Bugs, Spiders, and Flies - Oh My....
Jun 30, 2015 11:06:49 #
Been busy capturing images on the weekends. Here are some of my latest efforts, hope you enjoy:
Thick Armed Bug - Oedancala crassmana - Overlooking the Details
Stumbled across these two as I sat near the edge of a wildflower patch. I was trying to photograph perching dragonflies and butterflies. I make it a habit to stay out of flower patches. Plopping down close to the edge so I dont trample the flowers. This proved to be frustrating as everything I wanted to photograph was out of reach of the tubed up 150mm. Colors and shapes in the patch were sharp and cluttered making it hard to draw a bead on anything with my eyes. When I encounter scenes like this I will defocus my vision, blur it if you will, by staring trough the scene only seeing shapes and colors, no particular details. Often this helps me pick up differences in hues or shapes that dont belong. Such was the case with this pair of thick armed bugs mating on a weed not more than a foot in front of me. With focused vision I never even noticed them. By defocusing" and absorbing the colors and patterns their brown exoskeletons stuck out like a sore thumb. Sometimes not focusing in on the details helps you find the shot.
Image specs: Single Shot Handheld - Canon 5D-III, Sigma 150mm with 68mm of Extension Tubes @ ~1.5:1, - f/11 - SS 1/125 - ISO400 - 600EX-RT with DIY Hardbox - slight compositional crop.
http://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-iLijTB7Fu64/VW_H8i25FMI/AAAAAAAAOOg/gpwQR5u01ko/w1024-h686-no/true%2Bbugs%2Bin%2Blove%2B-%2Bbw8tn%2B-01.jpg
Glassy Winged Sharpshooter - Homalodisca Vitripennis
To the persistent goes the macro photograph - case in point this Glassy Winged Sharpshooter. I noticed these hoppers two summers ago and have been trying to get a decent photograph ever since. They are rather shy critters. As the macro photographers nears the lens towards the subject, they play a game of ring around the stem. Hiding on the side opposite of the photographer. I have had many go arounds with these. The other problem, when the photographer does manage to get a shot, the glossy exoskeleton doesnt reveal much texture or detail. Diffused flash is a must. I finally landed a used Sigma 150mm macro (Non OS). I really like the working distance and the weight is quite manageable on long hikes. The working distance certainly helped with this subject. I used a diffuser I designed for the MP-E 65. Distance from the subject wasn't optimal, hence ISO400. I think I can improve in the illumination department with a diffuser tailored for the 150.
Here in Texas the insect is benign, feeding on native plants like the wild grape vine in the photo. I have read it has made its way to California and is an agricultural pest in the Southern California Valley.
Image specs: Single Shot Handheld - Canon 5D-III, Sigma 150mm with 68mm of Extension Tubes @ ~1.5:1, - f/10 - SS 1/125 - ISO400 - 600EX-RT with DIY Hardbox - compositional crop.
http://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-YwN5NQSQkwk/VW57vyWAXfI/AAAAAAAAOJk/z8JeU4OkrkU/w1024-h686-no/hopper%2B-%2Bbw8tn%2B-01.jpg
Prepare for Take Off
Heading home from my weekend macro-hike, I spotted this wasp on a flower, doing what some wasps do, pollinating. As I drew my lens near it became startled and took flight. I managed to capture this shot just before it left the flower. I was using the MP-E (completely manual lens) so feel fortunate to get this ~ 1.5:1 shot in focus. One thing I notice about the MP-E, it is much better balanced then say a Sigma 105mm on tubes. Quite frankly I wouldn't even use other macro lenses if it had a smaller minimum magnification ratio, say 1:5 to 5:1.
Image specs: Single Shot Handheld - Canon 5D-III, MP-E 65mm @ ~1.5:1, - f/13 - SS 1/60 - ISO200 - MT-24EX @ 1/8th power with DIY Concave Hardbox @ 45 degrees - compositional crop.
http://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-yslsmf_24RA/VYjV3rMgxfI/AAAAAAAAOnM/qQmUBOZHDmU/w1024-h768-no/wasp%2Bto%2Btake%2Bflight%2B-%2Bbw08%2B-%2B04.jpg
Robber Fly - Head On @ ~3:1
I found a spot on the bayou Where the Robber Flies Are (apologies Mr. Sendak). The area is brush and thick dewberry briar. Often the robbers perch just out of macro working distance. A cruel fate for this macro photographer so eager to photograph them. Saturday morning my fortunes took a turn for the better as the one pictured landed a foot away, well within leaning distance. I took a couple of overhead and side profile shots to dial in my flash power and diffuser angle/distance. I then positioned myself for the head on shot and worked through the magnifications - 1:1, 2:1, and 3:1. When I approached and 4:1 the critter had enough and flew away.
