This cell phone photo taken several days prior gives you an idea of the situation of the utility vault. Bees could be seen entering and exiting the tiny ventilation hole in the cover, a sure sign of a hive hiding within. Its safe removal and relocation was important from both an ecological and safety perspective, since the local flora needed the bees for pollination, and the utility workers needed safe access to the enclosed valve. Plans were made to include a professional bee specialist and the San Mateo Water Department representative in the hive's relocation on Wednesday at 11:30. On my docket.
That morning I arrived at 11:05, and spent more than ten minutes trying to find a convenient parking place, and finally found one two blocks away. I started my long walk to the hive. In the interest of mobility, I brought only a lightstand and a shoot-through umbrella which I keep in my trunk for times when portability is most important.
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| Taken 11:28 AM |
I arrived at 11:20, just moments after "K" and her husband. When we arrived at the vault, we were told by Ray the beekeeper that the queen bee had apparently left, leaving behind a partially constructed beehive hanging from the vault cover. With the vault cover hive-side-up on the grass, we could see small dark spots in a few of the cells, signs that some eggs were on their way to pupation. Looking at the hives still attached to the cover I started to make some photos, if only to add some value to a morning that had just fallen apart due to the impetuous actions of the queen bee.
His work done, Ray was preparing to leave, and was in the process of cutting out the little hives when I asked if he could stop for a few moments while I prepared to make some photos. While any images I made would not tell the complete story of bee hive relocation, they might serve as accents to a future article. I instructed Ray to kneel beside the little hives just to see if the 16mm setting on my zoom lens could accommodate him. As you can see, it couldn't.
Two things became apparent. First, the 16mm setting on my zoom lens was not wide enough, so I would have to move farther away from my subject/s. Second, I would need some additional light on Ray's face to give me some detail. The repositioning was easy. The additional light was not. In the interests of time, I pulled a Hail Mary and opened my shoot through umbrella and positioned it just out of frame, camera left, hoping it would reflect enough light back on Ray's face.
Next Time: If memory serves me, there is a quote from Joe McNally that I should make my mantra: "Whenever possible, negotiate for more time". I should have asked Ray how much time he could spare to help me make a better photograph. Had I asked, I could have easily extended the session by ten minutes or more, judging from the time spent in friendly conversation once everything was put away.
"K" made this little sign. Next time, take a few minute to set up a proper lightstand with a flash and shoot-through umbrella or small softbox.- Next time, position the light at a 45 degree angle (or less) when aligned on the subject's nose.
- Next time, angle the flash up and to camera right to reduce the texture ruining light on the ho9ney comb.
- Next time, I will select, from my current collection, a speedlight to store alongside the lightstand and umbrella in the handy carrying bag. No more buying new stuff.
- Next time, I'll determine some practical guide numbers for said speedlight and tape the information to the head of the flash. Pre shrunk, pre thunk, I'm fond of saying.
I'll do that tomorrow. Yeah, right.
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