Caterpillar lighting critique

[slimrbp]

I took this photo in the garden at the weekend using a new (to me) lighting technique utilising multiple flashes. I use flash quite a lot for macro work and end up with dark backgrounds so though I would try using a separate flash to light the background.

The main lighting was provided by a Canon MT-24EX Twinlite with the flash heads at 11 and 3 o'clock. A 430 EX II was then attached to a ground spike and placed nearer to the subject to act as a slave and illuminate the background. I set the power output of the slave manually to try and balance with the light from the main flash.


Toadflax Brocade - Calophasia lunula
1/250s @ f16

I think it has turned out pretty well but I would be interested to know what other members think?

[Geoff F]

You have obtained a good result on the caterpillar; strong blacks without over exposing the white.

But the background is too bright for me, and I find it is causing a conflict of viewing interest against your main subject, the caterpillar.

I would want to tone down the background slightly, and possibly blur it a little more.

[nutmeg]

I agree with Geoff about blurring the background more, but I much prefer this image to typical flash ones with an over-dark background as it looks far more natural.

[slimrbp]

Thanks for the feedback!

I can see what you mean about the background being a bit too bright, I did take a few shots after dialing down the slave flash and on revisiting they are a bit better.



The depth of field was a tricky one to balance as I was trying to make sure as much of the body was in focus as possible due to his/her s-shape. However I am sure a slightly different viewpoint with a less prominent feature may have helped.

Thanks again.

[PMG]

l like this a lot for a start! Its hypnotic and almost 3D so full marks on that . But I agree with G, N and S that there is an element of competition from the background. l would correct this by one of sev ways: either move the subject (risky it might not like it and drop off or curl up) or move the background away from the subject (risky you may be like me, clumsy and catch the subject or plant!) or another option is to take 'as is' (cos as you have said you need a high F stop for the creatures details which then brings the background into focus too) and then photoshop - select the background and blur or soften, a lot or a little, its a matter of personal taste

Pauline

PS There is another option which I think about but rarely do these days as I felt I got a false result - is to replace the background with a coloured card - splotchy or plain which makes selection and photoshopping a lot easier at the end! Maybe I was too crude in my card methods and if refined would be ok for certain subjects - I certainly haven't forgotten it as 'one tool in the bag!' There have been times when I used my green coat behind moths for instance when we have been in the caravan and dare not take the subject outside cos it would fly off immediately!!

[slimrbp]

Thanks Pauline,

I may well have a play in PS to see if I can blur it back a little bit. Either that or start training the caterpillars to pose

I think I overloaded my brain concentrating on the lighting and the subject then forgot about the background

[PMG]

Originally Posted by slimrbp

Thanks Pauline,

I may well have a play in PS to see if I can blur it back a little bit. Either that or start training the caterpillars to pose

I think I overloaded my brain concentrating on the lighting and the subject then forgot about the background

Hee hee! Yes know how that works!!



I've revisited this and selectively blurred the background with Gaussin Blur to see how it looked - I've done it rather crudely and cropped your image just so I had less to be careful with! Lets see if anyone thinks its better or worse!

[Bruce Williams]

Interesting idea Richard. Like a lot of folks I dislike the very dark backgrounds that you often get with macro flash - particularly when the natural background is some distance behind the subject.

Definitely something for me to play with - thanks for posting.

Bruce

[Naturenutz]

dont be too critical on yourself.That's a top macro photo.