Post your insects

[deetheturk]

Hi Peter,

Here are a couple of flie's i captured last week. IMG_0043-Edit-Edit (1024x713).jpg (73.1 KB)

[Letrow]

Nice shots David, great detail in there. The eyes are very sharp in that attached thumbnail.

[Letrow]

syrphidae

[deetheturk]

Thanks Peter,macro is not the easiest thing to do,but very rewarding when you get there,and is very addictive I might add!

Cheers David

[ClaudioG]

Just a few images i got of some type of moth when i visited my in laws...please let me know what ya think?... i think i have a problem with going in to close with some of my images? Should i maybe just move out a little?

#1

#2

#3

[Stagecoach]

Claudio,

Interesting series, I like them all.

As for your question, should you move out just a little the answer is very simple, NO. If you do it will of course assist the DoF but then just becomes another catalogue type bug picture.

You have to decide what you want, I know what I prefer as it also makes them more interesting and presents more of a challenge.

Grahame

[ClaudioG]

Thanks Graham...i think what im trying to really get at is..i enjoy Macro photography..im just looking for something more..For instance..if per say i was photographing wildlife..an elephant throwing sand over itself or a lion on hunt..i think thats what i'm trying to look for in macro..i love the close up..my preferred way to shoot for macro is to get as close as i can, the head and eyes as sharp as i can..for me the body can be in blur...but..gets to a point where its a little monotonous(did i spell that right?)....maybe its because i feel i dont have enuff bugs under my belt?

I would just like a little more from my images, in other words, more from myself.

Why wont the bugs listen!!! AAARRGGHHH!!!

[deetheturk]

Hi Claudio,

I,m with Grahame,I like them the way they are,if you want more why not try stacking? I,m having a dabble with it now but am struggling a bit,hopefully practise will make perfect.

Cheers David

[ClaudioG]

Thanks David..i've heard about stacking..but dont have a clue whats involved..i'll give it all a read up this weekend and give it a try.. thank you for advice, and complement

[Geoff F]

Putting it very simply, for stacking shots; take a couple of shots with different focus points then combine them by using the sharpest bits of each image.

And the difficult bits:-

Must use a tripod and a static subject (this includes subject movement or wind rock on leaves etc). Be careful not to move the tripod slightly between shots. Needs suitable software; but many editing programmes have some options which might be suitable.

Basic editing starts with aligning the images perfectly. The two shots are likely to be slightly different sizes so some form of auto alignment is easiest. You may have to load the images as separate layers which includes the base layer (background) being an actual layer.

Various ways of doing this depending on your software.

When the images are aligned, you need to decide which parts of each layer to use. Auto editing of the layers can work well, if you have that option. But the effectiveness depends on your software.

Alternatively, use masks to manually select what is used from each layer. Once again, software which handles layers and masks will be needed.

For me, the procedure is fairly simple. Open the images in the editor and drag one image into the other so it forms two images (one as a layer). With some software you may need to copy and paste to get both images together.

Promote the base image to a layer. Select both layers and go to the Auto Align settings.

After Auto Align select Auto Blend and job done. Sometimes, if the auto blend doesn't work well, I have to blend with masks which have to be edited with hide/reveal brushes.

Finally join both layers together (merge) to continue further editing.

There are special stacking programmes which can handle multiple images. I have tried several of them but they all failed to give me what I wanted; simplicity and a natural looking result.

However some people do get good results from them. And they use more than two images.

[Stagecoach]

Claudio,

I have undertaken stacking with static subjects and a tripod and after a while the novelty wore off.

For the past couple of years I have viewed in admiration the work of one person who posts his work on the 'Nikonians' macro section website. It makes a mockery of the belief that you need a tripod and perfectly static subjects,

http://www.nikonians.org/forums/dcbo...id=52512&page=

Some of the examples I have seen are of bees stacked up to five frames, amazing skill.

Grahame

[Letrow]

I like your images too Claudio, but there should be enough other shots available. I mean insects fly, they mate, they fight, etc. If you are able to get close and capture that it can make for great shots.

[ClaudioG]

Here's my 1st 2 images with my new SB-910 flash...my wife helped make a home made diffuser and i put it all to test... first time flash user so im stillcoming to terms withit..and i notice ttl just giving me underexposed images...so i went manual and i think i much prefer it..if anyone can recommend settings for flash and camera together its greatly appreciated... here's 2 i like anyway. Im sorry..just flies again..but not much time on my hands today.

Look forward to hearing from ya all!!

#1


#2


Went for hi key kind of look in 2nd one...i like the "drama" in it. In your face kinda look.

[deetheturk]

Hi Claudio,i think these are great for a first attempt,the first one is nicely diffused something i'm finding a hit or a miss at the moment,what did you use to diffuse your shots?

Cheers David

[ClaudioG]

Hi David...yeh..for me..the difficulty is the flash..im tryin manual..and set power myself. Its coming out alright,at times ..we made a home made one(diffuser that is)...sort of like what this guy has..http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wqRn3at0H60 , but mines obviously from just sitting on flash on board normally... I'll send a quick cell phone photo here in few minutes. Lemme know wat ya think..and if maybe its just wasting my time?

Ps.. i love this guys approach to Macro photography,and his images

[ClaudioG]

So here the diffuser...i'm still testing the paper..using 60 gram tracing paper..just wanna make sure its ok befor i tape it up,,,so looks a little scruffy... lemme know what ya think?



#2


#3


If ya have any suggetsions on flash settings pls lemme know.

[deetheturk]

Hi Claudio,iv'e seen that guy before he certainly knows his stuff,if you can get results like that with your diffuser i want one! lol,maybe we need to grow beards like his,what ya think?lol Just saw diffuser pics,looks ok,only thing i can see is it looks quite big,which might be a problem if you are trying to shoot bugs in say bushes or the like?Only time and practice will tell,keep posting and good luck!

Cheers David

[deetheturk]

Claudio,here's one i took earlier todayWhat do you think?

Cheers David

[ClaudioG]

Very very awesome David..ya even have those cups on its feet!! what are those things?
Supersharp.. and i like the way the front legs and head is in focus and body blurred, i think this is my preferred look to insect macro. Very cool.

[deetheturk]

Thanks Claudio,i think the cup things are for applauding your diffuser,just remember we are all learning at this,especialy me,for every 100 shots i take i prob put 98 in the bin,its that type of photography,prob thats what makes it that rewarding when we get it right!Keep clicking and posting my friend.