again with the wasp: sorry but at the moment this is the best subject I've got. and since it is cooperating with me: practice practice practice. Settings were: ISO 200, 1/25 sec at...

Tom DePuy Loc: Waxhaw, N.C.

sorry but at the moment this is the best subject I've got. and since it is cooperating with me: practice practice practice.
Settings were: ISO 200, 1/25 sec at f/8, ringlight illumination.

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gym Loc: Athens, Georgia

It's been my experience that ring lights have limited use in making very good macro photos. The best seem to be the result of speedlites with various types of diffusers - some of them homemade.

If you haven't looked here, take a look at the 'rigs' of the people here who most impress you here with the quality of their work.
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-32754-1.html

Tom DePuy Loc: Waxhaw, N.C.

gym wrote:

take a look at the 'rigs' of the people here who most impress you here with the quality of their work.http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-32754-1.html

yes I have seen these setups. I usually use my speedlight with my diffuser. haven't used the ringlight much at all. this was just a good opportunity to try it out. thanks for the input tho. Tom

naturepics43 Loc: Hocking Co. Ohio - USA

gym wrote:

It's been my experience that ring lights have limited use in making very good macro photos.

Interesting statement. Can you be a little more specific?

gym Loc: Athens, Georgia

naturepics43 wrote:

Interesting statement. Can you be a little more specific?

In the progression of taking macro photos, a ring light was one of the things that I used prior to moving eventually to a speedlight with a diffuser. If you will take a look at the very best posters in this forum you will find that most - if not all - of these outstanding photographers have posted their equipment setups on the site I referenced - and all of them use a variation of speedlight/diffuser as their primary light source.

naturepics43 Loc: Hocking Co. Ohio - USA

gym wrote:

In the progression of taking macro photos, a ring light was one of the things that I used prior to moving eventually to a speedlight with a diffuser. If you will take a look at the very best posters in this forum you will find that most - if not all - of these outstanding photographers have posted their equipment setups on the site I referenced - and all of them use a variation of speedlight/diffuser as their primary light source.

Yes, you are correct about today's "fad". A year or 2 age the "fad" was some form of ring light. Are you basing your statement on what is popular today or a technical aspect of the final photo or personal preference? Not trying to be argumentative, just info on lighting. I was just about to post on this very question. Thanks for replying.
Sorry, Tom, I didn't mean to highjack your thread, just interested in your lighting.

gym Loc: Athens, Georgia

naturepics43 wrote:

Yes, you are correct about today's "fad". A year or 2 age the "fad" was some form of ring light. Are you basing your statement on what is popular today or a technical aspect of the final photo or personal preference? Not trying to be argumentative, just info on lighting. I was just about to post on this very question. Thanks for replying. Sorry, Tom, I didn't mean to highjack your thread, just interested in your lighting.

I was simply offering a suggestion on how to improve lighting. It's something we all strive for because light is the key to everything. As for fad - yes, perhaps it is - but it's a fad that presently works well for the very best on this board.

Certainly diffused light isn't the only way to take good macros. I've seen some very good photos taken with a ring light. And I've seen great pics with natural light. But natural light isn't available 24/7. Diffused light with the use of another illuminator IS available whenever you want it.

Use whatever works. But for now, it seems that what works for most of the good ones here is a speedlight/diffuser combination.

naturepics43 Loc: Hocking Co. Ohio - USA

gym wrote:

I was simply offering a suggestion on how to impro... (show quote)

Thanks for replying. I just posted an example of 2 different lighting techniques. I'm still in the learning process. Would appreciate your input.

gym Loc: Athens, Georgia

Tom, I took another look at your photos. I'm also impressed with your intestinal fortitude in getting that close to this wasp's nest. :) These little buggers can get REALLY feisty when you get THAT close.

I like the fact that you can clearly see the eggs in each chamber of the nest. One of these ladies always builds a nest in my mailbox each spring. I'll use 'bug spray' the first time I see her, and even if I get rid of that one, if it's early enough in the Spring, she'll be replaced by another. And - NO - I haven't had the guts to try to get a photo of her in action. :)

Tom DePuy Loc: Waxhaw, N.C.

gym wrote:

Tom, I took another look at your photos. I'm also ... (show quote)

Thanks for the comment. one of my goals with this is to see the progression of the eggs, hopefully I can continue till they hatch. fingers crossed and feet ready to run. lol

napabob Loc: Napa CA

i like the first one.........mom shouting at the kids to quiet down in there.......... :thumbup:

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

For the first shot my initial thought was people burying their head in the sand rather than look at what is happening to the world around them. For the second photo my first thought was what a great close up of the face. Well done.

Dennis

Tom DePuy Loc: Waxhaw, N.C.

napabob wrote:

i like the first one. mom shouting at the kids to quiet down in there. :thumbup:

:-)

Tom DePuy Loc: Waxhaw, N.C.

dennis2146 wrote:

For the first shot my initial thought was people burying their head in the sand rather than look at what is happening to the world around them. For the second photo my first thought was what a great close up of the face. Well done.

thanks Dennis