Alex Brown is a professional photographer based in Brooklyn, N.Y. His recent work has focused on the changing face of artisanal manufacturing and sustainable agriculture. This photo shows a bee covered in powdered sugar. Powdered sugar is sometimes used as a natural treatment for Varroa mites, a parasite that can affect bees. Alex Brown

These photographs are the result of a two-year project documenting the <a href="http://www.alexbrownphotography.com/urbanbeekeeping.html" target="_blank">urban beekeeping</a> ommunity in New York. In this photo, Whitney Fuller inspects her hives on the roof of The Ace Hotel in Manhattan, N.Y. Alex Brown

Sam Comfort from Anarchy Apiaries inspects a hive on the roof of a building in lower Manhattan, N.Y. Alex Brown

Chase Emmons performs a hive inspection at the Brooklyn Grange Rooftop Farm in Long Island City, N.Y. Alex Brown

Apprentice <a href="http://www.alexbrownphotography.com/urbanbeekeeping.html" target="_blank">beekeepers</a> take part in an educational program run by the Brooklyn Grange inside the Brooklyn Navy Yard in New York. Alex Brown

Bees laying down wax honey comb. Alex Brown

Honey comb from a traditional Top Bar Hive. Alex Brown

A Langstroth Hive in The Brooklyn Navy Yard. Leaves are used as an entrance reducer at the end of the season to help bees defend their hive from potential predators. Alex Brown

Meg Paska checks her <a href="http://www.alexbrownphotography.com/urbanbeekeeping.html" target="_blank">hives</a> on a rooftop in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, N.Y. Alex Brown

The queen bee surrounded by her attendants. Alex Brown

A package of bee ready to be installed in a new hive. These typically contain around 10,000 bees. Alex Brown

A bee hive in Red Hook, Brooklyn, N.Y. Alex Brown

A close-up of dark late season honey still in the hive. Alex Brown

Fresh strained honey is extracted from crushed honey comb. Alex Brown