The bee and the sunflower Photo

Photographer’s Note

Honey is a sweet and viscous fluid produced by honey bees (and some other species), and derived from the nectar of flowers. According to the United States National Honey Board and various international food regulations, "honey stipulates a pure product that does not allow for the addition of any other substance…this includes, but is not limited to, water or other sweeteners". This article refers exclusively to the honey produced by honey bees (the genus Apis); honey produced by other bees or other insects has very different properties.
Honey has a similar composition to granulated sugar (50% fructose and 44% glucose) and approximately the same relative sweetness (97% of the sweetness of sucrose).Honey has attractive chemical properties for baking, and a distinctive flavor which leads some people to prefer it over sugar and other sweeteners.
Most micro-organisms do not grow in honey because of its low water activity of 0.6.However, it is important to note that honey frequently contains dormant endospores of the bacterium Clostridium botulinum, which can be dangerous to infants as the endospores can transform into toxin-producing bacteria in the infant's immature intestinal tract, leading to illness and even death(see Precautions below).
The study of pollens and spores in raw honey (melissopalynology) can determine floral sources of honey.Because bees carry an electrostatic charge, and can attract other particles, the same techniques of melissopalynology can be used in area environmental studies of radioactive particles, dust, or particulate pollution.
A main effect of bees collecting nectar to make honey is pollination, which is crucial for flowering plants.
The beekeeper encourages overproduction of honey within the hive so that the excess can be taken without endangering the bees. When sources of foods for the bees are short the beekeeper may have to give the bees supplementary nutrition.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honey

Nikon D40X
2008/06/06 10:18:08.3
Compressed RAW (12-bit)
Image Size: Large (3872 x 2592)
Color
Lens: 18-55mm F/3.5-5.6 G
Focal Length: 55mm
Exposure Mode: Manual
Metering Mode: Multi-Pattern
1/100 sec - F/5.6
Exposure Comp.: +0.3 EV
Sensitivity: ISO 100
Optimize Image: Custom
White Balance: Preset
AF Mode: AF-A
Color Mode: Mode IIIa (sRGB)
Tone Comp.: More Contrast
Hue Adjustment: +3°
Saturation: Enhanced
Sharpening: High
Long Exposure NR: Off
VR Control: Off
High ISO NR: Off

robertosalguero, dareco, belido, gracious, cfreire, tober, Jardim, gunbud, trekks, Budapestman, paura, Truja, josepmarin, Felip, riclopes has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

japiey (9471) 2008-06-14 3:10

Hi Goncalo ,

Good composition.
Superb tones.
Excellent light control.

jp

robertosalguero (2759) 2008-06-14 3:11

Ola Goncalo,

This is the second sunflower picture I see today. Your image is very beautiful. The colours are striking and the macro did an excellent job to capture small details. The contrast and combination of colours is very effective for this pleasant image. Thanks Goncalo.

Roberto

dareco (17024) 2008-06-14 3:30

I really like the framing of this. The colors are excellent! A very beautiful picture! TFS

Gustaw (21670) 2008-06-14 3:49

Hi, my friend!
It is beautiful photo with sunflower. I like your very nice warm colours. Good light and oryginal composition. Well done.
Marek

MarianneS (14262) 2008-06-14 5:19

Hi Goncalo,
Sunflower is one of my favourites! For its a symbol of life and happiness for me.
I like your close capture, with perfect definition. The green bokeh is huge too.
Well done!
Regards,
Marianne

belido (15997) 2008-06-14 6:18

Olá Gonçalo,

uma linda macro de cores vibrantes...assim traduzimos esse imagem. Um belo momento da natureza e lá estava Gonçalo para registrá-la. Ótimo trabalho, amigo!
Abraço,
Carlos

lucasgalodoido (16537) 2008-06-14 6:39

Olá Gonçalo,
acho fotos de abelhas sempre interessantes, gosto desse animal, tenho umas 4 caixas de abelhas no meu sítio e uma vez por ano da pra tirar uma quantidade razoável de mel, que é mais escuro e amargo, pois há uma plantação de café nas redondezas, porém na época das laranjas (também há la perto) o mel fica mais claro e com um sabor e aroma cítrico, interessante né. Nunca tirei fotos porque é complicado trabalhar manuseando a câmera, é ncessário usar as duas mãos... Gostei da qualidade de sua macro, perfeita.
Parabéns e Abraço!

