Bees from Wisley [Archive] - Talk Photography

Grendel

08-05-2007, 19:18

I've recently been attempting some macro work with insects. I have to say, having tried a few times now, I am in awe of some of the macro work I have seen on TP. It really is an incredibly difficult thing to get right. Finally I have taken a couple of shots that I think are worthy of posting. I'd be grateful for any constructive critique on these because this is an area of photography that I really want to improve. It's so challenging - I think that's why I enjoy it so much :D

http://www.psdale.com/PSD/Lo%20Res/Bee%20II.jpg

http://www.psdale.com/PSD/Lo%20Res/Bee%20III.jpg

http://www.psdale.com/PSD/Lo%20Res/Bee.jpg

http://www.psdale.com/PSD/Lo%20Res/Hornet.jpg

I've purposly put these in In Depth Critique so don't worry about hurting my feelings, I want to learn and improve in this area!

Thanks for looking ;)

Arkady

08-05-2007, 19:34

Getting there, but they need more hairspray to stop them moving (Jus' kiddin').
Pretty damn good, I reckon even though it's not my bag. Every one of them has DoF probs though as you'll have noticed yourself.
1st and last are OK but the other two have the point of focus just to the rear of the eye - for me it has to be spot-on.
But Worthy. Very Worthy.

RobertP

08-05-2007, 19:46

That reads like you don't realise how good these are :)

I've looked at the exif and all are without flash. That makes a difficult task very difficult. I don't get many keepers without flash. With flash also lets you close the aperture down to f11 f13 etc and helps a lot in getting that critical sharpness.

These may not have cutting sharpness but they are great natural looking views - with natural lighting. Looking down on the back of a fly/bee whatever is the same view you normally have and is not that interesting so I'd put #3 and #2 as my picks as they are more in the bugs world not ours (despite any focus issues ;) ).

Jonnyreb

08-05-2007, 19:47

As per Rob, but the 3rd has an interest of its own due to the emerging subject.

Arkady

08-05-2007, 19:50

I have done this myself a number of times, thanks, though not on insects :)

Jonnyreb

08-05-2007, 19:53

hmmmm....... ladies *** like girls *** may be of a jewish persuasion...? :nuts:

Grendel

08-05-2007, 23:07

Thanks guys, just the feedback I was looking for :thumbs: I realise these are far from perfect. I completely agree about the DoF and slightly off focus Rob. That's where I've been struggling the most. These buggers move so quick that it's really tough to get a focus before they're off again, let alone control the composition!

It sounds like a flash is what I need to progress my shots Robert. I've been constantly wishing I could get my f stop higher. I think the fact it was nice and bright and sunny when I took these helped but the DoF is so tiny with this lens that I need to get higher still. Do you use a ring flash or a speedlight out of interest?

Thanks for the positive comments though, it's given me encouragement that I'm moving in the right direction with macro work. A way to go yet but getting there :)

Arkady

09-05-2007, 08:07

When we did studio work - the biggest hurdle was getting enough light to the subject, even with 4 Bowens lights on full whack, it always seemed you needed more. At f/32 on medium format you had about 0.25mm DoF when shooting 1:1...:eek:
For outdoor macro-work I'd use the new Nikon (ringflash) Speedlights designed for medical use. Awesome bit of kit.
I realise that's no good to you but I think Metz might do one that's a similar spec.
I also saw a guy who'd made his own, using a Metz hammer-head (attached to the camera by an L-Bracket) and a small, fabricated box full of mirrors and covered with a sheet of translucent film - basically a small portable softbox but fitted around the lens. Cumbersome-looking but gave a good, really soft light with subtle shadows.

RobertP

09-05-2007, 18:15

Just to avoid any confusion Arkadys post was not there when I started my slowly typed initial reply so comments were on Grendels original post!

If I'm out chasing bugs I use a flash bracket to get the gun positioned close to the subject (Like in this old Spider shots thread (http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=6876)). If I have a captive subject then I position the flash and hold the camera (shown in this thread (http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=21820))

Grendel

09-05-2007, 18:24

Thanks for your help Robert, the shots in those 2 threads make me realise I have a way to go but I can certainly seen the difference a flash makes with macro work. Looks like I have a few more pennys to spend :)

zanyzach37

11-05-2007, 01:47

I like these a lot. Good job. :-)

www.zachvitale.com

pxl8

14-05-2007, 13:17

To find subjects more willing to stay still you need to get up early and find the insects as they warm up in the early morning sun, then you'll get plenty of time to compose and focus your shots. Much after 10am on a warm day and the bugs are very busy and won't keep still.

A good tip for focusing is to watch for the catchlights in the eyes to get sharp - on some insects you might also see "pixelation" in the eyes when the focus is spot on (depends on the size of the cells in the eye).

Grendel

15-05-2007, 08:55

Joe T

15-05-2007, 09:13

Only just seen these, sorry Paul.

1. Needs a crop on the left to centre the subject in the frame. Good sharpenss though.

2. Excellent shot

3. Composition doesnt work for me, sorry

4. Not really close enough tbh, plus its a wasp :gag:

HTH :)

Keltic Ice Man

23-05-2007, 17:07

The first shot I like apart from the removal of the Bees antlers (can't remember the proper name ;) )
2nd and fourth - great
3rd - does very little for me