Due to the translucency of the legs I think this is a younger fly. Typically, the flies have darker brown legs and much more hair. A good looking specimen nonetheless.
Illumination is MT-24EX with DIY concave hardbox with DIY ARCA clamp and rail positioning contraption I pieced together. I really like the ease with which I can move the diffuser inline with the lens, raise and lower it, and angle it - parallel to the lens to a ~60 degree angle. Metric scales on the rails and on the ARCA panning clamp make all positioning assignments easy to repeat. The illumination is good but I think I like the uniformity of a single speedlight better. I need to shoot with it for a few more weeks before I make a final decision.
Image specs - Single Shot Handheld - Canon 5D-III, MP-E 65mm @ ~3:1, - f/14 - SS 1/60 - ISO200 - MT-24EX @ 1/4th power with DIY Concave Hardbox @ 45 degrees - square 1x1 crop in post.
http://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-SSKEj-tB7tc/VYoZB-RiTdI/AAAAAAAAOsU/9FI3coBTE00/s1024-no/robberfly%2B-%2Bbw08%2B-%2B04.jpg
Robber from The Side
Same Robber Fly that as above. One of the exposure test pops I took before I photographed it head on. I thought this came out well.
Image specs - Single Shot Handheld - Canon 5D-III, MP-E 65mm @ ~2:1, - f/13 - SS 1/60 - ISO200 - MT-24EX @ 1/4th power with DIY concave hardbox @ 45 degrees - compositional crop.
http://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-_Ve-uAdheFg/VYt_muBXkcI/AAAAAAAAO24/_84YgEKQcR4/w1024-h686-no/r0bber-side-view%2B-%2Bbw08%2B-%2B01.jpg
Jumper Meal Ticket
In the past I havent had the best luck photographing jumpers. Well, I thought I hit pay dirt when I discovered one had taken up residency in the tubing of my outdoor gas stove. I tried, unsuccessfully, waiting for it to emerge from the hole but moving the camera towards the subject would frighten it back into the tube. Analyzing my failed shots I noticed the fine silk strands outside the nest entrance. I wondered if the spider was monitoring the silks for vibrations, to sense insects. I have seen this behavior in Longjaw Orb Weavers, they rest on a twig or stem close to the edge of the web with one or two legs on a silk strand. When an insect flies into the web the spider springs into action, subduing the prey. To test this thought, I strummed the silks by gently dragging a fine piece of thread, knotted at the end, over the tube and silks. Sure enough, after a few seconds the spider would emerge from the hole. Not certain if it was the vibrations picked up by the silks, the metal tube or a combination of both. It didnt matter, I had a way to ring the spiders doorbell. I setup the camera on a tripod, focused on the entrance and dragged the thread on the tube. Voila, the spider answers the door and I got the shot. I thought this setup would be a windfall of jumper photo ops. It was not to be. Within a week the spider had disappeared from the cooker never to be seen again. Rumors going around, say it was tired of the paparazzi hanging outside its front door.
Image specs - Single Shot on Tripod - Canon 5D-III, MP-E 65mm @ ~3:1, - f/13 - SS 1/80 - ISO400 - 600EX-RT @ 1/4th power with DIY concave hardbox @ 15 degrees.
http://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-IXzmxodJTLU/VY4UNz6ACQI/AAAAAAAAO94/OwdshMTxL4Q/w1024-h576-no/jumper%2B-%2Bgas-cooker%2B-patio%2B-01.jpg
Cottonwood Borer - (Plectrodera scalator)
A very rare find for me. Its the second one Ive seen in my life. My first encounter was as a young boy. A housing development was being built near the bayou and many of the trees were cleared out. I found the beetle on a nearby bush. I was completely enthralled with the insect and decided to adopt the critter. I took it to school and showed it to my science teacher. She could only narrow the identity down to a longhorn beetle. We kept it in the classroom until it died. She preserved it in a jar filled with rubbing alcohol so I could have it for future study. I kept the jar for years, showing it to friends and family. All agreed it was an impressive specimen but few had the enthusiasm I did. After many years the specimen deteriorated. The colors ran, limbs and antenna segments broke off to the point I finally threw the jar away.