siamesa (12359) 2008-06-14 6:51

Oi Gonçalo,
Girassóis estão entre as mais belas flores do universo, em minha opinião.Uma belíssima macro em um momento ímpar da natureza.
Abraços e um excelente final de semana.
Maria

crckt (6963) 2008-06-14 10:26

Hi Goncalo,
Beautiful shot! I like the contrast of yellow and green here.
Looks very pretty.
TFS,
Shaeri

gracious (20017) 2008-06-14 11:27

Hello Goncalo,
Great macro shot on the sunflower and the bee!
the exposure and focus is spot on with great colour and details
a beautiful composition well pleased!
cheers
Tony

cfreire (11635) 2008-06-14 12:07

Oi, Gonçalo
Está esplendido este portrait capturado com ótimo POV. A imagem está com uma bela nitidez, acompanhada de belas cores e contrastes. O fundo desfocado resssaltou o esplendor do girassol, e o detalhe da abelhinha, está show. Um abraço, Consuelo

tober (3872) 2008-06-14 13:45

Hi Gonçalo, excellent contrast of this 1/4 sunflower (girasol) against the blurred green background. The existence of the bee adds dynamism to your photo. Regards, Tolga

Jardim (3189) 2008-06-14 15:45

Olá Gonçalo,
O fundo verde realça o girassol. A abelha é um pormenor bonito. A toto está muito bem composta.
Júlio Jardim

Clementi (42815) 2008-06-14 18:01

Ciao Goncalo,
una bella macro con una ottima definizione e dei bellissimi colori.
complimenti
Giorgio

gunbud (27515) 2008-06-14 20:32

Hi Gonaclo,
Wonderfully balance vivid color and clear focus to this busy been.
The contrast between the brilliant yellow and lush green is fantastic.
Regards, Tom

jhm (81637) 2008-06-15 4:31

What a nice sun flower, excellent detailed taken.
Hello Goncalo,

Frish yellow colours, good composition with the blur background.
A wonderful source for bees and the good honey.
Very well composition and presentation.
Have a nice sunday.

Best regards,
John.

xuaxo (5623) 2008-06-15 8:18

Olá Gonçalo,
Está um belo detalhe, embora a nitidez da abelha não esteja o máximo.
Quanto à nota, tenho uma crítica. A versão em inglês parece-me que é uma tradução automática do que escreveste em português (que foi retirado de http://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mel). Como as traduções automáticas têm muitos defeitos, suponho que era melhor na versão em inglês ires buscar a informação directamente a
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honey.
Um abraço,
F

giorgimer (20610) 2008-06-15 11:02

Ola Goncalo,

perfect one! Great sharpness and colors, excellent composition, I like the way you cropped the sunflower.

TFS

Gio

Scharan (13951) 2008-06-15 11:42

Olá Gonçalo

Este contraste forte do verde e amarelo está simplismente chocante...belíssima foto, gosto da composição, linda mesmo, meus parabéns.
GA
Vera

trekks (14260) 2008-06-15 18:04

hi Goncalo

Great macro shot of such abstract view and really very sharp and high contrast, with the bee nicely captured and a good BG blur. Nice work

tfs, bill

sacavem (8032) 2008-06-16 1:57

Olá Gonçalo,

Fantástica composição, estes girassois rendem bem:)
Luminosidade e cor 5*

Um abraço,
Filçipe

Budapestman (40866) 2008-06-16 4:37

Hi Goncalo,
Beautiful shot with amazing details and colours. The composition is very spectacular, clarity and lights are excellent. Congratulations. Have a nice week
George

bracasha75 (21560) 2008-06-16 5:04

Helo Goncalo
Extra sharp image and extra beautiful sunflower and this little bee
Great shot
TFS
Cheers,Braca

paura (37722) 2008-06-16 10:45

Gonçalo,
Um portento de macro, com definição excelente e composição de primeira. Boa.

