Another first Lady Beetle
Feb 8, 2015 16:06:27 #
I'm very new at post processing, so my lighting & colors probably leave much to be desired.. I did figure out how to get the NEF files converted to Tiffs so as to use Elements 11 & then changed them to jpegs so I can post.
I didn't have any Ritz crackers to stack and only one bug, so this wasn't stacked. I'll see if I can find a few more to make a stack. :-)
I didn't have any Ritz crackers to stack and only one bug, so this wasn't stacked. I'll see if I can find a few more to make a stack. :-)
Feb 8, 2015 16:46:05 #
I think you did pretty good. I've just started doing macro, and as far as doing any pp, haven't really gotten into that at all, and maybe if you did have some Ritz crackers. lol Tom
Feb 8, 2015 16:47:52 #
Feb 8, 2015 18:31:31 #
I also think these look good. I saw a Ladybug beetle on the beach this week but failed to catch it - another one will come along soon I hope.
Feb 8, 2015 19:48:37 #
These look pretty good:thumbup: I personally prefer lighting a little less from the side, which is not always possible.
One nice thing about raw files is that you can really take down highlights and bring up shadows very nicely.
One nice thing about raw files is that you can really take down highlights and bring up shadows very nicely.
Feb 8, 2015 19:58:08 #
My primary comment is that you could use a bit of fill light to lessen the harsh shadows. This is one of the reasons that most of us use 6x8-inch softbox diffusers on speedlights. 2:1 or 3:1 lighting ratio is preferable to 4:1 (sunlight only).
Feb 8, 2015 20:47:19 #
Nikonian72 wrote:
"SB800 @ 1/16 + Fotodiox"(from image description) isn't this a soft box?My primary comment is that you could use a bit of fill light to lessen the harsh shadows. This is one of the reasons that most of us use 6x8-inch softbox diffusers on speedlights. 2:1 or 3:1 lighting ratio is preferable to 4:1 (sunlight only).
Feb 8, 2015 20:55:53 #
Flyextreme wrote:
FotoDiox is a brand name, like Nikon or Canon. You use a softbox. Does it say FotoDiox?"SB800 @ 1/16 + Fotodiox"(from image description) isn't this a soft box?
Positioning of softbox illumination (as fill) is important to lessening natural sunlight shadows.
Positioning is also important when using a speedlight with softbox as primary illumination (in order to eliminate harsh shadows).
Feb 8, 2015 21:09:30 #
Nikonian72 wrote:
I just wondered why the OP mentioned FotoDiox. I suppose it could be a FotoDiox speedlite?FotoDiox is a brand name, like Nikon or Canon.
Hopefully, Muddy will enlighten us to what he was referring to:wink:
Feb 8, 2015 21:45:02 #
Flyextreme wrote:
It was a FotoDiox softbox. I had just added some velcro in the centers of the sides to pull them fully open. That gave more light than I expected. On the first shots I side lit & on the later ones I moved it over head as there was too much reflection on the left side of the beetle and too much shadow on the right.. Still learning. On the 3rd shot I also turned off the kitchen light that was reflecting. Maybe I should spring for the SB-R200 Nikon rig? If so, how much hassle is it to set up commander mode to trigger them, or is the SB-800 controller easier to use? I plan to be in this for the long haul.I just wondered why the OP mentioned FotoDiox. I suppose it could be a FotoDiox speedlite?
Hopefully, Muddy will enlighten us to what he was referring to:wink:
Hopefully, Muddy will enlighten us to what he was referring to:wink:
SB-800 strobe Fotodiox softbox bamboo sticks w/velcro
Feb 8, 2015 22:16:31 #
Thankyou Tom DePuy,Napabob, AlicanteBrenda, Flyextreme, and Nikonian72 for the encouragement and advise! Much appreciated!
Feb 8, 2015 23:28:32 #
Muddyvalley wrote:
Thankyou Tom DePuy,Napabob, AlicanteBrenda, Flyextreme, and Nikonian72 for the encouragement and advise! Much appreciated!
Lady bugs with their reflective exoskeletons are under the best conditions hard to expose evenly, add the direct sun and you have an even greater challenge. An equal or maybe greater challenge is a black carpenter bee in the sun, so I lean toward blocking the direct sun and rely on the flash for illumination when possible, I always shoot RAW and rely on it to help me tone down the problem areas in PP using Lightroom
Feb 8, 2015 23:30:06 #
Muddyvalley wrote:
It was a FotoDiox softbox. I had just added some v... (show quote)
You didn't say what model camera you use but if it supports commander mode, it's very easy to set up & change power output in the menu. You can even set different levels for each flash unit. Diffusing the flash is the difficult part. I'm still working on this.
Feb 9, 2015 00:14:40 #
Lady bugs are very difficult to shoot without getting some glare. I have only had success eliminating glare on these critters with a concave diffuser.
Technical aspects of the shots look good, i.e. good focus, shot angle and white balance. Nice work...
Technical aspects of the shots look good, i.e. good focus, shot angle and white balance. Nice work...
Feb 9, 2015 00:38:14 #
naturepics43 wrote:
You didn't say what model camera you use but if it supports commander mode, it's very easy to set up & change power output in the menu. You can even set different levels for each flash unit. Diffusing the flash is the difficult part. I'm still working on this.
Thanks! It's a D750. I haven't tried it in commander mode yet, I found it easier to use a Vello ittl cord. Maybe I should practice w/o the cord. Would you know if the commander mode settings would carry through to the U1 or U2 settings? That would make life easier.
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