Re: insect macro photos
Christian, Patrick, OK, guys, if I show you mine will you show me yours? I'd love to see macro photos from you guys and any other PDMLers! How about returning a URL and letting us all have a look! Suprise of suprises (to me most of all), I actually had time to dig through my picture scan archives and pulled these three out: http://www.hevanet.com/patbob/InsectMacros/12_AphidSide.JPG http://www.hevanet.com/patbob/InsectMacros/14_AphidFront.JPG http://www.hevanet.com/patbob/InsectMacros/MomAnd2hrOldBaby.JPG The whole point I jumpped into this thread was to debunk some comments about how DOF preview was not useful for macro shots. I pointed out some aphid shots I took as examples. So, here some are. These are all full-frame 35mm scans (with a little cropping to remove the curved corners and fuzzy edges). To make these, I did indeed use an intense enough modeling light to get at least partial DOF preview. Using it, I adjusted the shot many times before I finally captured these images. Because of that, I didn't waste film taking shots where the subject wasn't properly focused -- shots 12 and 14 are respectively 12 and 14 on the roll, and the mom-and-baby shot is a few frames later on the same roll. These shots are also examples of something else I mentioned.. there are times when even if one has enough modeling light for the shot, flash is preferred. My reasoning in these was that the modeling light was monochromatic orange so as not disturb the insect and would therefore had made a poor image (my opinion). I've got further examples where I used DOF preview in macro shots to insure I didn't waste film on images that I wouldn't like. Perhaps some don't find it useful, but I certainly do. hope that helps, patbob ([EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED]) P.S BTW, the handles on the back are apparently for squirting predators with some nasty waxy substance. - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
Re: insect macro photos
Richard, Apologies for the mis-ID. I was sneaking in some list reading and was rushing a bit. Your patience and persistence certainly paid off, and your inching must be very smooth! I've never managed to get that close even without a camera. If Tiger beetles were the size of dogs ... I'd probably be able to perfect my inching technique (though I'd be moving in an entirely different direction). My setup is very much the same as yours, but w/available light (zx-5n, fa 100/2.8). Serendipity was a huge factor in my shot as I was still in a crouch after having snapped this, http://pug.komkon.org/01feb/blue.html , and turned my head to discover the Monarch working the clump of blue mealy sage directly behind me! Very rewarding morning. Happy shooting, Dan [EMAIL PROTECTED] Dan, Actually, the more traditional spelling of my name is Richard, but you can call me Patrick if you prefer! It was real easy to get the tiger beetle photos. I just spent 15 minutes lying on my stomach on the path in my local nature reserve, slowly inching towards them until I could get close enough for the shots (say, 3 or 4 inches distance). The only difficulty was all the people periodically walking past on the same path, scaring off the beetles and wondering who this strange person was! Tiger beetles have excellent eyesight, and they're the fastest running of all insects, but they still have the attention span of an average elementary school child, so after a while they just ignore you. Still, you've got to move very, very slowly to get near them. I'm thinking of trying some of those tips we've been hearing about recently, like putting my hand out for them to sniff, extending my nose, or blinking several times then looking away. I'll try it next summer and let the list know how well these strategies work with beetles! I love your Monarch butterfly and bee shot, very serendipitous! What lens were you using? Richard. home page: www.richard-seaman.com - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
Re: insect macro photos
Richard Seaman wrote: Christian, Patrick, OK, guys, if I show you mine will you show me yours? http://www.richard-seaman.com/Wallpaper/Nature/index.html#insects I'd love to see macro photos from you guys and any other PDMLers! How about returning a URL and letting us all have a look! I have taken exactly one insect macro in my life: http://www.bigdayphoto.com/tom/spider_02090101_9.html I think I did this with the FA 50/2.8 and the whole extension tube set...I think the film was APX 25. tv - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
RE: insect macro photos
