Well out of my comfort zone here...

I've actually had a go at a macro shot!!

It's not a bird!!

It's actually this rather smart hoverfly I saw on a recent trip out with the camera club having his tea on a marigold....all constructive advice welcome I know already it's a tad soft...my macro lens isn't that great.

Well done for trying something different Nic!

It is a tad soft, as you pointed out - but these aren't always easy to photograph, so well done finding one that sits still long enough! I've been trying all summer so far (well - up to the last 3 weeks anyway) and not yet managed it.

It's a good start. The colours are lovely - the composition's not bad at all - though I would suggest perhaps a slightly tighter crop - probably insane of me to say this *dons flameproof underwear and a flameproof bobblehat* but I would try an almost panoramic type crop...

xx

WoW! what colours, I like it, maybe lose some of the top to bring the bug into the main attention, as my eye keeps wandering to the top,but well done, as you say it isn't your normal subject so it is great when you try something different and it works xx

Too close for comfort for me too Love the colours

I know you're not a fan of edits - but if I give you a blow by blow account of what I did - would you like me to edit it quickly? I think it could be a cracking image actually!

xx

Knew you wouldn't be able to help yourself

Off you go then!! all I'd done was a bit of Unsharp mask and cropping really...

I love editing - just never my own! I hate editing my own :/ I have no idea why!

Suspect it'll be softer than on the PC due to photobucket but IS isn't working for me atm.

Anyway...

Cropped as shown, then altered the reds so that they were less vivid, which I think helps the bug stand out more. Then I upped the yellows slightly. I increased the contrast and decreased the brightness - then applied unsharp mask. It's still got it's problems - not easy working on a smaller-than-original file but I think the crop works!



Dunno what others think - as I said, the crop may mean I need flameproof clothing but I hope someone likes it!

xx

And you know, looking at it again, I can't make my mind up - I like the original vividness of the colours - but my crop. Should have left the levels alone

xx

I think cropping the top part was the right thing to do as those shadowy bits were definitely distracting, but perhaps more of the bottom should be left on? Must admit I preferred the vividness of the original...

My attempt at a crop...I'm actually quite happy with this now, apart from my bobbins lens! Will have to get a second mortgage and get the Nikon one.

I agree on the colour - but would lose that bit that's not flower (ooh technical!) in the corner

The Nikon lens is worth every expensive penny. I love it. It makes such a difference to my macro work.

xx