Abraço

Paulo

Truja (4948) 2008-06-16 11:34

Olá Gonçalo,
bravo!! gran detalle de la abeja voleteando por el girasol y sorprendentes colores en este plano cerrado de gran definición de imagen! La sencillez de la composición es su punto fuerte!

Un saludo, Jordi

josepmarin (33571) 2008-06-16 12:08

Olá Gonçalo,
excelente encuadre descentrado de este girasol, bajo una luz que lo hace brillar y nos muestra sus bellos colores, y que nos ofrece unas bonitas sombras sobre sus pétalos.
Me gusta la presencia de la abeja, y el fondo desenfocado, que destaca mejor la belleza de esta flor.
Buen trabajo.
Un abrazo,
Josep

Felip (3905) 2008-06-16 12:51

Good evening Gonçalo,
Do you relly think that the bee is important in this picture?...No my friend!, your image is amazing because of the highly contrasted colours that appear in it, and the sharpness of the sunflower. That are the important things, at least for me, in your shot! ;)

Regards

Felip

danyy (67882) 2008-06-16 14:03

Ola Goncalo,
des couleurs très séduisantes et intenses.
La profondeur de champ bien adéquate pour dégager du relief.
Un inscete heureux, les joies de la nature.
Regards.
Daniel.

anducina (8062) 2008-06-17 12:07

Superb colors and details. I love this intense solar yellow.

TFS,
Andreea

isabela_sor (41881) 2008-06-17 14:07 [Comment]

Show Comment

stego (22318) 2008-06-22 17:20

Olá Gonçalo,
Muito bonita! Excelentes cores e nitidez, compo excepcional.
Um abraço, José.

riclopes (32823) 2008-06-26 2:05

Bom dia Gonçalo, passei lá há pouco tempo e estas beldades já estão a esmorecer...Fizeste uma excelente colecção este ano - vamos lá a ver como vai ser para o ano ;-) Esta composição de macro é lindíssima e a abelha é sem dúvida um excelente bónus. Imagino a paciência para a apanhar...Muito bonitas estas folhas amarelas a brilhar em contraste com o verde do fundo.
Um abraço,
ricardo

mikeo (12113) 2008-07-05 12:28

Hello Goncalo,

WHat a lovely, so summer shot in fresh and strong colours.
Very good sharpness and DOF. Well done!

Best greetings,
Mikeo

Angshu (33215) 2008-07-07 21:04

Ola Goncalo
A very good crop with a quarter of the sunflower contrasting against the green BG..good use of shallow DOF. The honey bee is a great addition.
Um abraco
Angshu

Docarmo (8812) 2008-07-25 8:27

Olá Gonçalo,
Esta imagem ficou linda, composição primorosa e nitidez impecável! Parabéns!
Há sempre um certo atraso no tempo de floração aqui, com relação à Europa. Agora é que os girassóis estão no seu melhor por aqui. Vou tentar umas tomadas num campo de girassóis em Upton, vou ver se consigo alguma coisa.
Um abraço,
MCV

cigdom (2228) 2008-07-25 8:33

Ola Gancalo,
This is great capture! I really like the bee on the sunflower and lighting. Good composition with vivid colours.
Thanks for sharing
Greetings from Turkey :)
Regards.
Cigdem

dip (12406) 2008-08-30 0:49

Hi Goncalo,
beautiful close-up shot with amazing colors,
well captured and composed,
Greetings,
Dimitris.

Photo Information

Copyright: Goncalo Lopes (Bluejeans) (31479)
Genre: Places
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-06-06
Categories: Nature
Camera: Nikon D40X, AF-S NIKKOR 18-55mm 1:3.5-5.6G ED II, SD 4GB 150x, Hoya 52mm Circular polarizer
Exposure: f/5.6, 1/100 seconds
Map: view
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2008-06-14 3:06