Tips for shooting a bee hive?

Hi,
I'm hoping you can help me with a few tips for photographing a bee hive.
I've been given permission to take a few macro shots of a hive. I may not be ready to do so for a little while, not sure yet.
I have been told they are European honey bees. And they will have me "suited" up, so hopefully I won't get stung.

As I'm not familiar with the behavior of bees or of what would upset the bees, I'm looking for any information you don't mind sharing with me on how to photograph a hive.
Would it be ok to use a flash or am I just best to use natural light?
How long can the hive be open for?
Is there a best time of year to photograph the hive? I'm in Australia, so weather is warming up as we are currently in spring.
Anything I should look out for or avoid doing?

I'm trying to learn as much as I can before I even attempt to photograph them.
Thanks.
Sonia.

I've shot bees at a hive four times, and I've been stung twice. Here's my list of do's and don'ts.

Do listen carefully to the beekeeper and follow his/her directions. They know their bees very well and can make the experience as low risk as possible.

Do not wear perfume, and even keep the deodorant to a minimum. Avoid using mosquito repellent prior to the shoot (that last one is what got me stung).

Do leave your cell phone in the car. Bees have been known to react when a cell phone rings.

The beekeeper should use a smoker to confuse the bees, but when the hive is initially opened the bees are going to be irritated. Give them a few minutes to call down before you start shooting. If you are walking toward the comb and the sound of the bees wings suddenly changes, and they start to beat faster, it means that they are going on alert. Back off, and ask the beekeeper to smoke them again.

No worries about the flash.

Typically a beekeeper won't open a hive unless the temps are in the low 20s C.

Good luck!

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/oVtv​3d

Thanks John for your reply, very much appreciated. This is the kind of info I was hoping for.
Great details in your bee. I checked out your flickr photostream and I like the results your getting from your MP-E65mm lens.

I think I'll be best to wait a while as we have hot days at the moment, much hotter then is usual for this time of year.
The beekeeper is quite new to his bees, having them approx a year and a half so far.

I'm no expert on bees, but I believe they don't react well to being breathed on, so just watch your exhales when you're close.


Looking forward to your shots.

Macro girl wrote in post #17734336
...I checked out your flickr photostream and I like the results your getting from your MP-E65mm lens.

You can shoot up to almost 3x with an EF-S 60mm macro lens and a full set of Kenko extension tubes. Lighter weight, better balance, and cheaper than the MP-E 65mm. I use it to shoot active subjects because most of the time I don't need to go above 2x (37mm of extension) when using natural light to expose the background.

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/wHCW​Kr

Thanks Moose, it may be a little while before I get to take them, but looking forward to it.

Thanks John, you have great skills and techniques in macro. I've only been doing photography for just over 2 years, still lots to learn.
I have a 100mm macro lens and a set of extension tubes. I haven't used my extension tubes in a while, may be time to get them out again and practise.

I have been a beekeeper and photographer for many years.

Be careful what you touch and do not get honey on your hands and then on your camera.

When you are "suited up" you should not have to worry about being stung. Your suit should include gloves. If the gloves are too big for your hands, you may find it awkward to use the camera.

You can often get nice shots at the landing board and hive entrance.

Just listen to any instructions the beekeeper gives you. They know their bees, and when they should or should not open the hive. I've been keeping bees for almost twenty years now, and they are really interesting creatures.

Thank you all for your input, greatly appreciated.