Tricky Rose

[Rainforest]

I've been shooting these roses for a couple of days... a tough nut. So far this is the best I have gotten. What do you think?
P.S. I decided to add another shot - took this over the top, cropped the heck out of it and thought I'd share it even if it's a bit half baked. I like it. ;-)

[Geoff F]

So often, subjects like this end up either looking too dull with 'flat' lighting or become over exposed/over saturated. This is a nice midway point between those two extremes.

[lovelife65]

Beautiful image. I'm not one able to offer any constructive thoughts. The bug is a nice addition. I may have left the outter unbloomed flowers out of focus, not sure.

[Rainforest]

So often, subjects like this end up either looking too dull with 'flat' lighting or become over exposed/over saturated. This is a nice midway point between those two extremes.

They are kind of crazy colored blooms and the color range made it a challenge. They fade to peachy rose and then to pink and white before the petals flutter away or dry up. I think I underexposed a bit but am glad it seems balanced - that is what I tried to correct in PPing. Thanks for your comments. Here is the BIG ugly bee? I mentioned. That is an average size rosebud.

[Rainforest]

Beautiful image. I'm not one able to offer any constructive thoughts. The bug is a nice addition. I may have left the outter unbloomed flowers out of focus, not sure.

:-). The bug was a bonus. These greenish yellow ones are new to me...I'm use to orangey red ones. I think out of focus would work too. thank you.

[lovelife65]

That second one focused in is awesome.

[Mike Buckley]

If these subjects are tough nuts, you sure did make them look easy. Great color and compositions!

As for the second one, I can guarantee that if I had made it I would have made the mistake of releasing the shutter only when the bug was fully visible. Your image provides a great lesson about that.

[Shadowman]

Nice set.

[RandyRFJP]

Very nice captures, Susan. The first insect is a Spotted Cucumber Beetle. The last one is a species of Tachinid Fly.

[JBW]

you're right. open roses are incredibly tough to shoot. Your colors are great, your focus is sharp. You may want to play with how far away you place your camera. Not so much for DOF but for context. This much beauty needs to be placed in a very particular frame.

Brian

[sachtjen]

I particularly like the 2nd one. It puts me in the bugs world.

[Rainforest]

Very nice captures, Susan. The first insect is a Spotted Cucumber Beetle. The last one is a species of Tachinid Fly.

Randy, thanks so much and here I thought I had a lady bug and a bee! :-) Jeez, that is one big fly.

[Rainforest]

Thanks Sharon, Mike and John for checking them out. :-)

[Rainforest]

you're right. open roses are incredibly tough to shoot. Your colors are great, your focus is sharp. You may want to play with how far away you place your camera. Not so much for DOF but for context. This much beauty needs to be placed in a very particular frame.

Brian

And that is the trick isn't? It's hard to frame a bug in it's environment and the environment too. I will take those words to heart however. Thanks :-)

[Rainforest]

I particularly like the 2nd one. It puts me in the bugs world.

Wonderful :-)

[purplehaze]

The first one especially is just lovely, Susan. Gorgeous colour.

[Rainforest]

Thank you Janis :-)

[Wavelength]

Excellent images!!!!

[Rainforest]

Excellent images!!!!

:-)!!!

[Ziggy]

Number 2 stands out to me.