Question for Macro/Insect Photographers

GrittyShaker

GrittyShaker

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Scott
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How on Earth do people manage to get shots like this?

Clicky!

Am I being naïve? Is there a lot of Photoshoppery involved? I just can't fathom how someone, firstly, finds the insect/seed combination to photograph in the first place, and secondly, manages to get such a sharp and in-focus shot of a tiny, apparently moving object.

Another example:

Clicky!

:shrug:
 
Ah, sorry. Maybe it's because I'm logged in to 1x. No, it's more complicated than just real close-ups. I'm getting quite good at that now. :D

Bear with me...
 
They're really beautiful. It gives me something to aim for anyway. Most of the shots on that site are truly stunning. :) Shame that most of the beasties in the photos aren't UK natives.
 
Its hard enough getting a sharp photo of an insect while it is on the ground let alone while it is flying taking a leaf with it :)
 
ziggy©;3646608 said:
Its hard enough getting a sharp photo of an insect while it is on the ground let alone while it is flying taking a leaf with it :)
Click to expand...

My thoughts exactly.

I suppose heavily manipulated shots aren't so much of an issue on that site, since it's sort of geared towards selling fine art prints. :shrug: Still, some of the not so manipulated shots are just as impressive.
 
Paragliding and Feel Free seem suspiciously lucky and the photographer's comment on Feel Free all but confirms it's set up/fake - but The Athlete strikes me as doable if you happened across it and were quick on the draw or if the insect wasn't in any great rush.

I did this and this with a 70-200mm f/4L USM and a crop (it's around 75% of the original image size) but the insect was hovering for ten seconds or so at a time so I had chance to manual focus.
If something was carrying a leaf of the size that one appears to be you'd be able to use autofocus and follow something flying without any trouble, certainly on a USM lens anyway.
 
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Heheh! Looks familiar.
5646287976_efc7ac9384.jpg


That was also manually focused. It was taken with a crap lens, and is heavily cropped, hence the softness. Not In the same league as the 1x shots.

I don't think the Athlete subject is actually carrying the leaf. Damselflies are pretty flimsy and weak critters, and I just don't think they would have the strength. Perhaps it was just coming in to land, and the limb the leaf was attached to has been shopped out. Otherwise I could only imagine the leaf was dropping to the ground, and the damsel was clinging onto it falling with it.
 
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