Some type of Hoverfly?

[ClaudioG]

Hi all.. got this image today as well while i got some of the mantis.. im confused, some sites seem to call theis a bee mimic hoverfly, Doesnt seem like a bee.. im lost. So if anyone can identify ty, same goes for the freaky bug after it. I had a few of it eating on some insect head but not happy with them.

As usual all C+C welcome and appreciated.

Im starting to wonder if im trying to hard to get in to close sometimes? Any opinions?

#1


#2 Freaky bug

[bnnrcn]

I prefer your cute Mantis:-)I don't know very much about macro shots,isn't it possible to make the whole bug sharp and clear in a macro shot ? what I usually see is a clear head instead of whole body.

[Geoff F]

I can't place the first one from that angle, Claudio. Possibly one that we don't see in the UK. That eye banding is rather unique though.

The second image rather looks like a Ladybird larvae to me. (Ladybugs in some countries). But just a guess.

[Jim B.]

The hoverfly is in the family Eristalinus.

[deetheturk]

Great images Claudio with great diffusion also,I would agree the first one is some form of Hover but no clue to the other one

[Tringa]

I like the shots, Claudio, especially the first - the colours are great and you have nailed the focus, as you have also done in the second one. I don't think you are getting in too close; you have some good detail in the heads of both insects.

I agree with the identifications. The first definitely looks like a hoverfly/dronefly of the genus Eristalinus. Possibly E.taeniops - the Honey Bee Mimic fly, but a lot of the genus have obvious markings on their eyes. The second shot looks very like the ladybird larvae we see in the UK.

Dave

[wlou]

I prefer your cute Mantis:-)I don't know very much about macro shots,isn't it possible to make the whole bug sharp and clear in a macro shot ? what I usually see is a clear head instead of whole body.

Binnur, the short answer is no. If you see a macro photo where all is in focus it is usually the result of photo stacking. A composite of many photos where the focus was changed on each frame to obtain a complete image in focus.Cambridge has these tutorials,I hope it helps.
https://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tu...cro-lenses.htm

[Saorsa]

You may be trying to get in too close but a lot will depend on what your goals are in Macro. I like showing behaviour but insects are pretty dull that way. Often you will need to maneuver around a bit to get more in focus. Your instar there would have more in focus if taken more from the side but, you would lose some of the interest at the head.

I tend to shoot from direct side or above to get as much in the plane of focus as possible. If I can't do that , I crop tighter so that less of the final image is out of focus.

For the hoverfly, you could crop tight on the face and with the freaky bug crop just the head and first two pairs of legs. A large expanse of OOF green doesn't add a lot to the picture.

[bnnrcn]

Thank you very much Louise.

Binnur, the short answer is no. If you see a macro photo where all is in focus it is usually the result of photo stacking. A composite of many photos where the focus was changed on each frame to obtain a complete image in focus.Cambridge has these tutorials,I hope it helps.
https://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tu...cro-lenses.htm

[ClaudioG]

Thank you all for your comments , info and identification of my bugs . I would never of thought it been a Ladybird larvae.

As far as DOF and OOF goes, for myself personally, i prefer my images with only the eyes and head in focus... its just a preference, cant explain why. i also prefer to shoot between F8 and F11 now, where before i was shooting even from F5.6. Its a real challenge if i put the ext tubes on as well as macro lens, ALOT of misses..but thats where Digital Rocks!!!

I do focus on getting correct exposure, just that more than anything most my images are deleted for been OOF