Fermented Aplle (Buzz buzz)

[AnthonyB]

Here is a shot from my backyard in Vermont in May. This took a ton of time to get right which anyone who has tried this probably knows. A couple of things, I don't care for the other bug (a beetle of sorts) in the shot but it wasn't listening to me so there he is (like those people you see on the news in the background, no real purpose just there by chance) (hi mom). Anyway, this was taken on a day where we had a lot of rain so I was really happy to get an outdoor shot with some sunshine. I wonder if any of you feel the same way in that once you have a shot like this (though I know it's not perfect) it's hard to get into the same subject again...? Also, I know I could remove the beetle in PS but I don't like making changes except for lighting or color correction, I don't think there is anything wrong with, I'm just lazy, no just kidding, it's not my bag is all. Bee good...?

[Loupey]

AnthonyB, I think this is a terrific shot. I'm still looking but I don't see the beetle - so, obviously, I must not find it distracting. I can only imagine how many shots it took to get this with all the other flowers in view. Therefore, I can appreciate the technical capture of the shot - the positioning, the sharp bee head & thorax, and the blurred wings.

What was the question? Oh, about another chance to get a similar shot - no, not like this. And as for PS, like you I only use it to for minor color corrections (which I still have difficulty doing right) and the occasional dust spot or two, so I wouldn't delete anything (even if I could see it).

Blow it up and put it on your wall

[CLKunst]

Hmmm . . . Here, here I second Loupey!

I spent 10 minutes looking for that #@!* beetle and I still don't see it. Must be apparent at a larger resolution. I wouldn't sweat it too much. Stuff that "bugs" one photographer doesn't always even translate to other photographers.
I think you've done a really great job of capturing this scene. The details are crisp and bright without being over the top on anything, really. (Thank your stars for that mostly cloudy day!) It looks straight out of a nature film. While I can totally respect the time and pains you took to get this the payoff is always in the results. I think you should be quite happy with this I know I would be.

Regards,

[AnthonyB]

The beetle is on the back side of the red flowers, if you follow the branch which goes nearly straight up (bottom left) you will see it in the middle of that bloom....or not. It isn't apparent at all at this size but it is no doubt obvious at full res. Didn't mean to make the shot distracting by adding a "where's waldo" element. sorry

[CLKunst]

But I LIKE finding Waldo!!

I suspected that might "bee" where that beetle was hiding. I would chalk it up to a bonus bug and let people just appreciate it or not. You certainly are right to shy away from unnecessary cloning. It would only weaken your work in my opinion.

[mpreslar]

WOW! Fantastic!


That's all I really have to say.