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Gallery: Macro & Close-upPosted May 8, 2013171 views12 comments

It's been a while since I used my 90mm Macro Lens but thought I would give it a try today before our rains started again. Captured this honey bee as he was flying around my white tree peony.

Camera is a Nikon D7000 with a Sigma 90mm lens. Shot in Aperture Priority and hand held. I have been encouraged by another photographer to let go of my tripod when using this macro lens and see what happens. I think it worked very well on this image as it was hard to keep up with the bees.

All comments and suggestions are greatly appreciated. Now the rains have started again here in Asheville, NC. Thanks everyone.

Comments

12 comments

Comment posted by Gary Yeoh on May 8, 2013 at 11:11 AM

Barbara

Works pretty well without the tripod. Image of the bee is pretty sharp and I like the blur motion of the wing. Wish the dark area to the left of the bee is not so prominent... may be dodging a little may help.

Registered on September 1, 2009, 588 Posts, 8184 Comments

Comment posted by Thomas Haney on May 8, 2013 at 3:04 PM

Great shot Barbara. I love the intimate view of the bee and partial view of the flower. I would probably crop in a bit from the right.

Registered on April 7, 2013, 138 Posts, 537 Comments

Comment posted by scott lanz on May 8, 2013 at 3:31 PM

Great catch, Barbara. I like the head on perspective and the excellent detail. I also like the capture of the peony with the soft white blur and the center detail. Images of bees in flight are not easy to get, and you did really well here.

Registered on November 14, 2003, 840 Posts, 12902 Comments

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on May 8, 2013 at 6:42 PM

What Scott said

Really appreciate these head-on flight views of such a tiny subject, no easy task.
I especially like the soft setting and bee's position in your frame Barbara

Registered on July 24, 2008, 1201 Posts, 10758 Comments

Comment posted by Yun Gao on May 8, 2013 at 11:12 PM

Ditto what Howard said. An excellent capture of bee in flight, congrats!

Registered on September 11, 2012, 267 Posts, 1621 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Seaver on May 9, 2013 at 11:14 PM

Very nice! This works fine for me as presented and is clearly some very challenging photography.

Registered on January 23, 2011, 1103 Posts, 17270 Comments

Comment posted by Barbara Sammons on May 9, 2013 at 11:58 PM

Thanks everyone for your comments. I had not picked up my macro lens for quite a while, but had a good time and plan to do more. Yes, these flight shots are definitely challenging, but then I love a good challenge. I will crop as suggested to see which I like. And I will try to watch the tones in the background but sometimes it's hard to see what will show in camera as I'm chasing these guys around. I know, lots of practice! Thanks again for taking a look. I appreciate it very much.

Registered on September 20, 2009, 109 Posts, 323 Comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on May 15, 2013 at 12:34 PM

Wonderful in-flight capture - congrats on the WP!
Sandy

Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments

Comment posted by Catherine Reilly on May 16, 2013 at 8:27 PM

Whoa, great shot! Love the motion-blurred wings, fine detail where it is needed and the softness of the flower with some of the center in detail. A worthy accomplishment!

Registered on August 16, 2006, 603 Posts, 9192 Comments

Comment posted by Ed Williams on May 19, 2013 at 11:02 PM

What a buzz Barbara. Cool head on capture here.

Registered on December 28, 2010, 636 Posts, 3499 Comments

Comment posted by Barbara Sammons on May 22, 2013 at 12:24 AM

Thanks very much for the Weekly Pick. I just happened to be in the right place at the right time with my gear. I love a challenge and this was a challenge, but very fun. And thanks to all for your comments and suggestions.

Registered on September 20, 2009, 109 Posts, 323 Comments

Comment posted by Catherine Reilly on May 30, 2013 at 4:34 AM

Glad to see that you got the Pick for this! Congratulations!

Registered on August 16, 2006, 603 Posts, 9192 Comments