Den, my limited understanding of diffused light is this: You should use it when you want to hide details, like wrinkles or to soften sharply defined shadows.

But if you want to emphasize details or textures, like with bird feathers, hair, fur, etc., then you should not use a diffuser.

So now that I've said that, I guess it makes sense not to use a diffuser for this furry bumble bee.

Thanks for posing the question and getting me to think about it!

Thanks for the wonderful word, Bob!

Den

DP, your appreciation of our universe is a beautiful one!

Den

Thanks, Den.

I didn't cover the flash with its built in diffuser. Is that recommended for a macro shot?

If so, I want to keep that in mind for the next time.

Den

Thanks, Carly Sue. I do love how this guy looks. He's a beauty!

I did feel encouraged enough to add two more photos - one today and one a couple days ago.

Den

Wonderful, DP! I enjoyed your poem enthusiastically!

The four lines I quoted had a special meaning for me. For some years I had been an amateur astronomer sharing views through my telescopes with folks who visited astronomy club outings.

Whenever we looked at the Andromeda galaxy, I always told the viewer that the image they were seeing was possible because many light photons traveled through space for over 2 millions years and the first thing the photons touched was their eye.

Further, the energy of those photons touching their eye causes their brain to create proteins in their brain that become a memory.

So those photons came all this long distance over all these years to become a memory in their mind.

Some seemed to appreciate that. I know you would!

Den

Mike, you would have enjoyed Fortescue yesterday morning. Before I even had the cameras out of the car I had seen Ospreys carrying a fish on two occasions within a few minute of each other.

So if you can do it, get to Fortescue around 8:30 AM and you might see the same!

Den

** For the BEST experience, download the photo, or you're MISSING OUT!

Fortescue, NJ 8/22/2015 (Sharing OK)

At the suggestion of my birding- photographer buddy, Dave, I headed to Fortescue to meet and see if we might catch some interesting migrants heading South in the early morning. We did see a few Ruddy Turnstones, some sandpiper and some Starlings(!)

For me, the most interesting opportunity arose when an Osprey with a fish was heading toward us. (I remember commenting to Dave that I wished he was flying toward the sun. I’m so greedy for direct lighting on a bird!)
Anyway, it would have been too difficult to get this guy with my tripod mounted camera, even with the Wimberley Gimbal head, so I use my handheld gear.

As he flew toward me I was already sitting on the sand and while continuously shooting, I just naturally moved backward and downward to a lying position as he flew overhead.

This was the best shot of the lot, though the fish might not be too happy with it.

Canon 70D, Canon 100-400mm F/4.5-5.6L IS II lens, 400 mm, Tv, 1/1000 second, F/6.3, ISO 200, Spot metering, 0 EV), hand held.

Fish delivery by air-meal

(Download)

Thanks, trigger. I don't see them very often either! This is the first time I saw one long enough to get a photo.

Cool, Trig! Go get it!

Thanks, mm!

Trig, a built in flash is typically limited to 1/250th of a second. If you buy a flash unit that attaches to the camera, it might have the capability to support a faster shutter speed. That feature is call high-speed sync.

One more thing- my side-mounted flash unit was angled toward the subject at a 45 degree angle.

Den

Thanks, Tazzy!

Thanks, Simon!

Thanks, Earnest. It was the result of some reading and a lot of trial and error!

Den