I have recently started to contribute to the Meet Your Neighbours photographic project led by Niall Benvie and Clay Bolt. The brief aim of the project is to highlight local biodiversity by photographing a vast array of individual species in isolation against a white background. More info is on the project website if anyone is interested and a recent post on my blog provides some more of my images.
As I mentioned in my previous UKNP post, I have taken a number of images recently of ladybirds in that split second before they take off. So with the above project in mind I thought I should also have a go taking one with a white background. These sort of images are taken outdoors, in situ (rather than in an indoor studio) using a white perspex background, illuminated from behind by flash.
Canon 60D with a 60mm macro lens, diffused twin flash from the front and a Speedlite positioned behind the perspex, f18, 1/160, ISO 100.
I realise the white background can divide opinion but all C+C welcomed. Please view the large version if possible.
Matt, It is stuff like this that I would love to have used in advertising, pure, simple, exquisite. This image has so much potential, keep them coming and get them populated.
TFS
Steve
Posted by Nick Mckeown on March 29, 2012 at 5:04 PM
That is a simply stunning image Matt! I love these type of images with clean white backgrounds they really make the subject stand out. It certainly gets my vote. Many thanks for sharing and the project sounds very interesting.
Nick.
Posted by John Robinson on March 29, 2012 at 5:19 PM
Well done Matt.
Great picture and tecqnique.
PS I remember doing this years back on water insects, and folks said
" ooh - don't like the background " !!
Funny how things change.
JR
Posted by David Taylor on March 29, 2012 at 5:23 PM
I''ve always liked this technique ever since the first Dorling Kindersley books came out years ago. Their free clip art is available here
Posted by Andy Astbury on March 30, 2012 at 4:13 AM
Ooooo, that's just a bit tasty Matt - no point saying any more matey
Posted by Barry Southon on March 30, 2012 at 4:36 AM
Matt
and still you take top quality to a higher level amazing.
Posted by Bob Johnson on March 30, 2012 at 7:18 AM
Amazing stuff, straight out of the top draw
Bob
Posted by Dave Bartlett on March 30, 2012 at 5:52 PM
Superb, especially the large version. Very much like the white flashed background - really makes the image pop. Another of those things I've meant to try but never have !
Dave
Posted by Phil Ellard on March 30, 2012 at 6:40 PM
Stunning
Posted by Malcolm Muir on March 31, 2012 at 9:13 AM
Really nice and perfect timing.
Posted by Rene de Heer on March 31, 2012 at 12:22 PM
Thats good... dare I say that the museum pioneered the dk look...
I think perhaps the backlight is a little strong which is causing a little bleed, another trick if you can is to mask the background to just outside the image area which helps to control the 'spill', black card strips taped to the perspex would do it... (hope that makes sense)
Phil, thanks for the suggestion. If I understand you correctly, I think this would be difficult to do for a small, moving subject but it's certainly something I'll give some thought to. I probably had the subject a bit closer than I should have to the perspex. Interesting to hear that the NHM was doing this before DK...
Discussion
20 repliesAs I mentioned in my previous UKNP post, I have taken a number of images recently of ladybirds in that split second before they take off. So with the above project in mind I thought I should also have a go taking one with a white background. These sort of images are taken outdoors, in situ (rather than in an indoor studio) using a white perspex background, illuminated from behind by flash.
Canon 60D with a 60mm macro lens, diffused twin flash from the front and a Speedlite positioned behind the perspex, f18, 1/160, ISO 100.
I realise the white background can divide opinion but all C+C welcomed. Please view the large version if possible.
Matt
TFS
Steve
Nick.
Great picture and tecqnique.
PS I remember doing this years back on water insects, and folks said
" ooh - don't like the background " !!
Funny how things change.
JR
http://www.clipart.dk.co.uk/10/subject/Natural_World/Jointed_blue_lobster
The timing and POV are excellent.
When this comes available I might give it a go with the more static subjects. :-) ;-)
http://www.3dfocus.co.uk/3d-news-2/3d-technology/inition-launch-new-glasses-free-3d-point-of-sale-tool/7859
David
Keith.
Matt
and still you take top quality to a higher level amazing.
Bob
Dave
Rene de Heer
I think perhaps the backlight is a little strong which is causing a little bleed, another trick if you can is to mask the background to just outside the image area which helps to control the 'spill', black card strips taped to the perspex would do it... (hope that makes sense)
Oscar
Phil, thanks for the suggestion. If I understand you correctly, I think this would be difficult to do for a small, moving subject but it's certainly something I'll give some thought to. I probably had the subject a bit closer than I should have to the perspex. Interesting to hear that the NHM was doing this before DK...
Matt