The 'not so cute' bug macro

[Stagecoach]

For some perverse reason I have always wanted to add the cockroach to my collection of bug shots

Time to move on to another subject I think, but I'm sure I'll could get better results if I take the time to diffuse the light

No 1


No 2


Comments and suggestions welcome as always

[Shadowman]

Nice series.

[DickyOZ]

I think you would get the best results if you sprayed it with Baygon first.

[DanK]

Where's the shoe coming down over it?

It's irrational, I know, given that I photograph bugs a lot and find them both fascinating and often very beautiful, but I find cockroaches of all varieties disgusting. Be that as it may, they represent one of those instances in which the random variation involved in evolution really got it right. They have been around for a very long time and can survive almost anything. They will probably outlast us.

[Manfred M]

You have developed a real taste for photographing bugs that most people try to avoid. First mosquitoes and now cockroaches.

Hmmm.

[rudi]

Looks 'interesting' up close

[Geoff F]

Good clarity with both images

[flashback]

Possibly one of nature's better adaptive organism, that can adapt to virtually any environment and virtually any food supply. I think you have room to photographically explore more of these interesting critters.

[FootLoose]

If you run out of subjects I would be happy to send you all mine

[Cogito]

Not too keen on the yellow background.

[Stagecoach]

Nice series.

Thank you John.

[Stagecoach]

I think you would get the best results if you sprayed it with Baygon first.

Have you tried photographing an already shiny surfaced critter with liquid on its armour and dealing with the specular highlights Richard

[Stagecoach]

Where's the shoe coming down over it?

Not sure I want to post the result of that shot Dan

It's irrational, I know, given that I photograph bugs a lot and find them both fascinating and often very beautiful, but I find cockroaches of all varieties disgusting. Be that as it may, they represent one of those instances in which the random variation involved in evolution really got it right. They have been around for a very long time and can survive almost anything. They will probably outlast us.

I'm not really sure why people find them any more disgusting than such bugs as flies as these also are more often found on those substances we would rather not mention

It's a bit of a myth that they can survive almost anything because simple bait or sprays will zap them. The problem is that they are clever and hang out in those spaces that we can not reach easily

[Stagecoach]

You have developed a real taste for photographing bugs that most people try to avoid. First mosquitoes and now cockroaches.

Hmmm.

One of the problems I am finding is that my supply of critters such as jumping spiders, moths, stick insects, praying mantis, paper wasps and beetles have diminished considerably.

We have for the past two years been plagued with an infestation of small black ants that now cover every surface and tree of my yard and I suspect these may be the cause. It's an issue that is slowly being raised in the country but as far as I can tell at present and the feedback I'm getting is that no one is taking it seriously.

So the only option is to photograph what's available and for the ants I would need different gear

[Stagecoach]

Looks 'interesting' up close

It's the only way to capture bugs Rudi, up close and at eye level

[Stagecoach]

Good clarity with both images

Thank you Geoff. I had two SBR200s at the front of the lens pointing slightly outwards that also illuminated the background.

[Stagecoach]

I think you have room to photographically explore more of these interesting critters.

Fully agree, but it will only be done as I find ones like this that have not got too much fight left in them

[Stagecoach]

If you run out of subjects I would be happy to send you all mine

I think our Bio Security and Customs may object

[Stagecoach]

Not too keen on the yellow background.

What colour would you have used, maybe green?

[JBW]

diffuse the beast with a shoe.