This past Sunday I was resting under the shade of a massive Cottonwood tree and noticed a large black and white beetle on a nearby Mulberry tree Could it be? I sprung up with an excitement reminiscent of the young boy who found the longhorn beetle many moons ago. Could it be, could it be? It is, it is! Oh the excitement, must get the shot, must get the shot. Photographing the beetle ended up being anticlimactic. It was preoccupied chewing the bark of the tree and ignored my fumbling around. I am pleased with the photographs I took. Happy to finally have digital bits to review far in the future, not broken faded bits swirling in the bottom of a jar.
Image specs: Single Shot Handheld - Canon 5D-III, MP-E 65mm @ ~3:1, - f/14 - SS 1/60 - ISO200 - MT-24EX @ 1/4th power with DIY concave hardbox @ 45 degrees.
http://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-OUwheCrXRxs/VYy2QR9G7MI/AAAAAAAAO5g/bHh9bjJ4dCU/w1024-h686-no/cottonwood%2Bborer%2B-%2Bbw08%2B-%2B01.jpg
On the Fence
I just couldnt wake up for my Saturday hike. When I finally rolled out of bed, it was too late (8:30) to hit the trails but I still had the macro itch. So I headed to the backyard. I was busy shooting leaf hoppers when I noticed a bumblebee on the fence. I had hopes it would be an opportunity to get a couple single shots before it flew off. Took a couple pops and it didnt move. THought this might be a good opportunity to do a "hand held" stack. With the fence to lean on and help stabilize my arm/camera I shot 7 stacks. This was the best of the lot. For the most part the frames lined up ok. I had to ditch the start of the sequence due to the antenna moving. The movement was just too drastic to recover in post. Throughout the stacking sequence there was slight movement in the antennae that required touch up in Zerene. Flash placement was less then ideal and the right side is a bit too dark for my liking. Some touch ups due to noise were required there as well. Overall an acceptable image worth sharing.
Post processing included stacking PMax and DMap in Zerene. Substacking (slabbing) of the antennae was required. DMap was used as the base image and halos touched up with the slab and PMax outputs. Noise reduction in NIK DFine2 and sharpening done in NIK Sharpener Pro3.
Image specs: 12 Image Stack with cedar picket fence for support - Canon 5D-III, MP-E 65mm @ ~2:1, - f/5.6 - SS 1/40 - ISO400 - MT24EX- @ 1/16th power with DIY concave hardbox @ 20 degrees and off center of the subject.
http://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-6iDJXmctm9U/VY9skqxMqLI/AAAAAAAAPA8/2zBVVvOsNr0/s1024-no/bumble%2Bon%2Bthe%2Bfence-%2Bby%2B-%2B02.jpg
Prepare for Take Off 2
Whenever, Im testing out a new diffuser or diffuser material I look for a ladybug or other glossy insect to shoot. At first this ladybug didnt mind being a test subject but after a few shots it had enough of center stage and took flight. It was a little slow on take off and I managed to get a shot as it opened its shell to deploy its wings. One day Id really like to capture one in flight but Im not sure my reflexes are fast enough.
Image specs - Single Shot handheld - Canon 5D-III, MP-E 65mm @ ~2.5:1, - f/13 - SS 1/60 - ISO200 - MT-24EX @ 1/4th power with DIY concave hardbox - compositional crop.
http://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-R_kwBoj-UTs/VZDMNNdjvrI/AAAAAAAAPE4/lau0NTd82uI/w1024-h680/lady%2Bbug%2Bwing%2B-%2Bbw08%2B-%2B01.jpg
Blowout in the Bramble
Hard to find plant hoppers in this neck of the woods with decent tail filaments. As I understand it, the strands are made of a waxy secretion. The insect uses the tail to make it look larger to predators and help aid its balance in the event of a fall. I have seen specimens from the far east with long filaments that light up like multi-colored fiber optic strands. Here in Texas we get little tail puffs and when coupled with the shedded nymph fluff, it makes for a humorous frame in my sometimes sophomoric mind. I have problems photographing these. I never seem to get enough texture. Out of the camera this shot was okay but I had to crank up the contrast to get a more pleasing result.
