Flight of the Bumble Bee

[Ginger Pixie]

Wondered if anyone had any general comments on the lighting / composition, or whether I could have done anything differently to achieve a better result?

Thanks

Camera: Canon EOS 450D
Exposure: 0.001 sec (1/1000)
Aperture: f/5.6
Focal Length: 300 mm
ISO Speed: 400
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
Flash: Off

[Geodar]

Trying to get the bee facing you, but I know they don't always want to play. Nice capture.

[jiminyClickit]

Welcome back, Ginger Pixie!

Did you shoot the bee 50 times? That's about the best way I know of to improve the look of your image. Moving around helps, and if you want the bee's "fur" to have more detail, meter on it before shooting. Then get another shot of the flower without the bee, metering for the flower. Marrying the two shots will get you something in the middle of the above - slightly lighter bee, slightly darker bloom. Or follow the bee to a darker flower, metering on the bee. And move closer if your lens allows for it.

[Ginger Pixie]

Originally Posted by Geodar

Trying to get the bee facing you, but I know they don't always want to play. Nice capture.

Thanks. I did get one shot of his little face, but he wasn't flying at the time. He didn't smile either - you just can't get the models, can you?

Originally Posted by jiminyClickit

Welcome back, Ginger Pixie!

Did you shoot the bee 50 times? That's about the best way I know of to improve the look of your image. Moving around helps, and if you want the bee's "fur" to have more detail, meter on it before shooting. Then get another shot of the flower without the bee, metering for the flower. Marrying the two shots will get you something in the middle of the above - slightly lighter bee, slightly darker bloom. Or follow the bee to a darker flower, metering on the bee. And move closer if your lens allows for it.

Thanks JC.

Yes, I shot about that many. It was my first attempt at macro on a moving target, focus was the main problem, as the bee was zipping about very fast. Once I switched to auto focus I found it easier, but the danger was that as the bee moved the focus shifted to something else. Or the bee decided to leave the frame just as I was pressing the shutter!

I was pretty much at the limit of how close I could get with my lens. I want to get one that allows me to get in closer - I don't suppose you know of any lens at the cheaper end of the market that would allow me to get in closer do you?

I think I will need more practice at metering on a moving target! Since summer is here, I'm sure I will get it.

Thanks so much for your advice, as always it is appreciated.

[Geodar]

Try an early warm, sunny morning or evening, they are supposed to be a bit more docile and not as energetic. (Supposed to be).
Good luck.
Geoff

[Trader]

Hi Ginger, Yeah, I just couldn't get the darn thing to smile either.



I took this photo using a 105.0 mm Macro lens with a 2.0x extender tube added. I also zoomed in on the subject in Photoshop. The extender tube is what allows you go get in real tight on your subject. You do have to go into manual focus and another problem is that the extender tubes do not work with all lenses.

[misterjezmond]

Here's one I managed to capture the other day. There must be a theme of bees in purple flowers as this is the forth one I have seen now!

It took me about 8 shots to get this one!
__________________________________
Jeremy Jacobs
http://www.jeremyjacobs.co.uk/photography

[wgrube]

Sometimes you gotta be lucky... Just take a lot of pictures! I really liked your picture, beautiful colors!

[Ginger Pixie]

Oooo these photos are great - keep them coming!

[jiminyClickit]

GP,

Wish I could recommend a good lens - I can offer hope, though, that you'll be able to get a good shot: This is taken through a loupe (magnifying lens) held over the front of a Fuji S3100. The bee was crawling through the grass, so I'm guessing it was stunned by flying into a wall. I put a dandelion in front of it, it latched on, and I shot until it felt better and flew away. Luck plays a part sometimes!