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dalantech — Mason Bee III
by-nc-nd
#bee #insect #macro #pollen #topaz #mason_bee
Published: 2018-01-13 09:26:22 +0000 UTC; Views: 451; Favourites: 24; Downloads: 0
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Description
Male of Megachile (Chalicodoma) parietina.Technique: It was a cool day (18C) with partly cloudy skies and intermittent light showers -perfect weather to go looking for solitary bees since they'll have a tough time keeping their metabolism up. I got lucky and found this Mason bee semi-dormant in my Lavender. I'm holding the lavender stem with my left hand, and then I rested the lens on that same hand. With everything on the same "platform" it's easier to control motion (to get a sharp image), and to place the area of acceptable focus exactly where I want it. The depth of field in this frame is only .19 millimeters. Focusing on the mandible, and then rolling the upper left hand corner toward the bee gave me a "magic angle" that made the most of the depth.
Tech Specs: Canon 80D (F11, 1/250, ISO 100) + a Canon MP-E 65mm macro lens (about 5x) + a diffused MT-24EX (both flash heads on the Canon flash mount, E-TTL metering). This is a single, uncropped, frame taken hand held. I used an artificial flower to keep the background from being black.
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Comments: 6
How did you start photographing bees?
Also, if you don't mind.. What do you like about it? You really know how to get the perfect shots
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
They just seem to be the most common critter in my yard. I like all the different textures in them, and I compose my shots just like a portrait photographer. Also I study their habits and quirks so I can get the shots I want. Thanks for the props!
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
That's rad, it's cool how you're able to catch them while they are in those low activity times
Do you use any kind of lighting other than ambient light?
No problem, you take really awesome photographs
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Actually there is no ambient light in that scene -it's all flash.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1