Image specs - Single Shot handheld - Canon 5D-III, Sigma 150mm with 68mm tubes ~2:1, - f/11 - SS 1/125 - ISO400 - 600EX-RT with DIY Hardbox - compositional crop.
http://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ICotzZl7oBM/VZIT37pPHkI/AAAAAAAAPII/J0xYiYGz2oI/w1024-h686-no/hopper%2Bblow%2Bout%2Bin%2Bthe%2Bbramble%2B-%2Bbw8tn%2B-01.jpg
Thick Armed Bug - Oedancala crassmana - Overlooking the Details
Stumbled across these two as I sat near the edge of a wildflower patch. I was trying to photograph perching dragonflies and butterflies. I make it a habit to stay out of flower patches. Plopping down close to the edge so I dont trample the flowers. This proved to be frustrating as everything I wanted to photograph was out of reach of the tubed up 150mm. Colors and shapes in the patch were sharp and cluttered making it hard to draw a bead on anything with my eyes. When I encounter scenes like this I will defocus my vision, blur it if you will, by staring trough the scene only seeing shapes and colors, no particular details. Often this helps me pick up differences in hues or shapes that dont belong. Such was the case with this pair of thick armed bugs mating on a weed not more than a foot in front of me. With focused vision I never even noticed them. By defocusing" and absorbing the colors and patterns their brown exoskeletons stuck out like a sore thumb. Sometimes not focusing in on the details helps you find the shot.
Image specs: Single Shot Handheld - Canon 5D-III, Sigma 150mm with 68mm of Extension Tubes @ ~1.5:1, - f/11 - SS 1/125 - ISO400 - 600EX-RT with DIY Hardbox - slight compositional crop.
http://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-iLijTB7Fu64/VW_H8i25FMI/AAAAAAAAOOg/gpwQR5u01ko/w1024-h686-no/true%2Bbugs%2Bin%2Blove%2B-%2Bbw8tn%2B-01.jpg
Glassy Winged Sharpshooter - Homalodisca Vitripennis
To the persistent goes the macro photograph - case in point this Glassy Winged Sharpshooter. I noticed these hoppers two summers ago and have been trying to get a decent photograph ever since. They are rather shy critters. As the macro photographers nears the lens towards the subject, they play a game of ring around the stem. Hiding on the side opposite of the photographer. I have had many go arounds with these. The other problem, when the photographer does manage to get a shot, the glossy exoskeleton doesnt reveal much texture or detail. Diffused flash is a must. I finally landed a used Sigma 150mm macro (Non OS). I really like the working distance and the weight is quite manageable on long hikes. The working distance certainly helped with this subject. I used a diffuser I designed for the MP-E 65. Distance from the subject wasn't optimal, hence ISO400. I think I can improve in the illumination department with a diffuser tailored for the 150.
Here in Texas the insect is benign, feeding on native plants like the wild grape vine in the photo. I have read it has made its way to California and is an agricultural pest in the Southern California Valley.
Image specs: Single Shot Handheld - Canon 5D-III, Sigma 150mm with 68mm of Extension Tubes @ ~1.5:1, - f/10 - SS 1/125 - ISO400 - 600EX-RT with DIY Hardbox - compositional crop.
http://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-YwN5NQSQkwk/VW57vyWAXfI/AAAAAAAAOJk/z8JeU4OkrkU/w1024-h686-no/hopper%2B-%2Bbw8tn%2B-01.jpg
Prepare for Take Off
Heading home from my weekend macro-hike, I spotted this wasp on a flower, doing what some wasps do, pollinating. As I drew my lens near it became startled and took flight. I managed to capture this shot just before it left the flower. I was using the MP-E (completely manual lens) so feel fortunate to get this ~ 1.5:1 shot in focus. One thing I notice about the MP-E, it is much better balanced then say a Sigma 105mm on tubes. Quite frankly I wouldn't even use other macro lenses if it had a smaller minimum magnification ratio, say 1:5 to 5:1.
