Post your insects

[jdathebowler]

Here is my latest a common wasp sitting on my finger.I managed to keep my hand still this time.
John
Common Wasp Vespula vulgaris

[Geoff F]

What camera settings are you using, John? With that lens you should be getting sharper results. Absolutely perfect in fact.

I find that an aperture between F11 and F16 is usually needed and if my shutter speed drops below 1/160 I get a lot of disappointing results; even on a tripod. With such a shallow focus depth the slightest bit of wind and/or subject movement will easily lose focus. Just a few mm is sufficient to lose focus.

And if the ambient light isn't suitable, flash is the only option. In windy conditions, with less than perfect light, I will raise the shutter speed to around 1/400 and use high speed flash.

If I don't want to use flash, then a high Iso is needed, but I don't like going above Iso 800.

[Cantab]

What camera settings are you using, John? With that lens you should be getting sharper results. Absolutely perfect in fact.

I find that an aperture between F11 and F16 is usually needed and if my shutter speed drops below 1/160 I get a lot of disappointing results; even on a tripod. With such a shallow focus depth the slightest bit of wind and/or subject movement will easily lose focus. Just a few mm is sufficient to lose focus.

And if the ambient light isn't suitable, flash is the only option. In windy conditions, with less than perfect light, I will raise the shutter speed to around 1/400 and use high speed flash.

If I don't want to use flash, then a high Iso is needed, but I don't like going above Iso 800.

Geoff, do you use auto or manual focus?

[jdathebowler]

Hi Geoff, The settings were f6.3 1/200 and iso 400 .I had the camera set to close up Canon 600D.I only used it once on the manual setting because the shutter stayed open and I had to click it again.I don't know if it's meant to have a delay at the manual setting.The shutter did not open and shut instantly.Would that be due to the settings I had set?
John

[Dragonlord]

This was on the bottom stair of our office a while ago

[Dragonlord]

And this one was found on one of our walls - Sorry about the yellow, but the spider seemed to like it.



I know mine are not a patch on the others that I've seen in this thread, but I'll try to do better in future.

[Geoff F]

Andrew. That moth looks like one of the Hawkmoths and possibly a Poplar Hawkmoth. The spider, I would guess, is one of the Tegenaria species. At this time of the year, males are roaming around looking for females.

[Geoff F]

Hi Geoff, The settings were f6.3 1/200 and iso 400 .I had the camera set to close up Canon 600D.I only used it once on the manual setting because the shutter stayed open and I had to click it again.I don't know if it's meant to have a delay at the manual setting.The shutter did not open and shut instantly.Would that be due to the settings I had set?
John

Well, John, for photos like those I wouldn't want to open the lens wider than F11.

By 'Close up' are you using one of the pre set scene options? If so, it's no wonder that you aren't achieving your full potential.

To start with, try shooting with Aperture Priority mode and adjust that to F11 (as an experimental position). See what that gives you for shutter speed and change the Iso if necessary until you get a shutter of over 1/160. 1/200 or a little faster is even better.

Some exposure compensation is often needed. My average for outdoor insect photography would be -1.

If you reach Iso 800 and still can't get a suitable shutter speed you will have to use flash.

When using flash, I shoot with manual camera settings and adjust the flash output as required, which works in a similar manner to exposure compensation. A 'proper' external flash is best but you can take decent shots with the pop up flash if you adjust your settings carefully.

If not using flash, I always shoot with Av setting, unless there is a particular reason for using Tv. But either way, always keep an eye on the other settings because it is all too easy to get excited by a subject and end up with unacceptable other settings.

Using manual camera settings without flash is only for special circumstances where you have carefully worked out, and measured, the requirements beforehand.

Most of the time I focus manually, but there are occasions when for example you have a fast moving subject, where auto focus is preferable. But be wary of getting false focus. It is too easy for a camera to focus on a sharp edged object in the background instead of a soft bodied insect, or bird for that matter.

I find that just using the centre auto focus point will reduce the instances of false focus.

With a little practice, you will be able to take stunning photos with that lens. Initially, you might find it easier to photograph static subjects like flowers and fungi; if possible use a tripod for this. Then move up to the tricky stuff like nervous insects, etc.

[Geoff F]

Posting is giving me problems; so I ended up with a double post, which I have now deleted the text.

[Dragonlord]

Andrew. That moth looks like one of the Hawkmoths and possibly a Poplar Hawkmoth. The spider, I would guess, is one of the Tegenaria species. At this time of the year, males are roaming around looking for females.

Thanks for the identification

[jdathebowler]

Thank you Geoff for your reply,it was a preset option. I have printed your reply and will follow it to the letter.Hopefully I will be able to impress you with the results.
John

[Geoff F]

It has been rather overcast here for around a week so I've been concentrating on catching up with the processing and identification work.

This bee was from last week and I found it in deep shadow amongst the trees. I've done what I can with it but still far from perfect.



Not quite sure of the identification. Looks a bit like Melitta tricincta which is a new arrival to the UK and is gradually spreading across the southern counties.

A bit of warm patchy sunshine today so I got out to see what was still crawling around.



There were 5 lizards on a pile of old logs but I couldn't approach very close. Also an interesting large and very hairy caterpillar, but it kept disappearing behind various objects so I never got a decent shot. Normally, I would have picked it up and relocated to a more open space, but that would have frightened away the lizards.

[Cantab]

Geoff, I especially like the lizard shot. They are very skittish. I've seen a couple in the garden over the summer months but as soon as they get any sense that I'm around they instantly disappear.

[marlunn]

Geoff, nice Lizard shot, love the colour set on the log, great background for it. Well framed.

[Geoff F]

Thanks for the comments. I was going to crop a little tighter on the log but eventually decided that I liked the texture

[orlcam88]

Today was a happy day. This summer was a near bust on insects. Hardly any butterflies and the most insect found in my yard was the dreaded mosquito. I did get some bees in before the town started spraying for mosquitoes and killing the bees off also!
So, to my surprise, today coming home from work I found a very important butterfly: A Monarch visiting! With this species near extinction, this was a welcoming surprise.
So, I hurriedly ran up my stairs to get my camera and was able to take a few shots before it flew away. I hope this would not be the last I ever see a Monarch. There may have been more than one as I lost this one when it flew away and a few minutes later found it or another in another location.

[deetheturk]

Nice captures Geoff!

David

[deetheturk]

Nice capture Orlando

David

[Geoff F]

Spot the moth. Zooming close helps to make it more obvious.



A Green-brindled Crescent. First one I have seen, but they are relatively common in the UK.

[rudi]

Not many would have spotted it. Great capture Geoff.