unusual use of macro

[acherontia]

It can get very addictive!
I've not tried hoverflies yet but I'm still trying to improve on theses bee shots!

There's some tiny little hoverers under the apple trees I must try and get, too. (Gulp)

Acher



PS - I'm not a big fan of cranking the sharpening up so he's quite subtle - though pin sharp at 200% You can see a water droplet on his leg.

[Jim Ford]

I went looking for dragonflies yesterday, but there were none about - just a few damsels. I wonder if last winter killed a lot of the larvae? I stopped to have a rest, and decided to have ago at the hoverflies. You really get less than a second to focus (I used manual) and take the shot, so consequently there are not many keepers.

I noticed that often a hoverfly would be interested in the camera - maybe it's their reflection in the lens. They would sometimes hover facing the camera and move towards it, finally settling on the lens hood.

Here's my contribution:



Jim

[acherontia]

Originally Posted by Jim Ford

I went looking for dragonflies yesterday, but there were none about - just a few damsels. I wonder if last winter killed a lot of the larvae? I stopped to have a rest, and decided to have ago at the hoverflies. You really get less than a second to focus (I used manual) and take the shot, so consequently there are not many keepers.

I noticed that often a hoverfly would be interested in the camera - maybe it's their reflection in the lens. They would sometimes hover facing the camera and move towards it, finally settling on the lens hood.

Here's my contribution:



Jim

Looks like you had to use a high ISO in a darkish situation there, Jim? Sharpening never helps with noise, either. My Sony is always a bit iffy as regards noise but this is still better than my hoverflies - which are non existent!
Rules for IiFs (Insects in Flight as opposed to BIFs) - choose a bright sunny day and make sure the subject is not in shade / bump up the ISO/ juggle between the smallest aperture you think you can get away with . Or use an expensive twin light speed flash system which OH has and I haven't LOL I do use a tad of diffused fill flash occasionally but not on the bees I did.

Acher

[Jim Ford]

I was just sitting in the shade waiting for dragonflies with a 50-200mm lens on and just grabbed it when it turned up. I tried asking it to move into the sunshine, but the stubborn little git didn't oblige!

BTW 'Acher', out of interest, what sort of monitor do you use, and is it calibrated?

Jim

[acherontia]

Originally Posted by Jim Ford

I was just sitting in the shade waiting for dragonflies with a 50-200mm lens on and just grabbed it when it turned up. I tried asking it to move into the sunshine, but the stubborn little git didn't oblige!

BTW 'Acher', out of interest, what sort of monitor do you use, and is it calibrated?

Jim

2009 21.5" high definition Mac calibrated with a spider.

Acher

[acherontia]

Originally Posted by Jim Ford

BTW 'Acher', out of interest, what sort of monitor do you use, and is it calibrated?

Jim

Here's the one i use - OH has another (bigger) Mac, the printer has its own and there's a mac book too.

The image on the Mac is that exhibition you missed at 'The Cube' and those are OH's exhibits - printed up to A1 without any PP sharpening.

Acher

[bethelsmith77]

I did exactly the same last summer .... was scrambling around on the floor taking macro photos of tiny mushrooms and when I stood up I came face to face with this little creature so I just took a snap...



Bee