Today's image is delicate cosmos in the early morning light. These flowers are still in bloom here in Maine even though it is nearly October. Each morning I watch them sway in the breeze and secretly hope they will survive another day before the frost ultimately does them in.

These airy flowers lend themselves well to a variety of editing techniques. I love the shades of pink and the ferny foliage.

Today's photo is a pair of ruby throated hummingbirds investigating a vase of wildflowers. I would be remiss if I did not tell you that this is a composite. All the parts of the image are from my own photos, but the hummingbirds have been placed in the image. 

I suspect this is the case with many of the spectacular photos you see online — or even in print — except the photographer/artist chooses not to reveal that truth. I'm not sure how I feel about that. On one hand it seems dishonest, but on the other hand the photographer/artist typically does not make a claim to the authenticity of the photo. It is simply inferred by the viewer.

With the host of tools available for editing digital photos today, I'm not sure where to draw the line anymore. Filters and presets can dramatically alter the appearance of a photo. Adding a radiant glow, softening the lines on the face in portrait photography or removing haze and other distractions in photos is widely accepted, as is using specialized lenses that create special effects. 

Why then does it feel deceitful to create a beautiful image from multiple photos without disclosing it?

What do you think? 

Fall is a great time for capturing images of insects. The cooler morning temperatures mean that insects are more lethargic and easier to photograph. These cold blooded creatures need the warmth of the sun for energy and can often be spotted perched on flowers in the morning sun. They may also be spotted under or on foliage. To get the best shots, aim for early morning when the rays of the sunlight highlight them, but before they have had time to become lively from the heat of the sun.

Bees and flying insects can often be found inside flowers where they have spent the night. I often discover bees under the leaves (or flowers) on coneflowers in the early morning. As an added plus, you just might capture insects covered in dew.

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Dewdrops are one of my favorite subjects. Each one has its own unique beauty. This drop appealed to me because it looks like a delicate dipper filled with smaller drops. It is actually one large drop on the bottom and several small drops on the top of a tiny blade of grass.

I find late summer is the best time to capture dewdrops as the lawn is laden with them in early morning, but they linger for a while after the sun rises. In the heat of the summer, the dewdrops dry up quickly when touched by the morning sun.

If you want to try your hand at photographing dewdrops, get out the macro lens and head for the lawn or other grassy area in the early morning. Be prepared to change settings often as the light changes drastically from one spot to another. It is also best if the air is still. The slightest movement from the wind can knock a macro shot out of focus.

​Good luck!