You just have to like Jelly Belly jelly beans. They tempt you with so many flavors like popcorn, chocolate, cherry. These are just some I like. So, when we decided to do a shoot at the Jelly Belly Factory in Fairfield, I knew some of the shooting would be a challenge, but at the end would be a bag of belly flops for me to buy.

First let me explain what belly flops are. They are the candies that just are not perfect. Some are not shaped correctly and some are double or triple beans stuck together. They taste the same as the pristine jelly beans, but cost a lot less.

So there’s the candy at the end of the rainbow; what about the photographic challenge? My challenge was to shoot inside without flash, through somewhat dirty glass at the factory below us. This was my first time shooting with a circular polarizer filter. I also decided to use my Sigma 17 – 24 mm, F/2.8 – 4 lens, hoping that would add additional needed light. I also needed to get everything in focus. I think I was successful, but the subject was sort of boring. When you look at the images, you will get an idea of what they do in the factory.

An additional challenge was put before me: the windows at floor level were cleaner than the ones at standing height. So I squatted my way through the self-guided tour. It took a week for the muscles in my quadriceps to relax! When the tour ended, I was really too tired to shoot the colorful goodies in the store. I did a little, but oh my!

I do like Jelly Bellys and took home a 5 lb. bag of flops. I’m going through them slowly, restricting myself to a certain amount each day.

The Jelly Belly Factory entrance.

The tour has started. Only a certain number of guests are allowed to tour at one time.

This rooster is made from Jelly Bellys.

On the factory floor.

I think they are sorting and packaging.

Another look.

This boy is looking at a picture of Ronald Reagan made from Jelly Beans.

Here’s another of Abe Lincoln.

More of the factory. These are different rooms.

Jelly beans in crates.

The beans are spinning.

More colorful beans are stacked on the floor.

These guests are getting a private tour–on the factory floor!

Colorful balloons in the entry.

Hey, these aren’t jelly beans!

I wonder what flavor these are?

A dad and daughter gaze at the giant jelly bean outside the entry.