Blue Banded Bees

OzPhoto · 03-12-2010, 02:24 AM

Here's a few shots of some Blue Banded Bees, an Australian native that are probably my favorite insect to shoot. They are solitary bees that roost at night by hanging onto small twigs by their jaws. They bite down and lift up their bodies to clean themselves. They can be very hard to shoot as they are spooked very easily and fly more like a hoverfly than a honey bee. I love their large multi lensed eyes and colourful bodies. They also have a particular affinity for blueish coloured flowers which is a great fact when hunting for them.

NateS · 03-12-2010, 09:24 AM

Wow...I'm so glad I get to be the first to post in here.

These are GREAT. The DOF, clarity, colors, composure, etc... are all great. Especially that in-flight shot which couldn't have been easy (I know I've tried). Those green eyes are pretty amazing too.

LBPhotog · 03-12-2010, 09:51 AM

"Wow" is right (it was also the first word that I uttered when I opened this thread)

Great shots!

That 105 macro lens is amazing, just look at the detail in these images ... mind you I am not saying that there isn't any talent behind that camera and lens; because, obviously, there is.

mobius121 · 03-12-2010, 01:12 PM

I need a macro XD

DigitalScape · 03-14-2010, 09:26 AM

Well done, Darren.

Overread · 03-14-2010, 10:37 AM

Great work again! You certainly know how to push your lens to get the most out of it and the most out of your subjects as well! Lighting might be a little top heavy, it would be nice for a little more detail in the underside of the insects to show.

Also since you are a fan of bees and close shots have you by chance come across Dalentech's (John Kimbler) work? I think you might find it very interesting:
No Cropping Zone

OzPhoto · 03-15-2010, 04:40 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by Overread

Great work again! You certainly know how to push your lens to get the most out of it and the most out of your subjects as well! Lighting might be a little top heavy, it would be nice for a little more detail in the underside of the insects to show.

Also since you are a fan of bees and close shots have you by chance come across Dalentech's (John Kimbler) work? I think you might find it very interesting:
No Cropping Zone

Hi Overread, thanks for the feedback. There was definitely a lighting issue here, i've had similar CC on this shot on other forums. I use a homemade snoot on the popup flash which I can usually position at different angles for individual lighting situations. In this case the Blue Banded Bees were particularly skittish and I just took a few shots and hoped for the best. I had trouble getting down low enough to the bee without scaring it off which is why I think it came out a bit top heavy, but anyway, I learn from every shot I take. I really am very new to photography in general and only purchased my first DLSR about 12 months ago and have been practicing macro for about 3 months so I still have a lot to learn. Ideally I am aiming for 2:1 in the future with additional compatible equipment, but until then I'm just pushing the 105 mm to the limit, hopefully with success. Appreciate the feedback and the site you suggested looks great!

Cheers

Overread · 03-15-2010, 05:41 AM

I've seen one of those snoots before for the popup flash (over on Juza forum) so I know they can work very well. You might want to consider attaching a bit of white material/paper to the underside of the lens with it angling forward - so that it catches some of the flashlight and reflects it back up at the underside of the subject.

OzPhoto · 03-16-2010, 02:18 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by Overread

I've seen one of those snoots before for the popup flash (over on Juza forum) so I know they can work very well. You might want to consider attaching a bit of white material/paper to the underside of the lens with it angling forward - so that it catches some of the flashlight and reflects it back up at the underside of the subject.

Great idea. I'm currently building a new snoot and will try and this technique. The snoot works great and it is really a cost effective way of achieving great lighting, though it can be a bit of a "pinocchio" at times.

03-12-2010, 02:24 AM	#1
OzPhoto No longer a newbie, moving up! Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 61 My Photos Are OK to Edit Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post My Gallery: (0)	Blue Banded Bees Here's a few shots of some Blue Banded Bees, an Australian native that are probably my favorite insect to shoot. They are solitary bees that roost at night by hanging onto small twigs by their jaws. They bite down and lift up their bodies to clean themselves. They can be very hard to shoot as they are spooked very easily and fly more like a hoverfly than a honey bee. I love their large multi lensed eyes and colourful bodies. They also have a particular affinity for blueish coloured flowers which is a great fact when hunting for them. __________________ Darren Nikon D90, 18-55 mm, 55-200 mm, 105 mm Micro f/2.8 TC 17eII http://bugshots.wordpress.com/

03-12-2010, 09:24 AM	#2
NateS TPF Junkie! Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Missouri Posts: 2,272 My Photos Are NOT OK to Edit Thanked 34 Times in 31 Posts My Gallery: (0)	Wow...I'm so glad I get to be the first to post in here. These are GREAT. The DOF, clarity, colors, composure, etc... are all great. Especially that in-flight shot which couldn't have been easy (I know I've tried). Those green eyes are pretty amazing too. __________________ http://www.sidersphoto.com Nikon D90, MB-D80 Grip, Nikon D5000, Tamron 17-50 f2.8, Tamron 180mm f3.5 Macro, Sigma 70-300 APO DG Macro, Nikon 18-55 VR, Kenko Pro 300 1.4TC, Kenko Extension Tube set, SB-600, umbrella/stand/diffuser/softbox/etc...

