Glam Rock

[Johann Schutte]

7:1 magnification. 120 photostack.

http://js.net.nz/album/

[purplehaze]

Johann, this is amazing, and I love the images on your website. What equipment and software do you use and how much processing power is required for a 120-image stack?

[bnnrcn]

Hi Johann. Very stunning image, thanks for sharing. It actually reminds me an abstract fairy more than an insect. I also looked at your website and I liked your images very much

[Shadowman]

Nicely done.

[FlyingSquirrel]

Gorgeous image; a challenging technique that is nicely done. The white bg works well.

[deetheturk]

Super image Johann!

[Johann Schutte]

Thank you all for your comments.

Johann, this is amazing, and I love the images on your website. What equipment and software do you use and how much processing power is required for a 120-image stack?

Hi there Janis. Thank you visiting my ws.

I use Zerene. Helicon is just as good. Both are by far superior to PS.

The hardware requirements aren't much. I think any pc running win7 64 bit will do. My pc (quadcore) will integrate a 120 stack (i.e. after shooting the stack) in about 15-20 minutes.

I use an automated rail, capable of advancing in micron. Exposure is at 1/250th, with about 3 seconds between exposures, which allows the flashguns to recycle. (always use fresh batteries - there's nothing worse than getting to the end of a stack and running out of power!)

The time consuming bit is 'posing' the specimen and getting the light right. The distance from wing to wing (at greatest width) was no more than 2 mm, with the depth approximately in the same order. I skimped on the number of slices. I should have done double, i.e. 240. I usually substack the images into slabs, and then stack the slabs.

[chauncey]

I must say that I hesitated somewhat with this comment, especially after perusing your website that contains superior images of a rather eclectic nature..."preaching to the choir" is a phrase that comes to mind.

With this image...why not include the remainder of the antennae, regardless of it's existence?

[purplehaze]

Thanks for the info, Johann. I actually did a trial of Helicon last year and really enjoyed it. I have held off purchasing it for a variety of reasons, but intend to get back into it eventually.

[NorthernFocus]

That's just crazy detail. Nicely done.