As you have been out and about in the local park or your garden during the past few weeks, you're likely to have noticed the honeybee at work. They are a rather fascinating insect. Some people are wary of them for obvious reasons, but they are not aggressive when foraging, and if you are lucky enough to see them in your garden, it should be seen as a very good thing, as it's usually a sign of a healthy environment. It is believed that a single honeybee is able to visit around 4,500 flowers a day, and all of the bees that you generally see are known as worker bees and are female. The majority of people will never see a male honeybee. Due to their interesting nature, many people enjoy taking photographs of the honeybee, but what are the best ways to do so?
The best way to photograph a honeybee
It can be somewhat tricky to photograph a honeybee as they can move very quickly and often do so when you least expect it. For this reason, it is important to move slowly and quietly when approaching them to take your shot. It is prudent to use continuous autofocus and burst mode as bees are nearly always moving. The fact that bees tend to be slower when the light is softer and when the temperature is lower means that the ideal time to take their photograph is either early in the morning or late in the afternoon. Try to also avoid sudden movements as these are likely to scare the bees away, at least temporarily (bees often like to return to the same flowers). For a similar reason, it is best to avoid using flash, as this can startle the honeybee; simply use natural light.
If you are using a smartphone to photograph the honeybee, then it is advisable to use macro mode, or for close-up shots, you could use a clip-on macro lens. If you are using a camera, a mirrorless camera or a DSLR with a macro lens would be ideal. It is a good idea to also use a tripod, as this is something that would help to stabilise your shot.
Due to the honeybee being quite small, it is important that full focus and attention are provided to it within the photographs that we take. One of the best ways to do this is to blur the background by using a shallow depth of field such as f/2.8-f/5.6. Another way to achieve this is by trying to ensure that the backgrounds are clean and uncluttered, as this will help make the bee stand out.
After spending time to master all things "honeybee photography" wise and taking some shots that you are pleased with, it would be nice to proudly display your achievements for others to also enjoy. You may well have a favourite photo to print and frame, which you can then display in a prominent area of your home.