Ambient is more enemy than friend. You want the primary exposure coming from the flashes. Control ambient on the subject as possible with large pieces of corrugated cardboard or similar.
I suggest practicing with a single leaf to start. Set the camera/tripod close to a bush with a protruding branch and focus on a single leaf at the end.
From the second link:
"5. Starting Settings:
Camera set on manual
ISO-200
Shutter @ highest sync speed i.e. 1/200 or 1/250th
f/16
White balance set to flash"
Skip the flash for now and get control of ambient light until subject is very dark. Do this by obstructing ambient light sources with cardboard or whatever you have available.
Once the subject is at least 5 stops below middle gray (very dark), start adding the flashes.
"Flash set to manual and 1/16th power"
You may also wish to use less flash power for an even shorter effective exposure, and add more flashes.
Use distance and number of flashes to adjust flash intensity on the subject. Once you achieve a balanced exposure for the subject, record all of the distances to subject (camera, and each flash) and translate your setup to the bee hive location.
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