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Yellow Jacket
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Yellow Jacket

by Roger Kirchen

Gallery: Macro & Close-upPosted June 11, 2017235 views8 comments
This is the real one, not a harmless mimic as in my previous image. 

Canon 7D, Sigma 150 mm macro 2.8 + 1.4 TC, f/25, ISO 100, -2 EV to balance BG, 1/60 sec, monopod, Canon Twin Lite (manual), LR, PS-CC and NIK suite.   I've been trying different DIY diffusers.  I forget which one I used here, but I am still not happy with the quality of the light (double reflections in the eye).

All comments are much appreciated. Thank you for all your comments on my previous photos.

 

Comments

8 comments
Comment posted by Shirley Freeman on June 12, 2017 at 10:18 AM
Excellent macro shot of this yellow jacket, Roger!  I am not too sure I would get into the face of one of them, because I understand that they can put a hurting on you right quick like.  Whatever you used for your diffuser worked well here.  Those DIY diffuser work well.  I know I am quite satisfied with mine, and it didn't cost me a thing, just items I had already.  Wonderful lighting, detail and overall great image. 
Registered on May 27, 2017, 77 Posts, 844 Comments
Comment posted by Mark Seaver on June 12, 2017 at 1:17 PM
Roger, you're a braver man than I getting this close to a yellow jacket (and I speak from sad, painful experience).  The details in both the wasp and the flower look great with the flash giving you great dof.  Yes, the double reflection in the eye is a give away to the use of flash.
Registered on January 23, 2011, 1103 Posts, 17270 Comments
Comment posted by Jim Zablotny on June 12, 2017 at 9:59 PM
Hi Roger,

The comp looks good and the overall exposure is good.  You have some ghosting produced by your camera using front shutter sync and long exposure. Go with ISO 200-400, f11-f16, and do not use flash if the lighting is bright but soft.   At f25, your image is much softer due to diffraction than if taken at a wider aperture.   These insects twitch when that flash goes off as well.  When away from their nest, these wasps are nectaring and can be approached closely.  They are quite defensive around the nest, however.  Overall, looks good and with some tweaks to your technique, perfect wasp images are in your future.........................Jim
Registered on January 17, 2004, 705 Posts, 3594 Comments
Comment posted by Ed Williams on June 13, 2017 at 1:48 PM
Nice color and detail in the larger view Roger. As Jim has pointed out it seems to have some ghosting. Keep 'em coming. This is cool.
Registered on December 28, 2010, 636 Posts, 3499 Comments
Comment posted by Yun Gao on June 14, 2017 at 6:22 PM
Hi Roger, Good exposure, beautiful colors, very nice macro! I think 1/60s is probably not fast enough. I agree with Jim’s comment about “Go with ISO 200-400, f11-f16, and do not use flash if the lighting is bright but soft.”
Registered on September 11, 2012, 267 Posts, 1621 Comments
Comment posted by Swathiraj G on June 15, 2017 at 3:18 AM
Hi Roger, Nice attempt to get a close up shot... apart from that double reflections in the eye & highlights on the tail part, i could see an image shake too... 
Registered on April 26, 2014, 71 Posts, 153 Comments
Comment posted by Howard Cheek on June 15, 2017 at 1:59 PM
Nice side view revealing sharp details, well composed close frame as well.
The reflections at the eye don't really bother in the 'big picture' cool
 
Registered on July 24, 2008, 1201 Posts, 10758 Comments
Comment posted by Albert Darmo on June 19, 2017 at 10:28 AM
Hi  Roger    Agree with  Yun's and  Jim's  comments     i  never go  lower  than iso200  for  my insect  shots..      the overall  quality of  this  image  is very good .    excellent work
Albert Darmo
Canada
Registered on November 25, 2008, 1386 Posts, 11978 Comments