Ray, the Dorsal Dropwing Dragonfly Image # 1 and the Red Veined Dragonfly Image No 2 are both between 36 to 38 mm long, I'm not too sure about the third image but my guess is that it would be a similar length to the other two. All three are found in the KwaZulu Natal province of South Africa. These measurements are according to the publication 'Water Dancers of South Africa's National Botanical Gardens'. So with an APS-C sensor of 22.3 mm the magnification will be 37/22.3 = 1:1.6 magnification not 1:3 magnification.

By the way: The title of this book—water dancers—is a literal translation of the Zulu word ‘jigamanzi’, where jig = dance + amanzi = water, that has been used to describe dragonflies, an apt description as adults swirl about water bodies engaged in their daily business. Brian

Thank you for looking SnapperLady. I simply waited until they were ate rest! Brian

Thank you for looking and your favourable comments with a thumbup PIP, they are much appreciated. Brian

Bogyeyeliot since you raise the question I will publish the Private message that I sent to Nikonian72. When you read the PM you can make up your own mind. Nikokian72s action was the catalyst to leave:

MY DISSATISFACTION

Nikonian, Thank you for pointing this out. But on this occasion I've decided that I'll leave uglyhedgehog for good as it is not an easy forum to work in.

1) It is too difficult to get your articles posted under the sections, while others seem to hog the section space day after day. This has been my first attempt at posting on the Hog after two months absence to see if this attitude had changed. Unfortunately they have not. On a previous occasion I was told that there is no discrimination but rather members articles are posted in the Daily Section on a random basis. What a lot of nonsense! Try being on of those [and then] trying to break in to the clique!

2) I posted two articles recently, one being my Leopard Series which did not make the Photo Gallery Section cut and the other being my Dragonfly photos today which also did not make the Truly Macro Section cut. These are just one of many examples that I can give. While I try to post intelligent and interesting articles others get away with publishing absolute nonsense day after day.

Nikonian, While a respect your talents immensely I find it rather difficult to be told to move my macro photos to the Photo Gallery, as if I'm not good enough for you. I was not even given the chance to do so, and it had been moved by admin. In the meantime several people had already looked at my dragonfly photos without any derogatory comments. No comments about my photos not being true macro.

I think that you must agree that I've followed your advise whenever you offered it, and now to be told by you to go somewhere else because I'm not good enough, is a rather tough pill to swallow for me. I feel that the forum has become too arrogant, and that they only want to keep it for the few who are either a mate or are good enough in someones eyes. I've never claimed to be professional macro photographer always emphasising my inexperience.

Since I Joined, I've got about 10 people from Australia to join, and while I was in south Africa over December / January I persuaded another three to do so. Obviously I will no longer solicit members for the Hog but rather for 500px and ViewBug where I'm very happy.

I also think that our admin sensors behave in bad taste so it continues unabated. Quite honestly I am not too sure what contribution the admin people make but it is definitely not in a positive way.

Please accept my resignation with immediate effect. I will not log onto the Hog again so I'll never know what the outcome will be. Should you wish to communicate anything to me then please contact me at: shaka1652@hotmail.com

I wish the Hog all the best for the future and I hope that you can come to grips with members who are willing to try the new art of photography without them being bullied.

Yours sincerely

Brian Basson

P.S. I've replied to your instruction via the Private Mail facility as that is the way that you communicated to me, but I believe that it should be an open letter for all the members to see, instead of being underhanded ! Brian Basson

Thank you C,Ashbeck1 for taking the time to look at my post it is sincerely appreciated. Brian

Thank you Dixiegirl I appreciate that you took the time to look and comment. Brian

Hi cddigital, I agree that dragonflies are amazing. Thank you for looking at my post and providing your comments. They are sincerely appreciated. Brian

It is not true that all Douglass / Nikonian72 explaining what a true macro is in his first email to me.

This is what he said, verbatim:"While this are nice close-up photographs, none are macro-photographs. Your APS-C sensor is only 22.3-mm wide (< 1-inch), and each of these dragonflies is at least 75-mm long (3-inches). A true macro image would capture just 1/3 of each insect."

"Please re-post these close-up photos to the Main Photography Section."

As you will see there is no explanation as to how to achieve a macro photo - he did that in a later email when replying to another members question about what does he need to do to take a true macro photo. Brian

I for one agree with you that it will be a shame and a travesty should Gregory were to leave this forum to which he has given so much. I have had many meaningful interactions with Gregory whom I respect immensely for his integrity, photographic skills and foremost I respect him for the upstanding person that he his. Brian

Thank you photophile for looking in the first place and the lovely compliment re my photos, it is sincerely appreciated. Brian

Hello magnetoman, I need to defend myself here: I did not join UHH or the Macro Forum to enable me to post my pictures. That shallow I'm not. I've been a member since June 2012 and have posted 53 serious topics, in that time, with a lot of wonderful feedback since then. But you have only been a member since November 2012 and you will not know what my contribution has been. I respect Nikonian72 for his mentoring photographers, like me, who want to get into macro photography. Nikonian72 can verify this. I've followed his advice all the time without challenging his point of view as to how to take macro photos. So, I think that you stating the I am a Trojan horse, who joined the macro forum to simply to be able to post my dragonfly photo is totally erroneous. Maybe you need to check your facts before making such allegations. Brian

Thank you Jimbo9948 your shots are pretty cool, for a Nikon, LOL. Thank you for having a look. Brian

Hi Robbie7, I think that we should clear up a few things mentioned in your message.

1) I understood that this is photography site, that is the reason that I joined, but the primary reason was to learn from those with more skill/s than I have.
2) I did not join thinking that this is a 'social chat club'. My photography is too important to me.
3) I consider myself a serious photographer. With each photograph that I posted I provided as much information that I could so that members will appreciate what I've done and why.
4) I respect Nikonian72 for the knowledge that he has, and I've mentioned that several times on this site not in a 'social chatty' way, but seriously in as few words as I could. I am not in a position to challenge Nikonian72 with what he has to say about macro photography, and that, my friend, has never been my intention. If Nikonian72 looks back he will see that I've never challenged him but I respectfully went back with the advice that he gave me at the time, to stretch myself further. In fact, I have told many members in the past to join the Macro Forum to further enhance their skills. Brian

So glad that you enjoyed it Rene, and thank you for taking the time to look. Brian

Thank you for looking CResQ and for your kind comments! Brian