'Squash' Bug

I like this Howard. Focus does not bother me at all. This might be spectacular using the Orton Effect. If you never have tried it give it a whirl.

http://pcin.net/update/2006/11/01/the-orton-effect-digital-photography-tip-of-the-week/

Keep on shooting.

I followed the link Rick, thanx for hot tip.. I may even try it

Nice picture. I like the viewpoint and light. The insect is almost a point of additional interest.

Howard,
This image has a very unique feel to it, the perspective, colors and lighting are all very nice.

I like the image, Howard, because of the excellent backlighting. The insect is interesting. It adds interest but the image is almost as good without the insect because of the lighting, comp, colors, etc., in the flower.

The glow and comp. are really fine. There's a great overall warmth and enough detail to keep it interesting.

That bug looks loaded up with pollen. I don't see the softness you mention in the critical areas, namely the subject bee or the back lit petals surrounding it. There is some over on the extreme left. But just for fun, I took a look at a crop, and you might want to see how it looks to you.

Try doing a portrait aspect ratio roughly 3:2 height to width such that the bee winds up an the intersection of the upper and right rule-of-thirds lines and the center of the flower at the lower and left rule-of-thirds intersections. That gets rid of almost all of the soft areas and what remains is inconsequential. At the same time it simplifies the images and thus may give it more impact. Anyway, just a thought. But in any case nice work!

I like this a lot! It doesn't really matter that the bee isn't quite in focus...the lighting & mood is really special!

Hi Howard looks like a real life scene, And with great light and color
Albert Darmo