Hornets Series 2 - Closer

[Stagecoach]

I could not resist the temptation of having another session with my new tenants.

All taken between f22/f29 with 105mm and 68mm Kenko tubes plus two lens mounted flash units and all uncropped.











Enjoy, comments and suggestions welcome as always.

Grahame

[deetheturk]

Great set of images Grahame,right up my street,love macro!

[Brownbear]

I'm really enjoying these.. Stunning... #3 and #5 are my favourites.

[Wavelength]

They are all stunning like anything!!!

[Donald]

My compliments as well, Grahame. Wonderful photography.

[Stagecoach]

David,

Thank you, I'm obsessed with getting in closer

Grahame

[Stagecoach]

Hi Christina,

Pleased you are enjoying them because I certainly enjoy taking them. No 2 and 5 are my favourites of this series.

I'm concerned about my processing variations with these when looked at as a group and really need to get some standardisation as the colours and contrast are not consistent in my view. The lighting is identical throughout so perhaps I need to start considering WB rather than just leave on auto or standardise in post.

A few other lessons learnt,

a) Set camera up and trial indoors (the trusty tomato) first.
b) A stick is a great support for the front of the lens when hand holding but the next attempt must include a mat to kneel on rather than being bent double on a slippery bank.
c) CHECK YOUR FLASHES HAVE RECHARGED. Three shots lost, they may have been better, I will never know
d) Get a shot of the rear of one to see if they have a stinger

Grahame

[Stagecoach]

Nandakumar,

Thank you. They certainly make interesting subjects and I think the colour helps.

Grahame

[Stagecoach]

Donald,

Thank you for the kind words. What I must say is that it's CiC that is the greatest encouragement I have in progressing my photography journey.

Grahame

[Karm Redland]

Nice closeups. I love looking at insects this close.

karm

[Stagecoach]

Thank you Karm,

It's the intricacies of the body parts that amazes me.

Grahame

[Brownbear]

Hi Grahame,

Thank you for sharing. I also adore #2 (really hard to choose) but I like #3 for the unique composition and also because I can see the fine hairs on the hornets front legs.

I think they are pretty perfect (literally) but I can see where standardizing the WB would be nice to do...

I'm surprised that you didn't need a tripod, that stick trick works very well, and yes please do get a mat so we don't lose you down a slippery, muddy bank.

I'm surprised to hear that you used flash as my experience to date has been that I don't care for flash lighting on nature (on camera) but these are fabulous.

Yes, they have stingers and quite the temper so be careful!

It is nice to know that you used extension tubes. I have a couple of images of these guys but not so close-up (105 macro lens) even though I was pretty close... And I adore these super close up macros.

Hi Christina,

Pleased you are enjoying them because I certainly enjoy taking them. No 2 and 5 are my favourites of this series.

I'm concerned about my processing variations with these when looked at as a group and really need to get some standardisation as the colours and contrast are not consistent in my view. The lighting is identical throughout so perhaps I need to start considering WB rather than just leave on auto or standardise in post.

A few other lessons learnt,

a) Set camera up and trial indoors (the trusty tomato) first.
b) A stick is a great support for the front of the lens when hand holding but the next attempt must include a mat to kneel on rather than being bent double on a slippery bank.
c) CHECK YOUR FLASHES HAVE RECHARGED. Three shots lost, they may have been better, I will never know
d) Get a shot of the rear of one to see if they have a stinger

Grahame