Black Ant - Macro View
Jul 18, 2019 08:35:46 #
This is a black ant that took the Tito's Vodka ride home from Tennessee along with the red ant that I posted earlier.
It's another in the series of placing small subjects into a ping-pong ball and illuminating it from four directions in an attempt to provide even subdued lighting.
I mounted it on a sliver of bark and it ended up a bit high and toward the end of the bark so I left the pin in the image rather than have the ant floating in space.
Thanks as always to all who view and for any comments, suggestions and critique.
It's another in the series of placing small subjects into a ping-pong ball and illuminating it from four directions in an attempt to provide even subdued lighting.
I mounted it on a sliver of bark and it ended up a bit high and toward the end of the bark so I left the pin in the image rather than have the ant floating in space.
Thanks as always to all who view and for any comments, suggestions and critique.
Jul 18, 2019 08:44:32 #
Jul 18, 2019 08:49:32 #
He looks a big doleful Gary, perhaps the Vodka didn't agree with him. Well shot as always.
Jul 18, 2019 09:17:11 #
Jul 18, 2019 09:18:35 #
Jul 18, 2019 09:20:29 #
Jul 18, 2019 09:26:07 #
Its not the Vodka that does it, Its the Ice, Ice will get ya every time
Jul 18, 2019 09:38:04 #
Jul 18, 2019 09:41:48 #
Brenda, I've done a few sessions with various ants now and they pose a bit of a challenge each time. I suppose the Vodka didn't do much for him swimming in it however I enjoyed mine with lemonade sitting at the campsite.
They are quite small so getting them pinned is difficult. I use size #000 mounting pins (0.25mm) which are the thinnest that I can find available. You can see from the image how large the pin looks with respect to the ant.
Their bodies are thinly joined and very flexible so they want to sag regardless of where I pin them. The legs curl and of course they are very tiny to work with. I use an insulin syringe needle as a manipulation tool and I wear a magnifying headband as I work on them.
I've done smaller insects but ants thus far have posed the ultimate challenge for me.
They are quite small so getting them pinned is difficult. I use size #000 mounting pins (0.25mm) which are the thinnest that I can find available. You can see from the image how large the pin looks with respect to the ant.
Their bodies are thinly joined and very flexible so they want to sag regardless of where I pin them. The legs curl and of course they are very tiny to work with. I use an insulin syringe needle as a manipulation tool and I wear a magnifying headband as I work on them.
I've done smaller insects but ants thus far have posed the ultimate challenge for me.
Jul 18, 2019 09:45:03 #
Jul 18, 2019 10:00:31 #
Jul 18, 2019 10:05:19 #
sippyjug104 wrote:
Brenda, I've done a few sessions with various ants... (show quote)
I guess it's out as a target for pin the tail then?................another nice one! especially seeings it's black and shiny
Jul 18, 2019 10:11:41 #
Holy cow Gary! What a shot. I sure hope people take the time to download your shots. I like to double download and scan the whole shot to see so many things one has a difficult time seeing things that you can't see just looking at the insect. So well done.
-Doc
-Doc
Jul 18, 2019 10:11:57 #
This is my technique for macro photography of small insects:
I take a ping-pong ball and cut a hole in it about the size of a nickel. I cut a slit in it from the hole running toward the back. I poke a hole in the back and wedge a piece of wooden matchstick to make a "tail" that I can use to hold it in a clamp.
I pin the insect and then place the insect into the ping-pong ball by sliding the pin in the slot that I cut. I use a dab of modeling clay that I press against the outside of the ping-pong ball around the pin to keep it from moving out of place.
I use for lights that I place against the ping-pong ball to create a full ring of light around the surface of the ball which causes it to wrap the insect in soft light with no cast shadows.
I take a ping-pong ball and cut a hole in it about the size of a nickel. I cut a slit in it from the hole running toward the back. I poke a hole in the back and wedge a piece of wooden matchstick to make a "tail" that I can use to hold it in a clamp.
I pin the insect and then place the insect into the ping-pong ball by sliding the pin in the slot that I cut. I use a dab of modeling clay that I press against the outside of the ping-pong ball around the pin to keep it from moving out of place.
I use for lights that I place against the ping-pong ball to create a full ring of light around the surface of the ball which causes it to wrap the insect in soft light with no cast shadows.
Jul 18, 2019 10:23:01 #
Thanks, Doc. That really means a lot to me. I realize that my work is not the same as capturing the insects in their natural environments making their daily living and I am in awe of those that have that amazing talent and the eyesight and the necessary physical skills. I enjoy being in the field and I really try however I appear to be better suited for a controlled setting.
I know very little about the science of insects so it pleases me when those that do can see aspects in my subjects that interest them. Each one that I do shows me just how complex and specialized these critters are.
In closing, thanks to all..!
I know very little about the science of insects so it pleases me when those that do can see aspects in my subjects that interest them. Each one that I do shows me just how complex and specialized these critters are.
In closing, thanks to all..!
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