Kurtis Sutley
December 2021 - Untitled
Original
About the Image(s)
This image (Two Bee or Not) was shot in Amsterdam using a Canon 80D paired
with a Tamron 16-300mm, 3.5-6.3 Di II @ 117mm, 1/1250 sec., f/5.6, and ISO
320. The Basic Lightroom Classic process followed by Topaz DeNoise AI and
then Topaz Sharpen AI. After reducing shadows, boosting exposure and
boosting contrast, exported to Topaz Studio 2 where selective saturation was
added back to a desaturated monochrome image. Final image was cropped back
in Lightroom and minor exposure adjustments added to taste. Some dodging and
burning to add additional contrast, reduce bright spots behind flower and
radial filter used to add a slight vignette.
This round’s discussion is now closed!
7 comments posted
I like this, especially the rim light and the asymmetrical composition. I would tone down the brighter areas in the background and add a vignette. Posted: 12/03/2021 12:00:06
I think that the composition is a bit too busy. Those "sfumato" flowers in the backgraund I think are a bit of a distraction. The bees, at least one should be more "seen." In macro, as per my humble competence the main subject should be more visible, I mean the eyes, the mouth something more defined and interesting then the back of the animal. In this case. The flower looks really sharp though. Posted: 12/21/2021 15:40:21
Thanks to everyone for your thoughtful insight. Every little bit helps. Posted: 12/22/2021 07:03:12
Kurtis, the details in your flower are wonderful and having the bees there make it more interesting. The only small suggestion I have is to tone down the colors in the background on the left side. They seem a little bright and are competing with the lovely flower. I think it is a great picture and I love the flower! Posted: 12/26/2021 14:03:10
Kurtis, you sure did a lot of editing for this one and I believe it was worth it. The flower is as sharp as can be. It looks to me like they are two different types of bees and I don't think I have ever seen that on one flower before. But how you edited the bee on the left is amazing. I think you might want to lighten the background just a bit more. Really nice Kurtis!!!
Posted: 12/27/2021 19:15:24
Posted: 12/27/2021 19:15:24
Regine Guillemin
An outstanding picture! the Bee is amazingly sharp!!!! Congrats ! It is almost perfect and I disagree with some comments. To me the background is part of the storytelling and is soft enough and well managed. I like minimalism but sometimes storytelling pictures need more elements. Here I like the dialog between Background and foreground and I think the softness of the background enhances the sharpness of the flower and the bees.
Posted: 12/28/2021 14:15:30
Posted: 12/28/2021 14:15:30
Thanks to Sylvia, Marge and Regine for great comments and suggestions. Both positive and critical comments help me to be a better photographer. HAPPY NEW YEAR Posted: 12/28/2021 20:33:53