03-12-2010, 09:51 AM	#3
LBPhotog I spend too much of my life on TPF! Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 307 My Photos Are NOT OK to Edit Thanked 12 Times in 10 Posts My Gallery: (0)	"Wow" is right (it was also the first word that I uttered when I opened this thread) Great shots! That 105 macro lens is amazing, just look at the detail in these images ... mind you I am not saying that there isn't any talent behind that camera and lens; because, obviously, there is. __________________ What's in the bag: Well, there's something that goes "click" when I push the button; and, when I hold down the button it goes "clickclickclickclickclickclick"

03-12-2010, 01:12 PM	#4
mobius121 No longer a newbie, moving up! Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Oregon Posts: 69 My Photos Are NOT OK to Edit Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts My Gallery: (0)	I need a macro XD __________________ Adam Sims Photography: http://adamsimsphotography.deviantart.com/-Free, ad-supported photos for personal use. 10% of revenue is given to charity! Tool of the trade: Nikon D90

03-14-2010, 09:26 AM	#5
DigitalScape Been spending a lot of time on here! Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Plano, Texas Posts: 180 My Photos Are NOT OK to Edit Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts My Gallery: (0)	Well done, Darren. __________________ --------------------------------- John www.DigitalScapePhotography.com

03-14-2010, 10:37 AM	#6
Overread TPF Junkie! Join Date: May 2008 Location: UK - England Posts: 7,820 My Photos Are OK to Edit Thanked 214 Times in 188 Posts My Gallery: (0)	Great work again! You certainly know how to push your lens to get the most out of it and the most out of your subjects as well! Lighting might be a little top heavy, it would be nice for a little more detail in the underside of the insects to show. Also since you are a fan of bees and close shots have you by chance come across Dalentech's (John Kimbler) work? I think you might find it very interesting: No Cropping Zone __________________ How to get critique and feedback on your photography! The Wildlife Project My Flickr The Mentor Scheme mentoring on TPF all are welcome to read and apply Gear list: Canon 400D+batterygrip; Canon 70-200mm f2.8 IS L M2!! Canon MPE 65mm f2.8 macro; Sigma 70mm f2.8 macro; Sigma 150mm f2.8 macro; 580EX2; more teleconverters than is healthy! "When you have to shoot, shoot, don't talk" Tuco Sometimes a good song helps as well

03-15-2010, 04:40 AM	#7
OzPhoto No longer a newbie, moving up! Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 61 My Photos Are OK to Edit Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post My Gallery: (0)	Quote: Originally Posted by Overread Great work again! You certainly know how to push your lens to get the most out of it and the most out of your subjects as well! Lighting might be a little top heavy, it would be nice for a little more detail in the underside of the insects to show. Also since you are a fan of bees and close shots have you by chance come across Dalentech's (John Kimbler) work? I think you might find it very interesting: No Cropping Zone Hi Overread, thanks for the feedback. There was definitely a lighting issue here, i've had similar CC on this shot on other forums. I use a homemade snoot on the popup flash which I can usually position at different angles for individual lighting situations. In this case the Blue Banded Bees were particularly skittish and I just took a few shots and hoped for the best. I had trouble getting down low enough to the bee without scaring it off which is why I think it came out a bit top heavy, but anyway, I learn from every shot I take. I really am very new to photography in general and only purchased my first DLSR about 12 months ago and have been practicing macro for about 3 months so I still have a lot to learn. Ideally I am aiming for 2:1 in the future with additional compatible equipment, but until then I'm just pushing the 105 mm to the limit, hopefully with success. Appreciate the feedback and the site you suggested looks great! Cheers __________________ Darren Nikon D90, 18-55 mm, 55-200 mm, 105 mm Micro f/2.8 TC 17eII http://bugshots.wordpress.com/

03-15-2010, 05:41 AM	#8
Overread TPF Junkie! Join Date: May 2008 Location: UK - England Posts: 7,820 My Photos Are OK to Edit Thanked 214 Times in 188 Posts My Gallery: (0)	I've seen one of those snoots before for the popup flash (over on Juza forum) so I know they can work very well. You might want to consider attaching a bit of white material/paper to the underside of the lens with it angling forward - so that it catches some of the flashlight and reflects it back up at the underside of the subject. __________________ How to get critique and feedback on your photography! The Wildlife Project My Flickr The Mentor Scheme mentoring on TPF all are welcome to read and apply Gear list: Canon 400D+batterygrip; Canon 70-200mm f2.8 IS L M2!! Canon MPE 65mm f2.8 macro; Sigma 70mm f2.8 macro; Sigma 150mm f2.8 macro; 580EX2; more teleconverters than is healthy! "When you have to shoot, shoot, don't talk" Tuco Sometimes a good song helps as well

03-16-2010, 02:18 AM	#9
OzPhoto No longer a newbie, moving up! Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 61 My Photos Are OK to Edit Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post My Gallery: (0)	Quote: Originally Posted by Overread I've seen one of those snoots before for the popup flash (over on Juza forum) so I know they can work very well. You might want to consider attaching a bit of white material/paper to the underside of the lens with it angling forward - so that it catches some of the flashlight and reflects it back up at the underside of the subject. Great idea. I'm currently building a new snoot and will try and this technique. The snoot works great and it is really a cost effective way of achieving great lighting, though it can be a bit of a "pinocchio" at times. __________________ Darren Nikon D90, 18-55 mm, 55-200 mm, 105 mm Micro f/2.8 TC 17eII http://bugshots.wordpress.com/

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