Bollin Millner
April 2026 - Bee Coil
About the Image(s)
I live in the Museum District of Richmond, VA which is an urban environment with townhouses. But just down on the corner in an empty lot someone has created this varied and verdant garden. He grows vegetables of all kinds as well as some flowers. This picture comes from that urban garden.
210 mm
f5.6
1/400
I created a mask on the bee and did a bit of work with exposure and clarity.
6 comments posted
I like the image, but I think a tighter crop may improve it. The right and bottom of the picture don't really add anything for me and fight the eye for focus on the bee. Posted: 04/11/2026 11:32:22
What does everyone think of these edits, based on Jeremy's comments? Posted: 04/11/2026 13:29:22
And this...subtle difference Posted: 04/11/2026 13:29:34
I love the textures and colors of this image. I do like the crop, though it does put the subject closer to the center. This may just be a case where it's okay to ignore the "rule of thirds." I don't see much difference with the two crops except that the pink flower on the left is in the one but not the other. As you say, the difference is subtle, but it doesn't add anything and does attract the eye. I might have gone even a bit tighter and removed the darker pink one near the bottom left. Or just cloned them out. Posted: 04/11/2026 21:41:33
I like your first crop the best. It seems stronger and the eye goes right to the subject. Posted: 04/12/2026 16:15:45
I was thinking about Audrey's comments concerning the rule of thirds and looking back at the crops thought it probably ISN'T the time to disregard it. So...I went back into the original and moved the bee closer to the right third and worked some on the background. I didn't do anything with the pink flowers that were a problem for Audrey...but...here you go. What do you think? I am grateful for all the engagement. Posted: 04/13/2026 00:17:59