Macro Image of a Mantis
Feb 26, 2023 16:01:08 #
I staged my preserved Carolina Mantis for a single-shot macro image. It was yet another experiment with flash diffusion: I made a much larger lens-mounted cone and placed a piece of white plastic over the Speedlight to direct the flash to the cone.
I've included images of the mantis setup and the DIY diffusion for the Speedlight used for this session.
Image particulars: Nikon Z6 with S-mount 105mm macro lens and Nikon SB-800 Speedlight flash. Manual Mode, 1/60 second, f/18, ISO-200, Auto White Balance, TTL Flash Mode, 0.5mm thick white polyethylene sheet plastic diffusion material.
I've included images of the mantis setup and the DIY diffusion for the Speedlight used for this session.
Image particulars: Nikon Z6 with S-mount 105mm macro lens and Nikon SB-800 Speedlight flash. Manual Mode, 1/60 second, f/18, ISO-200, Auto White Balance, TTL Flash Mode, 0.5mm thick white polyethylene sheet plastic diffusion material.
Feb 26, 2023 19:36:19 #
Feb 26, 2023 20:18:10 #
Blenheim Orange wrote:
Very interesting. The pose is great. Well done. 
Thanks, Mike. I'm passing a bit of time until the purple dead nettles mature for their photo sessions. They have small buds on them now so about another week and they will be ready.
Feb 26, 2023 23:36:33 #
sippyjug104 wrote:
Thanks, Mike. I'm passing a bit of time until the purple dead nettles mature for their photo sessions. They have small buds on them now so about another week and they will be ready.
We are 60 days away from anything like that here.
Feb 27, 2023 08:10:59 #
Juy
Loc: Delaware
Hey that diffuser is working out pretty nicely. But I think your other setup gives better contrast. Nice work cool idea and the backdrop works well
Feb 27, 2023 08:47:35 #
Feb 27, 2023 09:19:48 #
Juy wrote:
Hey that diffuser is working out pretty nicely. But I think your other setup gives better contrast. Nice work cool idea and the backdrop works well
Thanks, Juy. Contrast, soft shadows, and no specular highlights from a Speedlight flash that is portable, non-intrusive, durable, and weather resistant for use in the field is a never-ending search. Of course, I am somewhere on a long, long road that will take me there....maybe.
Feb 27, 2023 09:20:54 #
EnglishBrenda wrote:
A beautiful image, Mantis are very photogenic.
Brenda, thanks for viewing and for the reply.
Feb 27, 2023 14:02:21 #
Very nice. The diffuser is hot-spotting, although the design is sound. I would try to widen the bounce diffuser more so it does not make such a narrow tunnel for the light to go to one area of the cone shaped diffuser.
I've got a whole new diffuser design in the woiks myself. Hoping to find a ladybug to test it on, since they are one of the toughest customers.
I've got a whole new diffuser design in the woiks myself. Hoping to find a ladybug to test it on, since they are one of the toughest customers.
Feb 27, 2023 16:42:38 #
Mark Sturtevant wrote:
Very nice. The diffuser is hot-spotting, although the design is sound. I would try to widen the bounce diffuser more so it does not make such a narrow tunnel for the light to go to one area of the cone shaped diffuser.
I've got a whole new diffuser design in the woiks myself. Hoping to find a ladybug to test it on, since they are one of the toughest customers.
I've got a whole new diffuser design in the woiks myself. Hoping to find a ladybug to test it on, since they are one of the toughest customers.
Thanks, Mark. My diffuser is a work in progress if not never-ending. I get better results with a 4x5 softbox shooting into the lens-mounted cone which is the approach that I am favoring at the moment for it spreads a softer light onto the cone. I will use the 9x9 softbox for flowers, however, it's a bit ungainly for getting into the thickets and weeds where the critters thrive.
Feb 27, 2023 18:32:09 #
Feb 27, 2023 20:10:20 #
tinusbum wrote:
good one! i see more green one but quite a few brown one's too
Thanks, Tinusbum. The Carolina mantis is quite small compared to the "green" Chinese mantis that is most common here.
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