docshark Loc: Millersville, PA

Douglass had set me up with the things I needed to get a start in macro. Thanks Douglass. I wanted to finally give it a try. I've been attempting to identify the 300+ evuviae of dragonflies that I have collected down to species. (Calculus and analytic geometry were much easier). The exuviae is the skin or molt left as many Arthropods go from one instar to another. In dragonflies you may find these on emergent plants along the shore as they go from their nymph form to adult dragonflies.
The first is an exuviae of an Aj (Anax junius) or Common Green Darner. When they emerge they split their dried skin at their "shoulders" between their wing pads in an attempt to crawl out of the exuviae. One shot is of the prementum or lower extendable jaw. Nymphs can draw water in through their anus, extract oxygen and if they wish, forcibly expel the water to jet forward or close the anus which will cause the extendable jaw to jut forward to grab prey. This ability is lost after their metamorphosis.
The second example is a Prince Baskettail (Epitheca princeps). It is a burrowing nymph thus the silt and sand gives more contrast to the parts when photographed. The "threads" you see coming from the opening where they emerged are actually the lining of their breathing tubes.
Some insects may eat some of the exuviae as they are a great source of energy.
Sorry to get so wordy. Anyway, here are a few of my humble first attempts at macro. All constructive comments will be helpful. I appreciate you looking.
-Doc

Common Green Darner (Anax junius)

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Prementum (Extendable jaw)

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Prince Baskettail (Epitheca princeps)

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Notice the difference in the "jaws" on this prementum

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tinusbum Loc: east texas

nice shots,except for the 3rd one. your a quick study.good job

Mark Sturtevant Loc: Grand Blanc, MI

Very interesting! Besides the value in identifying the exuvia, it is clear that these subjects can be 'arty' and unique.
I am surprised you have not done macro, but it makes sense since you concentrate on larger critters. At this point, what do you find that is more challenging about macro?

rwilson1942 Loc: Houston, TX

MichaelH Loc: NorCal via Lansing, MI

Very nice. Would the translucence be more pronounced with a darker background? Interesting subjects.

EnglishBrenda Loc: Kent, England

What a fascinating study! I used to find dragonfly exuvia in Spain and wish I had kept some. They are great subjects for macro and very interesting in their own right. I admire the classification work you are doing - a daunting task for anyone not as knowledgeable as you in this field. Yes, good shooting on a difficult subject, I particularly like the 4th. and I enjoy your introduction very much.

docshark Loc: Millersville, PA

I thank you very much. I'm working at it. I think of my self as a taker of dragon and damsel pictures. What I strive for is to someday be a photographer like many of the folks here in the forum. I'm going on an expedition this summer and plan on doing a lot of practicing before then. I was in Louisiana last spring for a survey in the Kisatchie National Forest collecting data on the rarest dragonfly in the US. I'd like to visit the other areas of East Texas where they are found someday when I'm on one of my Texas trips. Problem is, their flight season is so short. Love your work by the way.

docshark Loc: Millersville, PA

Thanks for looking in Mark. Yes I have concentrated on the adult dragons and damsels mainly for the county survey and other surveys around the country. I'd like to do "artsy" shots like many on here do but I have to concentrate on identifying field marks. I should probably take the shots I need and hang around a little while longer and "play with the shots." I'm usually up and on to the next Ode that will sit for its portrait. At this point there are two things I find challenging about this macro work. 1. getting the lighting right. And 2. getting more depth of field.

docshark Loc: Millersville, PA

Hey Rick, thanks for the thumb up! Much appreciated. It's a start.

docshark Loc: Millersville, PA

Thank you so very much Brenda. I've been wanting to try photographing through the microscope too and saving the pictures as data when I finally get the dragon identified down to the species. Nothing worse that reinventing the wheel when you are looking at a specimen that you've already spent time identifying. Yeah I like the pictures of the prementum of different species too. Some look quite harmless and others look quite threatening. They are one of many good indicators in at least identifying to Family. I've been told that that is what they used to model the mouth in the Sigourney Weaver Movie "Alien."

docshark Loc: Millersville, PA

You know Michael, after I took these and posted them I wondered if I shouldn't have flipped the surface over on which I had shot these. The other side is black. I may have to do both next time. Good idea as most of the exuviae are, as you say, translucent. I've tried to clean some of the burrowing species but I usually end up breaking off an antenna, a tarsal claw or leg. I appreciate you looking in Michael and taking the time to comment.

angela k Loc: Long Island

Excellent set of macros, Doc!! Good eyes on finding these shells....

docshark Loc: Millersville, PA

Thanks Angela. I've always wanted to try some macro. Well, it's a start.

angela k Loc: Long Island

Doc, what kind of lens do you use?

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

An excellent scientific use of macro-photography, beautifully captured. Once you are happy with your table-top set-up, you can easily re-shoot evuviae on a background that will compliment your subjects. I agree with Michael's suggestion of a black background for near-transparent evuviae. The light background works well for your second example. If size documentation is a concern, consider placing a small steel metric ruler below subject.
Based on your Exif info of image #1, I strongly suggest that you consider the following suggestions:
Camera Model: Canon EOS 80D
Lens: EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM
Image Date: 2017-02-14
Aperture: ƒ/13.0 - Suggest f/16 for slight DoF improvement
Exposure Time: 0.033 s (1/30-sec) - Too long! Allows ambient light. Try 1/200-sec
ISO equiv: 400 - suggest ISO 200
Exposure Bias: +2.00 EV - unnecessary
Metering Mode: Matrix
Exposure: Manual
Exposure Mode: Manual
White Balance: Auto
Flash Fired: Yes