Studio shot: Exoskeleton of what?

[Mike Buckley]

This exoskeleton was hanging from the bottom side of the handrail of our deck. We have had a lot of cicadas lately, so I wonder if that was the species. Positive identification would be appreciated.

Photo #1 Setup
The tabletop is glossy black acrylic and the background is black velvet. Though the background is not included in the photo, it is being reflected in the tabletop to ensure a total black background. Off white, warm reflectors on each side of the subject are at a 45-degree angle to it. Two flash lights (torches), each one directly lighting a reflector, also back light and top light the subject. The reflectors brighten the front of the subject but only a little, allowing the back lighting and top lighting to be the main light.

Photo #2 Setup
The tabletop is black presentation paper. A small continuous-light lamp is behind and to the left of the subject. Off white, warm reflectors are on each side of the subject at a 45-degree angle to it. A polarizer filter controls glare.

[JohnRostron]

A pair of nice images. How big was the exuvium (cast off exoskeleton)? My guess would be a juvenile Mole Cricket, though what it is doing where you found it is anyone's guess.

John

[Shadowman]

Nicely captured.

[Stagecoach]

Great idea to capture it with it's reflection Mike.

[JBW]

Looks a heck of a lot like a Cicada exoskeleton

[george013]

This exoskeleton was hanging from the bottom side of the handrail of our deck. We have had a lot of cicadas lately, so I wonder if that was the species. Positive identification would be appreciated.

Photo #1 Setup
The tabletop is glossy black acrylic and the background is black velvet. Though the background is not included in the photo, it is being reflected in the tabletop to ensure a total black background. Off white, warm reflectors on each side of the subject are at a 45-degree angle to it. Two flash lights (torches), each one directly lighting a reflector, also back light and top light the subject. The reflectors brighten the front of the subject but only a little, allowing the back lighting and top lighting to be the main light.

Photo #2 Setup
The tabletop is black presentation paper. A small continuous-light lamp is behind and to the left of the subject. Off white, warm reflectors are on each side of the subject at a 45-degree angle to it. A polarizer filter controls glare.

Wonderful shots. Especial the first one.
When I understood you well, the borders of the acrylic plate are outside the frame?
And what lens did you use? The exif mentions only 90mm and F40. Extension rings?

George

[Mike Buckley]

Thank you, everyone!

To answer all the questions...

The main part of the body (everything but the legs) is 1" x 3/8" (25.4mm x 9.7mm). The magnification ratio of the second image at about 1:1.6 is the larger of the two magnifications.

The acrylic tabletop at 2' x 2' extends far beyond the frame. However, if it had been so small as to only fill the frame, the image would have been exactly the same.

The lens is the Tamron 90mm macro. No extension tubes or closeup filters were used.

[NorthernFocus]

The version with the reflection is awesome, Mike.

I don't know much about bugs but as Brian said that is the castoff from the cicada larva. Where I grew up in SC they were commonly found clinging to pine bark. As a curious child I watched the winged cicadas emerge from shell and sit still until their wings dry. As I recall they were green when they first came out.

[Dave A]

Cool but monster like. Those forearms look deadly.

Dave

[Rainforest]

The under and over is really great Mike. I really like to see all that detail and those claws in the air. The second one reminds me of a buffalo.

[bnnrcn]

Great idea to shoot it with its reflection Mike , super image

[Mike Buckley]

Continued thanks to everyone!

[Wavelength]

Masterpieces!!!

[mugge]

Mike, just my two cents worth. Just marvelous.
Cheers Ole