My first decent hand-held of insects
Jun 16, 2015 15:07:11 #
I'm fairly certain that the mosquito on our screen door is really macro (wouldn't fit in frame). The other one is probably just close-up but I think it's a nice shot. I checked B&H for extension tubes (will probably buy eventually) and am also thinking about a ringlight. Out of 63 pics on my SD card these are the only two that I was happy with.
Jun 16, 2015 17:38:23 #
Jun 16, 2015 17:56:07 #
oldtigger wrote:
I thought it was. Whatever it is it's the best one I've gotten. This is the whole thing, SOOC.I doubt that 1st one is a mosquito.
Jun 16, 2015 18:40:13 #
Jun 16, 2015 19:03:01 #
Jun 16, 2015 21:24:15 #
Sorry I'm not an entomologist. I'm just trying to improve my photography and practice using my macro lens. Last time I posted something here Nikonian told me it was actually a close up but I thought the thing I thought was a mosquito was because it was too big to fill the frame. After shooting hundreds of frames of bugs I finally got something I could feel at least somewhat proud of. I don't have a studio or an elaborate expensive tripod, ring light, focusing rail, etc., etc., etc. I'm just doing the best I can with what I have.
Jun 16, 2015 22:17:28 #
No need to apologize or take offense. The gang was just pointing out that you had a crane fly and not a mosquito. Part of the fun of photographing insects is learning to identify them and study their behavior. If this ends up being your cup of tea, you'll see. Good efforts, focus on the crane fly is very good and you have captured some excellent detail, look at the facets on the eye. Keep shooting you are doing well..
Jun 17, 2015 01:41:33 #
Not too shabby! You are on the right track. I have a few suggestions:
1.) With a speedlight, you should use shutter duration 1/200-sec. which will synch with flash.
2.) I strongly recommend Manual settings, not semi-auto.
Exif info #2:
Camera Model: Sony SLT-A77V
Lens: Sigma 105mm f/2.8
Image Date: 2015-06-16
Focal Length: 105mm
Aperture: /8.0
Exposure Time: 0.013 s (1/80-sec)
ISO equiv: 125
Exposure Bias: -0.70 EV Why?
Metering Mode: Matrix
Exposure: aperture priority (semi-auto) Why?
White Balance: Auto
Flash Fired: Yes
Is this the speedlight you used?
1.) With a speedlight, you should use shutter duration 1/200-sec. which will synch with flash.
2.) I strongly recommend Manual settings, not semi-auto.
Exif info #2:
Camera Model: Sony SLT-A77V
Lens: Sigma 105mm f/2.8
Image Date: 2015-06-16
Focal Length: 105mm
Aperture: /8.0
Exposure Time: 0.013 s (1/80-sec)
ISO equiv: 125
Exposure Bias: -0.70 EV Why?
Metering Mode: Matrix
Exposure: aperture priority (semi-auto) Why?
White Balance: Auto
Flash Fired: Yes
Is this the speedlight you used?
Sony HVL-F43AM speedlight
Jun 17, 2015 08:45:37 #
A-PeeR wrote:
What he said^^^. And keep 'em coming. No offense intended. :thumbup:No need to apologize or take offense. The gang was just pointing out that you had a crane fly and not a mosquito. Part of the fun of photographing insects is learning to identify them and study their behavior. If this ends up being your cup of tea, you'll see. Good efforts, focus on the crane fly is very good and you have captured some excellent detail, look at the facets on the eye. Keep shooting you are doing well..
Jun 17, 2015 09:20:11 #
when i started macro i had a 6mp nikon and a 50mm macro i bought for $50.that was good enough to got some good shots.
not at first thought.even with the best equipment you have to learn to use it.just takes practice.most of the posters here shoot hand held because you get way more shots,many would not stay while you set up a tripod.and learning the ID of what you shoot is part of the fun.the more you shoot the better you will get,keep shooting!
not at first thought.even with the best equipment you have to learn to use it.just takes practice.most of the posters here shoot hand held because you get way more shots,many would not stay while you set up a tripod.and learning the ID of what you shoot is part of the fun.the more you shoot the better you will get,keep shooting!
Jun 17, 2015 09:31:07 #
Nikonian72 wrote:
So many questions. At the time it was between rain storms and I just didn't feel at the time like attaching my flash, so I used the pop-up flash in the camera so I think that's why the shutter speed was 1/60: it just did it automatically. I'm considering a ring light. I think I saw one on E-Bay for like $40. I've never understood the EXIF data about exposure bias (or a few other parameters) Please explain the term. I know from time to time I adjust the exposure compensation because I'm unsatisfied with how overexposed or underexposed the pic looks in the screen when I chimp, and I always chimp. Was that it? I probably used the f/8 because I wanted more of the bug in focus along with the some of the texture of the lily petal, but don't remember the exact reason. I remember having trouble getting the crane fly in focus because I was shooting through the screen door into the house.Not too shabby! You are on the right track. I have a few suggestions:
1.) With a speedlight, you should use shutter duration 1/200-sec. which will synch with flash.
2.) I strongly recommend Manual settings, not semi-auto.
Is this the speedlight you used?
1.) With a speedlight, you should use shutter duration 1/200-sec. which will synch with flash.
2.) I strongly recommend Manual settings, not semi-auto.
Is this the speedlight you used?
Jun 17, 2015 13:03:31 #
Jun 17, 2015 13:57:46 #
planepics wrote:
You should be making ALL decisions, leave nothing for the camera to decide. Shoot in Manual. At the time it was between rain storms and I just didn't feel at the time like attaching my flash, so I used the pop-up flash in the camera so I think that's why the shutter speed was 1/60: it just did it automatically.
planepics wrote:
Most LED ringlights & ringflashes are under-powered. For best ideas, take a look at pages 4, 5, & 6 here: http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-32754-4.htmlI'm considering a ring light. I think I saw one on E-Bay for like $40.
planepics wrote:
Yes! When you go to Manual settings, this has no effect, and will not be necessary. I've never understood the EXIF data about exposure bias (or a few other parameters) Please explain the term. I know from time to time I adjust the exposure compensation because I'm unsatisfied with how overexposed or underexposed the pic looks in the screen when I chimp, and I always chimp. Was that it?
planepics wrote:
At extreme close-up to true macro, your DoF is extremely shallow, even at f/16. Using a diffused speedlight will provide enough illumination to set your aperture to f/16.I probably used the f/8 because I wanted more of the bug in focus along with the some of the texture of the lily petal, but don't remember the exact reason. I remember having trouble getting the crane fly in focus because I was shooting through the screen door into the house.
You did not answer my speedlight question. Is that your speedlight? If so, use it.
Jun 17, 2015 14:54:42 #
Yes it is, and OK I will...I noticed that most of the setups I looked through used flash brackets and softboxes, neither of which I have (yet). The flash doesn't have a PC plug or whatever it's called so I don't think I can use a bracket anyways unless I get some kind of wired hotshoe extender. Some of those outfits are probably more advanced or expensive than I'll ever have a need to use.
Jun 17, 2015 19:08:59 #
planepics wrote:
The most popular bracket costs $25, a ball-joint shoe extender costs <$10, a softbox costs <$10, and the "TTL cable" costs about $15. All available on eBay. Look here: http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-32754-5.html#2585532I noticed that most of the setups I looked through used flash brackets and softboxes, neither of which I have (yet). I (need) some kind of wired hotshoe extender. Some of those outfits are probably more advanced or expensive than I'll ever have a need to use.
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