Please critique fly stack
Jun 17, 2015 22:52:25 #
I've made some modifications to my Velmex rail set-up including a more rigid & adjustable specimen stage plus the addition of 2 Magic arms for my SB R200 flash units which allows much better control of diffuser angles & placement. Any advice for corrections would be appreciated. This was a short (28 frames) stack @ 2:1 just to to test the lighting. Stacked in CombineZP. Thanks in advance.
Jun 17, 2015 23:17:42 #
Jun 18, 2015 02:50:52 #
Jun 18, 2015 10:04:38 #
I think the lighting is good for this subject. Since we use the same flash units, we've likely encountered similar issues with diffusion and lighting placement. I'm curious about the placement of your R200s-- as well as what diffusion you've settled on. I've limited my recent attempts to a hand-held work. Have you tried this setup for hand-held objects with a highly reflective object? I'm thinking of the eyes of a jumper....
I think the diffusion works fine for "studio stacking".... I realize that was a quick test, so this suggestion is likely something you are already thinking of, but I would suggest a background that provides more contrast: either with varied exposure or a contrasting color.
I think the diffusion works fine for "studio stacking".... I realize that was a quick test, so this suggestion is likely something you are already thinking of, but I would suggest a background that provides more contrast: either with varied exposure or a contrasting color.
Jun 18, 2015 12:05:06 #
Jun 18, 2015 12:22:17 #
NP - Overall the stack looks good so I'm going to nitpick. Couple of areas I would look to improve. White hairs under the eyes are a bit of a muddle mass. You need to direct some illumination into this area. I'd start out with white paper and try and bounce some of the existing flash in that area. On scales like this it doesn't take much to go from slightly under exposed to properly exposed. As Allen suggested a darker background will help. Need to be careful though as too dark of a background will make it easier to see any flaws in the stacking regimen, is more susceptible to stacking halos more likely to show the CA you have never seen before in field work ;-)
Another area that could use an exposure boost is between the abdomen segments closest to the thorax. I can see its a plated segment but the edge fails to delineate in some areas. This is a tricky one and requires a puff of light coming from left to better show the segment ridge.
Again these are just nitpicks on a fine stack. I enjoy tweaking tabletop illumination as it really helps me understand how flash illumination works in macro. I find myself using rig lessons in the field to good effect.
Another area that could use an exposure boost is between the abdomen segments closest to the thorax. I can see its a plated segment but the edge fails to delineate in some areas. This is a tricky one and requires a puff of light coming from left to better show the segment ridge.
Again these are just nitpicks on a fine stack. I enjoy tweaking tabletop illumination as it really helps me understand how flash illumination works in macro. I find myself using rig lessons in the field to good effect.
Jun 18, 2015 22:29:10 #
LoneRangeFinder wrote:
Placement of DIY diffusers is same as image #5 at link below except they are mounted on Magic arms directly over subject.For field work, with the extended working distance of the 180, I'm using the SB800 with Fotodiox diffuser. Thanks for the tip on the background. http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/tpr?p=4730223 I'm curious about the placement of your R200s-- as well as what diffusion you've settled on.
Jun 18, 2015 22:43:23 #
A-PeeR wrote:
I really appreciate you taking time to really dig into the image. I'll be working to improve these area's. I thought the "muddle mass" of eye hair was a fault of the stacking program, so after reading your comments, I reviewed the frames of the stack & sure enough, they are a "muddle mass". Thanks for pointing this out.NP - Overall the stack looks good so I'm going to nitpick. Couple of areas I would look to improve. White hairs under the eyes are a bit of a muddle mass. You need to direct some illumination into this area.
Another area that could use an exposure boost is between the abdomen segments closest to the thorax. I can see its a plated segment but the edge fails to delineate in some areas. This is a tricky one and requires a puff of light coming from left to better show the segment ridge.
Another area that could use an exposure boost is between the abdomen segments closest to the thorax. I can see its a plated segment but the edge fails to delineate in some areas. This is a tricky one and requires a puff of light coming from left to better show the segment ridge.
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