Bees: While on a trip to Moro bay last week I took a few bee pictures. The hard part is getting the depth of field correct while still keeping the shutter speed up enough while the...

Ballard Loc: Grass Valley, California

While on a trip to Moro bay last week I took a few bee pictures. The hard part is getting the depth of field correct while still keeping the shutter speed up enough while the bees are moving. Next time I might bump the ISO up a bit more. All these photo's used a circular polarizer to remove reflected light and keep the colors bright.

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PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

Ballard wrote:

While on a trip to Moro bay last week I took a few bee pictures. The hard part is getting the depth of field correct while still keeping the shutter speed up enough while the bees are moving. Next time I might bump the ISO up a bit more. All these photo's used a circular polarizer to remove reflected light and keep the colors bright.

Great job. The 4th one is my favorite.

FordPrefect Loc: Indiana

Very nice..

Ballard Loc: Grass Valley, California

Thanks. On a side note: That was suppose to be Morro Bay not Moro Bay. My fingers don't always work right.

UTMike Loc: South Jordan, UT

Excellent work!

Earnest Botello Loc: Hockley, Texas

Very good series, Ballard.

redfordl Loc: Carver,Ma.

nice bee images, Yes you could up the iso a bit,( lower f stop to 11)but you would do better at a shutter speed of one over 800
to freeze the bee motion or one over one thousand. Hope this helps!!

Ballard Loc: Grass Valley, California

Thanks for the input, I'll try higher shutter speed next time.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Ballard wrote:

While on a trip to Moro bay last week I took a few bee pictures. The hard part is getting the depth of field correct while still keeping the shutter speed up enough while the bees are moving. Next time I might bump the ISO up a bit more. All these photo's used a circular polarizer to remove reflected light and keep the colors bright.

You might try using a flash.
I find this helps in freezing action and getting good depth while keeping ISO down.

Ballard Loc: Grass Valley, California

Thanks for the ideas. I'll bring the flash next time.

redfordl Loc: Carver,Ma.

Architect1776 wrote:

You might try using a flash.
I find this helps in freezing action and getting good depth while keeping ISO down.

At what iso setting and what f stop? Thanks!

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

redfordl wrote:

At what iso setting and what f stop? Thanks!

I use ISO 100 and start with fi or f11.
My flash has power ratios and I use a 100mm f4 lens built for the bellows.
You will need to experiment a bit to get the exposure you like.
My flash is set at 1/120 usually to start with.
It is also nice that the flash and small aperture is under exposing the background so it is usually dark or black which makes the subject stand out on the flower with the rest dark behind it.