Nature Photographers Network
This is the preserved archive of the original Nature Photographers Network. The community continues at naturephotographers.network.
Forums · UKNP

Springtail

Discussion

17 replies
Posted by Matt Cole on December 15, 2009 at 2:16 AM
This is a Globular Springtail, around 2mm in length and the shot is the result of some recent experiments. I posted a shot similar to this last year but thought I'd have another go.

The springtail is on a thin film of water on top of some plastic with a piece of black carrier bag below it to create the black backdrop. It's a 2 shot focus stack taken at 5:1 magnification. I found the Springtail under a rock in my garden and it was quickly returned back to its home.

Canon 40D with MPE-65 macro lens, f9, 1/160, ISO 100, diffused Speedlight on side bracket.

It's best viewed large, so here's a 1000 pixel version.

To give a feel for the size of these Globular Springtails, I've posted a snap shot below showing one next to a 5p coin.
:smile:

All C+C welcomed.

Matt
Posted by Matt Cole on December 15, 2009 at 2:17 AM
here's one next to a 5p coin (this one's not for critique :biggrin: )
Posted by Mark Sisson on December 15, 2009 at 3:21 AM
Extraordinarily vibrant colours on this Matt, which the studio set up have really brought out.

Background and reflection set up work really well too and you really have got that lens mastered now :smile:

Mark

:toast:
Posted by Jeff Harrison on December 15, 2009 at 3:21 AM
Nice one Matt :toast: The black background sets it off nicely and the reflection is a bonus :smile:
Posted by Andy Shepherd on December 15, 2009 at 3:26 AM

Very cool shot Matt, it's one crazy, colourful beastie :biggrin:

Andy...
Posted by Jeroen Stel on December 15, 2009 at 4:22 AM
I just love your Springtail shots!!
Superb!

Greetings,

Jeroen Stel
Posted by John Robinson on December 15, 2009 at 4:33 AM
Excellent !
Nice to see something a little different.
Promted a few of us to dust off the old macros I suspect !
Cheers
John
Posted by Andy Astbury on December 15, 2009 at 4:50 AM
I take my hat off to you Matt - I couldn't cope with things this small :wavey:

Posted by PhilH on December 15, 2009 at 5:19 AM
Very nice indeed, with good use of the bg etc...

:toast: :wavey: :toast:
Posted by David Sewell on December 15, 2009 at 5:57 AM
Just goes to show that you don't need to go far to photograph something exotic. Great technique, and a fabulous result.

David
Posted by Adam Seward on December 15, 2009 at 10:02 AM
Brilliant work Matt!
Posted by Andrew Parkinson on December 15, 2009 at 12:00 PM
Hey Matt
I don't know the first thing about macro but this is certainly a dramatic image. It's always nice to have a window into a hidden world so thanks for sharing
Cheers
Andy
Posted by Dave Bartlett on December 15, 2009 at 1:39 PM
Excellent shot and thanks for the details behind it.
Posted by Craig Jones on December 15, 2009 at 1:46 PM
Brillant image taking us into their world,brillant Matt :wink: :wink: :wink: :wavey:
Posted by Maggie Campbell on December 15, 2009 at 3:34 PM
Amazing :smile: :smile:
Posted by Tim Taylor on December 15, 2009 at 4:55 PM
Great shot, worthy of Brian Valentine!

Tim :toast: :toast: :toast:
Posted by Matt Cole on December 16, 2009 at 3:46 AM
many thanks for the comments. :toast:

Matt
Posted by Phillip Tomkinson on December 16, 2009 at 8:24 AM
Hi Mat a very cool shot.

Phil.

:toast: :toast: :toast: :wavey: