Posted by Matt Cole on September 7, 2009 at 2:21 AM
I recently had a couple of sessions photographing wasps feeding on windfall pears. I was using my MPE-65 macro lens which meant I had to get within 3-4 inches of the wasps. For the most part they ignored me although at times they were landing on my head and on the lens
This one is obviously quite large in the frame so isn't the most elegant of shots, but I still quite like it. It's best seen a bit larger so here's a 1100 pixel version.
Canon 450D with MPE-65 macro lens @ around 2x magnification. F14, 1/160, ISO 100, diffused Speedlight on side bracket, handheld, full frame.
I think I would have liked to have seen more of the face here (I'm sure you have that too), you certainly wouldn't get me that close....
Posted by David Sewell on September 7, 2009 at 4:02 AM
I rather like the way it has got stuck into the meal, so I don't agree with Phil about seeing more of the face. However, I am at one with him in saying you wouldn't get me doing that either!
David
Posted by Paul Inglis on September 7, 2009 at 6:01 AM
Top draw as usual Matt! Love the detail in those blacks, simply stunning! I like the pose as it is! Very sharp for hand held with that lens!
Posted by Andy Astbury on September 7, 2009 at 6:38 AM
Grand shot Matt - never knew they had extra eyes on top of their head.
Super macro Matt, can't add more to what's been said.
Des
Posted by Marcus Conway on September 7, 2009 at 9:49 AM
Absolutely love this, and I hate wasps! I feel drawn into the image and want to know what's in the hole - so the comp works well for me
Posted by David Taylor on September 7, 2009 at 12:32 PM
Excellent detail and flash diffused just right, BIF as well What more could one ask? Gives me something to aim for.
Posted by Peter Edge on September 7, 2009 at 1:49 PM
Really good shot of a difficult little subject with what I hear is a difficult lens to use.
Was it hard to manually focus with the motorcycle gloves on?
Pete
Posted by Tim Taylor on September 7, 2009 at 2:43 PM
A great shot of this chap in action. I think I'd have been sweating a bit at that range and as for having them land on my head...
Tim
Posted by Andy Shepherd on September 7, 2009 at 5:56 PM
Super shot Matt, all the praise is well deserved, looks you have mastered the most difficult lense on the planet
Andy...
Posted by Brett Lewis on September 8, 2009 at 4:34 AM
Love it.. Nothing to say to critique this as it's expertly done as usual Matt..
Brett
Posted by Matt Cole on September 8, 2009 at 6:46 AM
Discussion
13 repliesThis one is obviously quite large in the frame so isn't the most elegant of shots, but I still quite like it. It's best seen a bit larger so here's a 1100 pixel version.
Canon 450D with MPE-65 macro lens @ around 2x magnification. F14, 1/160, ISO 100, diffused Speedlight on side bracket, handheld, full frame.
All C+C welcomed.
Matt
David
I do wish Nikon did a lens like the MPE...
Des
Was it hard to manually focus with the motorcycle gloves on?
Pete
Tim
Super shot Matt, all the praise is well deserved, looks you have mastered the most difficult lense on the planet
Andy...
Brett
Matt