Chris Reinhold
December 2025 - Whispers of the Bee Balm
Original
About the Image(s)
I captured this image at a local nature preserve during mid to late July when the Bee Balm plant flowers and attracts bees. The challenge in photographing bees is that they only spend a few moments at each flower before moving on. To capture this image, I set the camera to a high shutter speed to freeze the bee's motion and used an aperture that blurred the background while keeping the bee in sharp focus.
To create this image, I processed the image through DxO PureRAW to correct for lens distortion, noise, and increase sharpness. I then used LrC for the basic adjustments and then use Nik SilverEfex to convert to monochrome.
Canon R5
Canon RF 100 f2.8L Macro
1/2500 sec at f/4.5, ISO 2500
6 comments posted
Chris
Bee Balm are lovely and the bees love them
I like your composition with the bee oblivious to you working hard for nectar.
Food for thought: Consider burning the flower just bit to bring out the detail
Emil Posted: 12/02/2025 15:45:52
Bee Balm are lovely and the bees love them
I like your composition with the bee oblivious to you working hard for nectar.
Food for thought: Consider burning the flower just bit to bring out the detail
Emil Posted: 12/02/2025 15:45:52
Thanks for the comment. I went back and worked on the highlights to bring out more detail. Posted: 12/16/2025 12:30:44
Chris,
I agree with Emil, the composition is well done. The diagonal line of the flower stem adds dynamic interest to the photograph and also leads the viewer's eyes to the bee.
I agree with Emil (again) about bringing out some additional detail in the flower. Posted: 12/07/2025 14:25:53
I agree with Emil, the composition is well done. The diagonal line of the flower stem adds dynamic interest to the photograph and also leads the viewer's eyes to the bee.
I agree with Emil (again) about bringing out some additional detail in the flower. Posted: 12/07/2025 14:25:53
Michael Laezza
Emil - having tried to photograph bees I know the challenge of being able to capture them as they don't stay still and the wind keeps moving the flowers. Great image and treatment.
By the way I am making the leap to DXO Photolab ( part of the same reason you use Pure Raw and also because I have a Fujifilm XT5 as my main camera )) and moving slowly away from LR/PS. I am concerned with the learning curve though.
Cheers
Mike
Posted: 12/08/2025 02:34:57
By the way I am making the leap to DXO Photolab ( part of the same reason you use Pure Raw and also because I have a Fujifilm XT5 as my main camera )) and moving slowly away from LR/PS. I am concerned with the learning curve though.
Cheers
Mike
Posted: 12/08/2025 02:34:57
Just beautiful - I particularly like the diagonal of the stem and the darkness in the right below and the lights in the left above. I am not sure if the stem goes precisely through the corner of the picture, if not: this is something I might consider. very nice Posted: 12/09/2025 18:58:22
Hi Chris,
Greetings my friend. I wish you a joyous holidays ahead. I also agree with our friend Emil here in terms of showing the details. Th econversion from color to monochrome is well seen and handled.
Thank you for sharing.
Cheers.
Kamal. Posted: 12/15/2025 11:49:33
Greetings my friend. I wish you a joyous holidays ahead. I also agree with our friend Emil here in terms of showing the details. Th econversion from color to monochrome is well seen and handled.
Thank you for sharing.
Cheers.
Kamal. Posted: 12/15/2025 11:49:33