Perhaps a Stilt Bug. Certainly fascinating wings and back. (just missed eye focus)

[JBW]

[DickyOZ]

Interesting one Brian, also very tough to get enough DOF without stacking (at least it would be with my rig).

[Shadowman]

Nice effort.

[JBW]

Interesting one Brian, also very tough to get enough DOF without stacking (at least it would be with my rig).

one day stacking software will make it to the top of the list. I used F/10 at 1/6s. It was hand held and a higher F would have needed too slow a shutter.

[rpcrowe]

A bit of increase on structure and contrast results in a sharper looking bug.

When shooting bugs with my 90mm Tamron Macro, I will often use the center focus spot with manual focus and focus by moving the camera slightly back and forth. However, since I have problems walking and chewing gum at the same time that doesn't always work 100% of the time... But, that's the beauty of digital - you can take a gazillion images with no expense for film or processing!

[DanK]

A bit of increase on structure and contrast results in a sharper looking bug.

When shooting bugs with my 90mm Tamron Macro, I will often use the center focus spot with manual focus and focus by moving the camera slightly back and forth. However, since I have problems walking and chewing gum at the same time that doesn't always work 100% of the time... But, that's the beauty of digital - you can take a gazillion images with no expense for film or processing!

That's what I do. My hands aren't steady enough to get stacked photos of bugs. I typically shoot at f/13, get an approximate focus, and then rock the camera slightly on a monopod, taking shot after shot, trying to get the eye in focus, until the creature gives up and leaves. I've never actually counted, but I would guess that if I get one good shot out of 20, it would be a very good day. Sometimes I end up with zero. The only cost is the time (and disappointment) of culling through them on the computer.

Given how narrow this bug is, my guess is that one could get a fine shot without stacking.

[rankin]

Amazingly sharp. Looking forward to seeing more as well!

[JBW]

Amazingly sharp. Looking forward to seeing more as well!

I will be posting a grasshopper soon.

[James G]

Very nice capture, it is always a balancing act to get optimum focus point when the DoF is shallow as it is is with this kind of shot.
Stacking can help. It usually requires a 'steady' platform and a still subject. I have on occasion used a variant of Richard's technique and taken several shots which I then tried stacking, with some success. I keep intending to try burst shooting while moving the camera but to be honest I think it requires a degree of coordination (Eye, Finger, Brain) which I have never had

one day stacking software will make it to the top of the list

Brian there is an excellent free tool you can try. Be warned though, it is a whole new learning curve (best starting on 'static' subjects like flowers and fungi.

https://myrmecos.wordpress.com/2009/...ages-for-free/
http://www.hadleyweb.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/

But it looks horrible on my blog at full size.

Picked this up from a duplicate? post of the same subject... You say it looks horrible, but which way? too soft or crunchy (over sharpened). I'd guess that you need to sharpen the image specifically for your blog. If it is crunchy which is more likely since the image is probably being downsized, it requires less sharpening than you would normally use

On my monitor the bug looks fine but a little soft when compared to a 50% zoom-in which is crisper i.e. nice fine detail.