue on that 'delicate balance' that makes our 'food chain' and

even our enviroment maintain an 'acceptable level' in order for us all

to survivie. I think this summer, all over the world, we are seeing,

nearly every day, things that many of us 'took for granted'

become 'unstable'. If even the 'weather' itself does not make us sit

back and 'take notice' - I don't know what will. So many have been

suffering the consequences of our planet in 'distress'. I often

wonder 'just what will it take' to get OUR ATTENTION. (your visits

are welcome, with much appreciaiton, Gail)

Thankyou Pat! I just posted it for 'rating' and came back and there you were!!! Many thanks for those very encouraging words of critique. I do appreciate your visit and input. Sincere regards, Gail

I like the background you've inserted behind the main subject (at least, I presume that's what you did). Someday I learn how to do but in the meantime, I'll just have to enjoy yours!

It is not so hard, Gunga Jim, once you get past the 'brick wall' of Layers (at least the one I put up before I decided to get a book and study it a bit). Blending modes in the Layers Paletter play a big part, until I figured that out, I was having trouble with my Opacities between layers. For me, It takes awhile when I am 'composing', but I find it enjoyable. Now with all the Photos you take, and all the places you visit, I don't know that you'd have time. But one day, when you cannot travel because of weather or 'whatever' you have such a large Library of Images, you could have a 'ball'!!! Many thanks for those kind words of critique. Safe travels ! Gail

Gail,

This is a great macro with lots of detail.  Just amazing what insects look like when we view them through a macro lens.  I also like your background, but don't have a clue how to do that.  I have never figured out layers in Photoshop, and currently use Lightroom 4 for all my post-processing.  

Gail,

Always a clever twist with your work!  This bee sort of looks like a King Kong in scope, first coming to eat, and then what?  Better have Big Brother keep an eye him  

Just indulged in another ice cream.  So odd because I almost never eat it -- only just before I turn to your work and see you had some too!  

I just adore that bit of pollen on the wirey head protrusions of this creature.  I agree, BTW, with your thinking on the changes in weather, the inter-relatedness of people and creatures and what we can learn from them.  Probably a universe of life lessons. (Just read a horrific article about a state in the USA that is attempting to begin the first slaughter house for horses for people food consumption.  I think, what kind of a world do we live in?  How do people become so callous to other creatures and selfish and cruel.  Oh well, your writing got me all worked up!

Hi Gail,

  Wonderful creative macro with beautiful colors, details & processing.  Take care, Patsy

A creative idea and appreciable execution. Very good macro with perfect color tones. Best regards.

Gail, really pleasing to the eyes, gorgeous macro with fantastic play of DOF & focusing!       Congr.

Hi Gail, your macro work never ceases to inspire me and the post production is just wonderful, I may learn how to do it one of these days, but my eyes are constantly drawn back to the complex features that you've captured on the bee itself. Just love your work. Kind regards Louise

Great macro presented in an unique way! Very much loved it.Thanks for sharing.

My best regards.

Kallol

mi piace il valore aggiunto dell'occhio,bella storia !

baci paul

A really beautiful macro-shot, Gail!

 

A Great thought provoking image and some fine detail into the bargain!

I like the title, because "Imagine" a world without bees, no pollination of crops, or flowers, a dying world where inevitably greed and power would ensue before co-operation and appreciation would get a chance.  Yet there are reports of whole colony's of bees dying, and numbers dwindling. Some say genetically altered crops are to blame, and the latest report I have seen suggests that the seeds coated in a type of insect repellent, that are integrated into the very fibres of the plants, are the reason for the detrimental effects of several species. I hope you have put this image up for rating, because I am going to give it a 7. Not because its the greatest macro in the world, (although I must say it is very good) but because it has a strong social message and the more people that realise the imminent dangers, then the more chance we have of making a difference.

Best Regards

 

Alf

If you go back a few in my 'most recent' you will see a Macro of a bee and in the 'narrative' before I speak about a Documentary Film I saw in the last few months called the 'Silence Of The Bees'. In that Documentary they speak of 'Collapse Colony Syndrome', and how the dwindling numbers of the Bee Population and what I see as a 'dominoe' effect will have far more reaching consequences than 'Global Warming'.  You words describe this terrible situation most accurately. Thankyou for stopping by and sharing your information about this tragedy so others may know. Who would have ever 'thunk' that we would have to worry about 'bees' going forward????

Many thanks to each of your for sharing your input with me. I do appreciate your visit and time very much! :-) Gail

Grazie, mio amico. ;-) Gail

Hello Louise, many thanks for taking the time to visit. I always am surprised at just what features I capture. I imagine one day I will 'use my Macro' and be able to know pretty well what I had in focus. Mind you, often I am taking these captures 'on the fly' as it were, not knowing just how long they will stay put! Warmest regards, Gail

My appreciation to your both for sharing what you liked about this composition. I find it most encouraging. :-) Gail

I do enjoy reading your comments, it's like talking to an old friend. Having a chuckle, and realizing that we are somewhat 'likeminded'. Thanks for the positive comments re the details on the face of the bee. I liked that part also. I had hesitated using it, with only the head really in detail, but I had accomplished at least that much. It's not hard to get worked up about things today, I often check the news later at night and OFTEN wonder why I do it - especially just before trying to 'waunder off into sleep'. But it gives me more to 'pray about !' thanks so much for dropping by Donna.

Many thanks for your recent visit, I see you've had your macro lens out, investigating the 'little world'. Cheers for now, Gail

I can't imagine a world with no flowers, no bees...but I would love to see a world with less people's greed (if none), and more attention to the environmental issues.  John Lennon said it better:
Imagine all the people living life in peace

After all, besides me being Greek, Lennon British and you an American, primarily we are all humans and I long for the day when we would act as one.  Till then we may speak a universal language..."Photography".

I was actually thinking of the John Lennon song when the title 'immediatley' came  into my mind. I should have made the 'layer' in the flower that has a 'hand' much more visible. The 'bee' is also standing in the 'hand'. I wanted it to symbolize the 'hand that feeds us'. At the same time, the outstretched hand with the 'bee' calmly standing in it, was a symbol of us communing with 'nature' without 'fear'. Bees usually do not sting (most of them anyways) without being provoked or 'me' unknowingly getting in their way. I am fearful (and perhaps I should not be) of any bee landing on me. It would be so nice if one could land in my hand, and 'either of us' were not afraid. The layer of the child is from a scanned photo of my son when he was only about 9 years old. I wanted the 'look of wonder' to be in his face as he observed what was transpiring in front of him. I also thought of children in the future, a child observing a quiet, peaceful union of mankind and nature. Also the image of the 'bee' which if we are not prudent, may be one of the 'endangered species' or one that in the future does not exist at all. Many thanks for your very kind words Panayotis. Also, even though things can be 'violent' and in 'upheavel' here in North America, you are so close to times of 'unrest'. It must be so distressful to see and hear about. I imagine you remember much 'quieter and peaceful times'. Living in a place that is like a 'paradise', growing up as a young boy, remembering much happier and carefree times. Warmest regards, Gail

Antoni Tomadakis, Ed Robbins, Lars Karlsson, Ondrej Tichy, Randall Lawrence, Timothy Minich, and Yayusa Yayusa who very kindly viewed this image and rated. I deeply appreciate your support.