One of my photographic obsessions in the last couple of years has been capturing insects in flight. Particularly bees and hover flies. I have by no means mastered this art yet. But I have bagged a few shots that I like and I have learned a few things along the way.
I suspect that the best way to get really superb shots is to find a flower that the insects frequent, set up the tripod, lock focus on the flower and use a remote shutter release to fire off a load of shots every time a bug comes near. I can see the attraction of this laid back approach. I imagine a deck chair, comfy cushions, a cool glass of Pimms… But you would need that kind of still summer’s day that only happens in this country in Evelyn Waugh novels. Even the slightest breeze can move a flower. So, ditch the tripod.
I prefer to shoot flying bugs in shutter priority, set to 1/640 or 1/800, with the camera set to AI servo and continuous shooting. Any faster than 800 and you risk freezing the wings. I prefer blurry wings. They’re moving, and I want my picture to show that. Compare the two shots below:
The first shot is probably better quality but I prefer the shimmering wings in the second.
While blurry wings are good, blurry bodies are not, especially eyes. I use centre spot focus; my manual focus skills just aren’t up to the job. If yours are, go for it. For those of us who rely on auto, you should aim to get the centre point over the eye. Yes, it’s tricky. But put in some practice and you will be able to do it. Softness in the rest of the insect matters less if the eyes are clear.
I won’t use flash; I don’t want to ‘bug’ the bugs. So having such a fast shutter speed reduces my depth of field somewhat, or a lot! Therefore, I always use ISO 400 for these shots. That gets me more depth. Really bright direct sunlight that would allow a lower ISO is usually fairly ugly light anyway. On the upside, a wider aperture means nicer backgrounds, smooth and undistracting.
Background is half the battle. Compare the next two shots. In the first the bee is nice and sharp but the background is ugly. In the second, the bee is frankly too soft but you just have to love that fresh green background. Which do you think is the more pleasing image?
Oh, and I mustn’t forget to mention metering. I use spot metering. I want to expose for the bug and it is too small in the frame for the camera to expose for it in the default, evaluative metering mode.
Finally, it helps to learn a bit about the habits of your models. After a while of crouching in the bushes with ants crawling up your trousers you will start to notice that, while honey bees tend to approach flowers in a business-like straight line, bumble bees live up to their name and bumble all over the place. Certain hover flies, particularly the marmalade fly, hover beautifully, while others zoom around oblivious to the fact that they are supposed to be hover flies and are frankly not worth your trouble until they settle.
Finally, be prepared to get very funny looks from a lot of people if attempting any of this in public. Good luck!
Many thanks to The Goat that Wrote for the idea for today’s post.
PS Before someone asks, I use a 100mm macro lens on a full frame camera. But you could do this just as well with a cropped sensor and another lens.
And, no, I have never been stung.
PPS I have shown some of the images in small size because of problems with downloading really long blog entries.  All of the images stand up to scrutiny at a larger size.  You’re just going  to have to trust me on that 😉
Focused Moments 
Wonderful post Rachael, with some fantastic information and excellent photos 🙂 I have plenty of insect on flower shots from last year, my aim this year though is to catch a good one in flight so thank you for sharing your settings 🙂
Thank you, Karen. Good luck!
Hey, thanks for the mention! And also the tips. Once the latest incursion of rotten weather retreats, I will have a go with some of your suggested settings. I hadn’t considered playing with ISO or metering. The bees over here have short attention spans – probably too many computer games – so anything that helps…
You’re very welcome – thanks for the idea! In your experience so far, what is the attitude to fauna and flora, especially bugs, in Korea?
Hmmm, I guess we’ll see when Summer arrives! I think, as in Japan, there are conflicting attitudes to nature. It’s celebrated in the old stories but suffering in the modern world. Temples are generally good places to see beautiful surrounds as they’re usually in the mountains and well looked after. The cherry blossom season was very popular, and the camellias looked great too.
I’m very, very critical of the contempt shown to rivers and mountain paths and the ground in general — litter is everywhere. That said, Spring has changed my view a little (for the better) as the gardens and small parks look a lot better and I keep seeing old people out in groups doing community maintenance of plants and benches and lawns. Not sure if they’re paid for it or not.
Young people in my experience haven’t got a clue about nature. They spend much of their weekends indoors. The old ladies are everywhere hunched over in the fields or selling vegetables on the roadside. I’m sure nearly everyone here was a peasant till recently.
I’m sure insects are pretty much despised by everyone and the kids would have little time for them. In Japan I once saw a cicada clear out a whole train carriage. I’ve seen girls shriek AT FLIES. But maybe I’ll be pleasantly surprised.
Reblogged this on calmyourbeans.
Thank you very much. I am honoured.
Awesome post and information, Rachael. I just might have to give this a go myself. You’ve got some mad skills and sharing your how-to’s is much appreciated!
Thanks! You have some pretty cool skills yourself.
Great post. I’m surprised by how relatively low an ISO you’ve used to get these.
Hi Debra. Thanks. It helps to have a fast lens. Mine goes as wide as f2.8.
I agree that the blurry wings look much better! Love the sense of action it gives!
Hi Eleni. Thank you very much!
What a fitting title and superb shots, Rachael! My favorite is the opening shot – looks like an aircraft coming in for a landing. 🙂
Thanks, Tricia. A slightly wonky landing 😉
These shots are beautiful and thank you for all the helpful hints and tips. I’ve only ever dabbled in getting shots of our flying and often times furry creatures, but never really captured something I’ve been happy with.
This has given me a little bit of motivation to get out there and give taking these kinds of shots another better go. Just have to wait for the weather to get a lot better!
Thank you very much for this lovely comment. Yes, not so many flying bugs around in the rain.
You have done an amazing job at capturing insects in flight! These are a beautiful series oh photographs!
Thank you! I think I am truly obsessed. 😉
your work is beautiful.
Thank you very much! I am glad you like it.
Ah, now I have an insight into the processes involved! Most interesting! Great images and I like your writing style! 🙂
Thank you, Steve. I enjoyed writing that one. Photographing flying bugs has become a bit of an obsession.
Very well written, and informative article, thank your for sharing this!
Kevin.C4
Thank you, Kevin. You are very welcome.
Marvellous post Rachael. Super photos, and lots of helpful info – I’ll be putting some practice in over the summer too.
Thank you, Andy! So kind of you to pop by. 🙂
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so that’s how you do it so well !!