Macro in motion

[PedroWilsoni]

I thought I would try breaking out of the square with my macro, and try something a bit more challenging. Capturing bees in flight has been quite a learning curve.

This was shot using a 450D, Canon 100mm USM f/2.8 macro lens
and a Canon Macro TwinLite 24-EX flash.

Lighting was mixed daylight/flash - backlit sun as keylight, flash set to manual, 1/8 power.

Camera on AF servo mode. Spot focus, centre AF point, F/8, 1/200s, hand-held.

[equilution]

Great shot of the wings. I love the blurred motion. Usually if the wings are in motion like that, the rest of the bee is out of focus as well. Nice job...especially with the slower shutter speed.

Jim

[harrypalmer044]

Hi there and "Welcome" to the site, I hope you enjoy your time here.
this is a cracking image, only thing I would change is cropping out the wasted space to the left of the bee which will allow you to get a little closer to it which in turn will give us a wee bit more detail BUT it's still a really nice job and you should be proud of it as I would be.
Thanks for sharing it.
David.

[CatcherT]

I love this! very cool! everything is so detailed and right there, I am NOT a fan of bee's I am very allergic, I always win a trip to the hospital with a bee sting but I do like this picture!

[PedroWilsoni]

Thanks everyone for your comments, and David, I agree about the cropping. For an art print I will crop it, but I want to keep this version as I have preliminary approval to get a how-to story on this technique in Australian Photography magazine. It is good as-is from an editorial viewpoint because text/headlines can go in the dead areas on the left.

I also have this shot as a possible cover - the main coverline could go over the blurred part of the flower, but yeah, still trying for the perfect shot.

[harrypalmer044]

Truly beautiful and an awesome image,
maybe one day you can teach me how to get such clear images.
Thank you for sharing it, this made my day
David.

[PedroWilsoni]

Easy if you have the equipment and put in the effort to practice. Equipment described at top of post - a bit pricey but you can get a Sigma Ring flash for around A$600, so if you have a 100mm macro lens for your Nikon you are in business. BTW Nikon have a funky wireless dedicated TwinLite macro flash.

I've found the best setting for the flash without destroying the ambience of your natural light to be about 2+2/3f underexposed on TTL and 1/8 power if flash is set to manual. Just enough to pop the shadows.

Cheers

[Fred flyfisher]

That is really cool. Love it!