Bug Patrol

[Stagecoach]

I had just read Chaunceys post before processing these two this morning and have tried to come up with some meaningful answers in relation to these images;

Why am I taking a shot from this location?

For the daylight shot taken very early morning I had one of the other half's best vases (whatever that means) with the subjects in placed on the balcony handrail, she could just not understand why that location had to be used.

Who is this photo aimed for?

Me and anyone that wishes to view it

What is the message I wish to convey?

Not a clue

Enjoy, because I did whilst I spent three hours on this project.

Let me Pass !


Whats down there ?


As always and comments or suggestions are welcome.

Grahame

[Geoff F]

For me, the first one works well; no problems whatsoever.

The second image isn't quite so good due to the angle. I wonder about cropping to something like 5 x 4 ratio and losing some of the top.

If it showed various angles of the bugs instead of all from the same underside angle I think it would have been a 'stronger' result.

The bottom half works fine but the top is basically the same insect undersides but the sharpness and position of the bugs isn't so good as the bottom half.

[Stagecoach]

Hi Geoff,

Agree about the second image. I really struggled here with the lighting as I was down to 1/60s, f13, ISO400 and the wind was starting to blow so I had to give up before getting a chance to capture a good variation of positions.

The major problem with these is the shiny bodies and just about any lighting causes clipping.

Here's one I managed to recover with a different type of look.

1/60s, f13, ISO400


Grahame

[Stagecoach]

And another ...............................

Even bugs kiss


Grahame

[Brownbear]

Hi Grahame,

All are exceptional images. I thought I might say the first or last are my favourites because they are so perfect but I adore the orientation, action and bokeh in the third image.

[Andrew76]

I'm with Christina, the first and last are the best, in my opinion. Very nice shots Grahame!!

[deetheturk]

Nice set of images Grahame,as a fellow macro fan i know how hard it is to get images of that standard,well done!

David

[Stagecoach]

Hi Christina, Andrew and David

Thank you for commenting and I'm pleased you have enjoyed these bug images. Here's a bit of info as to how these came about.

I had been in the garden searching for large ants to incorporate in the 'fungus forests' but they seem to have disappeared but found these shield bugs, all seven, feeding on my one remaining solitary red Chinese long-bean. I had the idea that a shot of them in a row would make a good image so carefully put them all in a container ready for the evening.

The stalk, which is a palm shoot, was placed in a vase and supported centrally so that water surrounded it all the idea being that once I had put them on the shoot they could not escape The fun then began transferring them one at a time, some were willing, others were not.

They were not too receptive to my plans and tended to group together but at least were captive. The images indoors were taken using off camera flash and the diffuser with a white card reflector to assist with many variations to try and minimise the hotspots on their backs. A lot of effort was put into moving the shoot/camera to get the angles correct for maximum DoF of the group.

They were all returned unharmed and I'm considering using the same method again to try and get some real close ups of one.

Grahame

[Dave Humphries]

Even bugs kiss

Furthermore, I reckon most of them are "playing footsie" with the ones on the underside

Great series Grahame, others have already said what I would

I enjoyed the 'how it was done post' too.

[Stagecoach]

Thanks Dave,

It may be a useful method of 'containing' other critters as well, if only I can catch them

Grahame

[Andrew76]

Did your red long-bean survive the assault?

[Stagecoach]

No Andrew. They are pests and the only way to rid them is by using insecticides which I steer clear of.

Grahame

[Andrew76]

Long bean drought aside, I find myself returning to #1. I think that's a stunning image. Colours, composition, everything.

[jcuknz]

#4 reminds me of the schoolboy joke " What did the earwig say when it fell off the branch?" "Ere wig go again"