Ladybird (Macro)

[Rebel]

Ok, I hope this doesn't sound too morbid or "cold-blooded" but I found a dead ladybird earlier and my first thought was to take some shots of it?

Anyway I set him/her up as dignified and "life-like" as I could, bear in mind this is one of my first attempts at macro-photography and the PP that goes along with it. So any C&C is welcomed greatly!

PS. The shot was taken indoors, next to a window.

[Shadowman]

You must have been photographing birds prior to posting, I think you mean ladybug. Nice capture.

[Rebel]

You must have been photographing birds prior to posting, I think you mean ladybug. Nice capture.

Cheers John, in the UK they are known as ladybirds

Here's another shot from a different angle with a tighter crop:

[Geoff F]

Ladybirds don't live very long, Matt, although the autumn brood normally overwinter to start breeding the following spring/early summer.

But that one looks to me like a Harlequin Ladybird (form succinea). A immigrant species which has rapidly spread around the UK. They grow faster than any of the English species and can produce several generations each year.

All ladybirds are tricky to photograph because their shiny shells tend to produce hotspot problems in any direct light.

[Rebel]

Ladybirds don't live very long, Matt, although the autumn brood normally overwinter to start breeding the following spring/early summer.

But that one looks to me like a Harlequin Ladybird (form succinea). A immigrant species which has rapidly spread around the UK. They grow faster than any of the English species and can produce several generations each year.

All ladybirds are tricky to photograph because their shiny shells tend to produce hotspot problems in any direct light.

Thanks for the information Geoff, and yes the shiny shell was a big problem!

[vaez]

nice image and good color

[Shadowman]

Cheers John, in the UK they are known as ladybirds

Here's another shot from a different angle with a tighter crop:

Matt,

Thanks for the correction.

[DanK]

All ladybirds are tricky to photograph because their shiny shells tend to produce hotspot problems in any direct light.

And because of their hemispherical shape. Getting enough depth of field is usually a problem in macro, and therefore, things are easier when the bug has a shape that lets you keep a big part of whatever is interesting close to parallel to the sensor. Can't do that with ladybugs. I've taken bug shots for several years and have never managed a ladybug I kept on my site.

[TonyW]

I too have tried unsuccessfully to photograph a ladybird. In this case, where the creature is dead and time is not of the essence, I wonder if a gobo could have been used to prevent the specular reflection.

[ashcroft]

Anyway I set him/her up as dignified and "life-like" as I could...

I see the Swansea-based photographers skill-set includes mortuary duties! Well you have done better than I could - I do a lot of macro and close-up but have never shot a bug (dead or alive). The focus is quite good, and I like the leaf detail. You probably want to get a little closer if you can. You used 90mm - was that a macro lens?

[FootLoose]

Nice colours, Matt, I wouldn't have guessed it was dead if you hadn't mentioned it. This is the variety I see the most here. I wonder if they migrated to Britain from Australia?