Image specs: Single Shot Handheld - Canon 5D-III, MP-E 65mm @ ~1.5:1, - f/13 - SS 1/60 - ISO200 - MT-24EX @ 1/8th power with DIY Concave Hardbox @ 45 degrees - compositional crop.
http://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-yslsmf_24RA/VYjV3rMgxfI/AAAAAAAAOnM/qQmUBOZHDmU/w1024-h768-no/wasp%2Bto%2Btake%2Bflight%2B-%2Bbw08%2B-%2B04.jpg
Robber Fly - Head On @ ~3:1
I found a spot on the bayou Where the Robber Flies Are (apologies Mr. Sendak). The area is brush and thick dewberry briar. Often the robbers perch just out of macro working distance. A cruel fate for this macro photographer so eager to photograph them. Saturday morning my fortunes took a turn for the better as the one pictured landed a foot away, well within leaning distance. I took a couple of overhead and side profile shots to dial in my flash power and diffuser angle/distance. I then positioned myself for the head on shot and worked through the magnifications - 1:1, 2:1, and 3:1. When I approached and 4:1 the critter had enough and flew away.
Due to the translucency of the legs I think this is a younger fly. Typically, the flies have darker brown legs and much more hair. A good looking specimen nonetheless.
Illumination is MT-24EX with DIY concave hardbox with DIY ARCA clamp and rail positioning contraption I pieced together. I really like the ease with which I can move the diffuser inline with the lens, raise and lower it, and angle it - parallel to the lens to a ~60 degree angle. Metric scales on the rails and on the ARCA panning clamp make all positioning assignments easy to repeat. The illumination is good but I think I like the uniformity of a single speedlight better. I need to shoot with it for a few more weeks before I make a final decision.
Image specs - Single Shot Handheld - Canon 5D-III, MP-E 65mm @ ~3:1, - f/14 - SS 1/60 - ISO200 - MT-24EX @ 1/4th power with DIY Concave Hardbox @ 45 degrees - square 1x1 crop in post.
http://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-SSKEj-tB7tc/VYoZB-RiTdI/AAAAAAAAOsU/9FI3coBTE00/s1024-no/robberfly%2B-%2Bbw08%2B-%2B04.jpg
Robber from The Side
Same Robber Fly that as above. One of the exposure test pops I took before I photographed it head on. I thought this came out well.
Image specs - Single Shot Handheld - Canon 5D-III, MP-E 65mm @ ~2:1, - f/13 - SS 1/60 - ISO200 - MT-24EX @ 1/4th power with DIY concave hardbox @ 45 degrees - compositional crop.
http://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-_Ve-uAdheFg/VYt_muBXkcI/AAAAAAAAO24/_84YgEKQcR4/w1024-h686-no/r0bber-side-view%2B-%2Bbw08%2B-%2B01.jpg
Jumper Meal Ticket
In the past I havent had the best luck photographing jumpers. Well, I thought I hit pay dirt when I discovered one had taken up residency in the tubing of my outdoor gas stove. I tried, unsuccessfully, waiting for it to emerge from the hole but moving the camera towards the subject would frighten it back into the tube. Analyzing my failed shots I noticed the fine silk strands outside the nest entrance. I wondered if the spider was monitoring the silks for vibrations, to sense insects. I have seen this behavior in Longjaw Orb Weavers, they rest on a twig or stem close to the edge of the web with one or two legs on a silk strand. When an insect flies into the web the spider springs into action, subduing the prey. To test this thought, I strummed the silks by gently dragging a fine piece of thread, knotted at the end, over the tube and silks. Sure enough, after a few seconds the spider would emerge from the hole. Not certain if it was the vibrations picked up by the silks, the metal tube or a combination of both. It didnt matter, I had a way to ring the spiders doorbell. I setup the camera on a tripod, focused on the entrance and dragged the thread on the tube. Voila, the spider answers the door and I got the shot. I thought this setup would be a windfall of jumper photo ops. It was not to be. Within a week the spider had disappeared from the cooker never to be seen again. Rumors going around, say it was tired of the paparazzi hanging outside its front door.
Image specs - Single Shot on Tripod - Canon 5D-III, MP-E 65mm @ ~3:1, - f/13 - SS 1/80 - ISO400 - 600EX-RT @ 1/4th power with DIY concave hardbox @ 15 degrees.
http://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-IXzmxodJTLU/VY4UNz6ACQI/AAAAAAAAO94/OwdshMTxL4Q/w1024-h576-no/jumper%2B-%2Bgas-cooker%2B-patio%2B-01.jpg
Cottonwood Borer - (Plectrodera scalator)
A very rare find for me. Its the second one Ive seen in my life. My first encounter was as a young boy. A housing development was being built near the bayou and many of the trees were cleared out. I found the beetle on a nearby bush. I was completely enthralled with the insect and decided to adopt the critter. I took it to school and showed it to my science teacher. She could only narrow the identity down to a longhorn beetle. We kept it in the classroom until it died. She preserved it in a jar filled with rubbing alcohol so I could have it for future study. I kept the jar for years, showing it to friends and family. All agreed it was an impressive specimen but few had the enthusiasm I did. After many years the specimen deteriorated. The colors ran, limbs and antenna segments broke off to the point I finally threw the jar away.
This past Sunday I was resting under the shade of a massive Cottonwood tree and noticed a large black and white beetle on a nearby Mulberry tree Could it be? I sprung up with an excitement reminiscent of the young boy who found the longhorn beetle many moons ago. Could it be, could it be? It is, it is! Oh the excitement, must get the shot, must get the shot. Photographing the beetle ended up being anticlimactic. It was preoccupied chewing the bark of the tree and ignored my fumbling around. I am pleased with the photographs I took. Happy to finally have digital bits to review far in the future, not broken faded bits swirling in the bottom of a jar.
Image specs: Single Shot Handheld - Canon 5D-III, MP-E 65mm @ ~3:1, - f/14 - SS 1/60 - ISO200 - MT-24EX @ 1/4th power with DIY concave hardbox @ 45 degrees.
http://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-OUwheCrXRxs/VYy2QR9G7MI/AAAAAAAAO5g/bHh9bjJ4dCU/w1024-h686-no/cottonwood%2Bborer%2B-%2Bbw08%2B-%2B01.jpg
On the Fence
I just couldnt wake up for my Saturday hike. When I finally rolled out of bed, it was too late (8:30) to hit the trails but I still had the macro itch. So I headed to the backyard. I was busy shooting leaf hoppers when I noticed a bumblebee on the fence. I had hopes it would be an opportunity to get a couple single shots before it flew off. Took a couple pops and it didnt move. THought this might be a good opportunity to do a "hand held" stack. With the fence to lean on and help stabilize my arm/camera I shot 7 stacks. This was the best of the lot. For the most part the frames lined up ok. I had to ditch the start of the sequence due to the antenna moving. The movement was just too drastic to recover in post. Throughout the stacking sequence there was slight movement in the antennae that required touch up in Zerene. Flash placement was less then ideal and the right side is a bit too dark for my liking. Some touch ups due to noise were required there as well. Overall an acceptable image worth sharing.
Post processing included stacking PMax and DMap in Zerene. Substacking (slabbing) of the antennae was required. DMap was used as the base image and halos touched up with the slab and PMax outputs. Noise reduction in NIK DFine2 and sharpening done in NIK Sharpener Pro3.
Image specs: 12 Image Stack with cedar picket fence for support - Canon 5D-III, MP-E 65mm @ ~2:1, - f/5.6 - SS 1/40 - ISO400 - MT24EX- @ 1/16th power with DIY concave hardbox @ 20 degrees and off center of the subject.
http://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-6iDJXmctm9U/VY9skqxMqLI/AAAAAAAAPA8/2zBVVvOsNr0/s1024-no/bumble%2Bon%2Bthe%2Bfence-%2Bby%2B-%2B02.jpg
Prepare for Take Off 2
Whenever, Im testing out a new diffuser or diffuser material I look for a ladybug or other glossy insect to shoot. At first this ladybug didnt mind being a test subject but after a few shots it had enough of center stage and took flight. It was a little slow on take off and I managed to get a shot as it opened its shell to deploy its wings. One day Id really like to capture one in flight but Im not sure my reflexes are fast enough.
Image specs - Single Shot handheld - Canon 5D-III, MP-E 65mm @ ~2.5:1, - f/13 - SS 1/60 - ISO200 - MT-24EX @ 1/4th power with DIY concave hardbox - compositional crop.
http://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-R_kwBoj-UTs/VZDMNNdjvrI/AAAAAAAAPE4/lau0NTd82uI/w1024-h680/lady%2Bbug%2Bwing%2B-%2Bbw08%2B-%2B01.jpg
Blowout in the Bramble
Hard to find plant hoppers in this neck of the woods with decent tail filaments. As I understand it, the strands are made of a waxy secretion. The insect uses the tail to make it look larger to predators and help aid its balance in the event of a fall. I have seen specimens from the far east with long filaments that light up like multi-colored fiber optic strands. Here in Texas we get little tail puffs and when coupled with the shedded nymph fluff, it makes for a humorous frame in my sometimes sophomoric mind. I have problems photographing these. I never seem to get enough texture. Out of the camera this shot was okay but I had to crank up the contrast to get a more pleasing result.
