Post your insects

[Letrow]

It might help Bobo. If I go real close I get a lot of details I would otherwise not get. But your lens has to be up to it.

[Geoff F]

Shiny bugs in bright natural light will always be a problem, Bobo. Are you using sufficient negative flash compensation?

I find that -2/3 is a good starting point but with some light coloured subjects I have to use -2. Often, I find that darker conditions require more compensation because the auto flash settings are attempting to be helpful and are increasing the output to cope with decreased ambient light.

In fact, today I had to use -2 2/3 for a couple of shots. These will need a bit of editing to recover the midtones.

Sometimes, I find that getting the light behind you can help as that lowers the amount of flash needed. But, as I have said previously, if there are hot spots there when you look through your lens they will still be there when you take the shot. And the only alternative is massive under exposure.

Recently I was experimenting with shooting a shiny beetle by turning off the flash and shooting at 1/100, F11, Iso 800 and even then had to use an extra -2 of exposure compensation to lose the hot spots.

It sort of worked, but the shot looks very flat with the colour and contrast lacking.

I notice that Benjy's photo has mostly managed to avoid any problems; was that taken out of direct light?

With regard to shooting distance, I often take my first shots around 2 ft (180 mm plus 1.4x converter) in case I scare the model away. Then try to get within 1 ft.

So how about something from today . . .



and a close up crop



When I first saw this fly, I thought it was a relatively common species (Xylota segnis) so I just took a couple of quick shots. I often do this to remind me of what I have seen; like using the camera as a digital notepad.

Then when I started a closer examination of my shots on the computer I noticed those extra large femora which make me think this could be Tropidia scita; which would be a new species for me.

[rtbaum]

So there I was trying to take a lovely photo of wild strawberry and this darn bug kept getting in my shot



What on earth is a flower photog to do?

[Letrow]

So there I was trying to take a lovely photo of wild strawberry and this darn bug kept getting in my shot



What on earth is a flower photog to do?

I wonder as well...

[Letrow]

and a close up crop



When I first saw this fly, I thought it was a relatively common species (Xylota segnis) so I just took a couple of quick shots. I often do this to remind me of what I have seen; like using the camera as a digital notepad.

Then when I started a closer examination of my shots on the computer I noticed those extra large femora which make me think this could be Tropidia scita; which would be a new species for me.

With that femur it could be the tropidia Geoff, but a photo showing his top would have helped. On the other hand this is a pretty unique feature it seems.

[Letrow]

Three bumblebees I recently photographed







Bombus pascuorum as far as I could make out.

[Bobobird]

Wonderful shots Geoff, Peter, Randy.

Thanks Geoff. I am usually at -2/3 or -1 with the flash most of the time preferring to further cut the power instead of increasing it or even turning if off if need be. Perhaps the best for me at this stage to just find another tiny, black, shiny, moving bug as a test subject and try out again and again until I get it right. Working with a new lens and flash (which has been minimally used before ie little experience) is just asking for it.

[johnbharle]

Haven't been inspired for a while then when I went to water my fennel plants this morning, here they were. Guess tiger swallowtails like fennel as well as parsley. I'm happy to donate.

[johnbharle]

We were sitting in a friend's yard having happy hour when this little fella lighted on the arm of my chair. I didn't have my good camera and had to use my cell phone. It's a horrible picture, but he was so pretty that I had to post.

[johnbharle]

Shiny bugs in bright natural light will always be a problem, Bobo. Are you using sufficient negative flash compensation?

I find that -2/3 is a good starting point but with some light coloured subjects I have to use -2. Often, I find that darker conditions require more compensation because the auto flash settings are attempting to be helpful and are increasing the output to cope with decreased ambient light.

In fact, today I had to use -2 2/3 for a couple of shots. These will need a bit of editing to recover the midtones.

Sometimes, I find that getting the light behind you can help as that lowers the amount of flash needed. But, as I have said previously, if there are hot spots there when you look through your lens they will still be there when you take the shot. And the only alternative is massive under exposure.

...

I find this interesting. I never thought of intentionally underexposing. Thanks for the clue!

[Letrow]

That caterpillar looks nice John. Pity you don't have a macro setting on your phone.

[Geoff F]

John, when I first started using a Speedlite I was working in much the same manner as my old film camera flash which had a fixed output. And I was getting nowhere with the Speedlite.

Eventually, I realised that this flash was just 'too clever' and was attempting to be too helpful. So I had too many variables in my operation.

Once I started setting my camera with manual input for shutter speed, aperture and Iso (subject to the actual scene) then letting the flash self adjust, with a little compensation as required, I started getting better results.

[Geoff F]

'I can see you'!



A young grasshopper warily watches the photographer while peeping from behind a leaf.

Probably a Meadow Grasshopper nymph.

[Letrow]

I wonder how far they can actually see Geoff. The syrphidae seem to be ok with me near them, as long as I move slowly.



Syrphidae

I loved the golden glow on its back. Most of the others I spot have black and yellow there, this one is the first that I spotted like this. Could be reflection of the sun of course.

[Geoff F]

Good shot there, Peter.

Yes, Syrphus species are particularly subject to thorax colour variation depending on the light angle.

That all yellow hind femur suggests Syrphus ribesii female to me, but there are a couple of less common Syrphus species which are very similar.

Incidentally, all Syrphus species have been rather absent from where I live, so far this year.

ps. I find that grasshoppers are particularly prone to hiding behind grass stems and just peeping out at you. And when you move around to get a better camera angle they also move. Always keeping that same 'almost hidden but still inquisitive' pose.

[Vrgl]

_DSC0565 by kutsies pics, on Flickr
I think this is what we call a "Granddaddy Long Leg " spider.

[Bobobird]

Wonderful shots this page.
2 from me.

1. Really difficult shot. Under a big leaf and surrounded by other leaves, little or no light coming through. Being high up helped a bit.


2. This one was much easier but really tiny tiny. At first thought it was just a bit of dirt.

[Bobobird]

Guys a favour please - can you show a pic or 2 or your outdoors setup? I am finding it really clumsy and awkward dealing with a tripod, flash, etc and with a bag over my shoulder...

[rtbaum]

Ditto that, Bobo's setup is pretty much my setup (minus the flash).

[Geoff F]

Clear the landing strip - I'm coming in to refuel.





The first one is Helophilus pendulus and the second is Platycheirus manicatus.