Epsom Bees

This was to be my second trip to Epsom Bee keepers to practice my macro photography.  It was two years ago, that I last went. My photography journey just starting. Read about my first journey here and here.

I have found it interesting looking back at the photo's from two years ago and comparing the two experiences.  Both visits were in the month of May - but both very different.  Two years ago, the weather was excellent to the lead up to the visit, the day itself was VERY hot, the hives were very active, there was a lot for the trainees to do.  The hives were open for some time.  This time the weather had been pretty poor to the lead up to the visit, the day itself was dry and warm. Not a massive amount of activity in the hives and the hives were open and closed within an hour (or so). 

Two years ago I was using my crop sensor camera with a 50mm (1:2) lens. This time I was using the same camera with a dedicated macro lens (1:1). I had also intended to try my hand at a time lapse of the activities with my full frame camera - this did not work, so we will mention no more!!!

Given that I have two years experience, I did expect to come away with some cracking shots - however I (personally) don't think this set are any better.  In fact, I think this set of images has lost their sharpness, compared to two years ago.  The main reason I think is because the dedicated macro lens can achieve a better depth of field (making the background much more blurred) - I would suggest I went far too low, meaning that on many images only a very small part of the image is 'sharp' when in fact I wanted a much larger proportion 'sharper'.  Lesson learnt!

Anyway here are some to view.....

Ta Dah ..... meet Betty, Betty Bee - saving the best till last.  I love this one, and in fact the depth of field has worked to my advantage on this image - however I would have liked to see her face completely sharp.