Image specs - Single Shot handheld - Canon 5D-III, Sigma 150mm with 68mm tubes ~2:1, - f/11 - SS 1/125 - ISO400 - 600EX-RT with DIY Hardbox - compositional crop.
http://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ICotzZl7oBM/VZIT37pPHkI/AAAAAAAAPII/J0xYiYGz2oI/w1024-h686-no/hopper%2Bblow%2Bout%2Bin%2Bthe%2Bbramble%2B-%2Bbw8tn%2B-01.jpg
Jun 30, 2015 11:40:43 #
William: Wonderful series-- but as usual, your narrative adds a lot to help us all experience your "macro-ventures".
Absolutely love the story of coaxing out the Jumper. If you don't already, you should write professionally.
Absolutely love the story of coaxing out the Jumper. If you don't already, you should write professionally.
Jun 30, 2015 12:33:39 #
Great set and write-ups.
Agree on the MP-E, a 1:1.5 would be nice.
Agree on the MP-E, a 1:1.5 would be nice.
Jun 30, 2015 13:37:47 #
always look forward to your posts and as usual this one did not disappoint.good job!
Jun 30, 2015 16:13:16 #
lovely series........I see the signs often, expressing the importance of keeping the glassy wing out of the county here for obvious reasons
Jun 30, 2015 16:18:57 #
Jul 1, 2015 03:53:21 #
William, it looks like you are getting the concave lighting squared away. The reflection in the Jumpers eyes and these outstanding results seem to confirm that.
Outstanding work in every regard Sir :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:
Also, Douglass and I can confirm that these Sharpshooters have in fact made their way here to SoCal (there are two on my flickr page). I shot one about a year or so ago then, Douglass and I took turns shooting another one we found. It was much easier having
a partner on the other side of the plant to chase it back around to the shooting side of the stem.
Outstanding work in every regard Sir :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:
Also, Douglass and I can confirm that these Sharpshooters have in fact made their way here to SoCal (there are two on my flickr page). I shot one about a year or so ago then, Douglass and I took turns shooting another one we found. It was much easier having
a partner on the other side of the plant to chase it back around to the shooting side of the stem.
Jul 1, 2015 08:26:29 #
Jul 1, 2015 08:43:47 #
Jul 1, 2015 10:12:47 #
Outstanding series. I enjoyed my morning coffee while viewing these super images and reading your great commentary. I noted
your frustration when using the 150 with tubes & potential subjects just out of reach. I've been experimenting using a 2x TC just for
this reason. A little early to confirm consistent results. Again, great post. Thanks for sharing.
your frustration when using the 150 with tubes & potential subjects just out of reach. I've been experimenting using a 2x TC just for
this reason. A little early to confirm consistent results. Again, great post. Thanks for sharing.
Jul 1, 2015 10:18:02 #
I have seen a lot of very fine macro work being done on this forum. Yours stands out above all others. Your descriptions of the hunt, setup and challenges are the best. The results, to my eye, are flawless. Too funny that you were taking pictures of the Cottonwood Borer that was on a Mulberry tree which you noticed while sitting under a Cottonwood tree. Also your method of coaxing out the jumper was quite ingenious.
I would very much like to see more about your flash diffusion setups. Maybe you have posted this before? I have the MPE-65 and the MT-24EX flash as well as the 600EX-RT and the 5DM3 body. I also use a Tamron 180mm macro for some of my work. I am still working on flash solutions and would love to hear more about yours. Maybe we could PM about this?
I would very much like to see more about your flash diffusion setups. Maybe you have posted this before? I have the MPE-65 and the MT-24EX flash as well as the 600EX-RT and the 5DM3 body. I also use a Tamron 180mm macro for some of my work. I am still working on flash solutions and would love to hear more about yours. Maybe we could PM about this?
Jul 1, 2015 17:58:13 #
Absolutely a great series. I like every one of them. Maybe in my next life I will be able to do this good....Rich
Jul 1, 2015 18:18:14 #
Jul 1, 2015 19:43:25 #
randave2001 wrote:
Two of William Banik's macro set-ups: http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-32754-5.html#3705363I would very much like to see more about your flash diffusion setups.
Jul 1, 2015 19:50:05 #
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Shooting specs - :thumbup:
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