Thanks Richard. I did notice a lot of caterpillar photos on your site! The Io caterpillars were everywhere in that tree and it was impossible to get a good head shot of one of them while they were feeding. In the end, I filled the frame with color and spines and feet! I think the Velveta(sic) did it's usually incredible job of color saturation and depth. When I have time (and a lot more money (more on that later) I'm going to build a multiple flash bracket for better shadow control and background rendition. I get a lot of comments about the mossie pictures from my co-workers. I learned a lot about camera control and stability by shooting those one handed. All I can say is the Grip B on the LX made it possible! I'd be interested in learning your techniques with regards to macros. What kind of flash, lenses, magnification rates, etc. Thanks again. Christian Skofteland -Original Message- From: Richard Seaman [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] Christian, Very nice photos! I especially like the Io Moth caterpillar, that guy's real photogenic: http://photography.skofteland.net/insects/insect08.htm As you probably saw from my website, caterpillars have become a real favorite of mine; all the photos up there were taken this last summer. The incredible variety, colors and patterns of them amaze me. The Chinese Mantid is pretty cool, too: http://photography.skofteland.net/insects/insect10.htm I just got a similar photo of a mantis a couple of weeks ago, I'll turn it into wallpaper some time in the next few months. The photos of the mosquito drinking blood from your arm were pretty amusing. This sort of photo taking must be a characteristic of insect macro photographers - perhaps it's an ability to see beauty everywhere, even where other people only see a bug. When I innocently put some of the insect wallpapers onto my PC at work, some of my female colleagues were appalled, and no amount of explanation of their beauty or interesting behavior would convince them otherwise! I have photos of a tick crawling up my arm, but I must admit I didn't wait until it started feeding before removing it! Richard. - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
RE: insect macro photos
Tom; That photo is awesome! The eyes and fangs are tack sharp and the legs add good depth and 3-dimensionality (is that even a word?). The only niggling issue I would have is the fore-leg that is completely out of focus on the right. Christian Skofteland -Original Message- From: tom [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] I have taken exactly one insect macro in my life: http://www.bigdayphoto.com/tom/spider_02090101_9.html I think I did this with the FA 50/2.8 and the whole extension tube set...I think the film was APX 25. tv - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
Re: insect macro photos
Skofteland, Christian wrote: Tom; That photo is awesome! The eyes and fangs are tack sharp and the legs add good depth and 3-dimensionality (is that even a word?). Thanks. The only niggling issue I would have is the fore-leg that is completely out of focus on the right. Yeah, you're right...I had one with more DOF (patient little bugger) but chose this one cuz his eyes popped a bit more, and having that leg in focus was actually more distracting. BTW, he's clinging to a vertical wall. tv - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
RE: insect macro photos
Now for the gravity-defying question: Was it climbing up the wall or going down? ;^) Christian Skofteland -Original Message- From: tom [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] BTW, he's clinging to a vertical wall. tv - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
Re: insect macro photos
Nice shots Richard, and nice and big, so I can really gawk at them. I can`t show you mine yet, still trying to find a good (free) host. Steve Larson Redondo Beach, California - Original Message - From: Richard Seaman [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Saturday, October 27, 2001 4:12 PM Subject: insect macro photos Christian, Patrick, OK, guys, if I show you mine will you show me yours? http://www.richard-seaman.com/Wallpaper/Nature/index.html#insects I'd love to see macro photos from you guys and any other PDMLers! How about returning a URL and letting us all have a look! Richard. home phone: (1)(847) 244 5463 home page: www.richard-seaman.com From: Skofteland, Christian [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: RE: Real DOF Insect are some of my favorite subjects. So far 1x is all I've been doing in the field. I am going to attempt some 2x when I get some issues worked out. I'd be really interested in seeing the 7x aphid shot! Christian Skofteland -Original Message- From: Patrick White [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] I've got a dandy 7X shot of an aphid where I used all of the above mentioned techniques. later, patbob ([EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED]) _ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org . - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
