tayco Loc: Wisconsin

It is a facinating thing to watch all the bees come back and forth carrying the pollen, and i see all the sharp pictures that everyone posts here. I am having trouble capturing the "flight of the honey bee" . Can you tell exactly where my focus is set in theese? Any help is appreciated in advance, always learning!
P.S. Pardon the weeds it is almost the only thing growing !

In flight


Runway


Waiting to land

SeniorPhotographer Loc: the Great Pacific Northwest

What, exactly, are you trying to photograph? If you are trying to catch a single bee in flight then you need to get a LOT closer. Actually for every possible shot I see here I would want to be closer to the action.

Shot #2 would be better if all you can see are bees and the hole they are trying to go through. If you don't have some type of zoom lens, I would use a tripod and a remote shutter release to get the camera as close as possible.

Even at that you might as well resign yourself to shooting a couple hundred frames before you get the "perfect" shot. Good luck!

photocat Loc: Atlanta, Ga

what shutter speed are you using? Think above 4000 of a second

Radioman Loc: Ontario Canada

Hi,
When asking for help, you need to give information about the camera settings etc.
In this case, the EXIF information found in onr of the picture files shows that you are using a Nikon D60. This photo was taken with the lens set to 50mm, aperture at f4.5 and a shutter speed of 1/80th sec and an ISO of 200.

Your problem is the very shallow 'depth of field' - that is the point where the picture comes into focus and goes out of focus. With your camera set to f4.5 this distance is less than one inch. In some of the others it is about two inches.
To increase the depth of field to get more of the bees in focus, you need to use a higher f stop (Smaller aperture)

The bees are moving, and to get a good image you also need to increase the shutter speed. I am including (I hope) a picture of a bee inside a crocus flower. The shutter speed is 1/4000 sec. The depth of field is less than one inch - look at the edges of the flower petal nearest and furthest away. There were a lot of bees around so I set up the camera and waited for a bee to arrive.
You have a very nice camera.
Stan

naturepics43 Loc: Hocking Co. Ohio - USA

You didn't mention what lenses you have. With the 50mm you used its going to be difficult to get images that you're looking for. That being said, Try getting closer & use a flash. Set aperature to f11 or f16. The flash will help "stop" the bees in flight. And like SeniorPhotographer said, You will take many shots to get a "good" one. Good luck!

tayco Loc: Wisconsin

Thank you for all the comments.

I am trying to stop all action, to see all the bees coming to the hive. I dont take alot of motion shots, so this is new for me. I was afraid to use the on camera flash because of being so close and didnt want to disturb the bees, it is our first year with a hive. Will it be possible with the higher shutter speed to stop all the bees in the shot? Dont have time to try any right now, too busy, but if i can i will post. Thank you again.

rayford2 Loc: New Bethlehem, PA

How about setting up and adjusting your camera on a tripod in the evening after the bees have retired.
Then you could use a wireless remote to trigger your shutter when you wanted. Probably take a lot of photos before you get one you like.
I haven't tried this myself, it's just a suggestion.
I did inadvertantly use a flash on a bee subject once; not recommended. Bees have an anger issue when a flash is used.

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

You need a macro lens and then shoot up close. Watch out for those stingers. Or, you can get a longer telephoto. I'd say 200-300mm. But, you can only focus so close with a long lens. The long lens on a tripod and fast shutter should do it and keep you from getting stung. Or the macro on a tripod with a remote shutter release. Set up the camera when the bees are less active.

Msmith59

Beautiful photo. What lense, etc did you shoot this with?

xphotog1 Loc: Lubbock, TX

Stan, when I came to your reply and photo the only thing I could think of in WOW!!! Your photo really blew me away. Perfectly sharp and exposed. The only thing you might try to improve on it is to darken the background and bring even more emphasis to the flower and bee.

Love the photo.
Al

glojo Loc: South Devon, England

Hi Tayco,
You are specifically asking about taking pictures of bees in flight so here is my two penarth...

First off..

1. Get away from that bee hive..

Why on earth are you so close to it? It certainly will never add to the back drop, even if it is out of focus

2. Get closer, get MUCH closer, then get closer again :)

The closer you get the better but get away from the hive.

Do not worry about flash upsetting individual bees and note my wording.. I have used flash to take close up pictures of a wasp nest and not got stung, but have NEVER been near a bee hive so have NO knowledge of how a lot of bees would react

Shutter speeds
You pays your money and take your choices, 1/4000th or this hand held shot is at 1/60th of a second.

I am someone that is more of a snapper than a photographer and this image was shot with me laying on the ground supporting myself and the camera with one arm whilst working the controls with the other.. I can only see a tripod as being a hindrance for this type of shot but if you are happy using a tripod, then 'what ever works for you'

I love capturing bees in flight but to me I like the backdrop of a flower

Apologies for posting an image on your thread but you are being given lots of advice and I thought I would use a picture to support my words.. Capturing a bee on a flower is one thing, getting a shot of them in flight, in focus, is for me a whole new ball game and I wish you all the luck but you need to get closer and I don't know about using a long lens, I certainly do not see the harm in using one, but this image is taken with a 105mm lens.

Hand held
1/60th second

xphotog1 Loc: Lubbock, TX

Beautiful shot, Glojo. Nice work.
Al

glojo Loc: South Devon, England

:oops: :oops: I don't like posting images on other folk's threads but I am hoping the OP enjoys the challenge of trying to take pictures of these things in flight and I am hopefully showing what a happy snapper can do without the use of tripods, burst mode, or any other aid.

tayco Loc: Wisconsin

Thank you for the heads up on the flash, was going to try that next. I dont think i will now....... LOL

tayco Loc: Wisconsin

Thank you for the advice. It is our hive, and the bees are quite used to us being "in the way". i have to walk directly through the flight path to get to the shed. I feel comfortable getting close, but i wll take another and post tonight, if it is not raining, on the new advice i have gotten.