Cornflower and the bee.
Not every photograph that I take makes it to the dizzy heights of being a print in the gallery. There is a field of wild cornflowers, not far from where I live and I am going back there often to photograph them. It’s very hot currently, so I go early in the morning when its cooler. It’s a little bit of a trek with the cameras, but definitely worth it.
I am using different lenses and different angles, but I am not really achieving the results that I am looking for. I have been going there lots of times over the last few weeks and I think they are now passed their best.
The other morning however, when I went down, the sun had encouraged more to flower and the bees where really enjoying the early warmth and buzzing around. I did try talking to them to take their time a little more but they obviously took no notice of me and buzzed busily from flower to flower. I don’t have a macro lens (it’s on the list of things that I would like to have) so I use my long lens instead. This means that I have to have a little distance between myself and my subject. So, if a friendly bee flies towards you in order to pose nicely, I have to back away…. I do have to be careful though there’s a pond not too far away and I don’t want to back into that!
Anyway, this little bee, it seems had already been very busy and had her legs covered in pollen. I have managed to catch her eye as she is busy working. Whilst not the shot I was after, I am really very happy with the results. I think she’s gorgeous! In fact I am much happier with my close up images than the wider shots. I will have to try again next year. Fingers crossed the cornflowers will come back.
Years ago I did get a Licentiate (LRPS) accreditation from The Royal Photographic Society but when I left the industry I allowed it to lapse. It is something that I am thinking of looking into again but possibly when I have more time…. So in the meantime, when I get a little recognition on photography groups that I am a member of, it really gives me a thrill.
