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Take-off

Gallery: Regional: UKNPPosted September 4, 2011122 views10 comments

I noticed a couple of ladybirds crawling around some Goldenrod flower heads and every now and again they would take-off, or try to take-off, when they reached the top of the heads and the sun warmed them up sufficiently. I therefore lay in wait and captured this one in that split second before take-off.

Taken using a mixture of flash and natural light. Canon 60D with MP-E 65mm macro lens and heavily diffused MT-24 flashgun, f10, 1/250, ISO 400, handheld (the flower head was held in the left hand with the lens also resting on my left hand so the camera and subject moved as one). Best viewed large.

There are a couple more from the session on my blog.

All C+C welcomed.

Matt

Comments

10 comments

Comment posted by David Sewell on September 4, 2011 at 3:52 PM

That's an astonishing picture, Matt. A truly original shot. A tad more canvas top and right would be great if you have it, but no big deal.

David

Registered on September 10, 2008, 63 Posts, 801 Comments

Comment posted by Matt Cole on September 4, 2011 at 3:57 PM

thanks David. I'm afraid there is no more canvas, I was fortunate to just keep with wings within the frame but I agree a little more room might be better.

Matt

Registered on February 18, 2008, 17 Posts, 267 Comments

Comment posted by keith mitchell on September 4, 2011 at 4:08 PM

Matt this must have taken some doing very interesting how you have done it and it certainly has worked very well for you to get a super image like this.

Keith.

Registered on July 12, 2008, 127 Posts, 1735 Comments

Comment posted by David Taylor on September 5, 2011 at 11:42 AM

Observation, preparation and determination has produced a very pleasing 2D image, Matt. Now if you want a further challenge, try capturing a flying ladybird in 3D.

I almost pulled it off last week apart from the fact the flash was far too strong, and I only managed to get half an insect, so I had to bin the results.

Registered on April 24, 2006, 101 Posts, 837 Comments

Comment posted by Andy Shepherd on September 5, 2011 at 1:38 PM

Excellent work, and it's the first time I have seen inside a Ladybird's wing case.

Andy...

Registered on September 24, 2006, 123 Posts, 1254 Comments

Comment posted by Phil Ellard on September 5, 2011 at 4:50 PM

Your trade mark bright colours always appreciated, very differant and I am sure very difficult

Registered on December 17, 2010, 60 Posts, 634 Comments

Comment posted by Matt Cole on September 6, 2011 at 1:57 AM

Many thanks to those who have taken the time to comment.

Matt

Registered on February 18, 2008, 17 Posts, 267 Comments

Comment posted by Des Ong on September 6, 2011 at 1:36 PM

Hi Matt, for me I prefer less motion blur but more DOF, that's just my personal preference. Having done these myself I know how challenging it can be, especially at this level of magnification. The angle is fine as is the BG.

Registered on July 12, 2007, 23 Posts, 234 Comments

Comment posted by Matt Cole on September 6, 2011 at 3:37 PM

thanks Des. I thought it might be the motion blur or lack of DOF that some people weren't keen on. I guess the motion blur could be handled with greater flash output, but there wasn't a great deal more DOF available at this magnification. I wouldn't want to go past f13 because of diffraction softening and I don't think I wasted any DOF here. But I agree, the image looks like it could do with more, I think because, from this angle, you can see the other side of the ladybird's body and its wing cases, which would be OOF at practically any aperture.

Anyway, your comments are appreciated.

Matt

Registered on February 18, 2008, 17 Posts, 267 Comments

Comment posted by Craig Jones on September 6, 2011 at 7:28 PM

Great capture and really lovely image Matt

Registered on January 31, 2009, 67 Posts, 316 Comments