Here's to Better Days Photo

Photographer’s Note

I mentioned a few days ago that the weather in Taipei has sucked as of late. Mark and I have both posted photos as a version of complaint too. This is now dedicated to the hope for sunnier days ahead.

This is another older shot from me. For me the colors, as well as the memory of the day it was taken are easily associated with warm, sunny days.

I do realize that this is more of a TN shot, but I just don't have time to participate there and I consider TE my home. Anyways, both the little white daisies and the bee you see gathering pollen are common here in Taipei, so I believe it is a TE shot too. I actually shoot a fair bit of macro. It is a fun and challenging style of photography, quite different from what I normally post here, but just as fun to do in a different way.

This was handheld and lit with a flash, even though taken midday on a sunny spring day.

Buin, s10001in, sabyasachi1212, bubu, eleparc, Suh, david has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

Buin (36910) 2006-06-09 11:27

Hallo Darren!
This is a great one! The sharpness and the colours are really outstanding! Your model is very beautiful!
Greetings from Germany!
Frank

s10001in (1485) 2006-06-09 11:27

Darren Melrose ,
Great micro show.
Wonderful colors.

Great shot of bee.
Amazing.
Very well done.
TFS,
Shailendra

gsimon (387) 2006-06-09 11:28

eXCELLENT MACRO
Good sharpness and DOF
Makes me want to eat some honey
TFS
Greg

baba_flies (7937) 2006-06-09 11:32

What a photo ... you did a perfect job. Love the bee "covered" in yellow ... busy as always - I do love honey.

Greetings from Zurich

Barbara

Naug (44) 2006-06-09 11:50

Hi Darren,
Oooooaaauu! Good shot!! Great definition and colors!!

Thanks for sharing,
Regards,
Alberto

Burnham (2426) 2006-06-09 11:57

Last time I posted a sunset I wrote a pre apology aswell ;o) Macro insects and sunsets are as Richard expressed it almost "dirty words" on TE, but nevermind, besides it gives you a chance to meet a new audiance and show us some of your secret work ;o)
I think this is an exellent example of a good macro, tecnically perfect and your positioning of the bee is good as is the daisy in the background.

dolin (15647) 2006-06-09 11:59

Hi Darren.
Impressionnante cette macro, c'est vraiment magnifique, le piqué est terrible.
Cadrage et dof au poil.
Les couleurs sont magnifiques.
Vraiment du très grand boulot.
Joli
Fred

cobraphil8 (11650) 2006-06-09 14:36

Hi Darren,
it's really beautiful, what macro shot !!! ;)
Excellent composition and quality of sharpness.
Greetings and good WE
Philippe

sabyasachi1212 (19528) 2006-06-09 15:52

Hi darren,
TN's loss is TE's gain :) This is a wonderful post. Great macro shot. I don't think it could have been done any better. Well Done!
With Greetings from India
Sabyasachi

lasscor (7623) 2006-06-09 17:48

Hi Darren,
Wonderful macro composition.
Great colors, light, sharpness and détails.
TFS,
Corinne

InasiaJones (19787) 2006-06-10 3:33

Hello Darren,

I’ve rarely seen, and maybe never, such an impressive macro shot!

Wow! We can even count each hair of this busy bee... So impressive! Like a baker with hands full of flour, she’s covered with pollen, adding a lot of the interest to your photo, because we can see her in action.

Perfect composition with rich details and impactful colours. Magnificient bokeh offers a great background for the main subject and isolate it in a very aesthetic way.

Professional stuff!

André

flyinglaz (68) 2006-06-10 5:16

as i say before i coudnt take this type photo and when i see to be filled with admiration :)

lovely

bubu (808) 2006-06-12 6:50

hi darren
Perfect composition with rich details.
This is a wonderful post. Great macro shot.
well done..
thanks for sharing..
bülent.

eleparc (24059) 2006-06-14 8:50

WOW this is an incredibly sharp shot Darren! it sure calls for the sun;-)

Eric

Suh (10) 2006-06-14 16:07

Since it was midday, the fill-flash from the side was well-used. No pesky shadows under the bee or in the daisy. :-) The white petal toward the lower left is a bit distracting to me, probably due to its contrast with the green background and the way it's sticking up like a finger. Maybe a square(r) crop? Hope the weather is better for you. It sucks here now.

david (3972) 2006-06-20 11:47

hey darren ... you've got me hooked on this one!! i'm a big fan of macro photography and i have my eye on the tamron 90mm di lens. seeing you use it has impressed me.

the framing, focus and colours are super. the detail is amazing and i'm excited by your results ... instant favourite! :)

btw, i agree with you about TE vs TL. i'm keen to stay at TE and i don't plan to make an account at TL. i think nature photography (in small amounts) can have a place here.

technically, i would have cropped out the white flower in the foreground. i think it's distracting ... but that's personal preference. nothing to be critical of.

brilliant shot!

marom (467) 2006-06-29 4:04

Hi Darren
This is a dream photo. Great sharpness and colours. How did you get your model to wait for the photo so patiently?
Cheers
Roman