sippyjug104 Loc: Missouri

Spring is arriving on little cat's feet. Ever so softly, ever so stealthful. Winter is desperately trying to keep hold but her grasp is slipping away. I found this sprout of evergreen laying on the trail in the woods. I suspect some animal pulled it off the tree and I thought that it would make an interesting macro subject.

I included the setup that I used where you can see how I utilize small pieces of colored paper to create backgrounds. The light diffuser is two stacked 2-oz. Dixie Cups with a layer of paper towel between them.

(Download)


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rwilson1942 Loc: Houston, TX

I like seeing the set-ups.
Is that one of the Ikea LED lamps?

sippyjug104 Loc: Missouri

Yes, it is. I bought it at IKEA for about $14 and they work great for what I have been doing. I chose the desk lamp base style instead of the clamp style. I use two of them opposed from each other to remove any cast shadows.

Through my many trials and tribulations, I found that the closer the lighting diffuser is to the subject the better the result. The "Law of Light" is that it falls off related to the square of the distance. That's why a flash photo will appear to have a black background if there is nothing to reflect the light back.

My final setup is made from two 2-oz. Dixie Cups (like you'd put tartar sauce or catsup at the restaurant). I cut the bottoms out and I wrap one of them with one layer of paper towel and then I stack them together.

I place the IKEA lights as close to the diffuser as possible on opposing sides and aimed toward the subject like the camera lens is looking at the subject. Don't point the lights in the direction of the lens.

I now use a small piece of colored paper as a background which I can change to compliment the color of the subject. I got a pack of (50) 8-1/2 x 11 sheets of assorted colors at Walmart for $1.50 which will last for years to come.

newtoyou Loc: Eastport

I thought that fog crept in on little cat's feet.
I have many different light sources. All different, all do a job. But I must admit the Ikea lights give a lot of bang for the money.
Idea for subjects. As tiny 'weeds' start to bloom, carry a few containers and a trowel with you. Take samples home to stage. Even if I could kneel easily, I still prefer this method. A six inch drywall trowel works well.
See you in a few on private, Gary.
G'nite to all .
Bill

sippyjug104 Loc: Missouri

I couldn't resist the reference to Hemingway. I thought it was fitting for how slowly and subtle spring is coming to my area. I'm blessed with an abundance of wildflowers around me. Until recently I thought of them as weeds, just an unwanted plant in my mind but now I see them in their beauty and the important part that they play in the tiny world.

I'll surely make pursuing them with the camera an important part of my ventures.

EnglishBrenda Loc: Kent, England

I too like to see set ups, lighting is something I could do well to improve on.

Mark Sturtevant Loc: Grand Blanc, MI

Very good.
Our main 'sun garden' has a number of weeds that I consider 'honorary ornamentals'. If they flower all summer and are attractive to insects, then they have a place in the garden.

sippyjug104 Loc: Missouri

Mark, one of the great things about being an insect macro photography enthusiast is that my better half used to prod me to keep the weeds from growing around the fence and our shed when I would cut the grass. Now I have her convinced that it is a natural prairie restoration area so it's best that I not touch it so as not to molest the insects that are attracted to it. It kind of works but she still gives me "the look" when I mention it.