2018 Project 52, 2nd quarter by Rudi

[rudi]

week 14 : : Hypena proboscidalis, a moth with a 'snout':
The labial palps , the two elongated antennae like structures, are held in front off the head like a long nose, and are probably used for distinguishing food items.

I tried to create something different, in B&W (so totally out off my 'comfort zone'), from what seems a 'dull-brownish moth'...The more I look at the pictures the less I see iff I am right or wrong
Any input much appreciated.

1: 7DII bellows-rev 50mm @+/-3x; f4 2sec iso100; 2 diffused Jansjo; 80frames stacked in ZereneStacker



2: 7DII bellows-Rev 50mm @+/-4x; f4 1/200 iso100; diffused MT24EX Man; 60frames stacked in ZereneStacker

[Shadowman]

Nice detail in areas, might be better to just concentrate on particular textures and patterns rather than the whole.

[Geoff F]

They are known as The Snout Moth around here, but I don't start seeing them until June.

Once again, excellent fine details.

[rudi]

Nice detail in areas, might be better to just concentrate on particular textures and patterns rather than the whole.

Thanks for your input John, I will give your idea a try.

[rudi]

They are known as The Snout Moth around here, but I don't start seeing them until June.

Once again, excellent fine details.

Thanks Geoff. Found this one while cleaning out the shed. Normally we also see them most frequently in june.

[Urbanflyer]

I like the b & w a lot. The confusion I feel when looking at it is that it does not show enough (too macro) for a person unfamiliar to recognize what they are looking at and too much to be a complete abstract. But I do think the b & w is a gret answer to the drab brown issue! Looks like you are having fun!

[rudi]

I like the b & w a lot. The confusion I feel when looking at it is that it does not show enough (too macro) for a person unfamiliar to recognize what they are looking at and too much to be a complete abstract. But I do think the b & w is a gret answer to the drab brown issue! Looks like you are having fun!

Thanks for your input Judith.
I am glad you liked the B&W version.
During the shoot (and after), I had been debating with myself iff I should go wider or closer. I opted for 'in between' which led to the 'confusion' you mention and I tend to agree with you.
So I added another 'sticky note 'to myself on the drawing board
And yes, I like 'shooting' these little tiny things...

[skitterbug]

I've looked at your last entries a few times and I also was having difficulty trying to decide just what I was seeing. For instance is that the eye of the moth, etc. However the texture and detail are outstanding! I am in awe of your skill and I enjoy looking at your work!

[Geoff F]

Regarding the comments, Rudi. Yes, sometimes it is a good idea to photograph a much wider shot to show the whole subject alongside these stunning extreme macro images.

I know what the actual whole live moth looks like but for the average person, who considers moths to be rather strange butterflies, a full sized moth shot would be useful for comparison.

[rudi]

Thanks Sandy and Geoff for the comments.

Next time, I will add the whole beasty, as an intro.

[joebranko]

Great macro!

[CormacD]

Yes Rudi, a very interesting set of macros and I agree with most of the above conversation, all part of the learning experiance.

[rudi]

Thanks Joe and Lindsay, a never ending learning experience....

[rudi]

week 15 :Getting behind with processing thanks to the good weather

Some details from a Peacock butterfly wing.
1: I shot different areas off the wing, and though the hairs give a bit off a messy appearance, it was the best stack I managed so far....
7DII bellows-rev 50mm @+/-3,5x; f4 1/60 iso100; diff MT24EX Man; 60frames stacked in ZereneStacker



2: The first experiment with a higher magnification from the same butterfly wing:
Still a lot to straigthen out on the technical side, being:
-stepsize too big, not accurate enough ,
-softening due to diffraction...
-unwanted reflections on the bluish scales.....

7DII bellows-Rev 20mm @+/-9x; f2,8 1/200 iso100; Diff MT24EX Man; 35 frames stacked in Zerene



C&C always welcomed

[Shadowman]

Week 15, nicely captured.

[rudi]

Thanks John.

[skitterbug]

The detail and color look great. Edges match up so well, it doesn't appear to be several stacked! Came together nicely! Your photo work is a treat to see! Thank you!

[Geoff F]

Like you, making the most of a few calm sunny days has put my identification and editing work behind. There are two batches of moth photos which need sorting through plus anything which appears tonight.

Moth and butterfly wings up close are certainly a problem, particularly with those reflective areas, so these images have worked well.

[rudi]

Thanks Sandy and Geoff for the kind comments.
The stack came out nice. A reshoot is sheduled in the near future....

[rudi]

week 16 : A Green-veined white butterfly on a dandelion seed head.

1:The Green-veined white itself, partially...Shot this one early morning in the field.

5DIII mpe65; f8 1/100 iso400; Diff MT24EXETTL; 8frames stacked in ZereneStacker




2: took some seeds from a nearby dandelion and shot them 'in studio' at some higher magnifications.
This one came out not too bad (I think...), but I hoped to see a bit more detail. I still have a few to PP with different settings, so will see how they come out.
5DIII bellows-35mm rev@+/-6,5x; f4 0,5s iso100; 1 diff Jansjo; 45 frames stacked in ZereneStacker



C&C always welcomed.